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.
Gran Appasso

Say Ciao to Gran Appasso by Femar at VanWineFest 2024

 mywinepal  November 21, 2023  0 Comments on Say Ciao to Gran Appasso by Femar at VanWineFest 2024

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…

Rocca delle Macie logo

Celebrate Rocca delle Macie’s 50th Anniversary at VanWineFest 2024

 mywinepal  November 20, 2023  0 Comments on Celebrate Rocca delle Macie’s 50th Anniversary at VanWineFest 2024

In June 2023 Rocca delle Macìe celebrated their winery’s 50th Anniversary.  Winery principals have attended VanWineFest in the past as well as other Italian wine events here in Vancouver.  I am looking forward to seeing them at VanWineFest 2024 and clinking a glass to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.  Here is some information by Rocca delle Macìe about their 50 years…

Take This Quiz About the Varied Wines of the Loire Valley

 mywinepal  November 19, 2023  0 Comments on Take This Quiz About the Varied Wines of the Loire Valley

The history of Loire Valley wines is a rich and storied one, dating back to the 1st century when the Romans first cultivated vineyards in this picturesque region of France. Over the centuries, the Loire Valley has become renowned for its diverse and elegant wines. The region’s unique terroir, marked by a temperate climate, a variety of soil types, and…

Kismet Safed 2008

A Few New BC Wines Released to Recommend

 mywinepal  November 18, 2023  2 Comments on A Few New BC Wines Released to Recommend

Last week I attended the Swirl Around BC wines event seminar, which was followed by wine tastings from a variety of BC wineries.  I decided to check on sparkling, rosé, and white wines leading up to the Holiday season.  Here are a few wines I thought were quite good and you may enjoy.  Remember with the winter cold snap affecting…

Township 7 Benchmark Series Fool's Gold Vineyard Viognier 2021 and Blasted Church Vineyards Viognier 2022

Viognier to Enjoy from BC’s Township 7 and Blasted Church VineyardsPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 17, 2023  0 Comments on Viognier to Enjoy from BC’s Township 7 and Blasted Church VineyardsPR SAMPLE 

Viognier is not a grape that you typically think of when you consider white wines in BC, but you should.  Although the grape originates from the northern Rhone Valley, which can get quite hot in the summer, the grape does well in our Okanagan Valley, which can have cooler and hotter vintages.  I have two Viognier wines from two separate…

Swirl Around BC wine seminar

Swirl Around BC 2023: Discussing the Future of the BC Wine Industry

 mywinepal  November 15, 2023  0 Comments on Swirl Around BC 2023: Discussing the Future of the BC Wine Industry

I was invited to attend the Swirl Around BC 2023 seminar recently to hear from BC winemakers about the challenges and opportunities in the BC wine industry.  Our Moderator for this seminar was DJ Kearney, and our Panelists were: Alistair Veen, JoieFarm, Bailey Williamson, Blue Grouse Estate Winery; Charlie Baessler, Corcelettes Estate Winery; David Paterson, Tantalus Vineyards; Ross Wise, Black…

Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Grenache-Vermentino-Viognier 2020 and Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault 2021 Rosé 2021

Enjoy Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses White and Red Blend WinesPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 13, 2023  0 Comments on Enjoy Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses White and Red Blend WinesPR SAMPLE 

Here are two Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses wines for you to try. The Grenache-Vermentino-Viognier 2020 and the Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault 2021 Rosé. The Rosé has been around for a while and has been a favourite of many people.  Both wines come in a very distinctive and beautiful bottle with a rose petal-shaped base.  Instead of cork, Gérard Bertrand is using a glass stopper to…

Sonoma Valley sign (Image courtesy www.sonomacounty.com)

Test Yourself With This Sonoma Valley Wine Quiz

 mywinepal  November 11, 2023  0 Comments on Test Yourself With This Sonoma Valley Wine Quiz

The history of Sonoma Valley wines is a rich and storied one, dating back to the early 19th century when Russian settlers first planted grapevines in the region. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most celebrated wine-producing areas in California. Sonoma Valley is renowned for its diverse microclimates, which allow a wide range of grape varieties…

Monte del Frá Ca del Magro Custoza DOC Superiore 2020 and Bardolino DOC 2021

Try Monte del Frá Wines from Italy Before VanWineFest 2024PR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 10, 2023  0 Comments on Try Monte del Frá Wines from Italy Before VanWineFest 2024PR SAMPLE 

The theme country for the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2024 is Italy.  If you have not yet checked out the website to see the participating wineries, I can tell you that Monte del Frá will be pouring their wines for you from the area bordering the south and east of Lake Garda and west of Verona.  The red grapes from…

Blasted Church Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Try Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2021PR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 7, 2023  0 Comments on Try Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2021PR SAMPLE 

With all the pressures caused by winter weather freezing vines reducing the grape harvest this year and forest fires over the past several years, our BC wineries need your support.  I have two wines, one white and one red, from BC’s Blasted Church Vineyards to review for you.  Blasted Church Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022 is a white Bordeaux blend. …