Conveniently and coincidentally, the Canadian flag is red and white.
They also happen to be the colours of our two favourite wines here at the NowMedia wine column.
Adoring reds and whites gives you a lot of latitude because it covers virtually every wine.
So, as Canada Day approaches on Wednesday, July 1 let's show our 'true patriot love' and raise a glass to 'the True North strong and free'.
'From far and wide' we can cheers with sparkling wine from the Okanagan.
'With glowing hearts' we can sip Okanagan whites on the patio, at a picnic, on the boat and on the beach.
And, as 'we stand on guard for thee' we can have a Canada Day barbecue to grill British Columbia AAA beef to pair with bold and smooth Okanagan reds.
So, as God keeps 'our land glorious and free' crack open these wines for Canada Day and beyond.
-- Hester Creek 2025 Ti Amo ($25) from Oliver
The aforementioned sparkling to toast Canada Day.
Ti Amo translated from Italian is 'I love you' and you'll love this fresh Prosecco-style bubbly made of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat.
-- Hester Creek 2025 Riesling ($25) from Oliver
Lush aromas and flavours of apple and honey.
-- Hester Creek 2025 Viognier ($25) from Oliver
An exotic profile of kiwi and honeysuckle.
-- Nk'Mip 2025 Dreamcatcher
A luscious and aromatic blend of Riesling, Sauvignon and Ehrenfelser.
-- Culmina Dilemma 2023 Chardonnay ($36) from Oliver
Restrained and elegant.
-- See Ya Later Ranch 2024 Pinot Gris ($17)
Made by the Okanagan Falls winery of grapes from Washington state.
Quintessential Pacific Northwest Gris done in the Okanagan profile of textured pear, lime and minerality.
-- Intrigue 2023 Merlot ($27) from Lake Country
The aromas and flavours of rounded plum and vanilla are a perfect pairing with barbecued steak.
-- Ex Nihilo Reserve Petit Verdot 2022 (wine club member price) from Lake Country
Petit Verdot is usually a minor player in Merlot and-or Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux-style red blends.
Here it is a standout on its own with a smooth blackcurrant-violet-and-
-- Township 7 Reserve 7 2022 ($45) from the Naramata Bench
All the attributes we love in a Bordeaux-style red blend -- aromas and flavours of black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and black licorice.
-- Fort Berens 2022 Cabernet Franc ($30) from Lillooet
A gold medal winner at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.
Sign of the times in Summerland
After years of wrong turns in Summerland, Bottleneck Drive has put up spiffy new signs to clearly direct people to wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries.
Bottleneck Drive is the scenic, self-guided craft beverage route in Summerland.
The new series of signage replaces the old patchwork of inconsistent signs.
The sign upgrade coincides with and incorporates the logo refresh for Bottleneck Drive -- a road with centre line in the stylized shape of a wine bottle.
Splish splash
A free pool party!
Yes, the Block Party July 2, from noon to 7 pm, at Blasted Church Winery in Okanagan Falls is free to attend.
The move to a daytime shindig means you can bring the whole family to swim (a lifeguard will be on duty), play lawn games, drink $6-a-glass wine if you're old enough and groove to the live music.
The Law of Attraction food truck will also be on site selling comfort foods.
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian wine scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in this space.
