As Posted on "Appelation America"

Wine Recommendation

Golden Beaver Winery

2006 Merlot Vin de Curé
(Okanagan Valley)

Proprietors Bruno Kelle and Stella Schmidt left Calgary business careers two years ago because the wine lifestyle, in their view, is fun. They have set out to communicate that in the winery’s packaging – a bibulous beaver on every label. As they explain, the beaver is an iconic Canadian symbol and, typical of winegrowers, a hard worker.

They certainly work hard to make their Vin de Curé wines – a peachy, candied Vidal, and this spicy Merlot. Bruno dries the mature grapes after harvest on greenhouse racks for about seven weeks, constantly turning them and making sure they remain free of spoilage. At the end of this drying period, the Merlot had lost 40 percent of its weight to evaporation that raised the Brix to 40°. Only then were the grapes crushed and fermented.

The result is an intense and spicy wine, tasting of cherries, chocolate and licorice, with a lingering port-like sweetness. An ideal after-dinner wine with, perhaps, a nibble of fine chocolate. 88 points.

Reviewed October 20, 2007 by John Schreiner.

If you have visited 'winediva.ca' before you will more than likely need to hit the refresh button on your browser when you enter her website and no matter what I try you still will have to select Golden Beaver in the "Winery/Producer" tab and then hit the "GO" button up by the "Search for Keyword" then you will be able to see the review! Wine Diva is Daenna Van Mulligen, she is a writer for several publications.

Golden Beaver Vidal, Okanagan B.C., 2005   Wine Diva's readers rated this wine: The label: A ginning beaver clad in boxers may not be the first picture that comes to mind when one thinks of wine but you can't argue its colourful impact. The labels are going through a minor change next vintage but the beaver stays! The wine: Delicate aromas of apricot and apple peel with minerals and a dash of sweet spice. Mouth-wateringly zesty on the palate with loads of fresh citrus flavours and a long clean finish. Wine Diva tasted - July 6th, 2007   BC Private Wine Stores - $18.50 may be more at private stores Winery - $18.50

Hit the link to read the full article in which they express a bit of concern over our choice of Logo / Name! LOL!

CityFood.com:

Our glam gal of wine, Deanna van Mulligen lends us her tasting notes:

GOLDEN BEAVER WINERY
Viognier 2006
This aromatic Viognier has a brilliant gold tinge and teases with peaches and apricots, orange blossoms, crisp mineral aromas and exotic spice notes. On the palate it’s rich and smooth without the over-ripe oiliness Viognier can achieve. It shows fresh orchard and tropical fruit favours with juicy citrus and a warm, spiced finish. 
However, don’t let the Beav fool you, it’s a tasty wine but at 13.4% alcohol he’ll still be grinning while you are passed out under the table.

Steve Dryden, a MexiData.info guest columnist, is a wine, travel and history writer for the Baja Times.  Mr. Dryden also manages a new wine bar, Destino del Vino, at Km 88 on Highway 1 just south of Baja Mar. He can be reached at sbdryden@hotmail.com

There is a nice patio outside the winery where guests can enjoy a glass of wine

and the company of the owners’ dog Cashew...