Sam The Wine Teacher 
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
My wife, Anita, had a meeting in Penticton recently, so I decided to make the most of the trip and take her to Evolve Sparkling House. I’d attended a media launch there in September and knew she’d be impressed by what this new winery has to offer. A quick call to Shelley, Evolves Wine … Read more
2021 Gewürztraminer Upper Bench Penticton, BC $25.00 Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. This aromatic nose offers lychee, mango, red apple peel, delicate lime zest, and floral notes. Nicely balanced acidity and sugar. Pleasing fruit on the palate with flavours mirroring the nose, followed by a medium-plus finish. Interestingly, this wine improved significantly with time to … 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
Evolve, the latest addition to the TIME Family of Wines, is dedicated to traditional-method sparkling wines, and right out of the gate has won many prestigious awards on both the national and international stage. The modern, chic tasting room was designed to impress. Every detail celebrates bubbles–from the sparkling décor to the playful energy that … 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
Fort Berens Estate Winery, nestled in the rugged beauty of Lillooet, British Columbia, continues to elevate its reputation as one of the province’s premier wine producers. Overlooking the scenic Fraser River, this pioneering winery has made its mark with a diverse portfolio of wines—offering nearly two dozen unique bottlings—but it’s their red wines that always … Read more
