When we muse about carrying on the family business in North America, we generally collectively refer to the second or third generation. “My dad was a farmer and I’ve taken over the family farm.” If you’re tracing your inherited
Jean-Claude Mas was born in a winemaking environment in the Languedoc, in Pézenas. At the age of three, during the harvest, he escaped from his mother and ran 2.5 kilometres to meet his grandfather in the cellar. It was a moment never forgotten
Poor Merlot. Here it was, cruising along at the top of its game, in its lustrous plum-robed glory. One of the most popular red wine varietals on the globe due to its pleasant berry fruit, accessible softness and plush mouthfeel, merlot appealed to many
Cooler nights, shorter days, festive gatherings, celebrations; whatever the reasoning, Vintage Port and winter pair well together. In 2015, an additional reason for Port celebrations: the 200th birthday of Fonseca Port. Now firmly established and seated
At the close of 2014 I made a New Year’s resolution. I have to say I have never been a fan of the idea before, as I find people always seem to be trying to do commit to things that they don’t want to do. I decided that I would try to commit
There’s only one wine that matters in the premium wine business and that is a wine of place. After a spring and summer of study, a B.C. wine industry task force wound up its investigations by proposing sweeping changes to British Columbia’s
Carlo Mondavi is enjoying a bit of lunch, before heading out for some appointments among clients who love the wine he and his father Tim Mondavi have made each year since 2005. It is called Continuum, for ample reasons, not the least of which is Carlo’s
We drink a lot of fizz here at GOW. A lot. Now that’s established, it’s pretty evident we think you should drink a lot of fizz too. Not just on special occasions, but any day. Every day. The sparkle of bubbly in your glass makes any day
This Thursday, Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivée. This unique annual event, falling on the third Thursday in November, is when baby-fresh Beaujolais is officially launched and sold worldwide. Nouveau is a youthful wine. It’s speedily made from
When we think of Swiss cheeses, we certainly think of alpine style cheeses and traditional names come to mind easily. Emmenthal, Gruyere and Appenzeller are all staples in our winter fondue and on top of a tasty gratin. However there are a lot of newer
In the second of six videos that make up the 2015 BC Winegrowers Series, I visit The Hatch, a new, unique winery project in the Okanagan. GM Jessie Harnden and winemaker Jason Parkes have hatched a series of single-vineyard wines from across the Okanagan
The 2015 year delivered California vintners and growers across the state another stellar vintage. Despite a lighter crop—compared to last year—from one of the earliest seasons on record, wildfires during harvest in some regions and a fourth
Even in this accessible age of the internets, there is one hard copy, hefty, tactile tome that I use more than any other resource out there. Wine Grapes is worth its 3kg weight in gold to me, a complete guide to 1368 vine varieties, including their origins
In the first of six videos that makeup the 2015 BC Winegrowers Series, I visit George and Trudy Heiss, the founders of Gray Monk Estate Winery and modern BC wine pioneers. After giving up their hair-dressing business in Edmonton in 1972, they purchased
Colourful, gnarly gourds are on the grocery shelves, we’ve had the first grilled acorn squash of the season, Okanagan pears and apples fill our fruit baskets and sweaters are making an appearance again. Harvest is in full swing across BC and the
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