Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
January 29th, 2025 is the Chinese (Lunar) New Year of the Earth Snake. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. Snakes represent the symbol of wisdom. They are intelligent and wise. They are good at communication but say little. Snakes are usually regarded as great thinkers. Some famous people born in the Year…
What surprises does 2025 hold for wine lovers? Could it be a new varietal or region that you have not yet tried? Or maybe a new winery in your area? Today, I am tasting two red wines from Blasted Church Vineyards that were sent to me. They are not new to me, but maybe the grape varieties may be new…
California’s 689 Cellars offers a variety of wines for different classes of wine drinkers, from casual to serious. Here is some background information from the winery and the wines they will be pouring at VanWineFest 2025. About 689 Cellars Curtis McBride is the owner and founder of 689 Cellars and Premier Wine Group. Curtis founded Premier Wine Group over 20…
My last winery visit in Okanagan Falls, before getting back to my visit to the Naramata Bench, is Blasted Church Vineyards. They have very colourful and expressive labels, with a religious bent or Renaissance theme to them, as the winery is located on Parson’s Road. All their wines are unfined and unfiltered, so some wines may have a dull appearance…
Australia, Argentina, and Chile each boast rich histories of winemaking that reflect their unique terroirs and cultural influences, as well as the origins of their signature grape varietals. Australia’s wine journey began with early European settlers in the 18th century, who quickly recognized the potential of its diverse landscapes, leading to the establishment of iconic regions like Barossa Valley and…
New Australian wine has arrived on our shores after a hiatus, in part due to COVID. I attended a tasting of these new arrivals. Some are new to BC while other wines are new vintages of wines that we already enjoy. I missed out on a seminar, so have no additional pearls of wisdom for you, but here are my…
If you are thinking about sipping a ripe, juicy, delicious red wine, this wine, Hester Creek Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2022, is a wonderful option. I received this wine earlier this summer but took till now to have a chance to open it for you. It’s a blend of 45% Grenache, 38% Syrah (includes 2% of co-fermented Viognier), and 17% Mourvedre…
Gérard Bertrand‘s Le Chouchou 2023 is the winery’s answer to new consumer trends, producing a light, fresh red wine. It has low alcohol content and can be enjoyed at a cooler temperature. It sits somewhere between a rosé and a fuller-bodied red wine, IMHO. This wine is a blend of organic Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes coming from Cevennes, Limoux,…
Rosé wine, with its delicate hue and refreshing taste, has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts worldwide. According to statistics, I read that rosé wine consumption tripled since 1990. Vins de Provence exported nearly 62 million bottles in 2022 with the USA, buying up 37% of the total quantity sold. I am not sure of the quantity sold in Canada,…
We are now enjoying nicer summer weather. It’s time to get out onto the patio and enjoy some rosé and white wines. While you may think of Rhône wines as being Syrah or red blends, this region also produces white and rosé wines. Here is a press release I received talking about these Rhône wines. ~~~~~~~~~ This summer, treat yourself…
