MyWinePal

Tasting wines under a controlled environment, with proper temperature, lighting, and glassware can give you different results when the same wines are sampled in a restaurant or other uncontrolled environment.  I opened these BC wines, Solvero Pinot Gris 2023 and Solvero Rosé 2023, at home and tasted them.  I also sampled these wines at a restaurant this summer.  There was…

Today I have two rosé wines from BC’s Meyer Family Vineyards, actually one is from their sister winery, Mayhem Wines.  One wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir and the other from a blend of four different red grapes.  Both wines also underwent different fermentation processes.  The two wines are the Meyer Rosé 2023 and the Mayhem Rosé 2023.  Can…

Wine is a popular drink and is promoted by many actors and singers.  How well do you know or remember music lyrics?  Several popular songs mention wine in their lyrics.  Take this fun 5-question quiz to see how knowledgeable you are about songs and wine.  Enjoy.

The Airén grape is a white grape variety native to Spain. Despite its relative anonymity compared to more famous varietals like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, the Arién grape holds a significant place in the history of Spanish wine making and has an intriguing profile that contributes to its unique character. Historical Roots The Arién grape has deep historical roots in…

Coolshanagh is a BC winery located on the Naramata Bench is owned by husband and wife team, Skip and Judy Stothert.  They are passionate about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir so they only grow these varieties for wine production. I received two bottles of their Chardonnay to review.  One is their Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2019 while the other is the first release…

2023 was a tough year for Okanagan wineries.  Not because of forest fires, but because of the cold winter weather that killed between 34 – 56% of the vineyard vines.  The growing season was quite warm and resulted in general with faster grape maturation and harvest.  A quick harvest due to summer heat typically means that the grapes are not…

Smoke taint is a significant concern for winemakers, especially in regions prone to wildfires, like British Columbia and California. This phenomenon occurs when grape vines are exposed to smoke, leading to undesirable flavours in the resulting wine. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, understanding and mitigating smoke taint has become crucial for the wine industry. What…

It is Aug-uary in Vancouver.  I cannot see the north shore mountains and the clouds are covering the tops of the concrete towers that are spread across the lower mainland.  Red wines are on my horizon. So I dipped into my wine cellar and decided to open two red wines from Europe.  The first wine is CVNE Viña Real Crianza…

There are many famous wine regions around the world.  When you mention the region, you can picture the wines, or know which grape(s) go into making the wine.  But smaller, lesser-known, wine regions can surprise you with the quality of their wines, unique grape varieties, and can be priced below those of the more well-known regions.  Here are 5 fun…

Cooking with wine is a time-honoured tradition that adds depth, complexity, and richness to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re deglazing a pan, marinating meat, or creating a sumptuous sauce, wine can enhance the flavours of your food in remarkable ways. Let’s explore the types of wine commonly used in cooking, some classic dishes that feature wine, and a few…