Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
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,…
While I was Grinch-like in awarding 5 stars to only three wines I tasted in 2024, I was more Oprah-like with the 4.5-5 -star wines. Plus, there are many quality wines, so it should not be a surprise. This year there were 13 BC wines, 18 Italian wines, 4 French wines, 2 Californian wines, and 4 wines from New Zealand…
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…
In 2024, I wrote 190 articles, with most of the articles reviewing at least one bottle of wine. From a quick calculation, I wrote about 493 wines on mywinepal this year. Wines submitted to me through the year ranged from to wines, but I usually only post wines that were at least . 5-star wines are the wines that I…
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…
Here are two big red wines. One from a grape you may not know too well, Tannat, and the other wine is a Chianti Classico, but at the top tier, Gran Selezione. The Tannat wine comes from Argentina, which is uncommon, as Argentina is best known for Malbec. But this Tannat shows that it also does well in Argentina. Let…
It is the holiday season and many of us think about opening a bottle of sparkling wine; champagne if we are able. Bureau du Champagne USA sent me this email outlining food pairings for specific holiday dates and the suggested champagne style. Here is a copy of the email. The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones,…
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…
BC’s Hester Creek Estate Winery made two delicious wines that would go well with your holiday dinners. Both are elegant, flavourful, not heavy-bodied. I received their Source Collection Chardonnay 2023 and Syrah 2022 to review. The Source Collection represents a source of inspiration, these wines represent the treasured qualities of their rare Old Vine vineyard and that of their select…
