Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle with the latest from Grand MarnierOccasionally, people have accused me of being biased towards French cuisine. I don’t think I am—I love just about all cuisines. But I do admit, having being raised in pre-culinary aware England, that my awakening to serious food came through early trips to France. This is a [...]
Marquis Wine Cellars: a sign of good wine! One of Vancouver's first private wine stores When John Clerides forged ahead with Marquis Wine Cellars in 1986 we were, truly, still in the dark ages of wine retailing in BC. Hear what he has to say about his 27 years in the wine biz—and [...]
* Tweet or FaceBook a selfie in one of the four participating wine bars, featuring Languedoc wines (you can grab a coaster, or hold up your wineglass), post it with the hash tag #LanguedocVan, and enter to WIN one of four $100 Gift Certificates to one of the wine bars. The Hired Belly [...]
The "Best of BC", from the scenic South Okanagan Valley, Tim Pawsey photo Heads up for the "Best of BC"! There was a time not that long ago when BC Liquor Stores received a fair amount of criticism that most of BC’s “icon” wines were not available at the Peoples’ Purveyor. It [...]
Honda Accord Coupe V6 Navi at Painted Rock Sleek lines in front and behind I have to confess, I had a tough time giving back my sleek Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 Navi, which I was lent for the other week’s Okanagan trip, prior to the BC Wine Awards judging. This is one [...]
A tough job but ... Yes, I know, there should be a way more sexy pic here. But that’s all there is: a down and dirty get it done, direct from the action shot that exposes the gritty reality of judging the morning’s first flight. We had planned to have all kinds of [...]
Pinotage icewine? Yup, it's a first! I never fail to be intrigued by the connections afforded by the wine world. Call it six brix of separation. These days it seems icewine comes in every varietal and colour. I have to admit I’m not always a fan. There are way too many ‘sugar bombs’ [...]
The view from Watermark Resort: An ever changing panorama I’ll admit it: when I’m in full-on writing mode, I’m a bit of a home-body, which can be challenging on the road. All the more reason why I’m very happy to be ensconced in the Watermark Beach Resort, in Osoyoos, in southern BC. [...]
Everyone says it looks like we're getting married here but Richard Carras (left), who helped put it all together, is just showing us where to sign on the contract! Champagne Charlie was my name! ... In the Footsteps of Champagne Charlie: the challenge was to race around the world using only ground [...]
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 [...]
