Author: mywinepal

Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.
4 Chianti Classico wines

4 Chianti Classico Wines to Enjoy With Friends and Family

 mywinepal  June 19, 2023

Recently I arranged to get family and friends together to taste four Chianti Classico wines and try them with different flavours of pizza. At the end of tasting through the wines and enjoying the pizzas, I had the group of us, pick their favourite wine of the evening. Following are my tasting notes for the wines, sans decanting, followed by…

Cabernet Sauvignon sign

How Well Do You Know Cabernet Sauvignon? Take the Quiz!

 mywinepal  June 18, 2023

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most widely known red wine grapes around the world.  Many people know it for being in Bordeaux blends, but it is also made as a single-varietal wine worldwide, including in BC’s Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.  Take this fun 5-question quiz to see how well you know Cabernet Sauvignon.

Renzo Monga

A Chat With Renzo Monga From Escorihuela Gascon 1884 at VanWineFest 2023

 mywinepal  June 17, 2023

One of the oldest wineries in Argentina is Escorihuela Gascón 1884.  I had a chance to talk with Renzo Monga, Export Director from Escorihuela Gascón 1884 during VanWineFest 2023 about the history of the winery plus he introduced me to one of their Malbec wines and a Limited Production Cabernet Sauvignon.  Enjoy our discussion.

Blue Mountain Estate Cuvee Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris 2022

Tasting Blue Mountain Estate Cuvee Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris 2022

 mywinepal  June 14, 2023

BC white wines from the 2022 vintage are slowly being released to the public.  I received the Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris 2022 wines to review, plus their Sauvignon Blanc 2022, which I will review in a separate article.  Many readers may think of sparkling wine only when they hear Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars as…

Marine Seon

Chatting With Marine Seon from Hacienda Araucano at VanWineFest 2023

 mywinepal  June 13, 2023

I had a lovely chat with Marine Séon, Export Sales Manager, from Hacienda Araucano from Chile at VanWineFest 2023.  The winery has a French influence with French owner François Lurton as well as being the winemaker.  Marine tells me a bit about the winery, which has organic and biodynamic vineyards, and the Sauvignon Blanc she poured for me from the…

Wine of Portugal Masterclass

The Portugal Wine Experience Masterclass, Always Something to Learn

 mywinepal  June 12, 2023

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Portugal Wine Experience masterclass led by Eugénio Jardim, US Brand Ambassador for Wines of Portugal. Following is what we covered with Eugénio followed by my wine-tasting notes for the flight of wines he had prepared for us. Eugénio Jardim’s Masterclass Did you know that Portugal is the closest European country to…

Pinot Noir sign post

Are You a Pinot Noir Lover? Take This Quiz.

 mywinepal  June 11, 2023  2 Comments on Are You a Pinot Noir Lover? Take This Quiz.

Pinot Noir is probably my favourite red wine when its made well. The roots of this exquisite red grape variety can be traced back to the vineyards of ancient Côte d’Or in Burgundy, where its cultivation flourished under the region’s unique terroir. Throughout the ages, Burgundian winemakers have meticulously honed their craft, producing wines of unparalleled elegance, complexity, and finesse. …

Haywire Pink Bub 2021 with strawberries

Haywire Winery Pink Bub 2021 and Strawberries?

 mywinepal  June 10, 2023

A glass of sparkling rosé wine and strawberries seems like a wonderful romantic pairing, doesn’t it?  I  received a bottle of BC Haywire Winery Pink Bub 2021 and recently purchased farm field-ripened strawberries and thought I would try this pairing.  I can say they are definitely delicious together.  Let me tell you about the wine and the pairing. My Wine…

Sergio Maraviera

A Video Interview With Sergio Moraviera From Bodega Huanacache at VanWineFest 2023

 mywinepal  June 8, 2023

Some wineries at the Vancouver International Wine Festival have over a hundred years of history and others are new with 20-30 years.  Bodega Huanacache is one of the newer wineries coming from Argentina.  Listen to Sergio Moraviera from Bodega Huanacache as he talks with Karl MyWinePal about the winery and the Chardonnay that was poured for me to sip.  

Gambero Rosso poster

Ciao Amici, My Gambero Rosso 2023 Favourites

 mywinepal  June 6, 2023

Gambero Rosso is the leading platform for the promotion of Italian Wine in the world.  Each year they have a tasting of all Italian wines submitted to them and they rank the wines with the top wines given the title of Tre Bicchieri, Three Cups in English.  With these Tre Bicchieri wines, Gambero Rosso visits select cities around the world…