MyWinePal

In the intricate world of winemaking, every element contributes to the final wine’s character and complexity. Among these crucial components, oak barrels can infuse wines with distinct flavours and textures while being a fermentation or a maturation vessel. Let’s delve into the anatomy of oak wine barrels, explore the oak varieties utilized in Europe and North America, learn about the…

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12.  Your spouse or mother would probably love to enjoy a bottle of sparkling wine.  I have a spectacular bottle of BC’s Church & State Wines Gris de Noir Brut 2020 made in the Traditional Method from Pinot Noir grapes.  It is available at the winery.  It may also be at some of the…

Sunday, May 12, and Sunday, June 16, 2024, are Mother’s and Father’s Day respectively. Did you know that Mother’s Day has its origins in the United States, where it was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914, while the first Father’s Day was started by a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd and was first…

Gambero Rosso is an Italian food and wine magazine and publishing group founded in 1986.  Last year a selection of people from Gambero Rosso reviewed 2,647 Italian wineries and a total of 25,231 wines, rating them from 1 to 3 glasses according to the quality of the wines. Through a series of blind tastings, 498 wines were awarded their top…

My first BBQ of 2024 was a few days ago. I grilled steak and opened a bottle of Tom Gore Vineyards Farmer’s Blend red wine from Sonoma, California. It is a blend of 30% Petite Syrah, 30% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 15% Teroldego, and 5% other reds. Tom Gore is a second-generation grape farmer from Sonoma County and from the time…

We all are wine lovers here and know that wine comes from grapes, but how much do we know about grape vines?  Hopefully, many of you have visited a winery and were able to walk a little into their vineyards, to view the vines, see the grapes hanging, or maybe even the blossoms in the Spring.  I highly recommend visiting…

It’s not often that I have a chance to try coastal Pinot Noir from two different geographic regions and compare the differences, if any, between the wines.  I had the chance to compare Vancouver Island’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery‘s Pinot Noir with two Pinot Noirs from California, by La Crema and Cambria Estate.  Here are my tasting notes that I…

California is a leader in sustainable wine growing.  According to California Certified Sustainable, 38% of California winegrape acres that they monitor are sustainable, and 188 Certified Wineries produce 202 million cases of wine (80% of California wine).  That is remarkable and commendable.  I have two bottles of Certified Sustainable Pinot Noir wines from California to review for you:  Cambria Estate…

Beaujolais wines have garnered immense popularity for their vibrant fruitiness and easy-drinking nature. Nestled just south of Burgundy in France, Beaujolais is often overlooked for its more famous neighbour. Beaujolais’ youthful exuberance pairs excellently with a variety of dishes, including charcuterie, roast chicken, and light pasta dishes. Beaujolais also complements classic French cuisine such as coq au vin and beef…

May is a big month for New Zealand white wines.  I received this press release from the New Zealand Wine Growers.  Also please note that they are asking for your help to get a white wine emoji to be created.  Right now there is only a red wine emoji.  Cheers. Press Release The theme of the month, Pour Yourself a Glass…