VIP Tours: Are they worth it? At the height of summer, wine touring in the Okanagan can get pretty busy. But as the region evolves, so does the range of tasting options. A nominal tasting fee is now the norm—almost always refunded with a purchase. Yet, at a few wineries you can escape the crowds by spending [...]
In honour of Canada's 150th! My good friend Rick Van Sickle (winesinniagara.com) asked me to contribute to his #CanadaWINE150 project. I was happy to oblige ... When I first arrived in Montreal, I was amazed to see how liquor was sold. Going to the SAQ in those days was more like going to an [...]
At Garagiste North: "The Small Guys" Wine Festival, you'll find only wineries making under 2,000 cases a year.
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 [...]
Nightingale is the latest undertaking from David Hawksworth, Vancouver’s acclaimed culinary star. Hawksworth first arrived on the scene when he opened West Restaurant. At the time he was a virtual unknown. The West Van raised chef had been busy polishing his skills elsewhere. He worked in such esteemed kitchens as Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons [...]
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 [...]
Harry McWatters is like the venerable Energizer Bunny... Every time you think he might be done, he keeps on going. And it’s usually well ahead of the curve.
Stag’s Hollow Winery, just outside of ‘OK Falls’ over 20 years ago, in 1995 has always intrigued me. Often as not, I find myself in awe of the perseverance displayed by winemakers and viticulturists. And in Stag's Hollow's case, that evolution has been truly fascinating.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is hailed as one of the best of its kind anywhere. But walking into the Acura International Tasting can be daunting. It doesn't have to be. Here’s how to make the most of it.
The Stone’d wines are well-made blends which will doubtless get plenty of attention.
