MyWinePal

While researching wineries I should visit in the Niagara region, I came across Kew Vineyards Estate Winery, which is a little east of Thirty Bench Wine Makers, and specializes in sparkling wine, I had to visit. Their original 1975 plantings are among the oldest in the region.  They have a classy, Old World feel wine tasting room, and make their…

In the summer of 2017 I attended the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) in the Niagara region.  A celebration of Chardonnay and Ontario wines in particular (other Canadian wineries were in attendance).  After attending i4c, I visited a few wineries in the Niagara region.  One of the wineries I visited, and wines I tasted at i4c, was Thirty Bench…

In recent history, Port wine has continued to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich and diverse offerings. While originating in Portugal, Port enjoys a global following. Its appeal extends beyond age, gender, or nationality, making it a cherished beverage among a wide range of people. Connoisseurs appreciate its complexity, often savouring it as a dessert wine or…

You may be wondering what happened to me as i typically post 3-4 wine articles a week.  I am in the Niagara region in southern Ontario to celebrate my birthday and to visit some wineries and taste their wines.  I have copious notes on the wines and probably tasted over 60 wines covering eight different wineries.  It will take me…

The history of sparkling wine is a tale that intertwines innovation, elegance, and celebration. Dating back to the late 16th century, a natural effervescence was often seen as an unpredictable and sometimes unwanted result of the winemaking process. It wasn’t until the legendary Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon refined the techniques of producing sparkling wine in the early 17th century that…

Yes, it is still summer, even though the calendar says September.  We can keep a summer mindset by drinking fresh crisp wines, like these two BC wines from Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.  I received their Township 7 Provenance Series Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and their Provenance Series Rosé 2022 to taste and review for you. Both wines are under screwcap…

It’s September, so let’s start looking for red wines to enjoy as the nights get longer and the weather gets cooler.  I have two red blends from the Carter Wine Company in Okanagan Falls.  Carter Wine Company The Hawk 2016, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, and Carter Wine Company Lemberger Merlot 2017.  The grapes for both…

The history of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon is deeply intertwined with the evolution of the wine world. Cabernet Franc, the older of the two, has ancient origins tracing back to the Bordeaux region of France, where it played a crucial role in the development of classic Bordeaux blends.  Its contribution to Bordeaux blends eventually led to the emergence of…

Pascal Madevon, a Bordeaux-trained winemaker who now calls BC home, brings his skills to make a magnificent red blend wine for the Okanagan’s French Door Estate Winery. The winery was founded in 2019 and is already producing impressive wines.  I received a bottle of French Door Estate Winery’s héritage French Blend 2020, which contains just about every major red Bordeaux…

Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy, that you may have heard of, but never tasted.  In the past, there were low-quality sweet versions of this wine in the market, but in recent years the quality of Lambrusco has increased and we are getting nice examples in our market.  I received a bottle of Tomato Wheels Reggiano DOC…