2011 Quattro (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah) Cassini Cellars Oliver, BC $19.87 2011 was a challenging year in the Okanagan, but good growers knew to reduce their crops to concentrate flavours. This wine is a good example of how to not let quality suffer when Mother Nature deals you a bad hand. Garnet red … Read more
Le Vieux Pin Wines Added to Michelin Restaurant Lists The Okanagan’s Le Vieux Pin is celebrating recent and ongoing inclusion on the wine lists of several international Michelin starred restaurants including: * The Table Kevin Fehling (Germany) Kevin Fehling is the youngest European 3 Michelin starred chef ever … Read more
At the invitation of Mireille Sauvé (The Wine Umbrella consulting) I joined a small group of industry people at the Cactus Club Coal Harbour to sample their exclusive line of Italian wines. We met in a glass-walled private room that overlooked the sunny snow-draped North Shore mountains. Mireille greeted us with a refreshing Montelvini Prosecco … Read more
BC Wine Appreciation Society Celebrates with Van Westen The BC Wine Appreciation Society is an organization that was formed over 10 years ago and now numbers 175 members. Their events tend to sell quickly, whether it is a library tasting, a garden party, or a bus tour. December’s wine event was held in the … Read more
The Italian Trade Commission wine events are always top-notch affairs. They vet the wineries well, the registration is smooth, the food and venue first class and the tasting booklet informative and well laid out. At this event there were over 40 producers from 16 regions and 600 wines to sample. Piedmonte, Puglia, Sicilia, Toscana and … Read more
This is the time of year for celebrations of many sorts and toasting with a flute of sparkling wine is a long time tradition. These days you have an amazing selection of bubbly wines to choose from when raising a glass. Cava – great value with lower priced traditional method bubbly from Spain Champagne – … Read more
#WineWedneday Wine Reviews by Sam Hauck aka The Wine Teacher 2012 Pinotage Stoneboat Oliver, BC $24.90 Undoubtedly the best Pinotage I have tasted. Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. A complex nose showing aromas of black fruit, earth, chocolate and spice. Very well balanced with good mouthfeel. The flavours echo the nose with a … Read more
Le Vieux Pin Winery’s flagship wine: 2012 Équinoxe Syrah was just given the top spot on Icon Wines: ‘Top 20 Wines of the Year’ annual list. Making it the first Syrah in it’s price range to be named ‘Wine of the Year’. A very big accomplishment by the winery team. “…also one of the rarest … Read more
Located on Mt. Lehman Road, just north of Harris Road in Abbotsford, Singletree winery is one of BC’s newest wineries. The Etsell family, which has a long history of farming in the area, includes Debbie and Garnet, their son, Andrew, his wife Laura and their two sons. The winery sits on a hill with a … Read more
2013 Merlot Tinhorn Creek Oliver, BC $20.00 Garnet red in colour with medium-deep intensity. The nose shows aromas of dry cocoa, plum, earth and spice. Good balance with smooth ripe tannins. Chocolate, plum and red fruit flavours on the palate followed by a medium finish. 2012 Chardonnay (Family Reserve) Mount Boucherie West Kelowna, BC … Read more