Category: france

The Near I recently reviewed Duncan, BC’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery, and mentioned in the article that I was going to cover their sparkling wine in a separate article.  The time is now!  Their sparkling wine is called “Paula“, after their only daughter, Paula, who is an aspiring opera student. The wine is a blend of Pinot Gris 38%, Ortega…

Natural wine is a hot topic in the wine world. Maybe you have not heard of it. There is some range of what is a “Natural” wine. It could fall into the organic, or biodynamic, or sustainable categories for some people.  During this seminar at Cornucopia, we had DJ Kearney, wine educator, writing and judge, give her perspective on Natural…

The Holiday season is coming up whether it is Christmas or Hanukkah, or another celebration.  A celebratory drink for many of us is sparkling wine, which can come from different countries, at different price points; but all are enjoyable!  Prosecco, Champagne, Cava, Cremant and more are terms you may hear relating to different sparkling wines.  I recently had a chance…

You have probably tried a southern Rhone wine, such as a Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  Maybe not knowing the grapes that go into it, these wines are quite enjoyable and very food friendly.  The Rhone Valley is located in southeastern France between Lyon an Avignon.  The Northern Rhone is cooler and the valley has steep hillsides, and produces primarily red wine from Syrah…

My second agent portfolio wine tasting for September is by Andrew Peller Ltd and Andrew Peller Import Agency.  Through both branches they show off our local BC wines, and the wines the represent from around the world.  It was a great sunny day, and they had their wines out for us on a patio.  Greeting me was Howard Soon, senior…

After summer holidays are over and you are all relaxed from the sun, food, and wine with family and friends, September comes around.  For the wine trade, this is the start of the busy season leading up to Christmas, and with this there are many agency portfolio tastings.  I attended two portfolio tastings this past week, and I’m here to…

The Wines of British Columbia shone at The Judgment of BC Wine Tasting with Steven Spurrier and DJ Kearney today.  Steven Spurrier, the Consultant Editor at Decanter magazine, headed the famous Judgement of Paris in 1976 (which was made into the movie “Bottle Shock”).  The Judgement of Paris carried out two blind tasting comparisons: one of Chardonnays and another of…

Trying to think of an exceptional quality wine to buy for someone in your family or a special friend?  I have a few suggestions from the wines that I tasted over this past year.  These wines cover all regions of the world, and have different price points.  There should be something for everyone to love.  16 white and sparkling wines,…

I am privileged to try so many wines from around the world each year, here in Vancouver.  Sparkling, rose, red, white, and fortified wines have all passed my lips.  And for some instances there is a wine that stops you in your tracks, all your senses become heightened as they focus on the spectacular wine in your glass.  I would…

The Christmas holidays and New Years Eve are fast approaching, and with that, you will probably be invited to parties, or invite people over to your party.  But what wines to serve?  I always like to have at least one sparkling wine at my parties, usually served at the start of the evening.  There are a ton of choices of…