MyWinePal

Although the winters of 2021-22 and 2022-23 were extremely cold in Lillooet, Fort Berens Estate Winery was able to harvest grapes from their two vineyards.  Here are two wines from Fort Berens Estate Winery coming from their estate fruit.  These two wines come from their Reserve level, which typically means coming from estate grapes, with the grapes getting longer hang…

You may have noticed that I had not posted anything wine related for the last 2 weeks, as I was away, but now I’m back, and have my first two wines to tell you about from BC’s Township 7 Vineyards & Winery.  I opened their Interlude Select Sauvignon Blanc 2024 and  their Provenance Series Cabernet Merlot 2022.  The Interlude Select…

As we close out 2025, we like to look back at what we enjoyed and learned about, like Italian wine, and what we may look forward to in 2026.  Below is a press release from the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and APOT providing us a review of this year and what to expect from them in the New Year. …

Let’s welcome Vignobles Ducourt to VanWineFest 2026.  Here is some information about the winery in their own words plus the wines that they will pour at the Festival Tasting Room. About Vignobles Ducourt Having acquired Château des Combes in 1858, the Ducourt family settles in Ladaux, a small village in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers, to the southeast of Bordeaux. Pierre…

Say Bonjour to Vignobles Jalousie Beaulieu  from Bordeaux in France. Below is some information from the winery in their own words and the wines they will pour at VanWineFest 2026.  Enjoy! Some Background Information The Jalousie Beaulieu vineyards are in a small commune called Galgon, close to the Fronsac hillsides, 10 km from Saint Emilion. It is a family vineyard since 1910….

In the world of wine, size isn’t just a matter of aesthetics, it’s a matter of chemistry, aging potential, and even social impact. Magnum wine bottles, holding 1.5 liters (twice the volume of a standard 750ml bottle), have long been favoured by sommeliers, collectors, and party hosts alike. But are they truly superior to their standard-sized bottles? Let’s uncork the…

Stikky Books cover a variety of topics and are created with a simple method to learn about a topic, whether it is night sky constellations or how to taste wine.  I recently received the Stikky Wine book, written by Andrea Ribel, with background knowledge provided by several sommeliers. This book covers how to identify six aroma families, six different grape…

Six years ago we welcomed Gérard Bertrand and the Gérard Bertrand Group to VanWineFest 2020.  Now, we can welcome them back to VanWineFest 2026.  Read about their history and wines in their own words. Introducing Gérard Bertrand In 1975, Georges Bertrand introduced his son, Gérard, to harvesting on the Domaine de Villemajou in the unique terroir of Corbières. From his…

Gate 22 Winery in Surrey, BC, is probably new to many people.  I know it only came on my radar later this year.  It has an interesting name, which made me think of a gate at an airport, plus their logo shows an airplane propeller.  When I checked with the winery, I was told the ownership group manages the Boundary…

We do not get many wines from Ontario in BC, but here is a new entry.  Henry of Pelham, located in the Niagara peninsula has been producing wine since 1984.  I have two wines for you today: Henry of Pelham Classic Pinot Grigio 2024 and Henry of Pelham Classic Baco Noir 2023.  Baco Noir may be unfamiliar to some of…