Twisted Tree wine label.Supplied
Twisted Tree Marsanne Roussane, VQA, Okanagan Valley 2009, $21.90
Winemaker Chris Tolley creates one of the Okanagan's standout whites: a rare Rhône-style Roussanne Marsanne with a touch of viognier. The grapes are planted on the benchlands above Lake Osooyos, about five minutes from the U.S. border. The scorching-hot summers of this virtual desert produce a balanced and elegant Old-World-style wine. It's definitely food friendly, and can handle richer fall dishes: roast pork, creamy pastas and anything with mushrooms. Drink now or cellar two to four years. Available at private wine shops.
Kasey Wilson is food editor of Wine Access magazine and editor of Best Places Vancouver.