Winemaker Rob Hammersley uncorks a bottle of E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône and passes it down the table, offering each of us a pour of one of the most iconic GSM blends.

Founded in 1946, E. Guigal remains one of the most respected and influential wine producers in France’s Rhône Valley.

Here in Kaleden, B.C., we’re a small group of wine enthusiasts gathered for Black Market Wine Co.’s The Art of Blending seminar, and, somehow, we’ve all managed to squeeze around a long table set up inside the winery’s petite tank room.

The event’s promotional promise was simple: hands-on winemaking, canapés, sweeping patio views and an informative vineyard tour on the South Okanagan property.

So far, it’s delivering on all fronts — starting with a swirl of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre to kick things off.

“We can start off by first looking at the colour of the Grenache,” says Rob. “This is fairly light and pale, and much more akin to a grape like Pinot Noir I would say than Syrah. The skins are relatively thin on Grenache. It does love heat so........

© Castanet