A Review of Bench 1775 Award-Winning Wines from Wineisseur
As you may know, BC wineries produce some of the top wines in Canada and around the world. Nestled in the heart of Central BC’s Okanagan, Bench 1775 has emerged as one of BC’s top wineries since its inception in the late ’90s, focusing on producing sustainable and terroir-driven wines. Initially crafting icewines, the winery has evolved its offerings to build a diverse portfolio, including Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Noir. With multiple award-winning wines that carry the essence of the micro-terroirs and microclimates of the Okanagan Valley, Bench 1775 is a testament to hard work and dedication in winemaking, With that being said, I’m happy to share my tasting notes and pairing suggestions of their award-winning whites, reds, and sparkling wine packages below.
*Be sure to purchase their wine packages direct from the Bench 1775 online store before January 4 to receive their $5 off promtion.
Bench 1775 Award Winning White Wines
Bench 1775’s Acclaimed Whites Trio package features their 2022 Pinot Gris, 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, and 2020 Gewurztraminer. This package provides a fantastic range of delicious spring and summer wines. It also provides people an opportunity to try their special library release Sauvignon Blanc which is only available through this package.
2022 Pinot Gris
This Naramata Bench-grown wine is one of my favourite BC Pinot Gris, carrying the essence of spring in the Okanagan. This dry and light-bodied wine boasts fresh notes of grapefruit, green apple, pear, and honeydew. It’s ideal as a patio wine or paired with salads, sashimi, and pesto pasta.
2020 Sauvignon Blanc
A special library release available only through the trio package, this gold-winning wine is made from 100% estate fruit. The final product is a delicious light-bodied, dry, herbaceous and fruity wine with notes of grapefruit, white peach, lemon, asparagus, and grass. Its flavour profile and dry, crisp texture pair well with vegetables, shellfish, or white fish.
2020 Gewurztraminer
Bench 1775’s Gewurztraminer provides the truest expression of the Okanagan terroir, produced with grapes from 4 Okanagan subregions – Summerland, Naramata, OK Falls, and Naramata Bench. This multi-award-winning wine boasts notes of lychee, melon, citrus and rose. Carrying a dry, medium-bodied profile, this versatile wine pairs with just about anything from spicy dishes to fatty meats and medium-hard cheese.
Bench 1775 Award Winning Red Wines
The Bench 1775 Acclaimed Reds Trio package features terroir-driven wines including the 2021 Pinot Noir, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah. Dry, complex and structured are the key elements to describe these red wines.
2021 Pinot Noir
A classic representation of a BC Pinot Noir, this dry and light-bodied wine offers a blend of red fruit and oak-derived flavours including cherries, cranberries, earthiness, and spice. Produced from single-estate vineyard grapes and aged for 12 months in 30% French oak, this wine provides structure, complexity, and a smooth finish. Pair it with roast duck, roast vegetables, and aged cheeses like Parmesan, Manchego, and Gouda.
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
This silver medalist, Osoyoos-grown wine carries bold and rich flavours of plum, blackcurrant, cedar, leather, smoke, and chocolate. With a rounded mouthfeel, full body, and smooth tannins, this wine provides a balanced and complex experience for the palate. It best complements barbequed meats and smoky aged cheeses.
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah
A bronze medalist wine, this delicious blend is a result of Osoyoos-grown grapes aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend contains ripe red and black fruit notes including cherry, strawberry, plum, cassis, with hints of eucalyptus, smoke, and spice. With smooth tannins and a long, lush finish, this wine pairs well with roast lamb, bolognese pasta, or dishes featuring mushrooms and aged smokey cheese.
Bench 1775 Award-Winning Sparkling Wines
Bench 1775’s Festive Sparkling Trio package includes 2020 Riesling Brut, 2020 Blanc de Blanc, 2021 Blanc de Blanc Ancestral. The exclusive, award-winning wines in this package are a must-buy.
2020 Riesling Brut
If you’re a fan of Riesling, don’t miss this opportunity to try a sparkling Riesling. Crafted in the traditional “champagne” method, this sparkling Riesling is crisp and dry with notes of green apple, pear, white peaches, and citrus. Pair it with sushi, pad thai, fish and chips, pork schnitzel, and good times.
2020 Blanc de Blanc
A gold medalist, this 100% Chardonnay, traditional “champagne” method-made wine exudes notes of cream, bread, green apple, pear, and citrus. With a crisp, refreshing acidity, this wine provides a versatile choice for food pairings. Seafood, fried foods, and creamy cheeses go well with this wine.
2021 Blanc de Blanc Ancestral
Contrasting to its Blanc de Blanc counterpart, the 2021 Blanc de Blanc Ancestral is a silver medalist, natural wine and a special library release only available in the Festival Sparkling Trio package. Made in the traditional “champagne” method with 100% Chardonnay grapes from Osoyoos, this wine contains a cloudy golden orange hue with notes of pineapple, stone fruit, lemon, and hints of cream. Pair this wine with buttery, seafood and brunch dishes.
Bench 1775’s mastery of winemaking emulated in their Okanagan terroir-driven wines are what has enabled these wines to win multitudes of Canadian wine awards. To secure these wine packages with a $5 discount, be sure to order them direct from the winery by January 4th.
