Trip to Unsworth Vineyards: Part One

Hey Friends,

This weekend my friend Rachel and I took a trip up island to visit Unsworth Winery. It was such a great experience, and if you are visiting the island or live in Victoria and enjoy wine, it is definitely a must. We both did the classic tasting, which came to $15 for five one-ounce pours.

I will definitely go back in the future to try their premium tasting, which is $25.

I wanted to break down each wine we tried and share my overall ratings. To be honest, I liked them all, so this is an easy one to write.

When we walked in, they greeted us with some bubbles. It was their rosé sparkling (Charme de l'île Rosé) and it was absolutely delightful and great way to start off our visit. The wine is so light and refreshing with notes of cranberry and raspberry.

2023 Auxerrois (7/10)
I really enjoyed this wine, but I do not think it is one I would pick up regularly. I would likely buy it for specific pairings rather than sipping on its own. It had less acidity, was very smooth on the palate, and carried notes of pear. The Pinot Auxerrois grape is known as the sister to Chardonnay, and I think this wine would appeal to someone who likes the rich, smooth qualities of Chardonnay but wants to try something lighter with less acidity and body.

2024 Rosé (7/10)
This bright rosé was extremely refreshing and would be perfect for summer on a patio or deck. It was very pale in colour and made from 100% Pinot Noir. I found it wonderful and easy to drink, but a little one-dimensional in flavour. That said, the fruity notes of red apple and rhubarb really stood out.

2023 Allegro (8/10)
This wine was one of my favourites from the tasting because it is the kind of white I would happily drink on any occasion. It had lively acidity and reminded me of Sauvignon Blanc with flavours of peach, grapefruit, and bell pepper. The grapes, Sauvignette (a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and a Resistenzpartner) and Petit Milo (a Valentin Blattner cross), were both new to me. They are disease-resistant and well-suited to harsh climates, which makes them an exciting discovery.

2022 Symphony (9/10)
I love this wine so much. It is one of those bottles I will always grab when I find it in stores, though it can be difficult to track down. It has such intense flavours that draw you in and take you on a journey. This is my favourite red produced on the island and one of my favourites across BC. It is impressively full-bodied for our climate, with spicy notes and wild berry flavours that remind me of Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend includes Cabernet Libre, Labelle, and Corivese. This would be a perfect pairing with a red meat dinner, complementing all the bold flavours beautifully.

Ovation (7/10)
We finished with a dessert wine, which surprised me. It was sweet but not overpowering, with rich notes of dried cherry, dark chocolate, and caramel. It is made in a Solera style, blended from over ten vintages with the oldest wine pulled from the bottom of the barrel. I am not usually a dessert wine person, but this was a lovely way to end the tasting. Best served with a small sweet treat after a delicious meal.