Wine for the Holidays Full disclosure – this is shameless self-promotion. Wine for the Holidays is a two-session course I will be offering in November at Capilano University in North Vancouver. I hope to see you there. The course description reads: Be ready for the festive season. It’s a time for family, friends and celebrations. … Read more
Jim Wyse, proprietor of the Okanagan’s Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, has been named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Pacific 2015 in the Hospitality and Tourism Category. On September 24th he accepted the award at a regional award banquet held at Vancouver’s Trade and Convention Centre and emceed by Chris Gailus. The EY Entrepreneur Of The … Read more
2013 Syrah (Marcus Ansems) Daydreamer Penticton, BC $34.90 Gold Medal Marcus Ansem is Daydreamer’s high-end label. Marcus Ansem, the winemaker, has taken a leap of faith to put his own name on these wines, but to date it has been a prudent move. These are impressive wines. Garnet black in colour with deep intensity. The … Read more
The outstanding summer weather has led to a record breaking start to the grape harvest in British Columbia. For most wineries, harvest typically starts in September or even October, but this year saw most wineries starting two to three weeks ahead of schedule. The first Sauvignon Blanc grapes for table wine were picked by Jackson-Triggs … Read more
2012 St. Nick (Rosé) Hidden Chapel Oliver, BC $19.90 A blend of cabernet sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Riesling. This wine does not resemble a rosé; it looks more like a light red wine. Ruby red in colour with medium intensity. Cranberry and red currant, with a hint of cherry and spice on … Read more
Despite challenges with several municipalities contesting the Province of British Columbia’s new liquor policies, the second wine-in-grocery store is officially open for business at Fleetwood PriceSmart foods International in Surrey. The Fleetwood grocery store joins Save-On-Foods South Point, becoming the second one in BC to stock and sell BC VQA Wines under the Province of … Read more
Praised in the same breath as Vino al Vino in Tuscany, Italy; Feast Portland in Oregon, USA; Rootstock Sydney in Australia; and Wine on the River in South Africa, Garagiste North was recognized by the London Financial Times in a print article Five of the best Wine Festivals by Andrew Joyce (and online by Melanie Abrams) … Read more
If you are of a certain age, the word Chianti will make you think of the straw-basketed wine fiasco bottles of early college days. Admit it, you stuck a candle in the bottle once it was empty and it became a romantic centerpiece when you decided to impress a date with your culinary skills. … Read more
Provence Restaurants’ chef Alessander Quaglia has submitted a savory summer treat for this weeks Taste of Thursday – Fresh Tomato Tarte. This would make a lovely dinner side dish when sitting on a sunny patio, or as a luncheon served with a fresh salad. The wines that pop immediately into my head tend to … Read more
At the 2015 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, BC wineries took home an impressive amount of hardware. Mission Hill was, once again, recognized as Winery of the Year. It will come as no surprise to fans, that the top ten BC wineries this year, included: Mission Hill, Arrowleaf, Road 13, Church & State, C.C. … Read more