My daughters and I went to visit my parents in Langley, BC over the Easter break. While there, I got the chance to visit a couple of wineries. One, a tiny 2 person operation, with a small building in which the wine was made. It was very deceiving as it didn't even look like a winery! All the wines are produced in Langley, BC with grapes sourced from the Okanagan Valley. In the meantime, they were terracing slopes out back to plant their own set of grapes. Blackwood Lane Winery was full of character, and the front end manager, Kimberley, was lovely. I fully expected to pay for my tasting, but was treated for free, when she found out I was in the "bizz"! Lucky me, and lucky for my daddy, who happened to be my chauffeur for the day, so he got to participate as well! A nice time of bonding for father and daughter!
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| The view out back at Blackwood Lane Winery - Langley, BC. The site of the winemaking! A stunning view! |
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| My dad and I at Blackwood Lane Winery - April 7, 2012. I was very happy to have him with me! |
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| 2007 Merlot
Blackwood Lane Winery
Langley, BC, Canada
$34
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I had this wine sitting in my rack for a whole month after I visited this winery! It had to be opened for others to enjoy it! I couldn't just open it for me! At $34, this Merlot was not to be trifled with. And I would never be able to get this wine here at home. I tasted some quality wines at Blackwood, but this was by far my favourite. Lots of chocolate, spice and leather on the nose, with hints of cinnamon and black cherry on the palate. Beautiful finish with that perfect blending of acidity and tannin! It was tasted with some blue cheese bread, which paired well! If you are in south Langley, and have the time, stop in! It's very tiny, so you might miss it if you blink ;) But trust me...you won't want to blink...it will be worth your time!
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| Domaine De Chaberton Winery Langley, BC, Canada |
What I loved about this winery, is it's truly "All Canadian". All grown, harvested and bottled in Langley, BC. A bistro on site that is a very popular lunch destination, this winery had people coming in and out while I was there. I arrived a little too early to take the tour, but I wasn't worried, knowing I'd be back this summer to see more of the "fruit set" on the vines. Maybe even see that "Veraison" which is where the grapes actually ripen, turning from little green berries to actual reddish/purple grapes (of course the colour will depend on the varietal!)
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| 2010 Bacchus Domaine de Chaberton Fraser Valley, VQA British Columbia, Canada $13.99 |
Anyway, I digress...Now is the time to be thinking about enjoying some delicious patio wines. It's almost summer after all, and this one would fit the bill! Lots of delicious summer fruits like peaches, pears and pineapples! Yum! If you like the fruity whites, you'll love this wine! Very clean and fresh with medium acidity, so it's not too tart in the mouth. Stunning really! And the Bacchus grape? Alright, hang on to your hats for this one: Created in 1933 by a German viticulturist, it's a Silvaner/Reisling crossed with a Muller-Thurgau, which is already a cross! So...maybe it's a mutant? Haha! The Bacchus grape is usually lower in acidity (which I mentioned), and has even been described as "exuberant". Are you curious? At $13.99 a bottle, you really can't go wrong by giving this wine a try. But guess what? Not easily found in Alberta. (You BC folks should be able to find it not problem) So if you're going to the lower mainland this summer, stop in about noon to have some lunch at the Bacchus Bistro. Take the 2 pm wine tour, then take some time after that to browse their vast selection of wines in the shop, and sample some in the tasting room! Sounds like a great idea doesn't it? I'm going in August, and I'm going to do it all!
Domaine De Chaberton Estate Winery
1064 216 St., Langley, BC V2Z 1R3
604-530-1736
http://www.domainedechaberton.com/
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