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Canadian wine group launches high-end wines in UK
Iconic Wineries of British Columbia, a group of six Canadian wineries owned by White Claw seltzer founder Anthony von Mandl, has launched a range of high-end Okanagan Valley wines in the UK.
The IWBC, a group that includes Mission Hill winery, has released wines from high-end producer Checkmate in the UK for the first time. Some Checkmate wines had previously been available at Selfridges after the London-based retailer unveiled a 20-strong range of Okanagan wines last year.
The new range, which comprises two Chardonnays and two Merlots, will retail for £65 per bottle or for £195 per triple bottle gift set.
Made by Australian-born winemaker Philip McGahan, the wines are produced from grapes selected from “micro-blocks” with the aim of making Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Bordeaux-inspired Merlot wines.
The Fool’s Mate Chardonnay 2014, for example, contains a blend of grapes from five different vineyards. 85% of the wine is aged in French oak for 16 months, of which 42% is new, while the remaining 15% is put into two concrete eggs.
The other Chardonnay, called Attack, is likewise aged for 16 months, but this time in foudres, half of which are made from new French oak. Both Merlots (Opening Gambit Merlot 2014 and Silent Bishop Merlot 2014) spend 21 months in 100% new French oak.
Paul Beavis, the former managing director of Champagne Lanson UK and North America, joined IWBC as managing director at the beginning of this year.
Commenting on the UK launch, he said: “It is very rare to find wines that display such impeccable character, integrity and quality. With Anthony von Mandl’s vision and Phil McGahan’s mastery, Checkmate wines represent the pinnacle of expression of the Okanagan Valley. Once experienced, the expectations for Chardonnays and Merlots will never be the same. The time has come to take these wines to the rest of the world, starting in the United Kingdom.”
Aside from Checkmate and Mission Hill, the group also manages Cedarcreek Estate Winery, Road 13 Vineyards, Martin’s Lane Winery and Liquidity Wines.
Von Mandl also owns the Mark Anthony Group, which produces and distributes a portfolio of drinks brands including White Claw, and imports a range of wines, beers and spirits.
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