Category: food and wine pairing

Cheers to the Season: Perfect Champagne Pairings for Every Holiday Celebration

 mywinepal  December 15, 2024

It is the holiday season and many of us think about opening a bottle of sparkling wine; champagne if we are able.  Bureau du Champagne USA sent me this email outlining food pairings for specific holiday dates and the suggested champagne style.  Here is a copy of the email. The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones,…

Bottleneck Drive apple ciders

Craft Ciders to Enjoy from Okanagan’s Bottleneck DrivePR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 20, 2024

Do you like apples or pears?  There are many cider makers in BC that will convert those fruits into tasty drinks for you to enjoy year-round.  They tend to be lighter-bodied than many wines, lower in alcohol and come in 500ml bottles, which makes it possible to enjoy by yourself in one session.  You can drive to several cideries in…

Danielle Hutton from Fairview Cellars with Executive Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia at Provence Marinaside

Provence Marinaside and Fairview Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner

 mywinepal  November 7, 2024

Wineries change hands as the original owners decide to either retire or otherwise move on.  The new owners then have to live up to or surpass the reputation of that winery.  I was invited to a winemaker’s dinner at Provence Marinaside with the winery being BC’s Fairview Cellars. Fairview Cellars was taken over by husband and wife team, Danielle and…

Karl MyWinePal with Jean-Claude Mas, and Michael Lam at Le Crocodile

A Dinner with Jean-Claude Mas from Domain Paul Mas at Le Crocodile

 mywinepal  November 5, 2024

You may not have heard of Jean-Claude Mas but his family began growing grapes in the south of France in 1892.  Jean-Claude gained experience in the wine business and education around the world, coming back to the family business when he inherited his father’s vineyards in Pézénas of 35 hectares.  In 2000 he created Les Domaines Paul Mas from these…

Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery wall

Visiting the Naramata Bench 2024: Upper Bench Estate Winery & CreameryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 28, 2024

Today’s visit on my Naramata Bench trip gave me a bonus.  Besides tasting wine, I also enjoyed some cheese pairings.  Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery is the place to go as they make their own cheeses, which you can also buy.  Yes, I bought cheese to take home.  I spoke with Josh Edwards, their winemaker, before tasting the wines. …

Pinot Noir and charcuterie at Meyer Family Vineyards

Visiting the Naramata Bench 2024: Meyer Family VineyardsPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 8, 2024

Although the main purpose of my visit to the Okanagan was to visit Naramata Bench wineries, I made a side trip to Okanagan Falls.  Meyer Family Vineyards in Okanagan Falls was the first winery I visited on my Fall trip to the Okanagan.  I love Pinot Noir and Meyer Family is one of my favourite Pinot producers.  I sat outside…

Striploin steak frites with a Brandy peppercorn sauce

Cooking with Wine: Elevating Your Culinary Creations

 mywinepal  August 22, 2024

Cooking with wine is a time-honoured tradition that adds depth, complexity, and richness to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re deglazing a pan, marinating meat, or creating a sumptuous sauce, wine can enhance the flavours of your food in remarkable ways. Let’s explore the types of wine commonly used in cooking, some classic dishes that feature wine, and a few…

CedarCreek Chardonnay 2017, 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Noir 2017, and Château de Marsan 2010 wines with 3 cheeses

Are You a Wine and Cheese Connoisseur? Take The Quiz.

 mywinepal  August 11, 2024  1 Comment on Are You a Wine and Cheese Connoisseur? Take The Quiz.

The art of pairing wine and cheese is a delicate dance of flavours, where each element elevates the other to new heights of sensory pleasure. Imagine the velvety texture of a rich, aged cheese melting on your tongue, complemented perfectly by the nuanced layers of a carefully chosen wine. Together, wine and cheese transform into an experience that transcends mere…

Alison Moyes from Solvero Wines

Enjoying Solvero Wines With Collective Goods DishesPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  August 9, 2024

Last night Richard Vanfoodster and I had a wonderful dinner at Collective Goods Bistro enjoying their dishes with a flight of BC’s Solvero Wines. The winemaker, Alison Moyes, was there to talk to us about the wines and the winery. We had her Solvero Wines Pinot Gris 2023, Rosé 2023, Chardonnay 2022, and Pinot Noir 2020. It was fun trying…

Wine and chocolates (Image courtesy hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu)

Wine and Chocolate Pairings. Take This Indulgent Quiz.

 mywinepal  July 21, 2024

The history of pairing wine with chocolates traces back to the early 20th century when connoisseurs began exploring the complementary flavours of these two treats.  Over time, as both the appreciation for fine wines and the art of chocolate-making evolved, so did the understanding of how different wine characteristics interact with various types of chocolates. By the mid-20th century, chefs…