You gotta love Joie's winemaking philosophy.
"We craft juicy and eminently quaffable wines," reads the back label on every bottle produced by the Naramata Bench winery.
The quip really says it all.
These are well-made, fruit-forward wines you just want to drink because they are fresh, bright and delicious.
And it doesn't get any fresher, brighter, or more delicious than these three just-released 2025 vintages from Joie.
- Joie 2025 Rose ($26.50) from the Naramata Bench
Oh-so recently bottled and ready to enjoy.
This pink blend of Pinot and Gamay hits its stride with a succulent profile of cherry and pink grapefruit.
- Joie 2025 A Noble Blend ($26.50) from the Naramata Bench
The winery's signature aromatic white blend delivers year after year after year.
The 2025 vintage is quaffable with aromas and flavours of lime, fuzzy peach and spice.
- Joie 2025 Pinot Gris ($26.50) from the Naramata Bench
Alsace-style Gris in a tall-and-thin Alsace-style bottle has an intriguing profile of pear, grapefruit and juicy mandarin orange.
- Joie 2023 Plein de Vie Sparkling Brut ($31.30) from the Naramata Bench
Not from the 2025 vintage, but still juicy and quaffable as an 'enjoy anytime for any reason' bubbly.
The Joie offerings are perfect to kick off your spring drinking -- possibly on the patio -- as the season arrived today with mild temperatures and the promise of sun.
These next four wines are also spring worthy because they cover the seasonal gamut from lush Riesling, a fascinating white from Uruguay, yes, Uruguay, an elegant Chardonnay and a light-and-bright Pinot Noir.
- Fort Berens 2024 Lillooet Riesling ($24)
Lush and balanced with an exotic profile of apple, grapefruit and jasmine.
A gold medal winner at the National Wine Awards of Canada.
- Sibaris Gran Reserva 2024 Chardonnay ($20) from Chile
Elegantly oaked with a pear, lemon peel and honey profile.
- Sibaris Gran Reserva 2024 Pinot Noir ($18) from Chile
Delicate with aromas and flavours of cherry, strawberry and herbs.
- Garzon 2024 Reserva Albarino ($23) from Uruguay
It's not every day you come across a wine from the South American country of Uruguay.
Albarino is well-known in its native Spain, but Uruguay also produces a stunning version.
The Garzon has it all -- fresh lemon and white flower profile with just the right amount of minerality and texture.
A real discovery from Uruguay.
Happy spring sipping!
Steve MacNaull is a NowMedia Group reporter, Okanagan wine lover and Canadian Wine Scholar. Reach him at [email protected]. His wine column appears every Friday afternoon in his space.
