Whenever I tell people that wine is what I do, the age old question always comes up, Red or White? And they’re usually not interested in my typical answer of “It depends on what I’m having it with.” Well Oliver twist wineries and historically the German’s have solved that age old question for all of us with this hybrid grape.
This hybrid is a cross between Trollinger (a red variety also known as Schiava grossa or Vernatsch) and Riesling. It was created by August Harold in 1929. 40 years later it received varietal protection and was released for general cultivation. Kerner reached it peak of plantings in 1990 with around 8,000 hectares in Germany.
Located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver, British Columbia, Oliver Twist Estate winery is proudly run by Gina and Trevor Mitchell. They are proud and humble owners who wouldn’t trade what they do for anything else. Nor would you want them to.
The Kerner grape has been in the area for over 50 years. The wine itself is straw yellow in color, but on the nose it has notes of has hints of honey and ripe strawberry not commonly found in white wines. On the palate it brings out more of it’s riesling character with honey and spice but that red fruit character still lingers as well. With only a few local producers growing this grape I will definitely be back up to Oliver twist to get my hands on more! It’s the white wine for those of us more confident in red wine.