2014 Chardonnay Blackwood Lane Langley, BC $29.00 This wine is lemon yellow in colour with medium-light intensity. The nose is well-integrated oak and fruit with aromas of lemon, ripe apple, honey, butter, toast and vanilla. Very well balanced. The flavours follow the nose leading to a medium-plus finish. Serve this with pan seared prawns and … Read more
Wine agent Richard Massey organized this event at Granville Island’s Edible Canada to showcase Vancouver Island wine and spirits. I began at Unsworth Vineyards, which is located in Mill Bay, between Victoria and Duncan where I chatted with Sommelier Chris Turyk. I first became aware of Unsworth when I visited the winery two years ago … Read more
2015 Red Chaberton Langley, BC $15.00 Garnet red in colour tinged with purple and medium-deep intensity. Earthy, smoky notes on the nose along with dark fruit and black pepper undertones. Good balance with firm ripe tannins. The palate shows flavours of bright red fruit and smoky meat followed by a medium-plus finish. This is … Read more
2012 Serious Syrah Pacific Breeze New Westminster, BC $22.99 This is Pacific Breeze’s first foray into Syrah. The grapes were sourced from Washington and California. Garnet red with medium-deep intensity. Black pepper, blackberries, earthy, sweet spice and vanilla notes on the nose. Very well balanced. The flavours follow the nose. The finish is medium-long … Read more
My wine background began as a home winemaker, some thirty odd years ago. Years later I trained to be a judge and eventually became the guild master for the BC Guild of Wine Judges. After retiring from teaching, I’ve devoted my time to writing and educating about wine, primarily with My Van City. Sometimes … Read more
Niche Winery One of the ‘small guys’, or garagistes, Niche Winery is a small family run operation set well off the main highway in West Kelowna. Opened in 2011 by James and Joanna Schlosser, they indeed have ‘found their Niche’. This small ten-acre, ‘Hugh and Mary’ vineyard, owned by James’ parents, Kathleen and Jerry Schlosser, … Read more
Non Vintage Cipes Brut Summerhill Winery Kelowna, BC $25.49 This wine was chosen to celebrate a special occasion and a good choice it was. This traditional method, pyramid-aged wine is a blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. Pale lemon in colour with a medium-light intensity. The nose shows aromas of wet stones, citrus and … Read more
Opened in 1993, Blue Grouse is one of Vancouver Island’s oldest estate vineyards. This family owned winery is located in the Cowichan Valley, just off the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan. Actually, the property has a long and interesting history that dates back to 1977 when John Harper, the father of island viticulture, … Read more
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
2012 Shiraz Serafino McLaren Vale, South Australia $27.99 Silver Medal This highly rated Australian shiraz is certainly a cut about the others. Garnet black in colour with deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of red and black fruit with layered chocolate, spice and earthy notes. Well balanced with firm ripe tannins. Bright fruit and spice … Read more