Category: italy

Chardonnay, a grape variety that can cause great disparity in wine drinkers.  There are many that fall into the “Anything But Chardonnay” camp, and others that love that it can have many different expressions; depending on the climate, soil, and the hands of the winemaker.  Some people do not even know they are drinking Chardonnay, but really enjoy French Chablis or…

I posted this article for all the star-crossed lovers 2 years ago.  I thought I’d check out the wines, and I’d stand by them all, but in addition, new wines have come to the BC market, so I thought I’d add those ones in too, so enjoy this Valentine’s Day with an even greater range of wine.  And don’t forget…

Based on the wines that I’ve reviewed last year, what would you guess my favourite wine would be? A wine from France or Washington State? A Pinot Noir or Syrah? Well those would be good guesses, but not correct. My Ultimate Favourite Wine for 2012 I tasted this wine at a seminar during the Taste of Tulalip.  The wine maker is Mr….

In my last post I gave you my list of favourite white and sparkling wines that I tasted in 2012.  Hopefully, you can buy a bottle or two for one of your holiday soirees.   My follow-up to that article is my favourite red wines.  With a special request from my friend Kalpna, I have a section for Pinot Noir, but…

It is not often that you can enjoy a magnum of wine, unless you are having a celebration like a birthday party, wedding, etc. At the Taste of Tulalip, we did have the Celebration Dinner on the Friday night, so on Saturday we were treated to keep celebrating with some wonderful magnums of wine from around the world. Last year…

This is my second year at the Taste of Tulalip. Last year I was getting my feet wet, trying to learn the ropes.  Here is the  link to my Celebration Dinner notes last year.  This year, I came prepared with a plan, and how to pace myself.  The Taste of Tulalip starts off with the Friday evening Celebration Dinner, where…

We have just a little over one month away before we are with family and friends, enjoying dinners, gifts, and of course celebratory wine.  And when we think of wines for celebrations, we think “bubbles”.  For some of you it may be Champagne, but there are many other sparkling wines, such as Cava, Prosecco, and Cremant.  I recently had a…

By day you would think coffee shop, but by night a wine bar. The new Take Five Cafe on 62 W. Cordoba, in Gastown offers both to their customers.  I was invited to attend their grand opening this past week to see what they have to offer, and there is quite a range for you.  As I mentioned there is…

Every year Mark Anthony Wine Merchants have a portfolio tasting of their wines from around the world. Every year I am impressed by wineries that I know, and new wineries I have yet to try. This year I have tasty wines for you from sparkling to still red and whites. Sparkling Lanson Black Label, NV, France, ($64.99). Nice creamy, bready,…

With the changing seasons we have changes in menus at our restaurants.  Last week Dianne Chow and I went to Beachside Forno in West Vancouver to have a sample of items from their new fall menu.  We were greeted by manager, Andy, as well as Chef Jason Harris.  This evening we were treated to 3 of the new fall items,…