Category: california

One of the first iconic wines I ever heard about was Opus One.  The bottle was distinctive with the facial profile on it.  At the time I did not know who made this wine, but I knew it came from California.  I now know much more about Opus One.  Have you tried it?  Take this fun, 5-question quiz to see…

The Sauvignon Blanc grape traces its lineage to the historic vineyards of France’s Loire Valley, where it gained early recognition for its distinct aromatic profile and vibrant acidity. It is also one of two grapes, along with Semillon, which makes white Bordeaux blends. However, it was the New World wine regions that truly propelled Sauvignon Blanc to worldwide fame, reimagining…

Cabernet Sauvignon is the King of single-varietal red wines.  The robust body, coupled with its signature notes of black currant, black cherries, plum, and cedar, creates a sensory journey that is both powerful and refined. Its ability to age with grace only adds to its majesty, as tannins soften and intricate layers unfurl, revealing the true artistry of winemaking. It…

Sonoma Valley may not be as well-known as Napa Valley.  But, with a mix of cooler and warmer climate regions, Sonoma provides wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Sonoma Valley’s winemaking tradition emphasizes a more relaxed and laid-back approach, with smaller, family-owned wineries and a focus on sustainable and organic practices. While both regions are…

The origins of winemaking in Napa Valley can be traced back to the 19th century when European immigrants recognized the valley’s potential for grape cultivation. Early pioneers like George C. Yount and Charles Krug established vineyards and laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most renowned wine regions. However, it was the fateful 1976 Judgment of…

BC Liquor Stores recently did a release of new vintages of California wines, but many were in the higher part of the pricing tier. In case you want to enjoy California wines at a lower price point, I have two wines from Murphy-Goode Winery, their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both 2019 vintages. Whenever I review wines, I taste them twice. …

I enjoy attending the Top Drop Canada wine tasting each year.  It is probably my second favourite event after the Vancouver International Wine Festival.  If you have not heard of Top Drop before, the organizers describe it as “Top Drop’s focus and mandate is providing a platform for terroir-influenced, handcrafted wines, and the people behind them. We believe in the…

This seminar at the Vancouver International Wine Festival helped us learn how California’s landscape and climate shape the Golden State and its wines. Each wine we tasted explored a different aspect of California from the coastline to the mountains, with a winery principal talking to us about the wine and the region.  Our Moderator was DJ Kearney while our panelists…

I have a few Riedel glasses at home that I use for red Bordeaux blends, Pinot Noir, oaked Chardonnay, and aromatic white wines, but have not tested the theory that the shape of a glass can really positively or negatively affect the taste of the wine, until I attended this seminar at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, hosted by Alysha…

The Vancouver International Wine Festival 2023 is almost a month away.  Media were invited to a preview of some of the wines that will be available at the Festival.  Here are a few wines that I quite enjoyed and you may want to try.  The Theme Region this year is South America, so you will be able to try wines…