Category: Malbec

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in Oliver, BC has been producing quality wines since its inception in the early 1990s.  Their primary vineyards are the Diamondback Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench and Tinhorn Creek Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench.  I have been fortunate to have received samples of their latest releases, or upcoming releases, to review for you.  The wines all come…

One of the perks of being a wine writer is an invitation to a portfolio tasting from a wine agent.  The agency can bring out winery principals in some cases, who you can have a chat to about their wines.  They also pour wines that are available at regular retail, specialty wine shops, and special orders.  Having access to these…

Bench 1775 Winery, located on the Naramata Bench north of Penticton, had GM and winemaker Val Tait, join in the winter of 2012.  Her goal is to make pure, varietal-specific wines that reflect the planted clone varieties, the vineyard sites, and the microclimates of the fruit’s origin.   Val has a great resume, making wines at Poplar Grove, Painted Rock, and…

If you are a lover of Argentinean wines, or maybe want to learn more about them, in particular, Malbec, then you may want to attend one of these free events by the BC Liquor Stores in August. Below is the press release about their upcoming Wines of Argentina tastings.  Plus read about their online contest!  Enjoy. ~~~ July 26, 2018…

This was my first portfolio tasting for Amo Vino Distributors, a small boutique wine agency co-founded by Marisa Varas and Jessica Luongo.  Their wines are primarily from Europe, but there are also some California and BC wines to be found.  The wines from Greece and Portugal figure prominently, along with their country’s indigenous grapes.  You won’t find a huge list…

My final winery visit was with Culmina Family Estate Winery located in Oliver, just around the corner from Road 13 Vineyards.  I had been planning on visiting this winery since it opened but have not yet had a chance.  I first heard of Culmina when I met Don Triggs in the summer of 2012.  He and his wife Elaine moved…

  Dish N’ Dazzle is a yearly event where Argentinean wineries come to BC to show off their wines and some local Vancouver restaurants offer tasty bites from their menus. The event supports the BC Hospitality Foundation charity.  A few of the wines that were brought for us to enjoy are 2017 Argentina Wine Award winners.  Malbecs are definitely at the fore,…

Certain regions of the world are well-known for producing exceptional wines. Burgundy producing Pinot Noir, or Napa Valley producing Cabernet Sauvignon for example.  There is usually something about their terroir that brings out the best of their grapes, which then makes it into the wines. What is it about Argentina that makes Malbec special?  There are a few factors: altitude,…

Farm Friends was a stand-up grazing event, organized by several BC wineries in response to the recent boycott on the importation of BC wine to Alberta.  The day of the event, held at Edible Canada, the Alberta government dropped the ban so that the event became more of a celebration of BC wine and pairing with Alberta products, like beef and bison. A Farmer’s…

According to Wikipedia, “Malbec World Day is celebrated on April 17, to commemorate the day when president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento of Argentina officially made it his mission to transform Argentina’s wine industry. On that day, back in 1853, he tasked Michel Aimé Pouget, a French soil expert, to bring over new vines. Amongst his selection, was Malbec.” Did you know…