DOC, DOCG, IGT and VdLT:Italian Wine Label Alphabet Soup

CB Chianti is a DOCG Wine 

As in France, and most of Europe, Italian wines are classified based on where the grapes were grown and the wines produced. Unlike the United States, Canada and Australia, Europe emphasizes geography over varietal. While this may be frustrating for the new world consumer, there is a reason for this system. Sense of place is very important to the Europeans. Many vineyards have histories dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. During this time, the owners and consumers have developed a relationship with the land, the culture and the foods. All of these factors meld into one seamless experience. Some areas have developed a reputation over time as producing quality wines. It is therefore important to protect the reputation these regions have taken so many years to develop. Possibly the most famous of these names in Italy is Chianti. When someone sees Chianti on the label, they have a right to know what they are getting. 

Prestigious Regional Trophy goes to C.C. Jentsch’s acclaimed Syrah.

Prestigious Regional Trophy goes to 

C.C. Jentsch’s acclaimed Syrah.

The 2013 vintage continues totake home top honors for Syrah.

 For immediate release: Oliver, BC (October 6, 2015)  The honors keep rolling in for the 2013 Syrah from C.C. Jentsch Cellars in Oliver, British Columbia. This time the Syrah has won the 2015 North American Red Regional Trophy at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards. Co-chaired by highly respected wine experts Jeannie Cho Lee, MW and Steven Spurrier, the competition was created by the publication Decanter Asia. As the counterpart to Decanter Magazine’s World Wine Awards, it reflects the growing importance of the Asian markets in the world of wine and for the British Columbian wine industry.  This marks the third occasion in four months that C.C. Jentsch’s 2013 Syrah has been singled out as the best of its kind. After taking a Platinum Award at the Wine Align National Wine Awards in July, the Syrah also bested the international competition in a benchmark tasting dubbed “The Judgement of BC” which also included Decanter Asia Wine Awards cochair Steven Spurrier. Owners Chris and Betty Jentsch are thrilled at the recognition their Syrah has achieved along with the growing acclaim of wine maker Amber Pratt. “Amber’s style and focus on elegance is across our whole portfolio,” says Chris Jentsch. “She’s not afraid to change things up when she needs to but sticks with the goal of crafting wines with finesse.” The 2013 Syrah was made only using Syrah grapes, unlike the inaugural 2012 Syrah in which a very small portion of Viognier was added to Syrah to enhance its aromatics. A technique widely used with Syrah in Australia and France’s northern Rhone Valley, Pratt found no need for this with the 2013 vintage. Chris Jentsch is quick to heap the praise for the wines’ successes on the whole winery team which includes Jose, Dennis, David in the vineyard and Michael and Gord in the wine shop. As the sole owners of the vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench where much of the Syrah was grown, the Jentsch family also deserves credit for their own success. “The Golden Mile is great place to grow grapes,” says Chris. “We love it here.”  About C.C. Jentsch Cellars Growing up in the Okanagan, Chris Jentsch continued the fruit-growing tradition of his family by growing apples and cherries before planting his first grapevines in 1999. The current 63–acre vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench was planted beginning in 2005. After the 2010 Testalinden Creek debris flow destroyed his house, Chris began to get into the wine industry. He converted his packinghouse, which had been spared from the debris flow by mere inches, into a winery and began making wine in the 2012 vintage. Winemaker Amber Pratt, also a native of BC, joined Chris soon after right in time to work on the 2013 vintage. 

Media Contact: Chris Jentsch (250) 498-7873 or jentsch@eastlink.ca  

C.C. Jentsch Cellars 4522 Hwy 97, Oliver, BC 778-439-2091 

http://www.ccjentschcellars.com/ Twitter - @CCJentschCellar info@ccjentschcellars.com

C.C. Jentsch Cellars, The Accolades Continue….

Being a new winery is hard work and a labor of love. The best rewards come in the form of recognition and appreciation from consumers who enjoy the wine, and from people and organization in the industry. With its first release (2012) C.C. Jentsch Cellars has achieved an impressive 11 medals. The latest announcement came yesterday from the National Wine Awards of Canada 2014 held in Toronto. Both the Syrah 2012 and the Viognier 2012 received a Silver medal.

Awards & Accolades

National Wine Awards of Canada 2014

·         Silver-Syrah 2012

·         Silver-Viognier 2014

Decanter World Win Awards 2014

·         Silver-Syrah 2012

·         Bronze-The Chase 2012

·         Bronze-Viognier 2012

Pacific Rim International Wine Competition 2014

·         Silver-Syrah 2012

·         Bronze-Chase 2012

·         Bronze-Viognier 2012

International Wine & Spirits Competition 2014

·         Bronze-Syrah 2012

·         Commended-Gewurztraminer 2012

BC Best of Varietal Awards 2014

·         Finalist-The Chase 2012