dbHK’s British Columbia event in pictures

dbHK’s masterclass, British Columbia: Cool Climate or Not? in partnership with British Columbia Wine Institute explored the diverse array of wines from Okanagan and Similkameen Valley. Here is our event round up in pictures.

Forty eight of Hong Kong’s wine trade and sommeliers gathered in the swish environs of the China Club last week to discover the little-known wine producing region of British Columbia in a masterclass led by Rhys Pender MW and Rupert Millar, managing editor of the drinks business Hong Kong.

From the wild terroir of Okanagan Valley with its distinct subregions to Similkameen Valley – dubbed as “one of the world’s five best wine regions you’ve never heard of” – British Columbia plays host to a range of world-class wines, including excellent examples of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah.

The dbHK masterclass saw four flights: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends as well as free-pour tasting corner which proved very popular post-event.

Click through to see more of the wines and masterclass in pictures…

All smiles: Miles Prodan, President and CEO of the British Columbia Wine Institute along with Rupert Millar, managing editor of the drinks business Hong Kong and Rhys Pender MW, a leading authority on British Columbia wines and owner of Little Farm winery in Cawston, British Columbia.

The 16 wines tasted included some stunning examples of Chardonnay from Okanagan Crush Pad Winery and Poplar Grove; Pinot Noir from Martin’s Lane Winery; Syrah from Laughing Stock and a lovely example of old vine Riesling from Sperling Vineyards. Vintages ranged from 2013 to 2015.

So many glasses, so little time… The China Club provided a dramatic backdrop to the tasting.

dbHK’s Rupert Millar discussed the dramatic climactic conditions of Okanagan and Similkameen Valley which can experience huge extremes in temperature throughout summer and winter – from 40c to -18C in an average year.

Attendees discovered the history of winemaking in British Columbia which dates back to the 1800s with the Missionaries, but really got going in the early 1990s with the widespread planting of vitis vinifera as part of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Producers’ focus on red wine also got underway during the 1990s with demand for British Columbia wines soaring in the 2000s.

The tasting kicked off with a line up of Riesling, showing 2015 Culmina Family Estate Winery Decora, 2013 Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling, 2015 Tantalus Vineyards Riesling and 2015 Summerhill Pyramid Winery Organic Riesling. 

The Chardonnay flight comprised four excellent expressions of fresh, zesty Chardonnay including 2013 Haywire from Okanagan Crush Pad, 2015 Poplar Grove, 2014 Cedar Creek Platinum Block 5 and 2013 Quails’ Gate Winery Stewart Family Reserve.

Vibrant, herbaceous with ripe red fruit undertones: the four Pinot Noirs included Ex Nihilo Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015, Martin’s Lane Winery 2013, Meyer Family Vineyards 2014 and Tantalus Vineyards 2013. 

The red blends proved British Columbia’s ability to produce excellent Bordeaux-style wines with a line up of Laughing Stock Vineyards 2010, Osoyoos Larose Estate Winery Le Grand Vin 2012, C.C. Jentsch Cellars The Chase 2013 and Clos du Soleil Winery Signature 2013.

Anyone guess what the most planted red and white varietals in British Columbia are… ? For red, it’s Merlot and for white, Pinot Gris. There are a total of 9,800 hectares under vine with Okanagan home to 84% of British Columbia vineyards. In 1990 there were only 17 wineries and now, there are 273! 

Miles Prodan, with Jennifer Kwong and Brian Brown from British Columbia’s international trade and investment office. 

Rupert Millar, Rhys Pender MW and Donald House, managing director and co-owner of Integrated Digital Media Group which supports British Columbia Wine Institute and the Office of International Trade and Investment of the British Columbia Government.

A welcome sight after 16+ wine tasting! Delicious Peking duck pancakes prepared by the China Club which was a winning pairing with some of the Syrah expressions.

The drinks business HK would like to thank all of the attendees, look out for the feature on the masterclass in our December/January issue of dbHK!