New label rules identify exactly where a B.C. wine is from

B.C. wine lovers will soon be able to select wines according to a specific sub-region in the province, according to the new rules enacted by the provincial government.

The label rules apply to B.C. VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines those wines made from 100 per cent B.C. grapes with 85 per cent of the grapes from the region specified on the front label.

According to B.C. Wine Institute president and CEO Miles Prodan, the labelling rules will be a great tool for wine lovers.

"We've got over 340 wineries in this province," he said. "We now can differentiate between those different sub-regions. Consumers want to know where it's come from and they want to explore and experience."

Wines can vary significantly depending on the terroir or the natural environment the grapes are grown in. Things like the soil, the slope, wind and the way the plants face the sun can all affect taste.

Prodan said even within one region like the Okanagan, there are significant geographical differences that can dramatically alter the flavour of the wine.

"Wine writers and wine experts around the world are amazed when they come to Kelowna and travel down to Penticton and travel down to Osoyoos.The variety and the styles and attributes that the wine produces in that short area is unique to any wine growing region in the world," he said.

As of now, the Golden Mile Bench in the Okanagan is the only official sub-region, although Prodan says it will be easier for other sub-regions to apply for status.

While the labelling is exciting for wine specialists, Prodan said even the average consumer can benefit from knowing the sub-region.

We have amazing flavours and amazing grapes growing in one of the most pristine, beautiful regions of the world.- Winemaker Eric von Krosigk

"It's just about knowing where your wine or food comes from," he said. "Taste and contrast and compare and you can tell a difference. If it's important, you want to know ... you can search for it."

For Eric von Krosigk, a winemaker at Summerhill winery in Kelowna, the new rules recognize how far B.C.'s wine industry has come.

"It's recognition that we've come of age as grape growers, as winemakers," he said. "We've figured out there are immense diversities within our regions and we ourselves have come to recognize that ... We have amazing flavours and amazing grapes growing in one of the most pristine, beautiful regions of the world."

The new rules were announced on Dec. 8 by B.C.'s Ministry of Agriculture.

With files from The Early Edition and Alya Ramadan

To listen to the segment, click on the link labelled Now you can know exactly where your B.C. wine comes from