Author: mywinepal

Back Door Winery is located in Summerland and has been keeping a lower profile.  They came to my attention recently and offered some of their wines to taste and review for you.  They are in the process of rebranding and creating a Reserve Level of wines, which I also received.  As part of their rebranding, they hired veteran winemaker Lee…

Today I have two wines from Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery in Creston to taste.  Their Chardonnay 2018 and Terraces Pinot Noir 2020.  Did you know that Chardonnay is an offspring of Pinot Noir with Gouais Blanc?  Both these wines come with oak ageing and went through malolactic fermentation.  Isn’t it interesting that Chardonnay, a white grape, is vinified the same as…

You can enjoy sparkling wine anytime. No occasion is needed, but if there is an occasion, like Valentine’s Day or a birthday, it can make it more special. I opened these two bottles of BC sparkling wine from TIME Family of Wines; their TIME Brut 2018 and Chronos Brut, with friends to enjoy being with them after COVID has kept…

It is hard to believe that Provence Marinaside will be open for 20 years, on Feb 20, 2022.  It does not seem that long, plus to have that longevity shows how much they care about their food and guests, and guests care about Provence Marinaside.  I’ve read that 70% of independent restaurants close at the end of their first year,…

One last suggestion for Valentine’s Day are these two Pinots from Marisco Vineyards from Marlborough, New Zealand: The Ned Pinot Noir 2019 and The Ned Rosé 2020. The Pinot Noir is a bit bigger than BC Pinots or from Burgundy, but it is very seductive. Reminds me more of a Pinot Noir from Oregon. That seduction may be what you…

Here is an appetizer that you may want to consider for Valentine’s Day, made using Hooray “Bacon”, which is a plant-based alternative to bacon.  The entire recipe below that I received from Hooray Foods is plant-based.  And as I am “MyWinePal”, I’ve also given you ideas for two wines, one white and one red, to pair with this appetizer after…

I thought I would offer you more suggestions for wine and food pairings for Valentine’s Day.  I picked two wines from the four wines I received from Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery in Creston to cook with salmon with shrimp stuffed pinwheels that I purchased from Fisherman’s Market in the Burnaby Heights area.  The Baillie-Grohman wines are available at BC Liquor Stores….

New Zealand has fresh, vibrant wines as we make in BC.  It is fun to taste wines from around the world, possibly giving you insights into new grape varieties or styles of winemaking.  You may also have an interest in organic or vegan wines.  New Zealand has these to offer.  In BC we do have a selection of wines from…

BC makes some excellent Syrahs receiving accolades from foreign critics, as well as from me! I have two Syrahs made by Scorched Earth Winery, their Syrah 2018 and guilty pleasure Syrah 2016 (now Reserve). They are two different Syrahs in style and intensity.  They do mention on their website that their vineyard is organic and that they produce wines with…

Pinot Noir is one of my favourite red grapes.  It in general has a lighter touch and is very elegant, typically with red fruits and floral components.  I am grateful to receive two wines from Moraine Estate Winery, their Pinot Noir 2020 and Rosé 2021. Both wines are fresh and bright, and I think will be a great way to get…