Tag: semillon

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…

Australia is a large country with diverse climates and unique terroirs. There is for example the Terra Rossa, red soil, in the Coonawarra Valley which makes exceptional Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Or the cooler climate of the Hunter Valley, making expressive Semillon which can age for many years. Or Margaret River in Western Australia, which has been said to have…

When someone asks you about your favourite wines from Europe, probably most people would say France or Italy, but there are other countries you should consider like Portugal.  There are more than 250 grape varieties in Portugal, giving the wine maker quite a selection when they make their red or white wines.  Some of these grapes, like Touriga Nacional can…

The Tulalip Resort Casino always has served me top quality dishes and wines.  I was invited to a wine dinner at the Tulalip Resort Casino, and have below the fantastic hand-selected wines by Sommelier Tom Thomson to pair with the dishes that I, and some other food, wine, and travel writers from WA, had the chance to enjoy together. The…

There are many wines to savour from Australia, from classic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra or Semillon from the Hunter Valley, to the new “natural” wines from wineries like Jaume and Alpha Box & Dice.  At the Dish N’ Dazzle event supporting the BC Hospitality Foundation, wines of Australia were sipped and savoured, together with sample dishes…

You know we all want to change the world, and wine making is one of those areas that has been undergoing a revolution to past wine making techniques recently.  I attended a seminar on the past, present, and future of Australian wine making, and it was interesting to see changes that are going on in this country, but it can…

Question: What does Australian Semillon have to do with BC Hospitality Foundation?  Answer: Dish N’ Dazzle.  Dish N’ Dazzle is a public charity event where the funds raised are used to support individuals in the hospitality industry that are coping with a financial crisis arising from a medical condition or injury.  The Aussie twist are all wines for this event are…

Did you know that this year is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley, California?  It is.  I learned this when I spoke with Mr. Mark de Vere, Master of Wine with Robert Mondavi Winery during the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2016.  What a milestone. Did you also know that Robert Mondavi started the…

Harry McWatters is a leader in the British Columbia wine industry for the past 40+ years. In 1980, he founded BC’s first estate winery, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, and later started See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery in 1995.  He purchased and planted vines on his Sundial Vineyard on Black Sage Road in 1993. Harry is the owner of TIME Estate…

After summer holidays are over and you are all relaxed from the sun, food, and wine with family and friends, September comes around.  For the wine trade, this is the start of the busy season leading up to Christmas, and with this there are many agency portfolio tastings.  I attended two portfolio tastings this past week, and I’m here to…