Well, this was a surprise! Linda from the Sahali Liquor Store treated us to a White Merlot, from Bench 1775 in Naramata. An unusual expression of Okanagan Merlot– the grapes for this wine was harvested and pressed whole cluster to minimize extraction of colour and tannins from the skin. The nose is fragrant with fresh cut sage, green thyme and Okanagan cherry. On the palate, juicy cherry, fresh raspberries, and ripe blueberries are balanced with bright acidity for a wine that shouts out for spring patios. A note of Pinot Gris rounds out the fruitiness of this wine, making it ideal to pair with cheeses, salads and barbecues. And congrats to our Test A Wine Tuesday winner Connie Angman, who wins a $50 GC from the Fox N’ Hounds Pub.