Elephant Island Orchard Wines Framboise
I only managed to hit up four wineries on my way to the prairies, but that's pretty good work for a day and a half. I've heard it recommended that you not try to do more than four tastings in a day, because frankly, after that, you're not really "tasting" the wines anymore.
The first spot I'd like to tell you about is Elephant Island Orchard Wines. It's close to Penticton, and definitely worth a visit. You have a choice of doing your tasting in the "barn" or outside in their lovely, tree-shaded garden. We chose the outdoor tasting venue as it was the height of summer, and my favourite of our flight had to be the award-winning Framboise.
Elephant Island is certainly doing their part to dispel the notion that fruit wine is not worth drinking. Their Cherry dinner wine is a magical alternative to red wine for those who suffer from migraines induced by the tanines produced by grapes. The Pear wine was also delicious and not at all what I was expecting. The nose on these wines is so fruity, it's quite a surprise how well balanced they are.
In fact, they may have mastered dessert/fortified wines as well. I've never been a huge fan of syrupy-sweet late harvest wines, so I'm really please to have found an alternative I can crack open at the end of a delightful meal (or whenever—this bottle of Framboise will keep for up to eight weeks in the fridge). It tastes like a mouthful of fresh raspberries and can also be made into a cocktail with sparkling water or a martini with a little vodka. I plan to mix all three and see what happens.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure which private stores in the Lower Mainland carry this summery treat, but it comes in around $19.99. Let me know if you've got intel!
Was just there. Really wanted to try the Framboise, but that day they were doing the Cassis.
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