The pulse of New World wines was checked and found robust this past fortnight at two rather auspicious events. The first in San Francisco was the West Coast launch of the 1998 Penfolds Grange Shiraz; the second was a celebration of Robert Mondavi's 90th
It's back to red wine this week and some affordable barbecue picks. The selection is global and in some cases takes you to lesser-known regions where even the best-rated wines are priced at sensible levels. We begin in Italy but not in the trendy north,
With summer officially here this weekend we continue the search for British Columbia white wines that refresh and satisfy. Last week we looked at some early releases from the 2002 vintage and discovered most producers were more than pleased with the
Wineries and marketers would have you believe that every year is a quality year but the vagaries of climate suggest it just isn't so. Vintage variation is a fact of life, especially in marginal northern climates such as the Okanagan Valley. When I think
Wine Spectator columnist Matt Kramer turned the South African wine industry upside down in March when he dared to ask the question, "Why isn't South African wine better?" Kramer suggested the South Africans have failed to calibrate their palates (by
Vancouver, B.C., After too many months, owner Manuel Ferreira, has reopened Le Gavroche to the dining public. Le Gavroche was closed July 19, 2002 to due to fire damage and after ten months of wrangling with city inspectors Ferreira has
Several bits and pieces today, beginning with a tale of two wine companies. Less than three weeks ago I was extolling the virtues of New Zealand owned and operated Kim Crawford Wines, a producer known world- wide for its use of screwcaps and more to the
Two highly respected B.C. producers are the focus of this week's column: Tinhorn Creek and Mission Hill are each planning to entertain visitors with more than wine this summer if they make the trek to the Okanagan. Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery, the yellow
As I tasted today's summer sippers hail and snow were falling in parts of the province and overnight temperatures were plunging near zero. Let's hope last weekend was an aberration because it's time for everyone to start thinking about lighter, more carefree
It was February 20, 1962 when astronaut John Glen piloted the "Friendship 7" spacecraft on the first, US manned mission completing a successful three-orbit tour around the earth. Four years later in a seemingly unrelated event the Robert Mondavi Winery
You get plenty of feedback from readers when you write a wine column. Some of my favourites include: "You look younger than your picture." Or "you are much better looking in person," or how about, "you are not what I was expecting at all." Most of what
You can add another new winery to your south Okanagan touring map. Nk'Mip (pronounced "inkameep") Cellars officially opened for business on September 14, 2002 and is North America's first aboriginal owned and operated winery. The winery is a joint venture
Screwcap wine bottles are here to stay despite their scarcity in British Columbia wine stores. The closure that was once associated with cheap jug wine has come full circle in some regions and leading the rush are New Zealand producers. It's not difficult
Australian Wine Appreciation Society The AWAS held its first tasting in 1983 making the 2003 season its 20th anniversary. The Society boasts over 200 members who regularly attend tastings organized from September to June. A tasting or wine dinner
Eight B.C wineries were recipients of the first annual Lieutenant-Governor's Awards of Excellence announced last week at Government House in Victoria. The awards -- championed by Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo -- will be used as a buying guide to help stock
It's back to new listings this week and a look at several releases available in selected government stores where wine is still considered important. Given the uncertainty surrounding privatization it's difficult to know how much longer wine will be an
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