Tag: Arrowleaf Cellars

The Fall release of BC VQA wines was in late September.  Due to skytrain issues getting to the venue, I did not have as much time to taste the new wine releases, so I concentrated on white wines.  There were also red wines, but not enough time to taste.  There are a few sparkling wines on this list, which you…

Zweigelt is a red grape that while not as obscure as the Blaufränkisch grape I wrote about earlier, is still relatively unknown in BC.  Only 0.7% of red grapes grown in BC are from Zweigelt.  This is a versatile and vibrant red grape variety, that is a cornerstone of Austrian viticulture. Named after its creator, Dr. Fritz Zweigelt, this grape…

It has been one year since our world has gone back to near normal since COVID. I have been told that many people are already getting out and travelling. I am sure over the summer that BC wineries will receive many visitors with children in tow. Here is a list of BC wineries that have family-friendly options for parents with…

Yesterday was the announcement of winners for the 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.  I was very pleased to read that Spearhead Winery won 3 Platinum Medals for 3 different Pinot Noir wines.   Here is the press release about the awards and the winners. ~~~ (KELOWNA, BC) October 8, 2021 – The 2021 BC Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards were announced…

Every Fall we have the Colours Fall Release of BC VQA wines.  Over the last year, what changes has there been to our vineyards, grape varieties, and the number of wineries? Comparing the tasting booklet from both years by the BC Wine Institute we know: there are 10 more wineries, and 299 more acres of vineyards. that Merlot, Pinot Noir,…

We all like to receive rewards.  It starts as we are young children with our parents, continues through school, and when we are in the workforce.  The 2019 BC Best of Varietal Wine Awards recipients were just announced and I’ve got the list here for you.  Pick up these wines if you can quickly because I’m sure they will sell…

Do you love Pinot Noir?  BC Pinot Noir?  I do love Pinot Noir and BC Pinot Noir.  We have the right cool climate to help bring out the nuances of Pinot Noir, compared to some warmer climate wines from this grape.  Acidity, floral and fruit aromas and flavours all excite me.  The yearly BC Pinot Noir Celebration is coming up…

In my previous article, I divided BC’s emerging wine regions into a warmer and a cooler side.  In this article I would like to concentrate on the cooler side, which for me covers the Salmon Arm and Lake Country areas to the north of the Okanagan Valley.  Lake Country is warmer than Salmon Arm, which is to the north of…

Everyone knows about the Okanagan Valley as a wine region, and some may also know about the Similkameen which is on the southwestern edge of the Okanagan, but what about BC’s emerging wine regions, covering the Kootenays, Lillooet and Thompson Shuswap?  I had a chance to go on a trip hosted by the Wines of BC to visit Lillooet and…

It has been a long voyage of discovery for me to find out what type of relationship Riesling grapes have with the soils of BC, or as some may say the terroir of the area.  As mentioned in previous articles, it started with the idea, then contacting all BC wineries that produce a Riesling wine, to ask for a sample…