By Julianna Hayes
Grape Expectations

Like most people, I don’t have a limitless disposable income. I am terribly frugal when it comes to most things – paying top dollar for only tried and true products or brands to which I’m particularly attached.

I am willing to spend more on a bottle of wine than the average consumer, but a lot of that has to do with my line of work. Still, I relish a good bargain like anyone else. So when I receive the following email from “Lisa,” I took it as a challenge to deliver.

I am one of your regular readers of “Grape Expectations” in the Okanagan Sunday. I was excited to see your list for 2010. My excitement quickly faded when I saw that of your list of 19 wines, only one was under $20.”

“The next lowest priced bottle was $22, with only 8 of the 19 listed wines being in the $20-$30 range. In other words, more than 50 per cent of the wines you listed are $30 or greater! Yikes!! In a time of tough economic times I was quite disappointed that you did not include a significant number of wines that are an affordable price.

“I was born and grew up in the South Okanagan, and do enjoy my wines. However, I have been shocked in recent years to see the huge jump in price. In all honesty, I have seriously reduced my wine consumption and almost consider a purchase of a local bottle of wine as a “luxury” these days. While wine prices have steadily increased in price, I was happy to discover the simultaneous decrease in the price of local cider, which I equally enjoy.

“I am a huge supporter of “buy local” but am finding it increasingly harder to find local wine at a reasonable price. Many of my wine loving friends are finding it equally challenging to buy local and admit to drinking less local wine and turning to wines from overseas that are much more affordable, despite shipping costs.”

Lisa’s note finished with the comment. “I hope that you will consider this email as a request to include ‘price’ as one of your criteria.”

I don’t consider price in my ratings as there is no fair way of doing so. I do always note when a wine represents excellent value – likewise, I will comment when I think it’s overpriced for what it delivers. But few people would want me to bump up a wine’s rating simply because it costs less.

If it’s rated an A+ wine, that means it is of superior quality, meeting all the criteria expected of a wine of that calibre – not a B wine jacked up to an A because it retails for ten bucks.

That said, I totally hear where Lisa is coming from, so I went over my notes from last year and discovered an astonishing number of wines that delivered great bang for the buck.

Thus, I’ve compiled a second list – the Top Value Wines of 2010 – for all the Lisas to whom cost is a factor.

Road 13 2009 Old Vines Chenin Blanc

Quite a bit of complexity delivered by mature vines translating into apple, honey, grapefruit, mineral and spicy aromas. Incredible intensity in this package. A go-to food wine. $20.00

Laughing Stock 2009 Pinot Gris

Elegance in a value package with green apple, buttery, peach, orange rind, mineral aromas and a touch of floral on the bouquet. A bit sweet and buttery on the entry that is quickly balanced by plenty of racy acidity on the finish. $20

Mission Hill 2009 Five Vineyards Rosé

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. A racy wine with strawberry, pomegranate, orange aromas. Yummy and fresh, lovely sipper with plenty of flavours and zing on the finish. $14

Pentâge 2009 Rosé

100 per cent Gamay. Perfumed aromas of rose petals, vanilla, blood orange, wild strawberry, rhubarb, cherry. Fresh and bright with cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange flavours and citrusy finish. $18.50

Blue Mountain 2009 Pinot Blanc 2009

Peach, apricot, pear and orange zest and lime. Has a touch of creamyness on the entry that is balanced by racy acidity. A proven winner. $18

Red Rooster 2009 Riesling

Honey, apple sauce, peach, nutmeg, pear, lime peel aromas. Luscious honeyed entry with stewed apple, peach nectar, pear, citrus and sweet spicy flavours. Good acidity on the finish. $16

Stoneboat 2009 Pinot Blanc

Pear, green apple skin, honey, mineral, floral, grass, spice and butter. Lots of lemony crispness on the palate, apple, pear and mineral with some earth and light spice. $18

Intrigue 2009 Riesling

Crisp lemon-lime, apple, mineral with hints of peach and orange blossoms. Bright and racy on the palate with fresh apple, peach and lemon.  $17

Township 7 2008 Chardonnay

If you like your Chardonnay with a touch of oak, this version is done without a heavy hand allowing the peach, apple character to still shine while the wood brings out hints of butterscotch, hazelnut, baking spice with a lovely creamy texture on the palate. $20

Tinhorn Creek 2008 Merlot

One of only a few wineries still making straight-up Cab Franc, and it’s also top of the heap. Ripe blackberry aromas, mocha, spice, vanilla, cedar and just a hint of the bell pepper distinctive to Cab Franc. Nice and spicy on the palate with rich black fruit flavours, menthol, bell pepper and cocoa. $17

Road 13 2009 Honest John’s White

Aromatic wine featuring honey, pear, apple, ripe light stone fruit and grapefruit hints. Fairly weighty on the palate with apple skin, peach, honey and yellow grapefruit flavours. Good balance of ripe fruit and acid. $17

8th Generation 2009 Pinot Meunier Rose

Wild strawberry, bing cherry, citrus, spicy aromas. The entry is fresh and zippy with a hint of sweetness. Ripe bright berry flavours, a hint of pepper and a racy citrus finish. Quaffable in the best way possible. $19

Mission Hill 2008 Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc

Pear, green apple, mineral, some grassy notes and grapefruit aromas. Apple skin, green peach, a hint of lemon, grass and flint on the palate. Good intensity $19

Hillside 2009 Gewurztraminer

Peach, apple, lychee, juicy pink grapefruit, orange blossoms and spice aromas jump out of the aromatic bouquet. Bright tropical fruit flavours with citrus zest on the finish. Not overly powerful but yummy to drink. $19

Quails’ Gate 2009 Chenin Blanc

One of my quintessential summer picks featuring fresh green apple, grapefruit, melon, lime and herbal aromas. The entry is quite tart with loads of steely mineral and citrus character but with fresh oysters we’re talking bam!  $19

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Oldfield Series 2 Bench Rose

Tinhorn is in the pink for the first time and it’s a winner. Features fresh peach, mineral, orange, vanilla and wild strawberry aromas. Nice zippy entry with wild strawberry, peach and a slightly herbal character. $20

Tinhorn Creek 2009 Gewurztraminer

Aromatic with spicy aromas of green apple, lychee, lemon peel, ginger, light rose petals and mineral. Lots of bright fruit flavours and a hint of sweetness on the palate followed by a fresh citrusy finish. $17

Mission Hill 2008 Reserve Pinot Gris

Elegant Gris showing decent weight on the palate and a pale rosy copper hue in the glass. Features pink grapefruit, pear, apple, peach and slightly nutty, buttery aromas. Nice and dry on the entry with flavours of grapefruit, apple, citrus rind, pear and a fresh finish. $19

CedarCreek 2007 Cabernet Merlot

Nicely priced blend with bright red fruit aromas, violets, licorice, mint, and spice. Soft red berry fruit flavours, mocha, mint and spice, round mouthfeel with a smooth finish. $19

Road 13 2008 Honest John’s Red

Cherry, cranberry, floral notes, cedar, earth and spice aromas. Ripe berry flavours, some herbal character, cedar, pepper and distinct freshness on the palate and finish. Supple and reasonably quaffable. $19

Quails’ Gate 2008 Chardonnay

Shows lovely golden apple, melon, peach, orange, lemon, nutty, honey aromas. On the palate, the wine is creamy, but balanced by fresh lemon zest acidity. Wow factor. $19

Sandhill 2009 King Family Vineyard Pinot Gris

A perennial winner featuring green apple, melon, green peach, citrus rind, mineral. Clean and fresh with plenty of acidity. Classic. $17

Sperling Vineyard Sper..itz

Apple, floral and citrusy aromas of lime and grapefruit pop in this fun little BC bubble served up in a bottle built for two. Fresh apple flavours and a citrusy finish a hint of pie crust. $14 for 375ml

Herder 2008 Three Sisters

Peachy, apple, honey and spice with hints of orange and a touch of floral on the nose. Complex palate of baked golden fruit, mandarin and spice. $20

Township 7 2008 Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Packs a punch of spicy, gamey, smoky, black fruit notes that belie it’s modest price. Well extracted black fruit flavours with a very peppery, savoury palate. Age a couple years or decant and serve with grilled steak or prime rib. $20

Hester Creek 2009 Trebbiano 2009

A rarely seen varietal that has scored high for Hester with critics. Features melon, pear, peach and orange blossom aromas with a silky but fresh palate. Light but surprisingly complex. $19

Gray Monk 2009 Gewurztraminer

Rose petals, peach, lychee, spicy aromas with flecks of tropical fruit. Well balanced sweetness and acidity – classic example of a well-made Gewurz. A must with Thai cuisine. $17

Van Westen 2009 Vino Grigio

Bright and racy with green apple, lemon, pear, mineral and spice. Excellent concentration of flavours with green apple, lemon, mineral. Well done. $19

Herder 2008 Meritage

A hands down screaming deal of a wine featuring cassis, black cherry, plum, savoury aromas. Nice concentration of dark fruits on the palate with spice and savoury flavours and a long finish. $20

8th Generation 2009 Riesling Classic

An arresting bouquet of apples, honey, lemon zest, mineral and a touch of flint. Honeyed apple flavours balanced by bright acidity. Beautifully done. $20

See Ya Later Ranch SYL Brut

Peach, mineral, green apple and touches of toasty, nutty notes in a bubble of unbelievable value. Fine mousse with zest flavours of peach, green apple and yeasty mineral. A sparkling wine for everyday sipping. $20

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