Orang.Uk

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The tree leaves may be turning various shades of red — not to mention orange and yellow — but various shades of white are still appearing in the wineglass.

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There’s no need to shuffle away the blanc even as the temperatures drop; indeed white wine often provides a nice, vibrant foil for fall flavours — particularly when they’re on the exuberant side like this week’s three bottles:

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El Petit Bonhomme 2022 Blanco, Spain

$17.99, No. 79046

Quick, name the acclaimed main grape variety grown in the Spanish high plains region of Rueda? Bragging rights if you answered Verdejo.

Not only does Verdejo roll off the tongue (more or less say: vurr-day-ho), it’s far-and-away the most planted grape in Rueda.

While the local availability of wines from Rueda remains slim, there is a fun example in El Petit Bonhomme’s Blanco.

Produced from 100 per cent organically grown Verdejo, this light golden wine wafts aromas of citrus pith, pear and nuanced almond. The overall stance is crisp and lighter-bodied, which carries through a zippy, green finish.

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Bottom line: B, great with fish-and-chips.

Blasted Church 2022 Viognier, B.C.

$23.99, No. 95455

When it comes to perking up the palate, Viognier has tastebuds covered. Literally when sipped of course, but there’s more. Wine made from Viognier tends toward exuberant and engaging aromas, along with enticing flavours and texture.

Take Blasted Church’s newest vintage Viognier. Convivial floral and stone fruit aromas lead into a punch bowl’s worth of tropical fruit, and slightly off-dry mid-palate. Partial barrel fermentation lends a richer texture overall, while evident acidity helps keep things fresh through a fruit-forward finish.

The winery suggests serving with lamb and apricot tangine, and roast chicken with preserved lemon would also work well.

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Bottom line: A-, boisterous elegance. 

Zacharias 2022 Moschofilero, Greece

$25.99, No. 316825

Firstly, it’s pronounced mos-co-FEE-leh-roh (more or less).

And you’re forgiven if unfamiliar with the Moschofilero grape. Similar to Verdejo above, unfortunately we still don’t see many wines made from the Cultivar in our part of the world.

But Moschofilero is a big deal in Greece and, if looking for something different, it’s worth seeking this lively, floral grape indigenous to the Peloponnese region of the country.

Made from organically grown Moschofilero, Zacharias is full of apple skin, pear and rose petal aromas.

After a zippy yet fulsome entry, evident acidity lingers through a creamy, lemony finish. 

Bottom line: B+, bottled sunshine.

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The Swirl: Fraser Valley Wine Passport

Though it kicked off Oct. 1, there is still ample time to take advantage of the Fraser Valley Wine Passport. Running until the end of November, purchase of the $20 passport — available at any participating winery, with proceeds benefiting Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities — gets access to unique experiences at 13 different wineries from Langley to Abbotsford.

Successful completion of the passport earns entry into a grand prize giveaway comprised of 26 bottles of wine and a mini-wine fridge.

For complete details head to tourism-langley.ca/events/fraser-valley-wine-passport/.

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