Most wine aficionados think of Canadian wine country as ice wine country. For the most part, they’re right. About two thirds of the world’s ice wine production happens in Canada.Thus, Okanagan has reputation for being “another ice wine region” This couldn’t be further from the truth.If you love Syrah, GSM Blends, right bank Bordeaux (i.e. Merlot blends), the Okanagan Valley will surprise you. Okanagan is a mecca for Chardonnay, Riesling, sparkling wines, and Pinot Gris. (And yes, they make some ice wine too!)Okanagan wine country lies at the outer limits of viticulture. It sits right below the 50th parallel (that’s the same as Champagne, btw). Yet unlike Champagne, Okanagan is dry, sunny, and hot.Still, the growing season is quite short.Twenty years ago, there were only 31 wineries in the region; now there are over 130. The area is dominated by the spectacularly beautiful 135km-long Okanagan lake, which runs from Vernon in the north down to the semi-desert region of Osoyoos.
