National Aboriginal Day will mark its 20th anniversary on June 21.
In recognition of the event, Nk’Mip Cellars are promoting their award-winning wines. Nk’Mip Cellars are the first Aboriginal owned and operated winery in North Amercia.
Just in time to celebrate, the newly released 2015 Winemaker’s Series Dreamcatcher and 2015 Winemaker’s Series Rosé are destined to be summer favourites. Dreamcatcher is an aromatic white blend primarily featuring Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc. The wine has lively lemon citrus on the palate that rounds into supple melon, balancing the wine’s refreshing acidity with a hint of sweetness. The 2015 Rosé is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc with a bright, field-strawberry nose leading to a crisp palate with flavours of rhubarb and grapefruit.
Three recipes have been created to put a twist on a couple of long-standing staples in Aboriginal diets of salmon and bannock.
A wild salmon recipe featuring local berries, fresh greens and toasted hazelnut butter with a side of hot, crispy bannock offers all the elements of a well-balanced dish. Wild salmon is a perfect protein for summer and its neutral flavour lends itself to pairing well with a variety of wines. The citrus in the berry salsa complement Dreamcatcher’s citrus notes while cutting through the rich, toasty butter.
The Rose’s strawberry notes and light acidity pair nicely with the recipe’s featured berries while also working well as a pre-dinner aperitif.
Assistant Winemaker and Osoyoos Indian Band Member, Justin Hall produced another aromatic stunner in the 2015 Dreamcatcher. “It is beautifully balanced with some residual sugar and a bracing acidity,” shares Hall. This ultra popular wine is a great patio sipper and also pairs wonderfully with the provided recipes.
Rosé is having a moment in the wine world and Nk’Mip Cellars’ version is a terrific South Okanagan example. Winemaker Randy Picton shares, “This wine has distinct cherry aromas with a very pleasing structure. It is dry in style with a slight amount of tannin and crisp acidity make it a versatile wine.”
Nk’Mip Cellars wine lovers are encouraged to pay a visit to their winery this summer to experience the exceptional wines in their gorgeous desert setting. The bright and inviting winery showcases First Nations culture in design, food and wine. The wine shop offers daily tastings, winery-only features, wine and cheese pairings and, a behind-the-scenes look at the winery called The Legacy Tour.
The Patio, an on-site restaurant, offers a fresh, farm-to-table culinary approach that showcases Aboriginal techniques with both a varied lunch menu and a simple sunset menu.
National Aboriginal Day was first observed 20 years ago in 1996. The nation-wide celebration offers an opportunity for all Canadians to share and experience the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of the country’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. This day marks an occasion to celebrate the unparalleled contributions to the development of Canada by its First Peoples.
