Malbec has risen at a comet-like rate the past thirty years, propelled into superstardom by Argentina’s thriving exports. Tucked against or astride the sunbaked Andes, the grape typically showcases full-bodied, intense fruit-forward flavours of
As is the custom, before the current Vancouver International Wine Festival bids farewell to the current theme region, festival chairman Harry Hertscheg announces the upcoming theme region, and in 2020 it will be France. We are thrilled. France is
We're releasing a special Monday Top 10 in honour of the 41st Vancouver winefest. The Vancouver International Wine Festival officially launched last weekend with the extravagant Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction. As you've probably noticed,
This past week has proven that mother nature sure has a sense of humour. After countless photos posted of spring flowers in bloom on the west coast, we've been hit by a snow / ice / wind storm that left us reaching for bigger, warming, comforting reds.
At GOW we certainly advocate drinking sparkling wine liberally and often. But when the temperatures dip, like this frigid week in BC, I reach for sparkling rosé wines. The added fruit, structure and tannin goes a long way in pairing with bigger
I was glad to have a bit of a pause between Anthony's Top 10 most memorable bottles of 2018, out earlier this month, and releasing my personal list. It's not that I needed more time to think of the top bottles I posted on GOW last year; that's easy. It's
Climate change continued to dominate the business of wine in 2018 and has a lot of people looking farther north and farther south for cooler areas suitable for growing premium wine grapes. Note I use the term “premium” as I should, in the
I'm a self identifying wine geek. I have two cupboards full of glassware (though only use Zaltos), a drawer full of corkscrews (though use a trusty white Pulltap) and five bursting shelves of wine books (latest editions are Dr. Jamie Goode's Flawless;
‘Tis the season for entertaining, often unexpectedly. If you’re on your way to an impromptu gathering with friends, or your home is the site for the festivities, it always pays to have some well-priced, well-liked wines on hand. For some crowds,
This week’s top ten recognizes the regionality of BC wine. It’s a concept that, frankly, is taking shape faster in the bottle than on the label, at least from what we see and taste. Until July of this year, there were just five Geographical
There's a reason why Rhône red wines are amongst the most popular blends worldwide. Whether or not from the Rhône Valley, the trifecta of syrah, grenache, mourvedre (GSM) and mates like carignan, cinsault and counoise make for satisfying,
Yes, I know. We've done Top 10s on chardonnay a few times: BC Chard, Cool Climate Chard, NZ Chard just within the last 24 months. But I'm not going to stop. Chardonnay is, quite simply, the best grape ever. It's not just me waxing poetic for this historic
There's something about fall that makes me think of Italian reds. Earthy, autumnal fruits, bitter spun spices, bright acidity, structure - all are characters I'm craving alongwise wild mushrooms, roasted squash, chestnuts and warming braises. With Anthony
Though Austria’s star white grape is appreciated and adored by wine professionals, grüner veltliner's charm is generally lost on the masses. Part of that may have to do with fear of mispronouncing the word itself. Own this: Grew-ner Velt-LEEN-er,