B.C. wines became popular when they started winning medals overseas. We have to present the consumer with what's popular. But in B.C., at least, local wines are turning up in more and more quality restaurants. A lot of restaurateurs use their own palates and put on their list what they like. And often that means award-winners.
Medals dictate any wines popularity.
Gehringer isn't about to argue with. Gehringer's walls are covered with prestigious awards won over the years for both their reds and whites. But it's their ice wine that has really turned heads in recent years. In fact, Gehringer's 1995 Riesling Ice Wine has, so far this year, earned two gold and three silver medals in various competitions. He equates the sweet wine to an after-dinner liqueur which is usually reserved for special occasions.