What are the best wine grape varieties?
In general, match varieties to your soil, climate and your site always tempered by the demand by the wineries for your particular variety choices. In the Okanagan/Similkameen, the most popular red varieties are: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Gamay Noir. The most popular white varieties in the Okanagan/Similkameen are: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. In general, white varieties do better in the cooler areas and red varieties do better in the warmer areas, however, some varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot noir can produce quality fruit in cool and warm regions.
