Quails' Gate white is BC's number one white

Photo: The number one-selling  VQA white wine in BC

Some years ago, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery had to rationalize an unwieldy wine portfolio that included a Swiss white varietal not well known to consumers here.

So the winery phased out Chasselas as a single varietal bottling. That is a bit sad because Chasselas was the first vinifera vine planted at Quails’ Gate. Lovers of Swiss wine will know what a delightful wine it is with, say, a cheese fondue.

Having said that, lovers of Swiss wines in BC are few and far between because we get so few of them here. Quails’ Gate worked around the comparative unfamiliarity of Chasselas (60%) by adding Pinot Gris (20%) and Pinot Blanc (20%) to the blend.

It worked. Did it ever! This is believed to be the largest selling white VQA wine in British Columbia. In 2018, the blend, which has all three varietals on the label, totalled a phenomenol 19,000 cases.

The Quail’s Gate portfolio is still large enough that some would consider it unwieldy. That is largely because the winery has added small lot wines that reflect the many special blocks in the vineyard. It is a good call. The current releases include two Gewürztraminers. The large production one is good but the single block small lot is outstanding.

Here are notes on current releases.

Quail’s Gate Chasselas Pinot Blanc Pinot Gris 2018 ($17.99 for 19,000 cases). Here is a white to keep in the fridge for a refreshing glass of wine in the afternoon, or whenever the mood directs. It is juicy and easy to drink, with fruity aromas and flavours. 90.

Quail’s Gate Gewürztraminer 2018 ($16.99 for 5,900 cases). The wine begins with aromas of lychee and pear, leading to flavours of grapefruit with a hint of ginger on the finish. The acidity is soft and the wine has a hint of residual sweetness. 88.

Quail’s Gate Orchard Block Gewürztraminer 2018 ($21.99 for 550 cases). This is a fine dry Gewürztraminer with intense aromas and flavours. On the nose, there are spice notes. The palate is rich with flavours of lychee and grapefruit. The finish lingers and lingers. 93.

Quail’s Gate Dry Riesling 2018 ($16.99 for 3,600 cases). The wine begins with aromas of citrus. It delivers flavours of lemon and lime mingled with a mineral backbone. The finish is crisp and dry. With another six to 12 months in bottle, the flavours will express themselves fully. 91.

Quail’s Gate Chenin Blanc 2018 ($23.99 for 3,900 cases). The wine begins with aromas of apple and peach, leading to flavours of citrus. The wine is dry with a spine of minerality on the palate. 91.

Quail’s Gate Lucy’s Block Rosé 2018 ($24.99

for 893 cases). This is a blend of 60% Pinot Meunier and 40% Pinot Noir.  Delicate in hue, it has aromas and flavours of raspberries and wild strawberries. It is crisp and dry. 91.