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Terroir: Borrowed from the French, this term encompasses the entire environment–soil, climate, aspect–that makes a vineyard special.*

Brix: A measure of sugar in grapes: one degree Brix equals 10 grams of sugar per litre. Mature grapes are typically 21 to 25 Brix, equating to 11 to 13 percent alchohol after fermentation.*

Terroir: The Okanagan Valley has five officially recognized sub-regions — Kelowna, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Golden Mile, and Black Sage/Osoyoos.

Quality: The VQA designation (Vintners Quality Alliance) requires a professional tasting panel to approve each wine.

Awards: In 1994, Mission Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay 1992 won the Avery Trophy for “Best Chardonnay Worldwide” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London—the first major award win of the new era of BC winemaking.


*Schreiner, John - British Columbia Wine Country, Whitecap Books Ltd., 2003

  
 
LATE HARVEST AND ICEWINE
 

Flavours and Aromas
Dried apricot, peach, citrus, tangerine, orange, passionfruit, pineapple, mango to caramel, raisin, nut.

Intensity
Moderate to highly concentrated.

Texture
Medium to heavy, smooth, satiny.

Sweetness
Sweet to ultra-sweet.

Style
Any dessert served with a lusciously fruity dessert wine is a spectacular way to end a meal. Just remember, always choose a dessert wine that is as sweet or sweeter than the dessert; otherwise, the wine may taste bitter, thin and coarse by contrast. Sweet wines pair well with some savoury foods too, like foie gras, pates, and charcuterie.

 

  
© 2006 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.