The 2004 wine year has come and gone but not without some big stories. Although drinking wine has been a part of the West Coast lifestyle for nearly three decades, it would appear the rest of North America is beginning to pay more and more attention to
Champagne and cheese may seem like an unlikely pairing but according to local cheese mavens, Alice and Alison Spurrell, owners of the popular Kitsilano cheese shop Les Amis du Fromage, there's nothing quite like it. Given champagne's lean, acid makeup
I spend most of my life trying to avoid "turkey" wines but, come December, turkey has a whole new meaning and the question everyone wants answered is, "Which wine should I serve with Christmas dinner?" If you haven't already torn out this page and are
Last week's gift suggestions garnered mixed reactions from some readers who clearly prefer to serve well-chosen, inexpensive wine rather than buying pricey presents for their loved ones. You can't please everyone. Today we look at two of the founding
When it comes to gift giving, it's the thought that counts. The problem is, who has the time to do the thinking? For several weeks, we have been suggesting a wide variety of wines for holiday entertaining, but we haven't yet mentioned any labels suitable
Put away the still wine -- 'tis the season to celebrate. Whether it's an American sparkler, a cava from Spain, a German sekt or an Italian spumante, wine with effervescence is a universal symbol for good times. When it comes to sparkling wine, the good
Our continuing series of holiday wine guides takes you off the beaten path this week in the hope that you might show up at the big party with something different. Notice I didn't say interesting, because that's what we wine tasters say when the wine is,
This holiday season I'll be watching to see whether or not red remains the colour of choice with party-goers. There is nothing scientific about tallying up which wines guests bring to the table, but if, as usual, nine out of 10 are red, it's more than
There's no escaping the upcoming holiday season crush. So whether you are planning to entertain friends at home or you just need a bottle of wine that makes you look good at the boss's party, it's best to start shopping early. I am planning a series
A mix of New and Old World producers were in town this week hawking their wines to the trade and the public in what was a busy week of tasting in Vancouver. Some brought new wines, others old brands with new labels, but each had a story to tell. Perhaps
Regular readers of this column will be familiar with my constant pleas to buyers and the B.C wine industry to find a way to showcase our best local wines in government liquor stores, thus putting some sizzle back into a somewhat drab B.C wine category. My
A quick week in Australia judging at The Royal Adelaide Wine Show reveals how far North America lags behind in the acceptance of using screwcap closures on wine. Frankly screwcaps are not even an issue in Australia where they reside with little resistance
Thirty years ago cabernet sauvignon was the be all and end all of red wine grapes. It had an appealing dark colour few other red wine grapes possessed. It was weighty and powerful and it was loaded with dry, hard tannins -- the type that leaves your mouth
Rain or shine next Thursday is Sonoma County day at the Four Seasons Hotel where 25 California wineries will open their wines in support of the annual Art's Umbrella Sonoma Wine Affair. At first glance the fundraiser looks a lot like other stand-up,
The 24th Annual Okanagan Fall Wine Festival gets under way next Friday, Oct. 1, and will run through the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. In all, 167 events are planned across the valley offering, as they say, something for everyone. The entire roster of
As summer quickly fades into fall I wanted to share some thoughts on sauvignon blanc with you while you were still thinking about white wine. Last weekend I took stock of the 60-odd sauvignon blancs that I have tasted this year and discovered that despite
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