Tasting Note I tasted the new vintage of one of B.C.’s most popular white wines at the SIPToronto trade event, where it was poured beside The Legacy 2018, another iconic Poplar Grove wine. This poured quite deep and rich yellow gold colour. The nose was very ripe and almost tropical with peach/mango fruit, melon and then some less usual, subtle highlights like mint and orange peel, which I would learn later are likely from the inclusion of small percentages of grapes like viognier, chardonnay and, especially, always floral orange-scented muscat. It is quite full bodied and richly textured, with moderate acidity and a hint of sweetness. Alcohol at 13.5% is nicely balanced. The length is excellent. The heft and complexity of this wine suggest pairing with seafood and white meats with rich citrus and fruit marinades.

Backgrounder Poplar Grove is celebrating its 30^th vintage with the release of its 2025s, and it is fitting that it is one of its largest production and popular wines. Pinot Gris is the No. 1 planted white grape in B.C. and a staple in tasting rooms, restaurants and stores. Its style varies by terroir and winemaker intent, with some wines presenting an Italian pinot grigio style, while most let this easy ripening, lower acid grape find its own middle ground. And others go big. Poplar Grove Pinot Gris is one such example. This fully shows the ripeness of the 2025 vintage, then ups the ante with the inclusion of small amounts of viognier, chardonnay, and muscat to add body and aromatic lift. The pinot gris grapes were pressed after a short period of skin contact. The other varieties were kept separate and fermented with three specific yeast cultures to develop complexity and texture. There is no oak indicated here.