BC Bubbles on the Rise: A Sparkling Selection
BC Sparkling wines continue to enjoy growing success and acceptance, with good reason.
Bizou+Yukon Celebrate #CanadianRestaurant #TakeOutDay
Bizou+Yukon—The Hired Belly’s four legged friends—recently expressed an interest in being guest reviewers, checking out a few take out spots. “Why not,?” we thought. After all, we want to do all we can to help restaurants in these uncertain times. Bizou+Yukon, are keen observers of the local scene, with impeccable taste, of course—as you’ll see! [...]
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy BC Wine On-line
Living life in splendid self-isolation but running low on critical supplies—such as BC WINE? Fear not! Wineries from Kelowna to the Cowichan and Creston are sharpening their pencils and their shipping game. […]
5 Reasons to Relish Dine Out Vancouver 2020
With 18 years of Dine Out under my (thankfully elastic) belt, a few hours spent clicking through the current festival’s menu offerings has me convinced that this is one of the best lineups yet. There are plenty of good reasons to relish Dine Out Vancouver. While the festival has grown to include many more special [...]
Two Matts Make a Nat
Pet Matt Landrusco 2019 If wine is first and foremost about having fun (it should be) then Pet Matt is just the ticket. Pet Matt is the latest in Okanagan Crush Pad’s Wine Campus series, in which BC’s Sommelier of the Year gets to make the wine of their choice. And a worthy cause—this year [...]
Row Fourteen Takes Similkameen Up a Notch
Row Fourteen is the newest addition to Similkameen's already blossoming scene. And it's a worthy one at that.
Harry McWatters, BC Wine Icon and Pioneer, Passes
Harry McWatters, founder of Sumac Ridge Estate, SYL Ranch, Time Estate, Time Winery and Evolve Cellars died in his sleep on July 23rd, 2019. I’m profoundly saddened by his unexpected death as, I know, are the legions of his friends and others who knew him. Not only was Harry a force to be reckoned with, [...]
BC Red Blends and Bubbles Impress at Judgment 2018
This year’s Judgment of BC left more than a few BC wineries smiling. In fact, it delivered one of the more even results for the home team in the four years since the tasting started. Most impressive, though, was BC’s showing in the red flight. It’s important to note that the Judgment was never intended [...]
Quails’ Gate Estate Grows Back to the Future
Over decades of following BC wineries, I'm convinced few have been as well planned as Quails' Gate. I've watched the Stewart family's operation blossom from tanks in a garage to a full-service hospitality complex. It's now among the most sophisticated and well-run I've encountered. During a recent visit, I was again struck by the sheer [...]
Tap & Barrel Shipyards: A Prescription for Patio Fever
Tap & Barrel is no longer the new kid on the block. That was apparent when this casual eatery landed downtown at the Convention Centre. And became even more clear when Tap & Barrel Shipyards launched, about three years ago. This week they pulled the wraps off (yet another) patio at Shipyards. It couldn’t be completed [...]