Words Richard Hope
2025 has been a difficult year for the wine industry. Still recovering from the twin calamities of fire and frost from 2023 and 2024 and the ever-changing tariff and market conditions, B.C. winemakers continue to produce world-class unique products. With the recent strikes now over, Christmas is a great time to try out something new and special. I’ve selected some of the top wines I’ve tried over the last 12 months that are available here in British Columbia.
Top Wines from British Columbia
Red – Hester Creek The Judge 2022
Using vines from his native Tuscany, Joe Busnardo planted a range of Italian grapes just south of Osoyoos in the B.C. heartland back in 1967. Today Hester Creek is one of the most successful of B.C.’s wineries and The Judge remains a solid choice for those looking for a Bordeaux style. Blending Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon (the Bordeaux blend) with co-fermented Petit Verdot and Malbec, this wine packs a real punch. The Okanagan’s warm climate allows the grapes to mature slowly over the summer, and they are aged for 24 months in French oak. This creates a wine with depth and character, with notes of cherry and vanilla. Very good with
roast beef or lamb.
White – Unsworth Chardonnay
On the other side of B.C., here on Vancouver Island Unsworth continues to produce an exceptional Chardonnay. The winery scooped up two awards this year for this white wine, a real local winner. It’s a light white wine (12% ABV) but has great acidity with notes of pear, apricot and lemon. Great with local oysters.
Sparkling Wine – Kutatás Méthode Traditionnelle Sparkling
Kutatás remains a remarkably undiscovered winery in B.C. Based on Salt Spring, Dan and Mira are local winemakers producing outstanding wines right here in B.C. Having honed their skills at Averill Creek on Vancouver Island, their wines are made with a real passion for the right product at the right time. Dan told me they control every aspect of the winemaking process, including when to bottle the wines, critical to ensure the wine is the best it can be at the right time. Their traditional-method sparkling wine has rich notes of brioche and grapefruit. Bone dry, and perfect for the Christmas dining table.
Top Wines from Around the World
Red – Rioja, Finca Monica Crianza 2019
European wines remain extremely price competitive for discerning buyers here in B.C. This Rioja tastes like a $40 to $50 bottle but is priced in the $20 to $30 range. It’s a blend of different fruit that has been curated by the winemakers at Bodegas Burgo Viejo in Rioja using traditional methods, including matured for a year in American Oak (giving it the “crianza” label). I came across this wine at a local restaurant and was blown away by its depth and character. Great with Spanish jamón, a French beef bourguignon or a locally-caught salmon fillet, it also makes a great gift.
White – Vietti Roero Arneis 2022
Back in the 1970s Arneis was extremely rare, until Vietti and Bruno Giacosa saved the varietal and began making white wine. Fast forward 50 years and Arneis has become a highly valued varietal in the global wine market. Vietti is an exceptional winemaker from deep in the Langhe region of Italy’s Piedmont. The 2022 is light with apricot and pear notes. Perfect as an aperitif or with a cheeseboard.
Sparkling – Caves de Lugny – Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé
For many small winemakers, it often makes sense to cooperate with your peers to lower the costs of production. In the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, France, these cooperatives work together to produce wines like this sparkling rosé. This wine has strong notes of strawberry and is perfectly dry for the local palate. Pairs wonderfully with roast chicken.
Special Mention: Moscato d’Asti
While sparkling wine enthusiasts may prefer traditional champagne, I wanted to share this lightly sparkling wine that makes a wonderful gift for those looking for a low alcohol dessert wine. Originating in northwest Italy, the wine is made from the local Moscato grape. The wine itself goes way back and the Romans knew it as Apiana. This delicate sweet wine is a great accompaniment to desserts like cheesecakes, Victoria sponge or pavlova, offering a lighter alternative to heavier dessert wines.
Whether you’re looking to explore B.C.’s growing wine scene or venture into European classics, these selections offer something special for every palate this Christmas season. Visit your local wine merchant or BC Liquor Store to discover these wines and support both local and international winemakers.
