Okanagan Spring Wine Festival

At thisevent, 119 wineries will play host to about 70 wine and culinary events. Wecouldn't cover all the activities, so our advice is to choose a selection ofevents and make sure you include a smaller, one-on-one event, such as anon-site tasting, hike or picnic to really put you in touch with the modernOkanagan.

I have avery short list of recommendations based on my experience with the wines andwineries involved. As you travel the valley, note the vineyards undergoingbud-burst, some will have leaves already unfurling, while others farther northare still dormant. Site temperature and the general meso-climate affectvegetation growth and are the first keys to understanding sub-regions andterroir, so scan your environment.

A greatstart is The Best of Varietal Wine Awards to be announced May 1 with results onabout 20 different varietal categories. You can taste the winners and samplefresh tapas from the Kettle Valley Station Pub at the Ramada Inn &Conference Centre Penticton. Tickets are $50; event runs 6-8:30 p.m.

BubblyBoot Camp takes place May 1 at Summerhill Pyramid Winery and will include adetailed immersion into sparkling wine production and dosage tasting. Guestswill be able to disgorge their bottle of sparkling wine under the guidance ofwinemaker Eric von Krosigk. Successfully disgorged wines will be paired withorganic appetizers. Tickets are $80; event runs 5-7 p.m.

CelebratingPinot on May 3 features a reception including canapés and wine pairings,showcasing the 2012 Martin's Lane Pinot Noir. Dinner will be a grazing affair,highlighted by four chef-and-sommelier-attended food and wine stations. Ticketsare $115; event runs 6:30-9 p.m. at the Mission Hill Family Estate in WestKelowna.

Also onMay 3, there will be a tribute to Roy Orbison at the grand opening of the newSmoke & Oak Bistro at Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery. Chef Sarren Wolfehosts a barbecue buffet featuring local meats and produce paired with WildGoose wines. Tickets are $45; event runs noon to 3 p.m. at Wild Goose winery inOkanagan Falls.

Aninnovative event on May 8 will feature the Comforts of Grilled Cheese.Presented by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, you can taste eight differentCanadian cheeses, from mild to aromatic, paired with wines supplied byCedarCreek, House of Rosé, St. Hubertus, Tantalus, Topshelf, The View, The VibrantVine and Upper Bench Winery and Creamery. Tickets are $50; event runs 6:30-9p.m. at the Hotel Eldorado in East Kelowna.

RedsWhites and Blues invites you to sip and dance the night away on May 10. Theevening starts on the waterfront with a Summerhill bubbly and hors d'oeuvresreception. The evening will feature Westside wineries: Mission Hill, Quails'Gate, Mount Boucherie, Volcanic Hills and Kalala Organic Estate paired withchef Grant de Montreuil's menu and Bernard Callebaut chocolates. Music bySherman Doucette's Tankful of Blues. Tickets are $89; event runs 6:30-11:30p.m. at The Cove Lakeside Resort.

You cansip the Howling Bluff Spring Release with winemaker/owner Luke Smith including2013 SQ Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and the first SQSemillon from May 1-11. There is no cost for the daily sessions scheduled for11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Howling Bluff Estate Winery.

TheVanilla Pod @Poplar Grove will offer chef Bruno Terroso's five-course mealpaired with Poplar Grove and Monster Vineyards wines from May 2-11. Daily from5-9 p.m. at $99 per person plus taxes and gratuity at Poplar Grove Winery,Naramata Bench.

Take awalk on May 3 with winemaker Dwight Sick and find out what goes on in thevineyard and cellar, daily and at harvest. This free event happens twice a day:11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. at Stags Hollow Winery in Okanagan Falls.

Forcomplete event information by winery go to thewinefestivals.com/events.

The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2013,Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand

Price:$16 | Score 87/100

UPC:853076003037

WinemakerBrent Marris (Oyster Bay, Wither Hills) gives us The Ned, from his winery nearWaihopai River. The nose is fresh with gooseberry, grapefruit and passion fruitaromas. It has finesse and fruit at an affordable price. Oysters or musselswork here.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2012,Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

Price:$17 | Score 87/100

UPC:088586621840

The 2012is a slightly fresher leaner style with floral, lime juice notes. The attack isfresh and skinny, with a watery, quaffing edge with candied, red apple and limeflavours. A nice departure from the heavier, full-blown style of Riesling.

Paul & Philippe Zinck PinotBlanc 2012, Alsace, France

Price:$18 | Score 87/100

UPC:3522800020097

Greenapple, ripe pear, waxy, fig, earthy, citrus aromas. Round, juicy, off-dry butfresh palate with ripe apple, lees, light butter, honey and baked pearflavours. Good intensity with some texture on the finish. Good value here.Drink all spring and summer.

Elias Mora Toro 2010, Toro,Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price:$18 | Score 89/100

UPC:855012000445

ToroTempranillo is always a touch more rustic that its Rioja kin. The nose isearthy, with hints of barnyard and black cherry/raspberry fruit. The attack issoft with chalky dusty tannins and more red fruit and gentle Tempranillotannins. Try this with grilled lamb or whole roasted chicken.

Falernia Syrah Reserve 2010, ElquiValley, Chile

Price:$19 | Score 89/100

UPC:7809623200315

Amazinglyfull, smooth, rich and round red with juicy acidity and light, fine tannins.Loads of chocolate, black pepper, meaty, black cherry, blackberry, licorice andsavoury flavours. Good intensity and length with some warmth (alcohol). Trythis with lamb chops or osso buco.

Vistalba Corte C 2012, VistalbaDistrict, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Price:$20 | Score 89/100

UPC:007798121940031

Friendly,spicy, tobacco, meaty, black cherry, licorice aromas. Rich, ripe, round, fulland juicy palate with youthful, grainy tannins. The palate mixes coffee,vanilla, meaty, black cherry and plum flavours with flecks of poultry spice andsmoke. A solid red made for grilled meats.