Liquid Sunshine: 2011 Whites and Rosato are out to play

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2011 Whites are Here!	April 2012

View from Old Vine Merlot Block, Golden Mile

Looking east across the valley from the Stag's vineyard in Gold Mile.

Salve,

Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner. We're finally going to take the wraps off the newest vintage of our zesty summer whites! Just in time for the sun to start shining we're releasing two whites and our rosato.

We are firmly convinced that each of these wines is the best incarnation we've created yet!

Vivace is still the zesty, aromatic, vibrant Pinot Grigio it has always been. But this year the level of depth and complexity have been elevated to a completely new level.

As always, Leggiero is a refreshing, light on its feet, clean take on Chardonnay. The 2011 edition has been compared by some of Vancouver's top wine experts to Chablis; we prefer to compare it to a high altitude northern Italian version however. With a glass full of orchard fruit and pure minerality we're sure this wine will keep the old fans happy and hopefully attract new followers as well.

The 2011 Lastellina is a little drier than previous editions. That doesn't mean the fruit is any less intense though! Quite the contrary the big red berry flavours flood across the palate. This will still be a sunny patio mainstay, but we think maybe it should find its way to the dining table a little as well.

We held all three of these wines back a little later in the spring this year to make sure they were well settled in the bottles. They're ready to go now though!

We've included the rave reviews from the top critics in Canada below as well a vintage summary from our viticulturist Severine.

How to order:

All three wines can be ordered online, or by email. Please remember we offer a 10% discount on full case orders (can be mix and match cases).

2011 LaStella Lastellina Rosato

(Merlot Rose)

$25

2011 LaStella Vivace

(Pinot Grigio)

$25

2011 LaStella Leggiero

(Chardonnay Un-oaked)

$25

We're also very pleased to be included in the 1st Annual Duncanby Lodge Fine Wine and Fishing Retreat. This event will run from July 7th to 10th. Please contact the Duncanby Lodge for more information.

Lastly, the tasting room is now open 7 days a week! Start planning your summer trip to the Okanagan and don't forget to make sure you stop by and see us when you're there!

2011 Vintage Summary

Our Viticulturist Severine explains the vintage, and our approach to it

2011 started off very well: a mild winter meant no winterkill, always a risk for vines, especially young ones.

A cool, wet spring delayed bud break but warmer temperatures arrived in time for flowering and fruit set. The warmer temperature combined with clear skies and calm winds to ensure perfect and healthy conditions for the rest of the vintage.

Mild temperatures continued all summer and only in August did we see the very high temperatures the Okanagan is known for. The growing degree day accumulation index (a useful measure for the total warmth of a growing season) for 2011 in Osoyoos, was the lowest over the past 14 years at 1384 (typical vintages such as 2005 have GDD accumulations in the 1500s).

Veraison (when the colour of the grapes changes) was late but we further thinned our already small crop to help us achieve ripe and flavourful grapes.

Overall the most notable element of this vintage is very even ripening and a complete lack of any fungal issues. There was virtually no need to sort the fruit (although we did so anyway) as everything was in such perfect condition.

The whites are very balanced with lower acidity; the reds possess velvety tannins combined with an average alcohol of 13 degrees, a full 1.5 degrees lower than usual.

Severine Pinte

2011 Vivace

92 Points - John Schreiner
"This wine begins with alluring aromas of pear and guava. On the palate, it has juicy flavours of pear and kiwi, with a finish that goes on and on."

David Lawrason
"This is a quite intense, yet slender and juicy style of pinot grigio. It has a fairly lifted nose of grapefruit, green apple, pear and fennel, with the latter note translating very well on the finish. It's mid-weight, quite brisk and focused, with some bitterness and even a hint of minerality on the finish. The length is excellent. I'd pair this with shellfish/seafood rather than open it as a casual sipping wine. Tasted April 2012."

2011 Leggiero

John Schreiner
Leggiero 2011

"The grapes for this wine are from 20-year-old vines at the Inkameep Vineyard. Fermenting and aging this wine in stainless steel preserved the pure and focussed fruit flavours. The wine is crisp like Chablis, with apple and citrus flavours."

2011 Lastellina

90 Points - John Schreiner "This is an off-dry rosé made with Merlot that was picked with rosé in mind. The hue is dark; the aromas show notes of plum and earth; it tastes of plums and black currants. The touch of residual sweetness gives the wine a fleshy texture."

LaStella Wine Society

Wineclub Collage The LaStella Wine Society is the best way to appreciate our award winning wines. Being a member offers many rewards including:

First chance at new releases,
access to special edition wines reserved only for wine society members,
invitations to members only events in Vancouver and the Okanagan,
free shipping on all wine purchases,
and much much more.

Click here for details or contact our concierge.

Weddings at LaStella

Rolling hills, Tuscan inspired villa, manicured vineyards and views of Osoyoos Lake - LaStella is your perfect romantic venue for an unforgettable day. Contact our operations manager Mo to begin your planning.

Women United in Philanthropy

WUIP

La Stella donates 2% of all website proceeds to the United Way's Women United in Philanthropy. The WUIP strives to ensure our community's most vulnerable children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school. By bringing together the knowledge, compassion and financial resources of women, we are helping change the future for children in the Lower Mainland. Donations raised by WUIP go towards programs that help parents and caregivers access the information and support services they need to nurture their children.

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Save 10%

Order online and save 10% when you order a case of 12 bottles (excludes library releases and special release wines)! Wines are shipped directly from the winery by DHL. On top of that 2% of online sales are donated to the United Way's Women United in Philanthropy.