Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
Don’t forget that April is BC Wine Month. In case you have not purchased any BC wine yet, here are some compelling reasons why British Columbians should consider buying BC wines: 1. Economic Impact: The BC wine industry contributes $3.75 billion annually to British Columbia’s economy. By purchasing local wines, consumers directly support local businesses, jobs, and economic growth. 2….
This was the last video interview I made during The Grand Tasting at Taste Washington 2024. Treveri Cellars makes organic sparkling wines and has been doing it for many years. While some wines are made with “traditional” sparkling wine grapes, like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they also venture out and make sparkling Gewurztraminer and Riesling. I tasted a glass of…
While Italy has been known to produce robust, hearty reds, many of the country’s greatest wines offer a lighter touch without sacrificing flavour. This seminar, “Italy’s Lightness of Being”, led by Filippo Bartolotta and Michaela Morris, took us through sparkling wines, white wines with texture, and much more. Winery principals, Fabio Bosio, Tommaso Chiarli, Daniel Grace, Stefano Inama, Nicola Mazzella,…
Although Italy contributes approximately 20% of the world’s wine, it remains a relative mystery to many people, due to unfamiliar grape varieties and wine region names. Wine journalist and educator Filippo Bartolotta led us exploring the rich history, modern innovation, and the renaissance of Italian classic wine styles shaping the current identity of this historical wine region. The winery principals…
I was invited to sit down with Mr. Beppe d’Andrea, Ruffino‘s Senior Global Brand Ambassador, to taste a selection of their wines and talk about the winery and other wine topics while Beppe was attending VanWineFest 2024. In 1987, Beppe began his career with Ruffino and has never looked back. Initially working in the vineyards, he soon joined the winemaking…
71 Italian wineries presented their wines at VanWineFest 2024. With each winery pouring 5 different wines, we had 355 wines to sip and savour in the International Festival Tasting Room. I spent my Thursday tasting white and sparkling wines and Friday tasting the red wines. In this article, I cover my favourite white and sparkling wines. In some cases, there…
People are more interested in purchasing organic wines. In the past, these wines were viewed as more expensive, but the prices now do not show a premium price. There are many organic wines in the $20 range. One organic and vegan-friendly wine that I tasted is Australia’s Yalumba GEN Chardonnay 2022, coming from the “South Australia” region. From the 2022…
My first review of a wine from Europe for 2024 is for Cantine Nicosia Grillo Sicilia DOC 2021, Italy, an organic and vegan wine made in Italy from the white Grillo grape. Grillo is a crossing of Catarratto and Moscato di Alessandria (Zibibbo) grapes. According to Wikipedia, “Grillo, also known as Riddu and Rossese bianco, is a white Italian wine grape…
If you enjoy sipping fortified wines, such as Port, over the holidays and through the cold winter, I have an option you may want to consider. BC-made, Rara Avis, an organic, fortified haskap berry wine. Produced at Kalala Organic Estate Winery for Saraya Natural Products Ltd. Haskap berries are a group of berries that contain high levels of healthful nutrients,…
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…
Video Guide Uncorks the Story of British Columbia Wines. Buy Now.
