Tag: sparkling

Perhaps, before I answer this question, I should define what is a cutting edge wine?  In the past, it could have been the use of stainless steel tanks, when none were used before, or the use of cultured yeasts specifically bred to impart particular flavours and aromas in a wine.  But now, these things are mainstream.  What is new and…

The Naramata Bench, located to the north of Penticton on the east bank of Lake Okanagan, is home to many BC wineries.  It is a lovely drive along Naramata Road, where you can visit 24 wineries, and admire the views overlooking Lake Okanagan. If you are visiting the Okanagan you can easily spend one or more days visiting the wineries…

Every year around this time I start to look at past tasting notes and recent tastings here in Vancouver looking for a celebratory wine for Valentine’s Day.  This year, I found a sparkling rose wine for you from Italy.  The land of wine and love. Cantina Beato Bartolomeo da Breganze Rosa di Sera Vino Spumante Extra Dry, NV, Italy ($18.49) – Made…

February 20, 2016 is the first day for the Vancouver International Wine Festival this year.  We are just about a month away.  Did you know that the tickets for events are open to the public?  Many events are sold out already, but if you buy sooner rather than later, you still have a chance at other events. One event that…

In 2015, I only rated 7 wines with 5 stars.  There were many wines that came close to my idea of perfection in a glass, and many of these I gave 4.5 stars.  These are amazing wines still and I highly recommend purchasing any of them.  There are 77 wines that I classified as 4.5 stars.  All of these wines…

The Near I recently reviewed Duncan, BC’s Blue Grouse Estate Winery, and mentioned in the article that I was going to cover their sparkling wine in a separate article.  The time is now!  Their sparkling wine is called “Paula“, after their only daughter, Paula, who is an aspiring opera student. The wine is a blend of Pinot Gris 38%, Ortega…

Cheese and wine lovers unite and celebrate.  This new book “Tasting Wine & Cheese:  An Insiders Guide to Master the Principles of Pairing” gives great suggestions about wines, cheese, and pairing them together.  It is written by Mr. Adam Centamore, who is a wine and cheese educator in the Boston area.  He has WSET certification on the wine side and…

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…

Prosecco is one of the sparkling wines coming out of Italy, and probably the most well-known.  There are different levels of quality, with of course different price points.  I have been told that some retail shops and hair salons in Italy that each customer is handed a glass of prosecco to sip while they shop or get quaffed.  Prosecco may…

Haywire wines are made at Okanagan Crush Pad (OCP) in Summerland, BC, and are co-owned by Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie.  I have followed Haywire wines since their inception.  I like them as they try to be as organic and un-interventionist as possible, letting their wines tell their stories.  They make a range of wines; red, white, and bubble for…