2008 Averill Creek Pinot Gris
Vancouver Island, B.C.
In a unique twist this week we have sourced some Pinot Gris from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Normally we associate British Columbia wines with the Okanagan but grapes are also grown on the lower mainland, the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley. The Cowichan Valley lies approximately 50 km north of Victoria and is actually a very warm growing region. "Cowichan" means the "warm land" and is generally 5-8 degrees hotter than Victoria.
Averill Creek Winery was founded by Andy and Wendy Johnston who are from Edmonton but relocated to the coast to establish a 40 acre vineyard and vertical flow winery on the slopes of Mount Prevost just north of Duncan. Since their first release the winery has acheived critical acclaim and specializes in Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
The 2008 Pinot Gris was barrel fermented in neutral French Oak. The wine is golden in color, with an aromatic nose of clover honey, spice and citrus. The wine has forward acidity and is a great food pairing wine. A wonderful food match would be West Coast smoked salmon with some mascarpone cream cheese with lemon zest!
Enjoy!
Cellar Door Price $19.95
Click to share thisClick to share this