Lang Vineyards

The renovations and expansions at Mission Hill are breathtaking and surely mark it as one of the most remarkable winery projects in North America. From its Italianate bell tower to its California mission-like entrance the Westbank winery sets a new standard in Okanagan wine touring sure to attract large numbers of tourists to the valley each in search of a wine country experience. The question is, is the rest of the valley up to the challenge and how it profit from the hordes of visitors sure to be drawn to Westbank. As I have said before the 100-mile long Okanagan Valley with its spectacular lakes is far too big to be considered a single destination so it's up to the various sub-regions to find ways to co-operate and to take advantage of the many tourists drawn to the bright lights of Mission Hill. In my view the region best situated to benefit from an influx of tourists is Naramata where grapes, orchard fruits, lavender, cycling and walking trails, restaurants, winery patios (and let's not forget the beach), offer the casual wine drinker and weekend activist just about any experience he or she desires. Naramata's hanging cliffs and soaring benchland places it among some of the most spectacular wineland in the world. The opening of Naramata Heritage Inn and Spa in the old town centre and the proliferation of estate wineries across the bench make this easy to reach region (less than 15 minutes to the north and east of Penticton) a must stop for the epicurean tourist. The list of wineries includes Lake Breeze, Red Rooster, La Frenz, Poplar Grove, Hillside, Nichol, Kettle Valley, Elephant Island and today's feature, Lang Vineyards. Established in 1990, tiny Lang Vineyards makes handcrafted estate wine including serious icewine. The quintessential estate winery where everything is small and hands-on is a delight to visit and a wonderful contrast to the slick, corporate tasting room. What follows are my notes on a handful of Lang labels sold only in VQA and private wine shops or at the winery. Prices vary from store to store so think of this shopping experience as your first introduction to a privatized wine market where the onus is on the consumer to find the wines he or she likes. The 2001 Dry Pinot Auxerrois has a wonderful fresh clean nose with scents of peach, grass and apples. Sweet lemon-lime, peachy fruit flavours mark the palate along with refreshing acidity and balance. A fine late summer sipper for the patio. I was disappointed by the 2001 Limited Edition Pinot Gris with its burnt matchstick, earth and mineral aromas. The entry was tight with a whack of citrus lemon fruit and a very dry, lean finish. This will be considered too severe by most consumers or best adventurous with oysters. The 2000 Grand Pinot is a blend of three pinots: auxerrois, gris and blanc. Look for a lovely ripe, pear/melon nose with whiffs of baked apple. The entry is round and soft with sweet fruit flavours and a sweetish finish. Good summer sipper style with a touch of spice in the finish. Serve well chilled The 2001 Limited Edition Gewürztraminer is a big improvement over the 2000 label. It has an appealing, light, spicy, lychee, floral nose with a touch of baked apple and a delicate, slightly sweet fruit finish. The aftertaste is honey peach and lychee. A perfect match for spicy Asian cuisine. Red icewine scares me but if anyone has a handle on the style its Lang. I love the copper colour of the 2000 Merlot Icewine and its buttery, honey, marmalade nose. It's rich and round with good acidity, a crisp finish and more pleasing honey dried-apricot and marmalade flavours. Ripe, rich, sweet and expensive. A neat gift style idea for those with a sweet tooth. The 2001 Viognier (not pictured) is all sold out but I wanted to mention it because you might see it in restaurants. Variable quality is a given in a young region like the Okanagan but this viognier with its peachy/honey, floral aromas streaked with spice is a winner. The entry is slightly dry but I love its mineral, citrus fruit flavours and honey/floral fruit finish. Certainly worth looking for. Lang Vineyards Weekend Wine Tasting: Lang Vineyards, Naramata, B.C. Wine 2001 Pinot Auxerrois Price $10.90 Stock No. 425405 Score 13.5/20 Remarks A fine late summer sipper. Wine 2001 Limited Edition Gewürztraminer Price $12.90 Stock No. 726323 Score 14/20 Remarks Delicate floral and lychee fruit. Wine 2001 Limited Edition Pinot Gris Price $15.90 Stock No. 726398 Score 11/20 Remarks Off nose and flavours. Wine 2000 Limited Edition Grand Pinot Price $14.90 Stock No. 7267149 Score 14/20 Remarks Fun picnic wine. Wine 2000 Icewine Merlot Price $42.40 Stock No. 507350 Score 17/20 Remarks Marmalade honey and butter.