En Terre 2022 Sparkling Brut

A stunning sparkling wine

Photo: Contributed

Wine: En Terre 2022 Sparkling Brut

Winery: Terravista Vineyards

Why drink it? First, a really great sparkling wine is essential sipping for a wine lover on New Year’s Eve. Second, this is delicious enough to drink any day of the week.

It's a blend of Pinot Noir grown in a vineyard where sheep graze and Chardonnay from Kaleden. This wine is crafted in the traditional method, the same way Champagne is made in France. Tasted blind, I’d likely choose it over some Champagnes. Pale gold, it has persistent toasty, almond, lemon zest and flower notes, with a fine, creamy mousse and a good finish.

Located below Naramata Road, En Terre is a new project unveiled this year by the team at Terravista Vineyards. It’s owned by Eric and Dallas Thor, who took it over from Bob and Senka Tennant in 2019.

Five En Terre wines were released in 2024, including this impressive sparkler.

Pair with: Smoked salmon, salty and buttery popcorn

Price: $45

Music pairing: Groove Is In The Heart by Dee-Lite

Burrowing Owl 2022 Chardonnay

A top valley Chardonnay

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Wine: Burrowing Owl 2022 Chardonnay

Winery: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery

Why drink it? Everyone needs a Chardonnay in their cellar for the holiday season, and why not enjoy one of the valley’s finest? A stylish, full-bodied take on Chard, this white has notes of lemon peel, melon and peach, with hints of coconut and vanilla.

While on the subject of the holidays, here’s your reminder that the Burrowing Owl team released the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cookbook: Recipes for a Good Life, earlier this year. Written by Jennifer Schell Lirag. It’s for sale now and would be a great gift for someone who loves to cook wine country-inspired cuisine.

Pair with: Roast turkey, roast chicken or salmon

Price:$34

Music pairing: You Were Meant for Me by Jewel

Hester Creek 2021 The Judge

Big bold red wine

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Wine: Hester Creek 2021 The Judge

Winery: Hester Creek Estate Winery

Why drink it? If you’re looking for a special Christmas gift for a wine lover, this red from Hester Creek’s Origin Collection is a solid choice.

This hefty Bordeaux-style red blend—47% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cab Sauv, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec—is an age-worthy king of a wine, the sort of bottle you may only open a couple of times a year, but when you do, you wish you could drink this way all the time.

Notes of thyme, dark cherry and ripe dark plums, baking spices (clove, cinnamon) and vanilla make this a standout. Big, big, big, it was made during the year of the "Heat Dome" in B.C. and its record-breaking high temperatures.

It will benefit from opening about 30 minutes before serving, and decant if you’re able.

Tuck a bottle in the cellar to open in a few years, too, if you’re able.

Pair with: Prime rib, T-bone steaks, roasted Mediterranean-style vegetables (red peppers, zucchini, eggplant, maybe a little fresh fennel), slow-roasted lamb or venison

Price: $50

Music pairing: Stay With Me by Sam Smith

Mayhem 2022 Anarchy

Stunning Okanagan Merlot

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Wine: Mayhem 2022 Anarchy

Winery: Mayhem Wines

Why drink it? Winemaker Ajay Chevan joined Mayhem in 2019 after working as cellarmaster at CheckMate Artisanal Winery for five years. He’s clearly found his place at Mayhem, creating stunners like this. Mostly Merlot, with five per cent Cabernet Franc, this wine is made from grapes hand-picked from Anarchist Mountain Vineyard in Osoyoos. It’s a gorgeous example of Okanagan Merlot, with its ripe, brambly blackberry and plum notes, velvety tannins and long finish. It’s unfined and unfiltered, so don’t be surprised if you notice a little sediment in the bottom of your glass or decanter. Pick up a bottle for the cellar, too. It’d be a nice Christmas dinner wine or gift, too.

Pair with: A juicy T-bone steak, prime rib, venison, lamb or seared duck breast

Price: $45

Music pairing: Perfect by The The