Malbec—and more To be honest, over the years I’ve developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with Malbec. Don’t get me wrong. Just like the rest of the world, I appreciate the value that Argentine Malbec offers. I have even more time for Malbec in Bordeaux based blends. Agreed, there’s no shortage of good Malbec [...]
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 [...]
Natural wines. Coming to a glass near you, soon. Natural Wine Defined What’s a natural wine, you might ask? It means the wine in your glass is in the purest possible form. It's the closest it can be to the fruit that was in the vineyard, preferably organically or bio-dynamically farmed. Most likely it’s made with [...]
Sea Star Rising A handful of wineries has sprung up on BC’s Gulf Islands over the last few years. Yet, none have impressed as much as Sea Star Estate Farm & Vineyards. The picturesque winery is perched on a bluff on North Pender Island (between Vancouver and Victoria). Its vines seem to march right down [...]
Amovino is the name of a new agency making its mark on the BC wine scene. It’s the brainchild of Jessica Luongo and Marisa Varas. They're a couple of smart, young women who decided to pool their experience and resources. I’ve been following this new enterprise with interest. I got to know Jessica Luongo during [...]
Malbec is emblematic of Argentina. Every wine region has its own, ‘signature’ wine or style, blend or variety. The Germans remain Riesling champions of the world. Italy’s Veneto lays claim to the uniqueness of apassimento and Amarone. The Chileans still care about Carmenere (though less so, perhaps, these days). And the French have a lock [...]
Bodega Garzon: an introduction to Uruguay's impressive new winery and resort, with reviews and tasting notes
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 [...]
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 [...]
