Friday night. What used to be the most exciting time of the week has since become tiresome and monotonous, all thanks to COVID-19.

Instead of visiting posh downtown restaurants with your friends, you now find yourself participating in hour-long Zumba classes via YouTube. Oh, how the times have changed.

However, one thing remains the same—a good bottle of wine can turn even the dreariest of evenings around.

This Friday, after killing a dance kickboxing class in my tiny apartment, I rewarded myself by twisting open a chilled bottle of Narrative Pinot Blanc 2017.

Narrative wines are produced at the Okanagan Crush Pad Winery in Summerland, B.C. The popular winery spans 120-kilometres in total and takes advantage of the Interior’s dry climate up until the snow hits. Aromatic white grape varieties are found on the north end of the winery while the juicy red varieties reside on the south.

Narrative’s Pinot Blanc is made from grapes carefully grown on 32-year-old vines, which provides each sip with a mouthwatering finish. A bottle of this luscious white only costs around $23.

As a self-proclaimed white wine aficionado, I was instantly impressed with the wine’s richness and layered flavour. It was refreshing and quite possibly quenched my post-exercise thirst better than water.

With notes of Okanagan herbs, stone fruits, and ripe apple, the Narrative Pinot Blanc takes taste buds on a journey that they will not want to return from.

When it comes to pairing a glass of Pinot Blanc with food, consider choosing fare with subtle flavours. This includes mild and soft cheeses, pastas with cream sauces, flaky fish, and chicken.

I can also confirm that Narrative Pinot Blanc effortlessly pairs with a bowl of Annie’s bunny-shaped Mac and Cheese.

To order from the Okanagan Crush Pad winery (also produces Haywire, Freeform, and Bizou + Yukon) visit www.okanagancrushpad.com/online-store/ or your local wine store.