Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
California’s 689 Cellars offers a variety of wines for different classes of wine drinkers, from casual to serious. Here is some background information from the winery and the wines they will be pouring at VanWineFest 2025. About 689 Cellars Curtis McBride is the owner and founder of 689 Cellars and Premier Wine Group. Curtis founded Premier Wine Group over 20…
The Prisoner Wine Company is leading the resurgence of California red blends. They acquire grapes from more than 100 vineyards throughout California’s premier grape-growing regions of various varietals to create their blends. The Prisoner Red Blend 2021 which I received was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. It was released…
My first BBQ of 2024 was a few days ago. I grilled steak and opened a bottle of Tom Gore Vineyards Farmer’s Blend red wine from Sonoma, California. It is a blend of 30% Petite Syrah, 30% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 15% Teroldego, and 5% other reds. Tom Gore is a second-generation grape farmer from Sonoma County and from the time…
While busily moving through the swell of people interested in tasting big Napa Cabs at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, I wedged myself into tables, and indeed tasted Napa Cabs, but also Pinot Noir, Merlot, Petite Sirah, etc. from various regions in California. With the short amount of time I’m able to spend at each table, my tasting notes are…
Here is one of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley that you should try at VanWineFest 2019. Read about the winery and their wines in their own words. About Stags’ Leap Winery Located at the very heart of Stags Leap District, the Stags’ Leap Winery, established in 1893, continues a proud winemaking heritage in the prestigious appellation that bears the…
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…
What do you know about the current (2017) statistics about Australian wine? Did you know that the total vineyard area in Australia is 135,133 ha, of which Shiraz accounts for 39,893 ha (30%) and Chardonnay (the largest white variety) cover 21,442 ha (16%)? There are estimated to be 2468 wineries and 6251 grape growers in Australia. Compare that to Canada…
Cabernet Sauvignon is the “King” in California. In our Celebrating California Cabs seminar we had a chance to experience the “Dream Vintages” of 2012, 2013 and 2014. And as you will see, I have rated all these wines very highly. When you have wines of such quality, it is more a matter of style that you prefer. The winery principals noted that 2011 was…
Two curious red wines passed by my lips recently. One, the Curious Beasts Blood Red Wine 2011 and the other the California Square Three Red Blend 2012. Rarely do I see a bottle wrapped in paper or other material, other than some Riojas from Spain. The Curious Beasts Blood Red wine comes in a very Halloween thought-provoking blood red and…
How many people know someone that has been affected by heart problems? My guess is 100% of you. The heart is a very important muscle in the body and one that needs special care. To this effect the wine, Colby Red, was produced to support charities promoting heart health. Colby Red came about due to the sickness of Colby Groom. …
Video Guide Uncorks the Story of British Columbia Wines. Buy Now.
