Why Grape Varieties Came to Have Fixed Descriptions For much of European wine history, a buyer ordered Chablis or Sancerre; the grape names Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc usually remained unstated. Someone choosing Pauillac was expected to know that Cabernet Sauvignon would probably have an important role, although the label did not need to say so. … Read more
At the foot of Anarchist Mountain in Osoyoos, just minutes from the Canada–U.S. border, sits Adega on 45th. Adega is the Portuguese word for a wine cellar or winery, an appropriate name for a winery that proudly celebrates its heritage while producing distinctly Okanagan wines. Many visitors drive past Adega on their way to Nk’Mip … Read more
A Walk Through White Burgundy: Vineyards, History, and Change Vines were growing in Burgundy during the Gallo-Roman period, although the surviving evidence does not establish when they first arrived or which grapes were planted. By the early Middle Ages, vineyards had become important to religious communities and secular landowners because wine was required for worship, … Read more
Being a long time fan of Little Engine wines it has been my pleasure to begin to review their current selection of wines. When reviewing wines I tend to take a little extra time which includes pairing the wine with a dish I think will bring out the best characteristics of the varietal. For this … Read more
This week I had the opportunity to visit Blue Grouse in the Cowichan Valley. Such a beautiful area it is a pleasant drive of about an hour from Victoria via the Malahat. The architecture of the estate is what initially takes your breath away. Set in an ideal location with beautiful and welcoming landscaping. You … Read more
Why Does Burgundy Have So Many Communes? Burgundy can be difficult for new wine drinkers because it asks them to understand places before grapes. In many wine regions, the label begins with a grape name, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir. In Burgundy, the label often begins with a place: Bourgogne, Chablis, Gevrey-Chambertin, … Read more
This is the first review of the season featuring two Little Engine Wines that match so well with summer. What goes best with sunshine, mountain views and long, slow days? Light, refreshing, delicious wines. You are going to love these wines as much as I do. Just ideal for enjoying on the beach, by the … Read more
Noble Ridge’s 2019 The One Named Best Sparkling Wine at the All Canadian Wine Championships The winery earns Canada’s top sparkling wine honour for a second time, highlighting the exceptional quality of Okanagan Falls as a premier sparkling wine region. Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery is proud to announce that its flagship traditional-method sparkling wine, … Read more
Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation. Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more … Read more
Wine Production in Fuissé: A History The village of Fuissé sits near the southern end of Burgundy’s limestone belt, where the vineyard land of the Côte d’Or and Côte Chalonnaise gives way, a few kilometers to the south, to the granitic terrain of Beaujolais. It is a small commune in the department of Saône-et-Loire, and … Read more