For years my Joie Farm favorites were Noble Blend and Rose. Now I’ve added Chardonnay and the beautiful red blend PTG. Short for Passe Tout Grains. This is a delicious blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay and is familiar if you were visiting Burgundy. Joie has a deft touch as evidenced by their popularity and … Read more
2011 Chardonnay (Reserve) Pacific Breeze New Westminster, BC $29.99 Gold Medal Tasted 2014 12 Rich lemon yellow in colour with medium plus intensity. The nose is complex with aromas of caramel, tropical fruit, honey, toast and butter with a hint of citrus. Very well balanced with unctuous mouthfeel. The flavours echo the nose. A long, … Read more
I think it is safe to say that most people enjoy wine, so it can make a great gift, especially if you know someone’s tastes. But what if you don’t? One person’s plonk is another person’s favourite, and that is totally OK. By the same token, it can be a great waste if you splurge … Read more
In fifteen years of enjoying wines from B.C. the improvement in quality and consistency has been remarkable. Quails’ Gate is a case in point. Their wines are reliable and great value for the price. If you’re looking for a white wine to keep on hand that you can sip on its own or serve with … Read more
2011 Tippy Toe Oaked (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier) Montakarn Oliver, BC $20.00 Bronze Medal Tasted 2014 11 Golden yellow in colour with medium intensity. Butter and ripe tropical fruit on the nose. Good balance with a slightly sweet entry and good mouthfeel. Big tropical fruit and buttery flavours on the palate with a medium finish. … Read more
Canada’s grand national drunk….otherwise known as the Grey Cup is on Sunday. If you’re not inside B.C. Place for the game itself, chances are you’re hosting or attending a party. Either way this Clos du Soleil Rose is the perfect partner for everything from ribs to chili to pizza. Clos du Soleil winery is considered by many … Read more
There are several types of wine tastings including blind tastings, horizontal tastings and vertical tastings. A vertical tasting is when you taste the same wine from the same winery, but from different, usually sequential, years. In contrast, a horizontal tasting is the same varietal and the same year but from different wineries and a blind … Read more
2013 Bacchus (Dry Reserve) Chaberton Langley, BC $17.25 Tasted 2014 11 Straw coloured with medium-light intensity. An inviting Muscat like nose showing aromas of peach, mineral, apple and citrus. Good balance, clean and crisp. Stone fruit (peach and nectarine), lemon and elderberry flavours on the palate. A medium finish. This lip smacking social wine will … Read more
2014 harvest is now over across the valley, minus the ice wine harvest that our colleagues are busy with. While is too soon to be definitive, 2014 is shaping up to be a classic South Okanagan vintage: hot summer days, cold nights, dry conditions and a steady late indian summer ensured perfect ripeness of both sugars and … Read more
2009 Malbec/Cabernet Silkscarf Summerland, BC $29.90 Bronze Medal Tasted 2014 11 Garnet red colour with medium-plus intensity. Cherry, raspberry, spice and chocolate aromas on the nose. Good balance with medium body. Red fruit flavours on the palate with a medium finish. 2010 Syrah Thornhaven Summerland, BC $24.90 Silver Medal Tasted 2014 11 The colour is … Read more