Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Hatfield’s Fuse 2005

Who made it: Blasted Church Vineyards
What varietal(s): 60% Optima, 23% Ehrenfelser, 9% Pinot Gris, 8% Riesling
Where: Okanagan Falls, BC
Why drink it: Because it’s tasty
Extra, extra: $16, 13.3%, screw cap, no oak

If the whimsical label doesn’t grab you, maybe the clean, fruity taste will. Blasted Church’s most popular wine is named in honour of Harley Hatfield who in 1929 lit the dynamite fuse that would blow up a church that needed to be dismantled and moved to Okanagan Falls.

I must admit, a few years ago I tried this wine just because I loved the label. Thank god, I liked the wine. Sometimes a creative, fun label is slapped on inferior wines. Not this time. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

So, besides the cartoonish label by talented illustrator Monika Melnychuk, what can you expect? An enjoyable wine, with or without food, that’s well worth the $16 to $18 you’ll pay (available at private wine shops or through the winery).

Next time you’re in the Penticton area of the Okanagan, zip over to Okanagan Falls and check out their little winery and stock up on wines with standard varietal names or unusual, fun ones, like “the dam flood” or “blastphemy”.

Hatfield’s Fuse is an aromatic blend of four white varietals (Optima, Ehrenfelser, Pinot Gris and Riesling). This medium-bodied, slightly off-dry wine has honey, lemon/lime, tropical and floral aromas that let you know what your taste buds can expect. Clean, crisp acidity and fruity (citrus, melon, peach and pear) flavours go down smoothly. I highly recommend it. If you like wines with a bit lower acidity (medium), like Chardonnay, Viognier and Gewürztraminer, you may find the acidity a bit sharp, although refreshing.

Try it. Cheers!

Labels: , ,

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Joie A Noble Blend 2005

Who made it: Joie Vineyards
What varietal(s): 23 % Pinot Blanc, 21% Gewürztraminer, 20% Riesling, 18% Kerner, 8% Muscat, 5% Auxerrois and 2% Ehrenfelser
Where: Okanagan Valley, BC
Why drink it: Because it’s very good
Extra, extra: $20, 12.2%, screw cap, no oak

This pale lemon-gold wine has an aromatic nose of spice, pineapple, lychee, peach and floral notes. With mouth-watering acidity, this off-dry, medium-high acidity white is medium bodied, smooth and silky. Fruit (peaches, pineapple, apple and a hint of grapefruit), honey and spice fill your mouth and the finish is long. Fresh, with complex flavours, this wine is great alone or with spicy foods.

Joie wines are sometimes hard to find, so get on their mailing list or scour private wine shops or try it next time you see it at a restaurant. I love this wine, along with the other Joie wines. Enjoy!

Labels: , ,