MyWinePal

04.16.2013.  That’s the date that the Okanagan Falls Winery Association (OFWA) launched their Inaugural “The Heart of Wine Country Comes to Vancouver” event to show their wines to the wine trade, which includes wine writers like me, but as well wine shop and restaurant owners and staff.  If you ask someone in Vancouver where is [...]

The British Columbia Wine Institute welcomed me and a room full of other revelers to the “BC Paired: Indulge Your Senses!” during the Vancouver International Wine Festival. This event was a celebration of BC wines, red, white, sparkling and fortified, paired together with locally sourced BC ingredients prepared to complement the wines. 23 wineries were present to [...]

It’s time to spoil yourself.  This press release came in my mailbox earlier today.  The wine from the Okanagan’s Road 13 and catering by Joy Road Catering will make for a memorable evening at Vancouver Urban Winery.  I have not had Road 13′s Sparkling Chenin Blanc, but would love to try it.  Sign up soon [...]

I made this original post 2 years ago, and have been updating it in subsequent years.  I think there is still an interest in having some fun for New Year’s Eve.  Sparkling wine paired with caviar I think fits that category.  I’ve added some additional text and champagnes for you.  Hopefully you will be able [...]

I hazard to guess how many wines I tasted over the past year, but every year I find several gems that I pass along to you as I taste them.  Getting ready for the holiday season, you may be considering buying wines to take to parties, or serving wines at your parties.  What to buy? [...]

In my earlier post, Growing Wineries with Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP), I introduced you to the vineyard management, wine making skills, and the growing list of new wineries making use of OCP. In this second part of this article, I will introduce you to these new wineries, and provide you with a few tasting notes [...]

Being social has it’s privileges.  One such privilege is being invited to Marquis Wine Cellar’s Social Media tasting in downtown Vancouver.  A small, intimate affair with other social media wine and food bloggers; we get to try some new and exciting wines brought in by Marquis.  This year, I had my sights on two wines: [...]

In Part 1 of my Review of the New Zealand Wine Fair 2012, I talked about New Zealand’s sustainability goals, and provided tasting notes on the New Zealand wine makers’ upcoming varietals to the rest of the world of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Syrah. But there is also Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and more [...]

What do you know about the Lombardy region of Italy?  Not much probably.  Neither did I until I attended an Italian Chamber of Commerce lunch today in downtown Vancouver. This region of Northern Italy is well known for cheese, charcuterie, wines, fresh produce and olive oil. Lombardy is also very well known for their cultivation [...]

The California Wine Fair 2012 Canadian Tour came to Vancouver this past week.  It is highly anticipated and always delivers.  There were so many wines to try, from what you expect, like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but also the unexpected, like a Chenin or a Cabernet Franc.  California has wines of all different styles [...]