Tag: VQA

Ontario Cabernet Franc: From Flat Rock Cellars and Featherstone WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  May 12, 2025  0 Comments on Ontario Cabernet Franc: From Flat Rock Cellars and Featherstone WineryPR SAMPLE 

Here are two Ontario Cabernet Franc wines from Flat Rock Cellars and Featherstone Estate Winery & Vineyard coming from the Niagara region.  The two wineries are separate entities, but it worked out to have single bottles of their single varietal Cabernet Franc wines to be tasted and discussed together.  Flat Rock Cellars is solely owned by Ed Madronich, while Featherstone…

Pillitteri Estates Winery Carretto Cabernet Franc 2020 and Exclamation Cabernet Franc 2020

Ontario Cabernet Franc: Two Wines from Pillitteri Estates WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  May 7, 2025  0 Comments on Ontario Cabernet Franc: Two Wines from Pillitteri Estates WineryPR SAMPLE 

I received two Cabernet Franc wines from Pillitteri Estates Winery as part of my discovery and discussion about how this grape expresses itself in the Niagara region of southern Ontario.  These two wines are from the 2020 vintage, with one, the Exclamation Cellar Series, being the top tier, which is only made in exceptional years.  It should be interesting to…

Tawse Winery Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2020 and AMO Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2021

Ontario Cabernet Franc: AMO Estate Winery and Tawse Winery TastingPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  April 17, 2025

As I mentioned in a recent Instagram post, with inter-trade barriers coming to a close in Canada by Canada Day and Canadians wanting to support Canadians, I contacted some Ontario wineries about sending me samples of their Cabernet Franc wines to review. Cabernet Franc has found a remarkable home in the diverse terroirs of Ontario, producing wines that are both…

Turkey dinner with a glass of McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2020 wine

Last Minute Wine Suggestions for Your Christmas or Holiday MealPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  December 23, 2024

The holidays are a time when many of us get together with family or friends to enjoy a meal together; hopefully with a glass of wine.  Here are a few last-minute suggestions of wines you can pair with traditional dishes for the holidays.  Enjoy. Wine Pairings for Roast Turkey – Chardonnay: A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the rich flavours of…

Mayhem Wines Anarchy Pinot Gris 2023 and Robin Ridge Winery Gamay 2022

Mayhem! Anarchy! and Robin Ridge Wines for the HolidaysPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  November 22, 2024

I have two BC wines for you today.  One is from Mayhem Wines in the Okanagan Valley and the other from the Robin Ridge Winery in the Similkameen Valley.  I thought these two wines may show off some fresh BC fruit flavours and go well with holiday get-togethers.  Let me tell you about them. My Wine Tasting Notes Mayhem Wines…

A flight of wines to taste at Hillside Winery

Visiting the Naramata Bench 2024: Hillside WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 31, 2024

Hillside Winery on the Naramata Bench was the last winery on my wine-tasting tour.  The founders of the winery were Vera and Bohumir Klokcka who had emigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1979, buying the property but did not plant the first grape vines till 1984.  Although no longer owners, I’m told that winemaker, Kathy Malone, still talks with Vera, who is…

Da Silva Vineyards & Winery tasting room

Visiting the Naramata Bench 2024: Da Silva Vineyards & WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 29, 2024

When you visit Da Silva Vineyards & Winery on the Naramata Bench, it feels like you are transported to Portugal.  The tasting room is beautiful, with bone-white walls and chandeliers, giving off a European feel.  The wines are equally special.  Richard and Twylla da Silva own the winery, with Richard coming from a Portuguese background. The names of some of…

Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery wall

Visiting the Naramata Bench 2024: Upper Bench Estate Winery & CreameryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 28, 2024

Today’s visit on my Naramata Bench trip gave me a bonus.  Besides tasting wine, I also enjoyed some cheese pairings.  Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery is the place to go as they make their own cheeses, which you can also buy.  Yes, I bought cheese to take home.  I spoke with Josh Edwards, their winemaker, before tasting the wines. …

Little Farm Winery Mulberry Tree Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 and Pied de Cuve Chardonnay 2020

Two Little Farm Winery Mulberry Tree Vineyard Chardonnays From the Similkameen ValleyPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 26, 2024

Little Farm Winery is a small production winery located in the Similkameen Valley run by Rhys Pender MW and Alishan Driediger.  Their wines are low / no intervention from start to finish.  They use wild yeast, neutral barrel, lees ageing and little to no fining or filtering when the wines are bottled.  I received two bottles of their Chardonnay.  One…

Spearhead Winery wine barrel with pumpkins

Visiting the Naramata Bench and Kelowna 2024: Spearhead WineryPR SAMPLE 

 mywinepal  October 24, 2024

During my week-long trip to Penticton, I took a one-day side trip to Kelowna to see the Farmer’s Market and to visit Spearhead Winery. I’ve been a fan of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines for many years. They recently received recognition as WineAlign 2024’s Best Performing Small Winery. I also appreciate the winemaking skill of Grant Stanley who was…