Wine Guy: More fresh B.C. wines to sip this summer

Have to keep it fresh as summer continues, to keep on checking out new vintage releases from local wineries. We’re still in the midst of whites and rosés, the 2025 vintage reds are still some time away. But, really, these are the wines best able to take on the warmer, longer day lit hours of summer — and the meals more likely to get served this time of year.

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Volcanic Hills Estate Winery 2025 Magma White (from $20.09, available through the winery and select private wine stores)

Friendly, al fresco gatherings call for friendly, fruity white wines. White blends often make the right call in this regard, when a team of grapes comes together to surpass the sum of its parts. Volcanic Hills’ Magma White fits this bill. It’s a very B.C. blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Viognier (in 54/33/8/6 composition, and mostly estate grown in West Kelowna) that is extremely aromatic and expressive. Rich and with a floral potpourri, some residual sugars bring out a complementary smooth finish, making this a great partner with spicier grilled fare.

Bottom line: B. Textural and crowd pleasing,

Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery 2025 Noble Unoaked Chardonnay ($24.99, #668029)

Full disclosure, I’m not typically an “unoaked” Chardonnay fan. Quality Chardonnay actually takes well to oak, whether we’re talking barrel fermentation or oak aging. But to be fair, there was a time when poor-to-mediocre Chardonnay was getting assailed by oak (usually via oak chips or other “oak enhanced” technologies) in efforts to, as it’s said, put lipstick on a pig. Thus, the unoaked classification was born as differentiator. But when summer is calling, and when there’s an unadulterated Chardonnay like this Unoaked Chard from Noble Ridge, well, it’s game on. Apple and orchard fruit nuances abound in this crisp and fresh white.

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Bottoml line: A-. Great with grilled chicken or pork.

Bottle of Blasted Church 2025 Blaufränkisch Rosé

Blasted Church 2025 Blaufränkisch Rosé ($28, available through the winery and select private wine stores)

While I certainly appreciate the svelte, onion skin or light salmon-hued rosés that typically lean more savoury-toned (and hail from the south of France), equally enjoyable — particularly during the peak of summer — are the bright, vibrant pink rosés exuberayting fun and fruit. Could a rosé crafted from Blaufränkisch grapes present any other way? Crafted from Skaha Bench-grown grapes, this 100 per cent pink Blaufränkisch is half whole cluster pressed and entirely barrel fermented, and bursts with berry and watermelon Jolly Rancher aromas. A juicy entry leads to a tart mid-palate before a balanced, soft and savoury yet fresh finish.

Bottom line: B+. Total taco wine.

The Swirl: Kelowna Rosé Disco

The Rosé Disco is pulling up to Kelowna’s Waterfront Park on July 19 for an all-day celebration of “iconic wines, chef pop-ups, and world-class DJ sets.” More than 30 pink wines will be poured, from Provence classics to bold New World bottles, alongside music and bites. While general tickets are sold out, the final 50 tickets to the event will be released at 10 a.m. on July 14. For complete details head to rosedisco.com/kelowna.