Category: france

The Gérard Bertrand winery, nestled in the heart of the Languedoc region in southern France, boasts a rich history steeped in tradition and innovation. Established by Gérard Bertrand, a former rugby star, the winery has consistently pushed the boundaries of winemaking excellence. His first vintage was in 1975, following his father and grandfather Paule Bertrand. One notable aspect of Gérard’s commitment…

It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Denis Guthmuller, winemaker and President of the Syndicat des Vignerons des Cotes du Rhone, in Vancouver at the Rhone Valley Vineyards Wine Maker Tour.  I spoke with Mr. Guthmuller about the current harvest in the Rhone Valley for his winery.  Watch the video and see what you can expect from Cotes du Rhone…

This year I had many terrific wines to taste and review.  Wines that I rate as 5 star I deem as needing nothing to add or subtract.  They are perfect as-is.  I had one wine that reached that status this year so instead of making a separate article for that wine, I am including it in this article.  My 4.5-5…

Embarking on a journey through the world of French wine is a delightful experience, but deciphering the terms on a wine label can be a daunting task. French wines are not only celebrated for their exquisite flavours but also for the intricate classification systems that define their origin and quality. Let me unravel the mystique behind some key terms found…

French wine labels may be a mystery to many non-European wine lovers.  The labels follow strict regulations under French law.  Some of the problems may also be the terms on the label written in French.  It does not have to be intimidating.  Once you learn the basics of French wine labels, you will be able to better select the wine…

Did you know that ten bottles of Rhone Valley wines are consumed every second?  Recently, Rhone Valley Vineyards‘ winemakers visited Vancouver to remind us that they are more than just Syrah and GSM blends.  They also produce white wines, rose wines, and sparkling wines.  I attended a lively presentation from five Rhone winemakers to cover their wines plus remind us…

The history of the Carmenère grape is a tale of rediscovery and revitalization, with its roots deeply intertwined with the viticultural landscapes of both France and Chile.  Carmenère faced near-extinction in France due to the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. Unbeknownst to many, some vines were transported to Chile before the devastation, where they thrived in the climate and…

Here are two Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses wines for you to try. The Grenache-Vermentino-Viognier 2020 and the Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault 2021 Rosé. The Rosé has been around for a while and has been a favourite of many people.  Both wines come in a very distinctive and beautiful bottle with a rose petal-shaped base.  Instead of cork, Gérard Bertrand is using a glass stopper to…

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, situated in the southern Rhône Valley of France, is a renowned wine region celebrated for its exceptional wine production. This historic appellation is located in the department of Vaucluse, where the terroir is characterized by its distinctive rocky soils and a Mediterranean climate that basks in the warm, sun-drenched days. Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are highly esteemed and have gained worldwide…

East meets west at Cult Wine Canada in Vancouver. I attended a small portfolio tasting of Chinese distilled spirits and European wines distributed by Cult Wine Canada.  In this article, I will cover their European wines and in my follow-on article, I will cover the distilled spirit called baijiu.   If you have not heard of Cult Wine Canada, they describe…