Joie (pronounced “Jwah “), meaning joy in french, was started back in 2002 by husband and wife team, Michael Dinn and Heidi Noble. They are both trained Sommeliers who worked over the years at different Vancouver hot spots before deciding to quite the rat race to pursue their dream of making wine. The rest, as they say, is wine history. Today, Joie is considered one of the premier wineries in BC.
Michael and Heidi are interested exclusively in the grape varieties of Alsace, Burgundy and Champagne, which all excel in the cool-climate, desert landscape of the Okanagan Valley. They are particularly interested in making these wines because not only are they the wines that they love and enjoy drinking, but these are the varieties that thrive and are relevant in the Okanagan Valley.
Sam’s 7 Questions:
a) Where is the winery? Naramata, BC
b) Can you describe the flavour of the wine? It tastes like a mouthful summer…in other words, strawberries & ripe red cherries! It is very important to note that this wine is NOT sweet by any means. It is a dry Rosé. Like it says on the label…it is time we all start to Re-Think Pink!!
c) What does this wine add to the Cactus wine list? This is a very sought after Rosé found only on a handful of select wine menus in town. It’s not only seasonal (which adds its own sense of exclusivity), but it also provides the opportunity for our guests to try a true Rosé……and not that White Zinfandel stuff the kids like to drink. If you ever have a chance to go to France in the summer, it is amazing to see how much Rosé is sold and drank by the locals, men and women, alike.
d) Which Cactus menu item does this wine pair with? JD BBQ Ribs
e) Available by bottle only or by the glass? By the glass
f) Describe this wine in 3 words: Bright, strawberry, summertime
g) What kind of grape(s) are used?: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Gamay
Check out their website here.