Wine lovers often talk about “Old World vs. New World,” but the comparison becomes far more interesting when you look at two regions that share a deep respect for terroir while expressing it in completely different ways. British Columbia and France may be separated by an ocean and centuries of winemaking history, yet they meet at the intersection of climate, winemaking philosophy, and style.As BC continues to define its identity on the world stage, France remains the benchmark against which many regions are measured. Exploring them side by side reveals not a competition, but a dialogue, one shaped by heritage on one side and innovation on the other as we celebrate the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2026 this week.
Climate and Terroir: Divergent Paths to Expression
BC’s wine regions are young in geological time and even younger in viticultural history. The Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, carved by glaciers and moderated by lakes, offer a cool to moderate climate with dramatic diurnal swings in the summer and fall. These conditions naturally preserve acidity and highlight purity of fruit, giving BC wines their signature vibrancy.
France, by contrast, has spent centuries mapping its terroirs. From the chalk of Champagne to the limestone of Burgundy and the gravel of Bordeaux, each region has long-established expectations for style and structure. Climate varies widely across the country, but the throughout is consistency. Terroir defines the wine before the grape variety does, as evident on the wine labels.
BC’s diversity encourages experimentation, which is still ongoing. France’s diversity reinforces tradition, based on long-lived experience. Both approaches yield compelling results.
Wine Styles: Innovation Meets Heritage
BC’s strengths lie in its expressive whites and elegant, cool-climate reds. Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay shine with freshness and precision. Pinot Noir continues to gain momentum, while Syrah and Cabernet Franc have emerged as standout reds capable of both finesse and depth. Sparkling wine is one of BC’s most exciting frontiers, with quality rising every year.
France, of course, sets global standards. Champagne remains the reference point for sparkling wines. Burgundy defines the pinnacle of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Bordeaux’s Cabernet- and Merlot-based blends are emulated worldwide. The Rhône’s Syrah and Grenache offer a spectrum of styles from peppery elegance to sun-drenched richness.
Winemaking Philosophy: Freedom vs. Framework
One of BC’s greatest advantages is its freedom. Without strict appellation rules, our winemakers can explore techniques, create blends, and undertake vineyard practices that suit their sites and their creative instincts. This flexibility has led to a dynamic, evolving wine culture that embraces both New World fruit expression and Old World structure.
France’s winemaking is deeply rooted in tradition. Appellation rules guide everything from permitted grape varieties to yields, harvest dates, and aging methods. While this framework can appear restrictive, it also preserves regional identity and typicity, the very qualities that make French wines so recognizable and enduring.
Both are valid approaches to produce wines of distinct character.
Complementary, Not Competitive
British Columbia offers energy, freshness, and a spirit of discovery while France brings heritage, structure, and global benchmarks. Together, they illustrate two complementary visions of terroir-driven winemaking.
For wine lovers, this is not an either/or choice. It’s an invitation to explore how climate, culture, and philosophy shape the wines we enjoy, and to appreciate the conversation between Old World wisdom and New World ambition.
Wines Tasted in the Last Five Years
Below are two tables outlining BC and French wines that I’ve reviewed over the past 5 years (2021 onward), which you may want to read about and then taste at the Vancouver International Wine Festival‘s International Festival Tasting Room. My tasting notes may not match the vintage of a wine being poured at the Festival, but should give you an idea of what to expect from that wine.
BC Wines
| Winery | Wine (from VanWineFest Brochure) | Vintage | MyWinePal Review URL |
| Adega on 45th Estate Winery | Malbec | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/27/quick-review-my-last-two-adega-on-45th-wines-for-you/ |
| Adega on 45th Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/12/tasting-the-wines-from-adega-on-45th-estate-winery-in-osoyoos/ |
| Adega on 45th Estate Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/25/enjoying-adega-on-45th-estate-winery-cabernet-franc-2022-and-cabernet-sauvignon-2019/ |
| Adega on 45th Estate Winery | Riesling | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/05/adega-on-45th-estate-winery-riesling-and-felicidade-2024/ |
| Bench 1775 | Glow Rosé | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/10/18/visiting-the-naramata-bench-2024-bench-1775-winery/ |
| Bench 1775 | Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot | 2020 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/10/18/visiting-the-naramata-bench-2024-bench-1775-winery/ |
| Blasted Church Vineyards | Hatfield’s Fuse | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/11/29/blasted-churchs-hatfields-fuse-and-pinot-gris-2024-for-the-holidays/ |
| Blasted Church Vineyards | Big Bang Theory | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2022/03/17/2-blasted-church-vineyards-renaissance-wines-to-enjoy/ |
| Blasted Church Vineyards | Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/08/03/okanagan-meets-washington-grapes-with-blasted-church-viognier-and-sauvignon-blanc-2024/ |
| Blasted Church Vineyards | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/04/15/a-few-bc-wine-suggestions-for-your-easter-dinner-2025/ |
| Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery | Pinot Gris | 2025 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/08/06/trying-bordertown-vineyards-estate-winery-pinot-gris-and-gruner-veltliner-2023/ |
| Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/08/20/checking-out-osoyoos-bordertown-merlot-2020-and-cabernet-franc-2021/ |
| Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/10/a-quick-visit-to-bordertown-vineyards-estate-winery-in-osoyoos/ |
| Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc Reserve | 2019 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/08/malbec-and-cabernet-franc-reserve-wines-from-bordertown-vineyards-estate-winery/ |
| Burrowing Owl Estate Winery | Chardonnay | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2021/10/12/a-quality-wine-tasting-at-burrowing-owl-estate-winery/ |
| Burrowing Owl Estate Winery | Syrah | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2021/10/12/a-quality-wine-tasting-at-burrowing-owl-estate-winery/ |
| Burrowing Owl Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2021/10/12/a-quality-wine-tasting-at-burrowing-owl-estate-winery/ |
| Church & State Wines | Gris de Noir Sparkling Rosé | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/05/09/a-sparkling-gris-de-noir-from-church-state-wines-for-mothers-day/ |
| Church & State Wines | Cabernet Franc | 2020 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/12/29/quick-review-church-state-wines-cabernet-franc-and-syrah-2019/ |
| Church & State Wines | Syrah | 2020 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/12/29/quick-review-church-state-wines-cabernet-franc-and-syrah-2019/ |
| Da Silva Vineyards | Chardonnay | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/02/19/da-silva-vineyards-and-winery-chardonnay-and-chenin-blanc-at-vanwinefest-2024/ |
| Da Silva Vineyards | Pinot Noir | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/04/01/quick-review-da-silva-vineyards-and-winery-vinhedo-merlot-2020-and-pinot-noir-2021/ |
| Ex Nihilo | Pinot Noir | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/10/06/some-canadian-wines-to-enjoy-with-your-thanksgiving-dinner/ |
| Fort Berens Estate Winery | Classic Riesling Lillooet BC VQA | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/24/taste-of-lillooet-fort-berens-reserve-cabernet-franc-2022-and-wild-ferment-riesling-2023/ |
| Fort Berens Estate Winery | White Gold Chardonnay Reserve Lillooet BC VQA | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/07/16/a-visit-to-fort-berens-estate-winery-summer-2025/ |
| Fort Berens Estate Winery | Classic Meritage BC VQA | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/28/two-2022-reds-from-fort-berens-estate-winery-to-enjoy/ |
| Fort Berens Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc Reserve Lillooet BC VQA | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/24/taste-of-lillooet-fort-berens-reserve-cabernet-franc-2022-and-wild-ferment-riesling-2023/ |
| Fort Berens Estate Winery | Pinot Noir Lillooet BC VQA | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/28/two-2022-reds-from-fort-berens-estate-winery-to-enjoy/ |
| Hester Creek Estate Winery | Selected Vineyards Cabernet Merlot | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/09/27/exceptional-josephinenhutte-wine-glasses-with-bcs-hester-creek-wines/ |
| Hester Creek Estate Winery | Cabernet Franc | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/07/28/a-syrah-and-old-vine-cabernet-franc-2022-from-hester-creek-estate-winery/ |
| Hester Creek Estate Winery | The Judge | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/03/02/round-two-of-the-battle-royale-hester-creek-estate-vineyard-garland-vs-the-judge-2022/ |
| Hester Creek Estate Winery | Undici | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/04/15/a-few-bc-wine-suggestions-for-your-easter-dinner-2025/ |
| JoieFarm Winery | En Famille Pinot Noir | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2024/10/07/possibilities-of-pinot-seminar-at-swirl-bc-2024/ |
| JoieFarm Winery | Plein de Vie | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/11/15/swirl-around-bc-2023-discussing-the-future-of-the-bc-wine-industry/ |
| Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery | Pinot Gris | 2025 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/04/13/the-heart-of-wine-country-spring-wine-release-2023-2/ |
| Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery | Chardonnay | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/04/13/the-heart-of-wine-country-spring-wine-release-2023-2/ |
| Monte Creek Winery | Living Land Rosé | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/07/21/a-visit-to-monte-creek-winery-summer-2025/ |
| Monte Creek Winery | Living Land Sparkling | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/07/21/a-visit-to-monte-creek-winery-summer-2025/ |
| Monte Creek Winery | Cabernet Franc | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/07/21/a-visit-to-monte-creek-winery-summer-2025/ |
| Monte Creek Winery | Hands Up White | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2021/10/19/a-quick-stop-in-at-monte-creek-ranch-winery/ |
| Moraine Estate Winery | Riesling VQA | 2025 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/03/31/vanwinefest-2025-my-wine-picks-from-bc-europe-and-the-southern-hemisphere/ |
| Moraine Estate Winery | Pinot Noir VQA | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2022/02/01/2-moraine-wines-with-a-view-to-the-spring/ |
| Nk’Mip Cellars | Qwam Qwmt Syrah | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/08/tasting-nkmip-cellars-wines-in-osoyoos/ |
| Nk’Mip Cellars | Qwam Qwmt Merlot | 2021 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/08/tasting-nkmip-cellars-wines-in-osoyoos/ |
| Nk’Mip Cellars | Qwam Qwmt Chardonnay | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/10/08/tasting-nkmip-cellars-wines-in-osoyoos/ |
| Phantom Creek Estates | Riesling | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/01/viticultural-bridges-riesling-pinot-noir-and-more-from-alsace-and-bc-tasting/ |
| Sage Hayward Vineyards | Pinot Noir | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/03/31/vanwinefest-2025-my-wine-picks-from-bc-europe-and-the-southern-hemisphere/ |
| Sage Hayward Vineyards | Chardonnay | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/03/31/vanwinefest-2025-my-wine-picks-from-bc-europe-and-the-southern-hemisphere/ |
| Unsworth Vineyards | Cowichan Valley Pinot Gris | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/01/viticultural-bridges-riesling-pinot-noir-and-more-from-alsace-and-bc-tasting/ |
| Unsworth Vineyards | Charme de l’Île Rosé | NV | https://mywinepal.com/2023/05/01/defining-the-root-of-bc-terroir-masterclass-at-vanwinefest-2023/ |
| Unsworth Vineyards | Cowichan Valley Pinot Noir | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/01/viticultural-bridges-riesling-pinot-noir-and-more-from-alsace-and-bc-tasting/ |
French Wines
| Winery | Wine (from VanWineFest Brochure) | Vintage | MyWinePal Review URL |
| AdVini / Laroche | Mas Le Chevalier Pays d’Oc | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/03/31/domaine-laroche-chablis-2023/ |
| Famille JM Cazes | Domaine L’Ostal Cazes Rosé Pays d’Oc IGP | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/09/a-toast-to-famille-j-m-caze-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Famille JM Cazes | Michel Lynch Bordeaux AOC Rouge | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/09/a-toast-to-famille-j-m-caze-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Famille JM Cazes | Château Ormes de Pez Saint-Estèphe AOC | 2019 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/09/a-toast-to-famille-j-m-caze-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Famille JM Cazes | Château Villa Bel-Air Graves AOC Rouge | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/09/a-toast-to-famille-j-m-caze-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Famille JM Cazes | Pauillac de Lynch Bages AOC | 2020 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/09/a-toast-to-famille-j-m-caze-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Champagne Duval-Leroy | Brut Reserve | NV | https://mywinepal.com/2025/03/17/vanwinefest-2025-the-global-cru-seminar/ |
| Esterlin Champagne | Brut Éclat | NV | https://mywinepal.com/2025/09/12/my-sparkling-wine-picks-from-the-ivsa/ |
| Esterlin Champagne | Blanc de Blancs Éclat | NV | https://mywinepal.com/2023/07/19/tastin-france-comes-to-vancouver-my-selections/ |
| Esterlin Champagne | Ex-Soléra | NV | https://mywinepal.com/2023/07/19/tastin-france-comes-to-vancouver-my-selections/ |
| Europvin | Château Briot Blanc | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/17/welcome-vignobles-ducourt-to-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Europvin | Château Briot Rouge | 2019 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/17/welcome-vignobles-ducourt-to-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Europvin | Château Plaisance Montagne Saint-Émilion | 2019 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/17/welcome-vignobles-ducourt-to-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Domaine Fourrey | Chablis AOC | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/26/taste-chablis-from-domaine-fourrey-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Domaine Fourrey | 1er Cru Côte de Lechet | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/04/10/a-few-favourites-at-bourgogne-wines-take-a-closer-look/ |
| Domaine Fourrey | Côte de Lechet 1er Cru Heritage ‘l’Ancestrale’ | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/26/taste-chablis-from-domaine-fourrey-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Domaine Fourrey | 1er Cru Vaillons | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/26/taste-chablis-from-domaine-fourrey-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Domaine Fourrey | Bourgogne Pinot Noir AOC | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/26/taste-chablis-from-domaine-fourrey-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Gabriel Meffre | Plan de Dieu Red | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2026/01/04/cotes-du-rhone-climate-resilience-and-tasting-the-wines/ |
| Gabriel Meffre | Laurus Vacqueyras Red | 2019 | https://mywinepal.com/2023/11/29/a-visit-from-rhone-valley-vineyards-wine-makers-to-vancouver/ |
| Gérard Bertrand | Côte des Roses Rosé | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/06/lets-celebrate-again-the-wines-of-gerard-bertrand-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Gérard Bertrand | Le Grande Bleue | 2024 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/06/lets-celebrate-again-the-wines-of-gerard-bertrand-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Gérard Bertrand | Château L’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge | 2022 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/06/lets-celebrate-again-the-wines-of-gerard-bertrand-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
| Gérard Bertrand | Le Viala | 2023 | https://mywinepal.com/2025/12/06/lets-celebrate-again-the-wines-of-gerard-bertrand-at-vanwinefest-2026/ |
