Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
I was invited to attend the Swirl Around BC 2023 seminar recently to hear from BC winemakers about the challenges and opportunities in the BC wine industry. Our Moderator for this seminar was DJ Kearney, and our Panelists were: Alistair Veen, JoieFarm, Bailey Williamson, Blue Grouse Estate Winery; Charlie Baessler, Corcelettes Estate Winery; David Paterson, Tantalus Vineyards; Ross Wise, Black…
Update 2025: With the BCGEU strike on, purchasing BC wines is a little harder to do. There are still private stores around, mainly in the Vancouver area or Victoria, but some scattered throughout the province where you can find BC wines. BC wines are also a bit more scarce due to the 2023 and 2024 harvests, in which interior wineries…
At Creekside Estate Winery, in Jordan, Ontario, are self-described cork dorks who love what they do and have fun doing it. Their first vintage was in 1997. They do cover many Bordeaux grape varieties, but Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah are their signature wines. They also make a popular Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend (a white Bordeaux blend). Sauvignon Blanc is planted…
I knew nothing about Ontario’s Big Head Wines until it was suggested to me to visit by Talia Mendelsohn from the Bacchus Group Inc. in Toronto, but this winery in particular truly impressed me with their wines and their winemaking methods. If you ever get a chance to visit the Niagara region, do not miss visiting Big Head Wines. The…
Two Sisters Vineyards by Niagara-on-the-Lake has an imposing, impressive wine-tasting room that also includes a restaurant and wine-making facilities. Driving up to the winery, I felt like I was watching the primetime TV soap operas, Dynasty or Falcon Crest. Yes, I know I am dating myself. The main Estate, which opened its doors in November 2014, was inspired by Italian…
While researching wineries I should visit in the Niagara region, I came across Kew Vineyards Estate Winery, which is a little east of Thirty Bench Wine Makers, and specializes in sparkling wine, I had to visit. Their original 1975 plantings are among the oldest in the region. They have a classy, Old World feel wine tasting room, and make their…
The history of sparkling wine is a tale that intertwines innovation, elegance, and celebration. Dating back to the late 16th century, a natural effervescence was often seen as an unpredictable and sometimes unwanted result of the winemaking process. It wasn’t until the legendary Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon refined the techniques of producing sparkling wine in the early 17th century that…
Sparkling wines are fun to enjoy on their own, but why not add sparkle to a cocktail? I received these three recipes using sparkling wines, two are BC wines, and one is Italian Prosecco, which you may enjoy. Sparkling frosé 750 mL See Ya Later Ranch Sparkling Rosé 2 cups strawberries sliced 1/2 cup Granulated sugar 1/4 cup lime juice…
Did you know that Monday, August 7, 2023, is BC Day? On this day, which I assume will be wonderfully sunny, would be great to celebrate with a bottle(s) of BC wine. I have two sparkling wines from Hester Creek Estate Winery that are great on the patio with nibbles as I tried it out myself. I have their Hester…
As I was visiting friends on Vancouver Island I decided to drop by 40 Knots Winery in the Comox area. I visited the winery last year and sampled their wines on the patio. At this visit, the 2022 white wines have not yet been bottled at 40 Knots Winery but was told that bottling will be happening soon. So during…
Video Guide Uncorks the Story of British Columbia Wines. Buy Now.
