LEARNING ABOUT WINE: Why Grape Varieties Came to Have Fixed Descriptions

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

Little Engine Wines – Exploring a Selection of Fine Wines

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

Lunch at Unsworth in the Cowichan Valley

If you haven’t been to the Cowichan Valley you are missing one of the most beautiful spots on Vancouver Island. About an hours drive from Victoria the Cowichan Valley is a must visit for wine lovers. Temperatures are moderate with a year round pleasant climate. Grapes are grown on site and enjoy warm days and … Read more

LEARNING ABOUT WINE: Why Does Burgundy Have So Many Communes?

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

Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.

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

A Summer Duo from Little Engine Wines

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

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

Summer Just Got Better with Bartier Bros.

Bartier Bros. Vineyard and Winery is working hard to make it easier for you to enjoy their fabulous wines. As a long time fan of Bartier Bros. wines I think this is the answer for anyone who enjoys the wines of summer. Who doesn’t want the best deal on the best wines? Bartier Bros. offers … Read more

APVSA Summer Tropical Wine Tour

APVSA Tropical Summer Wine Tour The Association for the Promotion of Wines and Spirits launched its Tropical Summer Wine Tour here in Vancouver this past week at the Sutton Place Hotel. The tour will make stops in 18 cities across North America, from Mexico City to Montreal, with an additional stop in Honolulu. APVSA boasts … Read more

Blue Grouse Estate Winery

Nestled in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, Blue Grouse Estate Winery is one of BC’s oldest wineries and among the pioneers of modern Island winemaking. Viticulturist John Harper planted an experimental vineyard on the property in 1977, trialling more than 150 grape varieties, some of which are still in production today. The Kiltz family purchased the … Read more