Tag: Sonoma

Sonoma Valley may not be as well-known as Napa Valley.  But, with a mix of cooler and warmer climate regions, Sonoma provides wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Sonoma Valley’s winemaking tradition emphasizes a more relaxed and laid-back approach, with smaller, family-owned wineries and a focus on sustainable and organic practices. While both regions are…

Pinot Noir is one of my overall favourite grapes.  There are different styles from around the world, with Burgundy being at the pinnacle; cooler climate.  As well as BC and New Zealand.  Pinot Noir can also produce bigger wines, but still with softer tannins, in places such as California’s Sonoma Coast.  I received a bottle of La Crema Sonoma Coast…

Murphy-Goode Winery is a family-run winery from Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California. The winery was started in 1985 with 3 friends, Tim Murphy, Dale Goode, and Dave Ready. Dave Ready Jr. is the winemaker for the winery, while Tim and Dale are the viticulturalists. The wine labels are no-nonsense, letting you know what you are getting in each bottle….

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is almost here.  The last time we had the Festival was two years ago and closed during our COVID crisis, but now it is back and runs from May 16-22.  One of the big attractions for us all is the International Festival Tasting room where wineries from around the world will have tables set up…

On Saturday, May 29, 2021, BC Liquor Stores will release an exciting selection of California wines. The outstanding collection features iconic names from Napa Valley including Hillside Reds as well as a focus on the new California with Rhône-style gems from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara, exquisite Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Santa Maria, Sta. Rita Hills and Sonoma Coast….

A Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step“.  Walking through the Vancouver International Wine Festival tasting room, tasting wines and speaking with winery principals, I walked many steps, and my journey is now complete.  I’ve finished compiling all my articles and videos that I created and posted them for you.  I learned more about Chardonnay and…

Besides all the fun of drinking wine from around the world with friends or family at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, there is also a more serious component, such as the seminars you can attend to learn about a grape variety or region in more detail.  There are also Trade-only events where we can learn or discuss what is happening…

While busily moving through the swell of people interested in tasting big Napa Cabs at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, I wedged myself into tables, and indeed tasted Napa Cabs, but also Pinot Noir, Merlot, Petite Sirah, etc. from various regions in California.  With the short amount of time I’m able to spend at each table, my tasting notes are…

As California was the theme region for VanWineFest 2019, you would expect Chardonnay to be prominent in my list of favourite white wines, and you would be right.  But there is also Viognier, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.  I put the region in California with the wine name if the winery shows a specific area.  If you like any of these…

As described by the Vancouver International Wine Festival about this seminar, “California Chardonnay shocked the wine world at the 1976 Judgement in Paris and has carried on powering the family-owned and operated Jackson Family Wines for more than 35 years. Join us as we journey from the Russian River to Santa Barbara exploring California’s Next Chardonnay with acclaimed Winemaster Randy…