wine picks

What’s in a Blend? Don’t Ask Kevin Grant!

September 22, 2013
Ataraxia, on a ridge in The Cape

What’s in a blend? Why worry? One of the many interesting people I met at Beautiful South in London last week was winemaker Kevin Grant. He and his wife Hanli own Ataraxia in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, on a ridge overlooking the stunningly beautiful, cooler coastal region—whose name (which means “Heaven on Earth”) kept popping up during […]

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Culmina Family Estate Hypothesis, More Than a Theoretical Winner

September 6, 2013
Culmina

Culmina Hypothesis 2011     Here’s a wine we figured would be worth waiting for, and we weren’t disappointed, as it more than lived up to our expectations. This is the inaugural release from just opened Culmina Family Estate, the project undertaken by Don Triggs, his wife Elaine  and their daughter Sara Triggs. If you […]

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The Beautiful South: Wines of South Africa, Chile and Argentina

August 28, 2013
Salta, Aconcagua and Robertson are just a small part of the big, Beautiful South

The Beautiful South Next month in London, they’ll pull the wraps off “The Beautiful South”, a two day tasting extravaganza (September 11, 12) that brings together South Africa, Chile and Argentina in a major collaboration. Even though the countries have co-operated before, this marks the first time that a joint event will be held (at […]

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From Touriga to Tannat, Moon Curser Delivers the Goods

August 18, 2013
MC-Fox copy

Some years ago, I visited an upstart little winery in Australia by the name of Yellow Tail, along with an enthusiastic group of Aussie and Kiwi wholesalers. We shared a casual lunch at makeshift tables in the warehouse (they’d expanded so fast there was no reception room), along with several local growers, who had been […]

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R.I.P. Peter Lehmann, “Baron of Barossa,” 1930-2013

July 23, 2013
Margaret and Peter Lehmann, around the time of their 2011 Vancouver

When the French (and others) talk about “terroir” they’re generally referring to geography, soil type, grapes—but also the human element. Wine, after all—above all—is very much about people. It’s a fact of which we’re constantly reminded, especially when a legend in the business passes on. On June 28th, Australia and the wine world at large […]

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A Taste of Provence Rosé

July 15, 2013
A clutch of very drinkable rosés

Is Rosé still on a roll?  It looks that way. Last month we had a chance to test drive a quartet of Provence rosés (part of a BC Liquor Stores’ promotion) to see how they stacked up. Following on from last year’s tasting, it was interesting to note the ongoing emphasis on creative packaging, which […]

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Howard Soon: “2012 is one of the Best Vintages We’ve Ever Had” (Video)

April 15, 2013

Last week after the BC Wine Institute Vintage Preview, we asked Peller master winemaker Howard Soon for a few comments about his Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc, and the 2012 vintage…   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0OWF2bMiQ   Here’s our story from the North Shore News: … What was interesting this time was that the viticulturalists were invited along to offer […]

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Colby Red: A Good News Wine Story with Real Heart

March 7, 2013
Daryl Groom: serious passion for a cause that

When I interviewed Daryl Groom a couple of weeks ago, it was first and foremost to talk about Colby Red. However, how could I hang with Daryl Groom and not talk about his remarkable career, which saw him emerge as one of the original “flying winemakers”, going back to the time when he was senior […]

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Nicolas Jaboulet Talks About Maison Nicolas Perrin Syrah-Viognier

February 27, 2013
Good value Syrah-Viognier. And unicorns to boot ...

Here’s a quick clip (just over a minute) of Nicolas Jaboulet talking about his good value, (non-appellation) Vin de France - Maison Nicolas Perrin Syrah-Viognier 2011, made in partnership with the Perrin family: He explains what’s behind the blend and what each part contributes.  (Actually, I love the way he says “syrahviognier”, as if it’s all one word, as […]

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California Shines Again at 2013 Vancouver International Wine Festival

January 11, 2013
Robert and Margrit Mondavi

When I was looking for an image to run with this post (most of which appears in this weekend’s North Shore News), I input “Mondavi” into my Spotlight and the above is what popped up. In my mind, and I suspect for many others, California wine and Robert Mondavi will forever be inextricably linked. I […]

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