Sam The Wine Teacher 
This is the time of year for celebrations of many sorts and toasting with a flute of sparkling wine is a long time tradition. These days you have an amazing selection of bubbly wines to choose from when raising a glass. Cava – great value with lower priced traditional method bubbly from Spain Champagne – … Read more
#WineWedneday Wine Reviews by Sam Hauck aka The Wine Teacher 2012 Pinotage Stoneboat Oliver, BC $24.90 Undoubtedly the best Pinotage I have tasted. Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. A complex nose showing aromas of black fruit, earth, chocolate and spice. Very well balanced with good mouthfeel. The flavours echo the nose with a … Read more
Located on Mt. Lehman Road, just north of Harris Road in Abbotsford, Singletree winery is one of BC’s newest wineries. The Etsell family, which has a long history of farming in the area, includes Debbie and Garnet, their son, Andrew, his wife Laura and their two sons. The winery sits on a hill with a … Read more
2013 Merlot Tinhorn Creek Oliver, BC $20.00 Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of dry cocoa, plum, earth and spice. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Chocolate, plum and red fruit flavours on the palate followed by a medium finish. 2012 Chardonnay (Family Reserve) Mount Boucherie West Kelowna, BC … Read more
This past weekend was the annual Christmas Mingler at Pacific Breeze Winery in New Westminster. Wine was poured, charcuterie, cheese and other finger foods were nibbled and people took advantage of special deals on many of the wines in the Pacific Breeze portfolio. Great news when you are looking for a gift for a wine … Read more
A while ago I was invited to a Zinfandel tasting at the home of a fellow wine writer. She had solicited wines from eight BC wineries (betcha didn’t know that there were so many BC zins) to compare to a California one. California zinfandels typically show the following characteristics – jammy ripe fruit, dark berries, … Read more
When wine agents have new products to release they often host a trade tasting. Those in the hospitality industry, liquor stores, restaurants and bars as well as the media are invited to come and taste their wares. Just the other day I was invited to such an event hosted by the Mark Anthony Group, who … Read more
Backyard Vineyards Winemaker James Cambridge took us on a tour of Backyard Vineyards. He greeted us with a glass of Blanc de Noir – a refreshing Pinot Noir sparkling wine – very nice with delicate fruit on the nose and palate and good mousse. This winery, which opened as Glenugie, has been around since 2002 … Read more
Hy’s Vancouver Celebrates 60 Years Hy’s steakhouse, opened in 1962 by Hy Aisenstat, has been a Vancouver icon for many years. Known by many Vancouverites as Hy’s Encore, it is now called Hy’s Vancouver to be consistent with the others in the chain. These restaurants, which once stretched across Canada and the United States, … Read more
2010 Chardonnay Blackwood Lane Langley, BC $24.00 Straw coloured with medium intensity. Green apple, mineral and honey on the nose. Well balanced. Citrus, mineral and subdued green apple on the palate with a medium-long finish. This Chablis styled wine paired very well with pan seared scallops and prawns. 2010 Shiraz (Hales) Rolf Binder Barossa … Read more