Sam The Wine Teacher 
What better way to spend a sunny afternoon then having lunch with friends on a patio overlooking the water. The Gillnetter Pub, right off the Mary Hill bypass in Port Coquitlam, sits along the bank of the Pitt River just where it meets the Fraser. This is a popular place – especially the deck on … Read more
It’s no secret that I am a fan of the wines at Pacific Breeze. I have many in my cellar, especially their Reserve Chardonnay, Killer Cab, Big Red and Assaszin. It’s a treat to have a winery so close by. New Westminster isn’t far to go whether you live in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam … Read more
2011 Malbec Heaven’s Gate Summerland, BC $25.00 Silver Medal A great example of a cool climate Malbec. Different from the Argentinian Malbec that most people are familiar with, but very impressive. The colour is garnet black and tinged with purple with deep intensity. An intense nose with layers of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, ripe plum, … Read more
I love Mendoza! Picture if you will, the Okanagan Valley, but much, much bigger. The towering Andes mountains lie along the western border and a flat sloping plane stretches all the way east to the Atlantic Ocean over 1100 km away. Argentina has a wine making tradition that goes back four hundred years. … Read more
Please Sir, can I have some more? Most everyone is familiar with this line from the famous movie and popular stage play, Oliver. This, along with Hairspray, is this years offering from Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park’s beautiful Malkin Bowl Theatre. From the TUTS description: “Based on Charles Dickens’ iconic novel, Oliver! … Read more
The Vancouver Foodster Sangria Challenge Awards are just in. This event involved nine sangria creations from restaurants in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond and Langley. In the media judges’ category, the results were: First place was a tie! The Apron (Richmond) with their Solstice Sangria, described as a bright refreshing white sangria with fresh herbs and … Read more
Tasting Plates North Van kicked off at the Pier 7 Restaurant with registration and a map/passport card. Then it was off to explore the culinary delights of Lower Lonsdale. We started off at Pier 7 Restaurant. The restaurant is located just east of Lonsdale Quay, tucked in behind the Tap and Barrel. It was beautiful … Read more
Located down a side road just east of Okanagan Falls, lies Meyer Family Vineyards. The winery began in 2006 with their first wines being released in 2008 with offerings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot and Gamay. Meyer had it’s origins in Naramata, but owners JAK and Janice Meyer soon relocated to Okanagan Falls when … Read more
Each year at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, the Sommelier of the Year is announced. Past winners have included, Kurtis Kolt (2010) Kurtis Kolt Semillon, Owen Knowlton (2011), Terry Threlfall (2012), Samantha Rahn (2013) Samantha Syrah, Mike Bernardo (2014) and Jason Yamasaki (2015). A part of this award includes participating in the Okanagan Crush Pad’s … Read more
2012 Pinot Gris Reserve Gustave Lorentz Alsace, France $30.00 Silver Medal Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. Aromas of white flowers, peach and minerality on the nose. Well balanced. The flavours follow the nose with a medium-long finish. 2012 Nebbiolo Paolo Conterno Langhe, Italy $35.00 Bronze Medal Garnet red in colour with medium intensity. Simple … Read more