Enjoy Wine, Food, and Travel with Karl MyWinePal
The Sauvignon Blanc grape traces its lineage to the historic vineyards of France’s Loire Valley, where it gained early recognition for its distinct aromatic profile and vibrant acidity. It is also one of two grapes, along with Semillon, which makes white Bordeaux blends. However, it was the New World wine regions that truly propelled Sauvignon Blanc to worldwide fame, reimagining…
I have two more South African Chenin Blanc for you to celebrate Drink Chenin Day on June 17. Both wines are from the Spier Wine Farm in the Stellenbosch region. The Spier Signature Chenin Blanc 2021 is unoaked and probably the one you may be most familiar with. The other wine is the Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019 which…
Wanderlust. We must all have it after staying in our homes for the past two years due to COVID. Maybe venturing out to a nearby city or town within a day’s driving distance, but not getting on an airplane and going where your heart desires. I love wine, and I enjoy going to wine regions around the world, meeting winemakers…
Today I have wines from the two signature grapes of South Africa; Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. Chenin Blanc hailing from France but has flourished in South Africa. Pinotage, a red grape, was created in South Africa in the early 1920s, by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Kanonkop Wine Estate and Ken Forrester Vineyards are both located in the quality…
You may say that 1990 was when South African wine came on the international scene. That is the year that Nelson Mandela was released and sanctions against South Africa were subsequently lifted. Before that time South African wines were made in a style that pleased the South Africa palate. But opening their wines up to the world and a more…
I tasted through many years this year through Trade tastings with agents and BC VQA wineries, the Vancouver International Wine Festival, visits to wineries, and personal purchases. I rate all the wines I taste from 1 to 5 stars. Fortunately, the quality of many wines is quite good, giving them at least a 3 out of 5-star rating. At the…
Ken Forrester and his wife started their winery together with their young family; Buying a large 38 ha plot of land in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, and working with farmers over 90 ha of scattered parcels. Ken wanted to produce the best wine in the world and has been working with the Chenin Blanc grape to try to…
South African wines are well-known for going great with food. The wines are a mix of the Old World and the New World styles. Fruit forward, yet still restrained, plus enough structure and acidity to give you wines elegance. If you have not tried South African wines before you may want to try some for free, courtesy of the BCLDB. …
Last September I was first introduced to the wines of Flat Roof Manor, a winery located in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. At that time I wrote about their Flat Roof Manor Malbec. Their wines are priced very aggressively and provide you with a decent, fruit driven wine. I was happy to be asked to review their Pinot Grigio, which…
