Author: mywinepal

What do beer and orcas have in common? The Pacific Salmon Foundation.  Salmon are a food source for our resident orcas.  From now into early summer Vancouver Island Brewing is partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation to offer a special beer pack, the “Pod Pack”, where a portion of the funds will go to support the Foundation, which will then…

A wine’s aromas and flavours will change over time from the initial tasting by the winemaker at bottling till the time you open it.  If it is within a year, any change will likely not be noticeable.  Around three years onward you should notice changes.  The acidity of a white wine could soften and the tannins in a red wine…

May 7, 2021 is International Sauvignon Blanc Day, started in 2010 by St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery in Napa, but has been embraced fully by New Zealand, which has a very distinct style of Sauvignon Blanc.  The Marlborough region in New Zealand is the most well-known location for producing Sauvignon Blanc.  This grape does grow around the world, including…

Can BC wines age well?  That is a question that has been asked for a while.  A few years ago at a VQA Trade Seminar, I was able to taste a sample of aged, 10 years +, wines.  The wines were not past their prime and some could still age I believe.  So I was very curious about this bottle…

I have two organically farmed Pinot Gris from Roche Wines, both coming from their Kozier Organic Vineyard located north of their winery on the Naramata Bench. Their 2018 Tradition Pinot Gris comes under cork with a heavier glass bottle, while their 2020 Texture Pinot Gris has a lighter bottle and is under screwcap. I spoke with Dylan Roche about the…

I do enjoy scientific experiments, especially if it is related to wine.  This day I had a chance to experience both.  I received two Syrahs from the 2018 vintage made by Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery, with one from the Similkameen Valley and the other from the Okanagan Valley.  I tried to determine if the climate and soils between the two…

Friday, April 30, 2021, was International Viognier Day so I opened a bottle of Yalumba The Y Series Viognier 2019. According to International Viognier Day, “Viognier is a textural white wine that originated in the historic appellation of Condrieu in southern France. Defined by its perfumed aromas, Viognier produces some of the greatest white wines in the world.” But as…

Our drinking habits change over time.  The wines that Baby Boomers enjoy the most may be completely different from what GenX prefers to drink.  There is also a change in environmental awareness.  Many of us want to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as we can.  Some want organic or biodynamic wine production.  Saving habitat for the birds and the…

I received several wines from Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery that is located in the Fraser Valley at Mount Lehman. The tasting room is built to resemble a chapel, which looks very inviting to visit.  It is only a one hour drive from Vancouver, so when Dr. Henry says we can travel, that would be an easy day trip.  The chapel…

A name change for one of our BC wineries was announced today.  Oliver Twist Estate Winery is now Nostalgia Wines Inc, with spiffy new labels.  Here is their press release. ~~~ [Oliver, BC] Oliver Twist Estate Winery is now Nostalgia Wines Inc. The ownership remains solely under Gina Fernandes Harfman. When Harfman purchased Oliver Twist Estate Winery in 2012, she…