Sam The Wine Teacher 
Nestled at the foot of the Alps in northwestern Italy, Piedmont—Piemonte in Italian, meaning “at the foot of the mountains”—is one of the country’s most complex and storied wine regions. Bordered by the Alps to the north and west and the Apennines to the south, its dramatic landscape creates a mosaic of mesoclimates that have … Read more
Nestled in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is one of BC’s oldest wineries and among the pioneers of modern Island winemaking. Viticulturist John Harper planted an experimental vineyard on the property in 1977, trialling more than 150 grape varieties, some of which are still in production today. The Kiltz family purchased the … Read more
No matter where you live in British Columbia or where your travels take you, there are excellent wineries to discover across the province’s nine wine regions. According to Wine Growers BC, there are more than 300 wineries spread throughout the province, including: Vancouver Island (22 wineries) Gulf Islands (11 wineries) Fraser Valley (28 wineries) Lillooet … Read more
2024 Chenin Blanc River Stone Oliver, BC $25.90 Another in the Good Neighbours Series made with grapes from the Columbia River region of Washington State. Pale straw with medium-minus intensity. An inviting nose showing aromas of apple, floral notes, grass, some tropical fruit, almond, honey, citrus, and Asian pear. Very good balance with good mouthfeel. … Read more
It’s time to start thinking about summer holiday plans, and if an Okanagan getaway is on the list, consider making a stop at the Turtle Bay Pub in Lake Country. Located just off Highway 97 along the southwest shore of Wood Lake, midway between Kelowna and Vernon, the pub offers an ideal lakeside setting. The … Read more
There is something to be said for travelling in the shoulder season. The crowds are smaller, the pace is calmer, and rates are often far more appealing. With birthdays falling in late March and early April, my wife and I decided a short getaway would be the perfect way to celebrate both occasions. We … Read more
NV Brut Reserva Segura Viudas Torrelavit, Spain $16.99 Segura Viudas is well-known for delivering good-quality sparkling Spanish wines (cava), and this modestly priced Reserva proves the point. Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. Baked apple, citrus, brioche, wet stones, and dried tree fruit with undertones of yeasty lees on the nose. Good balance with mouth-filling mousse. … Read more
In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time. I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more
2022 Blanc de Blanc Fort Berens Lillooet, BC $39.99 Are you an ‘any day is a good day for bubbles’ person like I am? If so, you’ve got to give this one a try. This traditional method, wine is made from 100% estate grown Chardonnay and was aged ‘sur lie’ for 24 months. Lees aging, … Read more
In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time. I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature aged … Read more