Merlot and pinot gris are the most planted red and white grapes in BC.
This is followed quickly thereafter by chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, gewürztraminer and riesling. Sound familiar? Chances are, if you drink BC wine, these grapes would be in the mix. Time to mix it up; more than 80 different wine grapes are planted in our province. BC's relative youth and adventuresome spirit work in our (drinkers') favour, with wineries able to plant and experiment with new-to-here grapes. Stag's Hollow, Moon Curser, Terravista Vineyards are amongst those leaders who have pioneered with commercial bottlings of arneis, dolcetto, verdejo, carmenère, grenache and others. There are thousands of wine grape varieties available; why limit yourself to five or six?
This week's Top Ten looks at our favourite BC wines made from rarely seen (here) grapes.