MyWinePal

French wine labels may be a mystery to many non-European wine lovers.  The labels follow strict regulations under French law.  Some of the problems may also be the terms on the label written in French.  It does not have to be intimidating.  Once you learn the basics of French wine labels, you will be able to better select the wine…

I have two red blends from BC’s Hester Creek Estate Winery.  Both show off ripe fruit flavours and are smooth and round, with fine-grained tannins, that I think would be easy to enjoy over the holidays with appetizers or main courses.  The two wines are the Hester Creek Estate Winery Cabernet Merlot 2022 and their Character Red 2022, a blend…

Did you know that ten bottles of Rhone Valley wines are consumed every second?  Recently, Rhone Valley Vineyards‘ winemakers visited Vancouver to remind us that they are more than just Syrah and GSM blends.  They also produce white wines, rose wines, and sparkling wines.  I attended a lively presentation from five Rhone winemakers to cover their wines plus remind us…

A quality producer from the Chianti Classico region, Il Molino di Grace, I read also was once owned and managed by monks.  All the wines from this winery are produced organically.  Find out more about this winery in their own words below, and welcome them to VanWineFest 2024. About Il Molino di Grace Il Molino di Grace is, simply, the…

Wineries change hands over time, but you do not often hear of a winery with a vineyard going from monks to lay people.  Monte del Frà is one of those wineries and we are lucky to have the winery attending VanWineFest 2024.  Their wines are in our market already, but you can get a chance to speak with a winery…

Understanding and identifying faults in wine is crucial for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts. Wine faults can significantly diminish the overall enjoyment of a bottle, affecting its aroma, taste, and texture. Common faults include cork taint, oxidation, and microbial contamination, each imparting undesirable characteristics to the wine. Recognizing these faults, and others is essential for developing a discerning palate and…

The history of the Carmenère grape is a tale of rediscovery and revitalization, with its roots deeply intertwined with the viticultural landscapes of both France and Chile.  Carmenère faced near-extinction in France due to the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. Unbeknownst to many, some vines were transported to Chile before the devastation, where they thrived in the climate and…

Here are two musical compositions in wine from BC’s High Note Estate Winery.  Cadenza Red Blend 2021 (of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon) and Verismo Syrah 2021.  Wonderful wines to share with family and friends for the holiday season.  Let me tell you about these wines. My Wine Tasting Notes High Note Estate Winery Cadenza Red Blend 2021…

When I think of olives, I think about olives coming from Europe.  They are typically brined and salty.  But there is an alternative; California Ripe Olives.  I was invited to a lunch with calolive.org to learn about how olives are grown and processed in California. Our host was Emily Lycopolus, a level-two olive oil sommelier and author of eight cookbooks. …

One of the newer Italian wineries, FEMAR VINI SRL, formed in the 1990s.  They are in the Apulia region of Italy and will be attending VanWineFest 2024 to let us try their wines.  They use an appassimento method where they dry the grapes.  Other wineries pick the grapes and dry the grapes in bins/racks.  FEMAR lets the grapes dry on…