MyWinePal

Did you know that Giusti Wine, comes from the Valpolicella region of Italy, but is owned by a BC businessman, Mr. Joe Giusti?  Mr. Ermenegildo “Joe” Giusti, was born and raised in Italy and moved to Vancouver, where he became a very successful businessman in the construction industry.  With this wealth, he wanted to show his passion of Italian wine;…

We all love to get good value from our purchases, especially in wine when the quality of the wine exceeds bottle price. In this VanWineFest 2025 seminar, “Value & Variety, West Coast Style“, we were introduced to 10 different wineries along the USA west coast. This trio of states offer every climate, terroir, grape, and wine style to tempt wine…

Bodegas Salentein, located in Argentina’s renowned Uco Valley, is a winery that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation to produce world-class wines. Situated at the foothills of the Andes, its high-altitude vineyards benefit from intense sunlight, cool nights, and well-drained soils, creating ideal conditions for expressive, terroir-driven wines. Malbec takes center stage, showcasing rich dark fruit, floral notes, and refined tannins,…

McPrice Myers Winery, nestled in California’s Paso Robles region, is a standout producer known for crafting expressive Rhône-style and Bordeaux-inspired wines. Founded by McPrice “Mac” Myers, the winery focuses on small-lot, terroir-driven bottlings that highlight the richness and complexity of the Central Coast. Sourcing fruit from top vineyards, including its own estate in the Adelaida District, McPrice Myers produces wines…

This was my first dinner to attend at the Vancouver International Wine Festival.  Justin Seidenfeld, Senior Vice President of Winemaking & Winegrowing, of Rodney Strong Wine Estates spoke at the dinner providing us insights into the excellent wines that they brought to pour at this dinner. This dinner was hosted at Riley’s Fish & Steak, providing us both seafood, beef,…

It is official.  The Vancouver International Wine Festival 2025 has started.  I know this as I was at the official Kick-Off that was held at JOEY Bentall I yesterday, Feb 24.  I recorded a video of the kick-off ceremony with Bard on the Beach Artistic Director, Christopher Gaze, and VanWineFest Executive Director, Harry Hertscheg.  I missed the short speech by…

I am always excited to try the wines from Famille Perrin who also own the famous Château de Beaucastel in southern France. The vineyards for this wine are located on the slopes of Mont Ventoux. It is a blend of Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah.  This wine comes sealed with screw cap for easy enjoyment. My Wine Tasting Notes Famille…

April 17, 2025 marks Malbec World Day, a celebration of this bold and expressive red wine that has captivated wine lovers worldwide. The date commemorates a key moment in Argentina’s wine history when efforts began to elevate the country’s viticulture. Over time, Malbec has flourished, producing wines with rich dark fruit flavours, velvety textures, and a signature hint of spice….

VanWineFest 2025 starts next week and one of the attractions of the event is attending the International Festival Tasting Room where there will be 121 wineries from 15 countries, with winery principals pouring and discussing their wines.  Each year there is a different theme country or region.  This year it is the United States; specifically California, Oregon, and Washington states. …

Most of you are probably familiar with tasting BC wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, or Pinot Gris grapes.  But, there are other lesser-known grape varieties grown in BC that also make enjoyable wines.  I have two wines for you coming from cool-climate Vancouver Island.  The first wine is from Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery using the Petit Milo…