MyWinePal

I received two Cabernet Franc wines from Pillitteri Estates Winery as part of my discovery and discussion about how this grape expresses itself in the Niagara region of southern Ontario.  These two wines are from the 2020 vintage, with one, the Exclamation Cellar Series, being the top tier, which is only made in exceptional years.  It should be interesting to…

After attending the Chianti Classico: Digging into the Region’s UGA Masterclass, there was a walk around tasting from the wineries from the masterclass plus other wineries in the region; 26 wineries in total, each pouring three wines, so 78 different Chianti Classico wines to try from the foundation, Annata, wines, to Riserva middle tier, and the top tier, Gran Selezione. …

I was honoured to attend the Chianti Classico: Digging into the Region’s UGA Masterclass lead by Michaela Morris. The masterclass, hosted by the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, focused on the region’s evolution, particularly the introduction of the Gran Selezione category and the newly established Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (UGAs). The presentation highlighted the historical significance of the region, the hierarchical structure…

Domaine Drouhin Oregon is the New World outpost of the famed Maison Joseph Drouhin of Burgundy, France. Drawn by the parallels between Burgundy and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Véronique Drouhin and her family purchased land atop the Dundee Hills in 1987, recognizing the potential for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This pioneering move brought Old World expertise to a young wine region,…

What do you know about Prosecco DOC?  When purchasing a bottle, most of us probably just see that the bottle says “Prosecco” without checking its designation.  I recently attended a masterclass, led by Jenna Briscoe, a local sommelier and wine school educator, that covered the history, culture, and quality assurance around Prosecco DOC.  Let me tell you about it, along…

Enjoying a bottle of wine from a specific date tells you about that time in harvest and the growing season.  But what is even more interesting is if you have a vertical of the same wine so that you can taste beyond the growing season to see what unique qualities there are for that grape growing in a specific vineyard…

As I mentioned in a recent Instagram post, with inter-trade barriers coming to a close in Canada by Canada Day and Canadians wanting to support Canadians, I contacted some Ontario wineries about sending me samples of their Cabernet Franc wines to review. Cabernet Franc has found a remarkable home in the diverse terroirs of Ontario, producing wines that are both…

Easter dinner is a time for togetherness and tradition, often centred around comforting dishes like roast turkey, baked ham, or perhaps even baked salmon. No matter what ends up on your plate, choosing the right wine can elevate the meal from simply delicious to truly memorable. Below are some wine pairings, including suggestions from our local BC wineries, that will…

Sunny springtime weather will soon be upon us.  Daffodils are already blooming, as well as cherry blossoms in the Vancouver lower mainland.  So it is time to think about enjoying white wines on your patio or a restaurant patio.  I have two terrific white wines from the Okanagan’s Township 7 Winery for you.  I have the Township 7 Benchmark Series…

When you pick up a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine, you may notice that some have a vintage year on the label, while others do not. The presence or absence of a vintage date can have a significant impact on the wine inside. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it affect the taste, aging potential, and…