Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
Did you know that ten bottles of Rhone Valley wines are consumed every second? Recently, Rhone Valley Vineyards‘ winemakers visited Vancouver to remind us that they are more than just Syrah and GSM blends. They also produce white wines, rose wines, and sparkling wines. I attended a lively presentation from five Rhone winemakers to cover their wines plus remind us…
The history of the Carmenère grape is a tale of rediscovery and revitalization, with its roots deeply intertwined with the viticultural landscapes of both France and Chile. Carmenère faced near-extinction in France due to the phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century. Unbeknownst to many, some vines were transported to Chile before the devastation, where they thrived in the climate and…
The history of Loire Valley wines is a rich and storied one, dating back to the 1st century when the Romans first cultivated vineyards in this picturesque region of France. Over the centuries, the Loire Valley has become renowned for its diverse and elegant wines. The region’s unique terroir, marked by a temperate climate, a variety of soil types, and…
Here are two Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses wines for you to try. The Grenache-Vermentino-Viognier 2020 and the Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault 2021 Rosé. The Rosé has been around for a while and has been a favourite of many people. Both wines come in a very distinctive and beautiful bottle with a rose petal-shaped base. Instead of cork, Gérard Bertrand is using a glass stopper to…
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, situated in the southern Rhône Valley of France, is a renowned wine region celebrated for its exceptional wine production. This historic appellation is located in the department of Vaucluse, where the terroir is characterized by its distinctive rocky soils and a Mediterranean climate that basks in the warm, sun-drenched days. Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are highly esteemed and have gained worldwide…
One of the first iconic wines I ever heard about was Opus One. The bottle was distinctive with the facial profile on it. At the time I did not know who made this wine, but I knew it came from California. I now know much more about Opus One. Have you tried it? Take this fun, 5-question quiz to see…
East meets west at Cult Wine Canada in Vancouver. I attended a small portfolio tasting of Chinese distilled spirits and European wines distributed by Cult Wine Canada. In this article, I will cover their European wines and in my follow-on article, I will cover the distilled spirit called baijiu. If you have not heard of Cult Wine Canada, they describe…
Sauvignon Blanc‘s home is France, but it has spread around the world, like many other vitis vinifera. It typically is served as a single varietal wine but does show up in blends, most notably in Bordeaux. The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage, “wild”, and blanc, “white”, due to its early origins as an indigenous…
This past week Business France, the national agency to develop the French economy through export growth, brought in several French wineries to Vancouver. These wineries do not yet have representation in British Columbia. You currently cannot purchase these wines. This article is meant for wine agents in BC that are interested in adding more French wines to their portfolio. Below…
I had a lovely chat with Marine Séon, Export Sales Manager, from Hacienda Araucano from Chile at VanWineFest 2023. The winery has a French influence with French owner François Lurton as well as being the winemaker. Marine tells me a bit about the winery, which has organic and biodynamic vineyards, and the Sauvignon Blanc she poured for me from the…
Video Guide Uncorks the Story of British Columbia Wines. Buy Now.
