Sam The Wine Teacher 
2013 Moscato d’ Osoyoos La Stella Osoyoos, BC $20 Silver Medal A blend of Moscatto Bianco and Muscat Ottonel. Very pale straw in colour with a medium-light intensity. The nose is intense with orange blossoms, peach and apricot. Well balanced with just the right amount of acid to balance the sugar. The palate is rich … Read more
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake I did. I can’t believe I have lived in Vancouver my whole life and this is the first time I have been to Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), now in its seventy-fifth year. This is one of those experiences that really makes Vancouver shine. Malkin Bowl in Stanley … Read more
I just got back from a quick trip to the south Okanagan where I had the chance to stop in to one of my favourite wineries, La Stella. This Tuscan inspired winery is beautifully situated along the northern shore of Osoyoos Lake. With four hundred feet of apricot tree-lined shoreline, it is not uncommon … Read more
Taste Washington is the largest single region wine fest in the US, with 230 wineries taking part with more than 800-featured wines. Now in its 18th year, it is four days of wine and food tastings and seminars, which culminates with a Grand Tasting at CenturyLink Field Event Center, near Safeco Stadium, on the last … Read more
Who are the ‘small guys’ of the BC wine world? They are several small, wineries, both physical and virtual, which are very specialized and thus produce what’s called ‘small lots’ or under 2000 cases of wine per year. These small artisan producers are modeled on the ‘garagiste’ winemakers of France, who gained attention producing … Read more
Quini is a free wine tasting and rating app developed in Vancouver. While it is designed primarily for the average consumer, it is useful for neophytes and geeks as well. The language is simple, but useful. The whole idea behind Quini is to help consumers discover their wine palates quickly, and wine pros to … Read more
2012 Sauvignon Blanc Mud House Marlborough, New Zealand $18.99 Bronze Medal Lemon yellow with medium-light intensity. Aromas of grass, mineral and grapefruit rind on the nose. Good balance. Crisp on the palate with flavours that echo the nose. A medium finish with lingering acidity. Serve this with fresh oysters or other shellfish. 2014 Brooklyn’s … Read more
I just got back from a quick trip to the southern Okanagan and had just enough time to stop by two favourite wineries, La Stella in Osoyoos and Meyer Family in Okanagan Falls (more on them in later articles). It occurred to me that most people visit this wine region in the summer or early … Read more
There are so many outstanding wineries on the Naramata Bench that it took two floors of Vancouver’s Terminal City Club to host their spring release event. Twenty-four wineries were in attendance including Poplar Grove, Monster Vineyards, Lake Breeze, Terravista, Deep Roots, La Frenz, Perseus, Kettle Valley, Serendipity, Howling Bluff, Upper Bench, Elephant Island, … Read more
2011 Horizon (Bordeaux blend) Wild Goose Okanagan Falls, BC $18.00 Bronze Medal Horizon is a blend of 55% Reserve Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petite Verdot. Garnet red in colour with deep intensity. A delicate, layered nose showing aromas of earth, plum, cassis, leather, spice and smoke. Good balance with medium plus body. Pleasing … Read more