Tag: AVA

As we get to know our wine regions and sub-regions better in North America, in the USA and Canada we have been defining GIs (in BC) and AVAs in the USA.  Today I was notified of two new AVAs across the border in Washington State.  It will be interesting to see how the wines from these two new AVAs differ…

Candy Mountain is the second new AVA in Washington State recently.  It is near the Red Mountain area in WA that produces wines that I really think are great quality.  Here is the Press Release. ~~~ Candy Mountain Becomes Washington’s 16th American Viticultural Area Candy Mountain is smallest AVA in state, with well-drained soils on south-facing slopes SEATTLE (September 25,…

Just as we in British Columbia try to more rigorously define unique small grape growing regions, sub-geographical indication (sub-GI), the same is happening just south of the border with our Washington state neighbours.  Here is a press release about their newest AVA. ~~~ Royal Slope is WA state’s 15th AVA, defined by variation in elevation, slopes and aspect SEATTLE (September 2,…

We all love drinking our BC wines.  Although we do have a hotter climate in the South Okanagan, we still are overall a fairly cool climate region, doing well with aromatic white varieties, along with Pinot Noir and Gamay, as you move north or along the coast.  Our mountainous interior limits the extent of our vineyards but if you cross the…

I love Syrahs.  They stand on their own two feet.  No need for blending with other grapes.  I enjoy their ruby colour in the glass; their aromas, especially blueberries; their full body, red/black berry flavours and sometimes white pepper that plays on your palate.  BC can make some very good Syrahs.  Located in the South Okanagan, one of the wineries…

With every season, there is either grape growing, harvesting, vinification, aging, or bottling of wine. Recently I was happy to do some tasting in Vancouver of recently bottled wines from Le Vieux Pin and La Stella wineries.  These two wineries from South Okanagan offer different styles of wines; Le Vieux Pin being produced in a more restrained French style, while…

Taste Washington is coming up quickly; just a little more than a month away.  Besides the tasting room, where you can try so many wonderful Washington state wines, and food from local restaurants, there are also seminars you can attend. There are 4 seminars on Saturday and 3 seminars on Sunday.  The seminars run at the same time, from 11am…

February 10, 2013 is a new Chinese New Year.  This new year will be the Year of the Water Snake. It begins on the first day of the first lunar month (usually in late January or early February) and ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). According to Chinese Horoscopes, “Ancient Chinese wisdom says a…

Yesterday Le Vieux Pin and sister winery, La Stella, opened their doors to select wine and food media in Vancouver to taste some of their newly released wines. There were 2 wines in particular that I concentrated on with notes, but there were also some nice Rhone style white blends that I would like to also describe to you. La…

Today I was looking forward to the latest wine releases from Le Vieux Pin and La Stella wineries. In case you haven’t heard or tried wines from these two wineries, Le Vieux Pin makes wine in a French style, while La Stella takes the Italian route.  What do eggs have to do with this?  Read on about the wines first….