Culmina Hypothesis 2011 Culmina's inaugural release: Hypothesis 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 [...]
The Beautiful South Salta, Aconcagua and Robertson are just a small part of the big, 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 [...]
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 [...]
Centennial BC Coat of Arms at Government House This elaborately carved coat of arms from 1958 details the history of European settlement and early industries—grape growing not among them. (More below ...) There's no time like the B.C. Day long weekend to celebrate the diversity of B.C. wines, no matter where in the [...]
Peller Okanagan (Similkameen?) Dry Riesling A few insiders will know that Peller Okanagan Dry Riesling heralded in this year's garlic crop! If you move really quickly you can buy Andrew Peller Private Reserve (VQA) Dry Riesling for just over $11 at BC Liquor Stores. Believe me, as they say “while stocks last”, it’s [...]
In sippers, Picpoul Rules This unique wine is always on our Go-To summer 'fridge' list There’s no rhyme nor reason to this list. Just a few decent and, above all, pretty wallet friendly whites, perfect for value-driven summer sipping. You can pin this one to the fridge! We’re also working on a [...]
La Source des Fées: in the heart of the Burgundian countryside La Souce des Fées is tucked away in picturesque Fuissé When I was in my early teens my parents arranged a summer exchange with my French pen-pal. I’d already crossed the Channel once (to sing at Chartres Cathedral), a trip that marked [...]
Planning a wine tour? Here's a few ground rules Not a bad way to start the day: at Quails Gate, overlooking Lake Okanagan A couple of weeks ago I found myself on the patio at Quails Gate’s impressive, vista-kissed tasting room, at around 10 in the morning. The first wine up was Quails [...]
Judging for the BC Lieutenant Governor's Wine Awards takes place at Victoria's Government House, TP photo It’s tempting to just run the list without any comment, as the wines tend to stand on their own. And that’s the point. At the outset of this competition back in 2002, more than a few thought [...]
Time Estate founder Harry McWatters Time Estate Winery founder Harry McWatters with architect's model, Tim Pawsey photo I never thought I’d use Harry McWatters’ name in the same sentence as Jim Croce’s. But there I was, walking home from the official launch of the BC pioneer’s new winery, Time Estate Winery, quietly [...]