Category: VQA

Wine is a complex beverage, as its flavours and aromas develop over time. Some wines can be enjoyed when they are young and fresh from fermentation while other wines take years or decades for the wines to soften, for flavours, tannins, and acidity to evolve to a high point for your enjoyment.  These flavours and aromas can be categorized into…

I love Pinot Noir wines, with their more delicate aromas, flavours, and mouthfeel.  My first Pinot Noir to taste in 2025 is from Frind Estate Winery in West Kelowna; Their Frind Estate Winery Pinot Noir Cuvée 2022, coming under screwcap.  It checks off all the things that I enjoy in Pinot Noir: red fruit and floral aromas and flavours, higher…

While many people may think of full-bodied red wines for our cold winters, don’t count out lighter-bodied red wine with higher acidity and juicy bright fruit flavours.  They can brighten your day and pair nicely with a cheese plate, roast chicken, or fatty sausages.  One such wine is BC’s Robin Ridge Winery Gamay 2022.  It is also an organic wine…

What surprises does 2025 hold for wine lovers?  Could it be a new varietal or region that you have not yet tried?  Or maybe a new winery in your area?  Today, I am tasting two red wines from Blasted Church Vineyards that were sent to me.  They are not new to me, but maybe the grape varieties may be new…

What is fool’s gold?  It is the nickname for a mineral called pyrite that looks like gold, but is harder and does not have much value.  I wondered about the naming of the Fool’s Gold Vineyard in the north Oliver area of the Okanagan as there is no fool’s gold.  The soil is sandy clay loam soil containing many rocks…

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a vibrant celebration marking the start of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. In 2025, it ushers in the Year of the Earth Snake, a sign in the Chinese zodiac symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and transformation. According to legend, the Snake, though often underestimated, is clever and resourceful,…

The holidays are a time when many of us get together with family or friends to enjoy a meal together; hopefully with a glass of wine.  Here are a few last-minute suggestions of wines you can pair with traditional dishes for the holidays.  Enjoy. Wine Pairings for Roast Turkey – Chardonnay: A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the rich flavours of…

2022 is the last vintage in the Okanagan before the harsh winter cold snaps of 2023 and 2024.  2022 produced a large crop of grapes although the season started cool, it finished with a sunny Fall, so there is lots of wine to go around.  I suggest stocking up on 2022 wines as 2023 and 2024 will be reduced in…

Mulled wine has a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire.  As the Romans expanded into colder regions of Europe, they sought ways to warm themselves during the winter months. Heating wine and spicing it with ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, and honey made it a comforting beverage and helped preserve the wine and mask imperfections (wine in the…

Nestled on the picturesque Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, Ruby Blues Winery offers a charming blend of exceptional wines and stunning vineyard views. In 2007 Prudence and Beat Mahrer started Ruby Blues Winery, after selling Red Rooster Winery.  Their goal is to keep the winery small and sell locally. I recently received two bottles of wine from Ruby Blues…