The Nine Days That Are Reshaping This Year’s Harvest

Why your grapes are changing colour right now. Earlier than ever, on the East Bench above Osoyoos. 9 days earlier than 2025 Right now, in vineyards across the Okanagan, something is happening that most wine drinkers never think about. The grapes are changing colour. Reds are turning from green to purple. It’s called veraison, and … Read more

Valentine Wines of Love

What can you say about love that hasn’t already been said many times over? Love is constant and nourishing, very much like wine. This Valentines share a glass of wine with someone you love. Love, an intense feeling of deep affection.   Hester Creek 2021 OLD VINE BRUT WINE PROFILE Tasting Notes Defined and delicate … Read more

Valentine’s Wines of Romance

“In this series I am featuring an exclusive list of wines for Valentine’s” This list of wines is diverse and exciting, a lot like the early days of romance. Whether you are in the early stages of a relationship when you get to know each other, or yours is a lasting union, exploring your love … Read more

Sparkling Lights and Holiday Cheer Await at Winter in Wine Country

Winter in Wine Country is the perfect way to kick off the holidays.

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am including a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be much like the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines that have … Read more

From the Cellar with @Sam_WineTeacher

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be much like the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines … Read more

Wine Reviews with @Sam_WineTeacher

2021 Chardonnay (Micro Cuvée) Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Falls, BC $60.97 This is a wine made from select barrels and is always a small-lot wine.  Lemon yellow with medium-minus intensity.  The nose is a cacophony of toast, butter, honey, vanilla, lemon, apple, melon, spice, fig, caramel, lanolin, and pencil shavings.  Well balanced with a full, … Read more

Wednesday Wine Reviews with @Sam_WineTeacher

2020 Gewürztraminer Rust Oliver, BC $18.70 Golden yellow/apricot in colour with medium-plus intensity.  The aromatic nose shows aromas of peach, apricot, limeade, mango, floral, and hints of spice.  Good balance and good body.  Dry on the palate with flavours of honey, melon, passion fruit, and mango followed by a medium-plus finish with just a touch … Read more