Sam The Wine Teacher 
2011 Blind Tiger (Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon) Vindication Cellars Okanagan Falls, BC $29.00 Silver Medal Garnet red in colour with deep intensity. The nose is layered with aromas of plum, blackberry, cassis, dust, earth and chocolate. Well balanced with good mouthfeel and soft ripe tannins. The flavours follow the nose followed by a medium-long … Read more
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and for many that means roasting a turkey and gathering with family and friends. As far as wine is concerned, turkey is a very versatile dish. You have so many wines to choose from. What wine to serve depends a little on what other side dishes will be served. … Read more
Eau Vivre is an unassuming little winery near Keremeos, in Cawston, tucked in off Hwy 3 on Lowe Drive. Opened in 2009, this small production winery has won more than it’s fair share of acclaim, including two Lieutenant Governor’s ‘Award of Excellence in BC Wine’. Small producers tend to strive for quality and Eau Vivre … Read more
2013 Rosé (Pinot Meunier) 8th Generation Summerland, BC $17.00 A rather unique rosé from Bernd and Stefanie Schales of 8th Generation. It is cherry red with medium intensity. Ripe red apples, Strawberries, cherries, pink grapefruit and watermelon aromas on the nose. Well balanced. The flavours echo the nose with a medium-long finish. Think you … Read more
Wine for the Holidays Full disclosure – this is shameless self-promotion. Wine for the Holidays is a two-session course I will be offering in November at Capilano University in North Vancouver. I hope to see you there. The course description reads: Be ready for the festive season. It’s a time for family, friends and celebrations. … Read more
After an afternoon tasting some wonderful wines from the small guys at Garagiste North in Kelowna recently (and spitting – I was working after all), it was time for a palate cleanser. For me, that means a nice hoppy IPA. Luckily, I found a brewpub a short distance away – the BNA Brew Pub. Inside, … Read more
Granite Falls Regional Park is located just a short distance east of Mission on Ridgeview Rd in Deroche. Just follow Highway 7 and look for the sign, just before the turn at Sylvester Road. The suspension bridge is one of three in the lower mainland along with Capilano and Lynn Valley. The Cascade Falls bridge … Read more
2013 Syrah (Marcus Ansems) Daydreamer Penticton, BC $34.90 Gold Medal Marcus Ansem is Daydreamer’s high-end label. Marcus Ansem, the winemaker, has taken a leap of faith to put his own name on these wines, but to date it has been a prudent move. These are impressive wines. Garnet black in colour with deep intensity. The … Read more
Fall has arrived. With the arrival of the new season, and the leaves turning colour, it’s time for bringing out the sweaters and a time for new dishes in the kitchen. Chef Castro Boateng has presented a mouth-watering recipe for Braised Short Ribs Confit with garlic pommes puree and wild mushroom jus. We tend to … Read more
If you are a fan of BC wines, this wine fest is one of the highlights of the year. If you are a pinot noir freak, then this is THE best wine celebration of the year, hands down. The third annual BC Pinot Noir Celebration was held in August in Kaleden, BC. Kaleden is a small … Read more