Anthony Gismondi: B.C. explodes with the favoured Pinot Noir

One of many new wines that will appear in B.C. this year and in the years to come is Proyecto Terruño, made by Naramata-based Terravista Vineyards, using fruit from outside Canada, in this case, California. Terravista worked with Albariño from Grand Island Vineyard in Clarksburg, California, picked and pressed on Aug. 12, trucked to Terravista to be fermented in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, and processed using the Charmat method. The secret to its success is four weeks on lees, adding more gravitas and a pleasing, creamy texture. Look for a refreshing, perfumed nose reminiscent of pear, mandarin, and kiwi. Crisp and just off-dry, it is a delicious expression of sparkling Albariño and one I have never seen in California. The back label reads: Made in Canada from imported ingredients, following CFIA regulations: “If Made in Canada is printed on the label, the claim must be qualified to indicate that it is manufactured in Canada from imported ingredients or a combination of imported and domestic ingredients.”