Sam The Wine Teacher 
Fort Berens has just released three new wines alongside three offerings in their Reserve series. While many people are familiar with Fort Berens wines, I’m often surprised by how few have actually visited the winery. Lillooet is steeped in history. As one of the earliest towns in the province, it played an important role as … Read more
2024 Albarino Raimat Saira Costers del Segre, Spain $21.99 This organic wine is lemon yellow with medium intensity. The nose displays aromas of lemon zest, pear, melon, white flowers, chamomile, and slate. Good balance. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. Lovely at 12.5% ABV and a great food wine to serve with … 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
The email read: The World of Syrah with Luigi. How could I resist? Syrah wines tend to be rich and powerful, sometimes even described as being meaty. While it has its roots in the Rhône Valley of France, where many believe the French version to be the ideal, Syrah has found a new home … 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 much like the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … 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
2023 Clarendelle Domaine Clarence Dillon Graves, France $36.99 A blend of 49% Sauvignon Blanc, 37% Semillon, and 14% Muscadet. Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity. On the nose, lemon cream, banana, green apple, melon, peach, honey, toast, biscuit, and flint. Good balance. The palate follows the nose, with notes of pineapple, lime, pear, and grapefruit, and … Read more
The email from Franco’s Liquor Store read: “Compare two iconic styles from Italy’s Veneto region. Discover the bold, velvety richness of Amarone and the approachable, fruit-forward Ripasso as Luigi walks you through their differences, histories, and unique characteristics.” This was one tasting I wasn’t going to miss. Ripasso and Amarone are red wines from Italy’s … Read more
We were in Penticton for a couple of days, so I reached out to my good friend Melannie for some local dining tips. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Go to Chula — it’s my favourite tapas bar.” That was all the encouragement we needed. Chula is a small, 23-seat restaurant tucked away on a … Read more
