Sam The Wine Teacher 
I guess if someone does not live in the Okanagan and has no interest in wine, then it could be possible that they might not know the name, Harry McWatters. But if you are not in the afore-mentioned group, then you will have at least heard of him. It is safe to say that he … Read more
2014 Maréchal Foch Rollingdale West Kelowna, BC $24.90 Maréchal Foch is a grape that many might not be familiar with. It is a French hybrid that is early ripening and resistant to the cold. These wines tend to be dark in colour, high in acidity (making them refreshing and good with foods) and low … Read more
July 24. Where would you find any foodie or wine lover from Mission to Coquitlam on a weekend in late July? Why most certainly at the Golden Ears Cheese Crafters Long Table Event. This elegant soiree, designed to raise money for the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation, is in its sixth year and it tends to … Read more
The Summer Rosé Edition 2016 Rosé (Skaha Vineyard) Kraze Legz Kaleden, BC $19.85 Made from Merlot, this wine is pale salmon coloured with medium-light intensity. Red fruit jumps out of the glass – wild strawberries, Rainer cherries, rhubarb and watermelon. Well balanced with good mouthfeel. The flavours follow the nose. A medium-plus finish. This is … Read more
With just weeks to go, this is the perfect time to remind everyone how good BC Pinot Noir is and of the upcoming event which showcases these wines. 2016 was a sad year for Pinot lovers as there was no BC Pinot Noir Celebration. The previous venue had already been booked and no other suitable … Read more
2016 Gamay Noir Rosé (Secrest Mountain) Haywire Summerland, BC $22.90 Structured like a top quality Provencal Rosé with more pronounced aromas and flavours. Organically grown Gamay from the Secrest Vineyard in Oliver and fermented with native yeasts, this wine is cherry red with medium-intensity. The nose is bold with aromas of cherry, strawberry herbs … Read more
2016 Pinot Gris (Estate) Blue Grouse Duncan, BC $22.00 Made from old vine Pinot Gris estate grapes. Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. Pear, melon and peaches and cream on the nose. Good balance and creamy texture. The flavours reflect the nose followed by a medium-plus finish. I suggest serving this with fresh scallops … Read more
Thanks to Katrina D’Costa and Mohamed Awad for inviting me to help them celebrate the one-year anniversary of Penticton’s Play Estate Winery. There was a big turn out for this event and those in attendance were either early fans or recent converts. General Manager and winemaker Mohamed Awad, having cut his chops at several other … Read more
It’s always good to stop into 8th Generation when I am in Summerland, though it is seldom good for my credit card balance. Usually I stop by to see if they still have some of their unique Pinot Meunier Rosé or to pick up some of their award winning Rieslings. I go in with … Read more
Having been a home wine maker for over 25 years, I have always been a little leery about ‘wild’ yeast fermentations. ‘Wild’ yeast is also known as ‘ambient’, ‘feral’ or ‘natural’ yeast. My scepticism is not without reason; having bought crushed grapes that began to ferment on their own, before I had a chance … Read more