The late Harry McWatters used to say “There’s no place like the Okanagan to make sparkling wine!” McWatters was convinced that grapes coming from a triangle within the central Okanagan (between Summerland, Naramata and Okanagan Falls) consistently had the right amount of acidity to make good bubble. Harry once told me “One thing we’ve never [...]
From the ‘out of left field’ department comes news today that Unsworth Vineyards has been purchased by Barbara Banke and Julia Jackson of California. This is a significant development for the recently proclaimed Cowichan Valley Sub-GI. It marks the first time that a Cowichan winery has been sold to major outside owners. No doubt, it [...]
This month is South Africa’s time to shine at BC Liquor Stores. The pandemic has shut down the array of events and in-store tastings that usually go along with these thematics. But never mind. There’s still no shortage of decent drops to be found. One of the oldest ‘new world’ producers, South Africa’s industry dates [...]
Last time I checked there were well over 75 different varieties of vinifera grown in BC. That’s not surprising. Compared to the rest of the wine world, this corner of the Pacific Northwest is still a youngster. In other words, we’ve only recently begun to ‘drill down’ on what does best in a specific area. [...]
Few people outside of friends and family know about the Hired Belly’s somewhat devout—nay, near angelic—upbringing. It will come as a surprise to some that today’s brash, hard-nosed swirler and spitter was raised as a pure and innocent, dulcet-toned boy-chorister at England’s Chichester Cathedral. […]
Provence Marinaside joins the list of re-openings in Vancouver, which have been coming thick and fast this week. That’s really good news. How reassuring to see all those familiar names returning to whatever the new normal might be. Of course, many never completely shut down but switched to takeout almost without [...]
In a Vancouver still ruled by straight-jacket liquor laws they came also for late night tea pots—filled with beer. The code name was cold tea. And all you had to do was ask.
Updated May 25th, 2020: From Bodega on Main... "We are so excited to get back to serving you a taste of Spain in our dining room! As of Friday, May 22nd, we will resume dine-in service. "As we adjust to the “new normal”, our team has been working hard to make the necessary changes for [...]
The wine world moves in mysterious ways, even more so in the grips of a global pandemic. But nature plays by her own rules. Indeed, time and vine wait for no one. Like all forms of agriculture, vineyards need to be cared for regardless, especially Pinot Noir. Grapes need to be harvested. And wine needs [...]
