In case you haven't heard, Okanagan's Blasted Church Vineyards is having a case sale on their Renaissance wines from now till Dec 14.  I'm tasting two of their Renaissance series wines I received.  Hatfield's Fuse 2024 and Pinot Gris 2024.  Both wines are made in BC, but use grapes that come from Washington state, to cover our cold winter snap in 2024 that killed many Okanagan grape vines. 

British Columbia has become one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, but for many people, especially those outside the province, its story is still waiting to be told. If you have ever w…

You have probably had Balsamic Vinegar of Modena of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) drizzled over tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a Capreze Salad.  And you know that this deeply coloured,…

You have probably had Balsamic Vinegar of Modena of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) drizzled over tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a Capreze Salad.  And you know that this deeply coloured, thick vinegar, comes from Italy.  But there is an interesting story behind Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI.  I was with a few other select media members to learn about the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, it's history, protected status, and how it can be a part of  dishes you can enjoy. 

With the upcoming holiday season, you, or your guests, may not want a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail.  Maybe something lower in alcohol, but still has nice fruit flavours.  Orchard + Field is jus…

This is my eighth year interviewing winemakers or winery principals in Ontario about their latest grape harvest and wine production.  Now that it is late November and the wines are all in tanks or …

With the upcoming holiday season, you, or your guests, may not want a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail.  Maybe something lower in alcohol, but still has nice fruit flavours.  Orchard + Field is just that.  Wine made using fruit from  orchard and berries from the fields and crafted at Garnet Valley Ranch in Summerland, BC.  I received two bottles of Orchard + Field sparkling wines to review for you. 

Fulfill the wish list of a local senior this season when you participate in Stocking Stuffers for Seniors at your nearest London Drugs.

This is my eighth year interviewing winemakers or winery principals in Ontario about their latest grape harvest and wine production.  Now that it is late November and the wines are all in tanks or barrels, how did the Ontario grape growing season and harvest fare?  I interviewed three winemakers/winery principals this year: Ryan Oldridge, Winemaker at Colchester Ridge Estate Winery…

RISE AND SHINE: MICHELIN-RECOMMENDED MEXICAN HOTSPOT OPHELIA ADDS NEW DISHES TO ITS WEEKEND BRUNCH MENU New Mexican-Inspired Sides, Appetizers, Entrées and Desserts Make Their Debut on One of Michelin...

We are well into the colder, winter weather now here in BC.  So it is time to venture into deeper, red wines.  I have two red wines from Oliver’s Gold Hill Winery. I have their Gold Hill Oxbo…

We are well into the colder, winter weather now here in BC.  So it is time to venture into deeper, red wines.  I have two red wines from Oliver's Gold Hill Winery. I have their Gold Hill Oxbow Reach Merlot 2019 and Oxbow Reach Cabernet Franc 2019. Both are interestingly from the 2019 vintage, with now 6 years of aging. 

I saved my last two wines from Domaine Artema Winery to be their Village Sparkling Rosé 2024 and their La Petite Mort (port style), NV, dessert wine.  These two wines can cover the start and end of…

I saved my last two wines from Domaine Artema Winery to be their Village Sparkling Rosé 2024 and their La Petite Mort (port style), NV, dessert wine.  These two wines can cover the start and end of a delicious dinner.  I did not decant either wine.  In the first case, you don't want the delicious bubbles in your sparkling wine to dissipate and the latter, dessert wines, with their high sugar content, tend to stay unchanged in aromas and flavours over a long time. 

Today, I’m easing us into the colder weather with a 2024 Rosé and a Gamay wine made by Oliver’s Domaine Artema Winery.  Gamay is a red wine grape with less tannins and more acidity, mak…

Today, I'm easing us into the colder weather with a 2024 Rosé and a Gamay wine made by Oliver's Domaine Artema Winery.  Gamay is a red wine grape with less tannins and more acidity, making it easier to sip on its own as well as being food friendly.  The Rosé wine uses Pinot Noir primarily with a substantial amount of Gamay. 

The 2025 BC harvest was one of hope and a bounty of grapes. I travelled to Osoyoos at the beginning of October and all the winery principles I spoke to mentioned how their grape vines were supplying an overabundance of grapes this year, to make up for the devastation last year.   Now that it is early December and the wines are all in tanks or barrels, what do BC winemakers have to say about their wines?  

I was privileged to be invited to attend the “Iconic Wineries of British Columbia” Holiday Preview this week, held at the Holt Renfrew, in downtown Vancouver.  We sampled selections fro…

British Columbia has become one of the most exciting wine regions in the world, but for many people, especially those outside the province, its story is still waiting to be told. If you have ever w…

I was privileged to be invited to attend the "Iconic Wineries of British Columbia" Holiday Preview this week, held at the Holt Renfrew, in downtown Vancouver.  We sampled selections from Mission Hill Family Estate, Martin’s Lane, CheckMate Artisanal Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, Liquidity Wines, and Road 13 Vineyards.  There were red, white, rose, and sparkling wines, along with canapes, made by the chefs from their winery's restaurant, to pair with some of the wines. 

Have you heard of one of our newest BC wineries, Domaine Artema Winery?   The winery is located on Black Sage Road in Oliver, just down the road from Burrowing Owl. They opened their doors to the p…

Here are two more white wines for you to enjoy, hoping to banish away the upcoming winter season.  Both wineries are from BC, but one of these wines use WA state fruit.  In 2024 we have a very bad …