Sam The Wine Teacher 
Earlier this year, I was invited to a trade event at the Tap and Barrel in Coal Harbour, near the Vancouver Convention Centre. The occasion was a release of Clos du Soleil wines. Clos du Soleil is a small ten-acre winery located on Upper Bench Road in Keremeos, BC. It was founded in … Read more
If you have some time available May 1st to the 11th, consider heading up to the Okanagan and taking in some of the amazing events happening there. Whether you head to Osoyoos or Vernon or anywhere in-between (even Kamloops), you’re going to find lots to do with nearly two hundred planned events. Over one hundred … Read more
Gray Monk, the original Scenic Sip winery, is one of BC’s best known. The west facing slopes along Camp Road provide good air drainage and capture the sunlight reflected from the lake below. Situated at approximately 50° north latitude, the vines need to capture whatever warmth they can. Gray Monk pays homage to their location … Read more
As you drive along Lake Country’s Scenic Sip Trail, the first winery you come across on Camp Road is Arrow Leaf Winery, run by the Zuppiger family – Joe, Margrit and their son Manuel, who is the winemaker. Originally from Switzerland, they arrived in Canada in 1986 and after a years working in the fruit … Read more
Whenever I am up touring in the Kelowna or Lake Country wine regions, I usually reserve a night to dine at Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen on the northern shore of Ellision Lake, just north of the Kelowna airport. To get there, turn east at the blue and white sailboat on highway 97. Ricardo’s features Italian décor … Read more
I attended “10 Years on: A Rollingdale Tasting 2004 – 2013” at The Hamilton Street Grill last week. Rollingdale is an unassuming farm gate organic winery in West Kelowna owned by Steve and Kirsty Dale. It lies on the western shore of Lake Okanagan just a short drive from downtown Kelowna. They use organic practices … Read more
Here are some suggestions for your weekend trip to the local wine store: 2011 Tinto (Malbec, Syrah, Bonardo) La Posta Cocina Mendoza, Argentina $17.99 Silver medal Tasted 2014 01 This is a blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Syrah and 20% Bonarda. Garnet red in colour with deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of plum, … Read more
Consider inviting a few friends over and hosting a home wine tasting. A blind tasting is even better, and no, I’m not talking about anything weird involving blindfolds. Here’s one idea of how it could work. Invite five or six couples over and everyone contributes $20; that would give you a budget of about $220 … Read more
In my last article, I wrote about the importance of ambiance as it relates to how much a wine is enjoyed. I argued that points should not be used as more than just a guide. Today, I am going to talk out the other side of my mouth and argue the other side of … Read more
Well, the title says it all and it is a topic I can argue both sides. As a member of the BC Guild of Wine Judges, I judge in a number of wine competitions every year and attend monthly blind tastings to keep my skills up. It is true that some wines are better … Read more