Spring table and chairs to enjoy wine

14 World Wine Picks for Spring 2017

 mywinepal  May 13, 2017

It’s Spring.  We should be putting on our shorts, getting out on the patio and enjoying some wine, cheese, fresh seafood, and some grilled lamb chops.  These wines from the latest IVSA should fit the bill. White and Sparkling Wines Beau Joie Champagne Brut NV, France (~$120) – Nice strawberries and lees on the nose; medium intensity.  Dry, high acidity…

Select Wines Portfolio tasting sign

What to Select from Select Wines’ Portfolio?

 mywinepal  May 12, 2017

Sometimes the best wines around are the ones that are not generally listed in BC Liquor stores.  They are known as Spec or Special Order wines.  You can find these wines through some private wine shops, or you could order them through these shops, but you may need a minimum order size. I attended Select Wines‘ portfolio tasting and enjoyed…

Actor Stephen Amell and his business-partner Andrew Harding at Nocking Point Wines

Nocking Point North – A New Wine Club for Canadians

 mywinepal  May 11, 2017

What is Nocking Point North? I received an email this week about a new wine club called Nocking Point North.  The wines are made here in BC through The Hatch winery from the Kelowna area.  Grapes come from BC as well which is great.  But there is more background info on Nocking Point North, which I present to you below,…

Joshua Carlson ready to offer a glass of Champagne at TWB The Wine Bar

Need a Sparkling Wine Fix? Try TWB The Wine Bar!

 mywinepal  May 9, 2017

Sparkling wine is always fun to drink; and even better enjoyed with friends or family.  But sometimes you don’t want to open an entire bottle, or maybe you want to try a few different types of bubbles; prosecco and cremant perhaps?  Or how about an expensive bottle of Cristal and live like a rock star?  Whatever your reasons, I have…

VinItaly International

Robusto Rosso Italian Red Wines from VinItaly 2017 Tour

 mywinepal  May 8, 2017

From my previous article, I showed you which white, sparkling, and sweet wines I thought were of excellent quality at the #VinItaly tour held in Vancouver.  But of course, Italy is well-known for their red wines, from the north, e.g. Nebbiolo, to the south, e.g. Nero D’Avola and Nerello Mascalese.  Again I ask you to try a grape you may not…

Vinitaly International Academy

Bello Bianca Italian White Wines from Vinitaly 2017 Tour

 mywinepal  May 6, 2017

Italy, although a small country in size compared to Canada or the USA produces the most wine in the world.  From Italy there is the range of red, white, rose, sparkling and sweet wines to choose from.  It seems like each time we have #VinItaly coming to Vancouver, there are many more wineries that I have not yet heard of,…

California Cabs and Chardonnay

California Cabs and Chardonnays to Please

 mywinepal  April 30, 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay put California on the wine radar around the world.  Excellent growing conditions in Napa, Sonoma, and elsewhere in California produce excellent wines.  At the California Wine Fair I was able to taste many high quality wines.  You will still see oak showing up in some of my notes for the Chardonnay wines, but it is not…

California Wines

5 California Wines You Should Try That are Not Napa Cabs or Chardonnays

 mywinepal  April 27, 2017

Sometimes California gets pigeon-holed into being thought of only a place for high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.  But that is not true.  There are many other wines available from California that are very enjoyable.  I attended the latest California Wine Fair here in Vancouver, and spent time trying wines that were not one of those two grape varieties….

Is the BC 2016 Vintage Any Good?

 mywinepal  April 24, 2017

Should you stock up on the red and white wines from BC’s 2016 vintage?  BC wines are known for their fruit flavours and their accompanying natural acidity.  But the 2016 started very early and hot in the Spring, with bud break being the earliest on record.  In the Okanagan bud break was as much as six weeks early. Would this…

Monte Creek Ranch Winery vineyard

Check Out 6 New Wine Releases from Monte Creek Ranch

 mywinepal  April 16, 2017

Monte Creek Ranch Winery, located just east of Kamloops, is one of our emerging regions wineries.  They have put out a few vintages already. The 2016 vintage started with their earliest bud-break yet and a warm spring.  A rainy June and July slowed the growth of the grapes, but still harvest began early. Two weeks early, on August 22.  The…