Canadian Wine Marketer Christine Coletta Unveils her Own Wine
As executive director of the BC Wine Institute (1992-2001), Coletta also introduced BC wines to the London International Wine Fair
Why Your Hard Earned Wine Deserves the Right Stemware
Riedel’s supremacy as a stemware producer is no surprise: we’ve been a convert for years, and have a not too shabby lineup of their glasses for everyday tasting at home.
BC Government House announces 2010 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards
And the winners are ... The moment of truth at Government House comes when the wraps are pulled off the winning wines. That’s the challenge of tasting blind: you just hope that the winners span an appropriate range of style, producer and price. It’s no small coincidence that the actual judging is run by Marjorie [...]
South East Spain’s wine industry has deep roots
Tempranillo thrives in Jumilla's harsh semi arid climate - Tim Pawsey photo Murcia, Spain. As you tour this parched semi-arid corner of eastern Spain, two realities are inescapable: the sun rules and water is a scarce commodity. The harshly beautiful landscape is marked by massive limestone outcrops that punctuate the seemingly always clear [...]
Judging at The 2010 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines
The Hired Belly has just finished participating in one of the more interesting competitions on the Canadian judging calendar. The Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines were introduced by former Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Iona Campagnolo in 2003. The judging is different from many for a number of reasons, none [...]
No Time Like the Present to Perk Things Up with Pink
Why it's (always) the right time for BC rosé Meyer Family Vineyards (Naramata Bench) Rosé - Tim Pawsey photo Not long ago it was almost impossible to find a decent rosé around these parts. But that's all changed in recent years. Today, rosé is hotter than pink itself. What's driving the rosé revolution? [...]
Why it Makes Sense to Toast the World Cup with Wines of South Africa
(Besides the fact they’re just darn tasty drops...) The Paarl Valley is just one of many breathtaking spots in South Africa's scenic and varied winelands, Tim Pawsey photo By the time June is over, you’ll know two things, for sure. 1. Soccer is the world’s game—played by more [...]
Tantalus Vineyards’ Unveils BC’s First LEED Winery in Okanagan Valley
Clean and Lean, New Winery is Really ‘Very Riesling’ Tantalus Vineyards has emerged as the Okanagan’s de facto flagship Riesling producer—and rightly so. For the last few years the winery operated out of the former Pinot Reach facility—a delightful, if somewhat rustic arrangement not entirely conducive to the [...]
Why You Should Visit the New Gray Monk Winery & Get the Tee Shirt Too
I used to get corked - now I'm screwed! Gray Monk's ingenious expansion brings a whole new dimension - Tim Pawsey photo (Updated, see below) We weren't there at the very beginning, when, in 1972, George and Trudy Heiss were among the first to envision the Okanagan Valley's potential as a serious wine [...]
Blossoming Similkameen: A Fledgeling BC Wine Region Spreads its Wings
Similkameen Valley and Cawston from the Fairview Road, Tim Pawsey photo CAWSTON, B.C.--A sleepy backwater defined by its namesake river and towering peaks, the Similkameen Valley delights in its quiet, rural character that sets it apart from the Okanagan at large. At least since the last gold rush, farming is a mainstay. What's [...]