Category: Germany

German white wine labels are a masterclass in precision, hierarchy, and terroir with each bottle offering a coded glimpse into sweetness, site, and style.  Germany’s white wines, especially Riesling, are among the most expressive and age-worthy in the world. But to the uninitiated, the labels can seem like a puzzle of long compound words and unfamiliar classifications. Once decoded, however,…

Top Drop Canada is a premier wine festival held annually in Vancouver, showcasing a curated selection of terroir-driven wines from around the globe. The event brings together over 40 international producers, including renowned estates from regions such as Piedmont, Champagne, and the Okanagan Valley. 50+ wineries in total.  None from the USA this year.  Attendees have the unique opportunity to…

When I started wine tasting seriously, I took a WSET 1 class using ISO wine-tasting glasses.  As I progressed with my wine knowledge, I began using glasses made specifically for red or white wine, or more specifically for a grape variety.  I received a set of four wine glasses from Josephinenhutte in Germany, which Kurt Josef Zalto, an amazing 6th…

Delving into the terms on German wine labels is a key endeavour for anyone eager to explore the diverse and nuanced world of German wines. German wine labels are replete with terms that provide invaluable insights into the origin, grape variety, and style of the wine. Familiarity with designations such as Qualitätswein, Prädikatswein, Trocken, and Auslese is paramount for making…

The Riesling grape, originating in the Rhine region of Germany, carries a legacy that spans centuries. Its journey across the world has resulted in an intriguing juxtaposition between Old World and New World expressions. In Germany and Alsace, the grape showcases its classic charm, producing wines with delicate floral aromas, racy acidity, and a pronounced mineral character. In contrast, New…

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…

If you have not yet purchased your ticket for Top Drop, which is on May 23 and 24 evenings, you should as the tickets are almost sold out.  Plus the ticket sales help support the BC Hospitality Foundation which provides financial support for hospitality workers coping with extraordinary health crisis costs. Here are the full details of Top Drop.  See you there!…

In celebration of International Riesling Day on March 13, I thought I would talk about the wine classification system of Germany, as many quality Riesling wines come from Germany and these wines are held as benchmarks for the rest of the world. The German wine classification system is divided into four levels. Tafelwein is the lowest level of the German…

It’s been two years since we last tasted wines from around the world at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.  During COVID grapevines produced grapes and wine was made but may have been a little harder than normal to get workers in the vineyard and in the winery.  Below are my Old World wine selections.  Most of the vintages are 2020…

Do you enjoy quizzes about wine?  I’ve made one here for you, using material from my articles this year.  So if you can’t figure out the answer to a question, open up a second tab in your browser with mywinepal.com and search my articles to find the answer.  Have fun and cheers!