Mirabel makes its mark A few months ago I was sitting in a corner by the cozy fireplace at Vancouver's Bacchus Lounge. I was there to meet Doug and Dawn Reimer. They were in town to preview their (inaugural) Mirabel Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015. In many ways the couple epitomize the new wave of Okanagan [...]
Tidal Bay wines have a special place in the heart of one Nova Scotian winemaker. Pete Luckett is the driving force behind Luckett Vineyards. He and his wife, Sue, established their Gaspereau Valley winery in 2010. I met him last week, during the Vancouver International Wine Festival. There was definitely a buzz around Nova Scotia [...]
Wine Festival! As just about everyone in Vancouver knows, it’s that time of year when the whole city puts on its #winelover hat and heads down to the convention centre. This year, at the 30th #VIWF, however, things are a bit different. The theme region at Vancouver International Wine Festival—for the first time ever—is Canada. [...]
'Tis the season … for Champagne, Cava, Sekt, Prosecco, Crémant and more. You name it—around this time of year, if it bubbles and pops we love to drink it. First, the good news about sparkling wine. Bubbles are no longer just for celebrations and glorified cork-popping. Sparkling wine has come of age as a food [...]
I went to an intriguing wine tasting last week. It was a side by side blind comparison of identical wines. Only the packaging was different. One glass contained wine poured from a standard 750 ml. bottle and the other from a 9 litre poly bag and keg system. Keg and Bottled wine samples, poured [...]
Updated: September 7, 2019: Dames Brut 2017 This is the first Dames sparkler ... and, as it turns out, the last of the Les Dames wines, the successful fund raising project launched by Mireille Sauvé in 2015. Here’s her tasting note: “Fine bubbles introduce this Traditional Method Extra Brut sparkling wine. A bread-dough aroma allures with [...]
A View Kissed List There's only one problem with making a short list of view wineries in the Okanagan. In a valley of superlative panoramas, you’re guaranteed to upset somebody. So many rate, it’s impossible to do them all justice. With that disclaimer, here’s a quick look at what’s new and in the wings. Where to go and [...]
When she came back from her studies at Geisenheim (then 23), Juliane Eller suggested to her parents it was time to do things her way ...
The just concluded BC Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in BC Wines is surely one of the most unique competitions anywhere. I'm not aware of any other judging that starts out with over 500 wines from 132 wineries and manages to single out a mere dozen for recognition. (The similar, Ontario LG Awards, modeled on [...]
Provence Marinaside epitomizes the blossoming of Vancouver’s food and wine culture —especially in matters of wine. As anyone who travels knows, especially when it comes to wine by the glass, this city is well ahead of most. This popular restaurant on Vancouver's False Creek north shore draws on a combination of storage techniques. They [...]
