Sangiovese is a prolific Italian red grape, deriving its name from the Latin sanguis Jovis, the blood of Jupiter. Though it is the most important grape of central Italy, from Romagna through Lazio, Campania, and Sicily, it is more famous as the only component
GoGamayGo. This humble hashtag, coined years ago by Canada's own Dr. Janet Dorozynski, has united gamay fans globally and become a rallying collective for a misunderstood red grape. Gamay isn't geeky anymore, long-shackled to the marketing mechanics
Need wine for Valentine's Day? Here is a timely list for you to woo your beloved or intended. Chocolates are cliché, and rosés win out over roses any day. What about swapping the overpriced heart-shaped box for something that will get your
I still remember my entry-level wine class all those years ago, working through basic characteristics of key grapes. I knew next to nothing, and felt overwhelmed by all the material: new terms, foreign words, spitting in public. I recall how my ears perked
Following last year's upward stream, sparkling wine sales outside of Champagne continue to rise. Perhaps folks are combatting Covid troubles with bubbles, and Champagne's price point certainly makes it a challenging regular consumption. But, more telling
No, the world won’t run out of champagne. But it might feel like it this year. The global supply chain has many broken links, and the cumulative effects have been domino-tipping disastrous. From glass supply (currently up to one year in arrears)
The simple hashtag GoGamayGo has become a rallying digital cry for this humble, characterful and somewhat idiosyncratic grape. Its full name, gamay noir à jus blanc, refers to the eccentricities that its skin is black, its juice is white, but the
Though well known for its classic and historic wine regions, such as Rioja, and Jerez, Spain is a hotbed for adventuresome and innovative producers, pushing the boundaries of viticulture and viniculture. These viñateros, winegrowers who focus on
Today’s Portuguese wines are amongst the most interesting and exciting on the planet. Partner the country’s 250+ autochthonous grape varieties with keen and educated winemakers, viticulturists who care about place and sustainability, and a
You’ve no doubt heard about orange wine, and most likely tried some of these characterful wines yourself. But do you know what you're drinking, or why they’re called orange? First off, not the hue, which really is more amber, and ranges from
Vinho Verde is not Green Wine. Now that I’ve dispelled that myth let’s reset your compass. Earlier this year, Vinho Verde Wines asked me to hold some educational sessions for the trade across Canada, since not too many folks are travelling
People often ask what is Canada’s most successful wine type. I reply, without hesitation, chardonnay. You might think with a country the size of ours, and distances spanning thousands of kilometres from BC’s Pacific lashed Wine Islands to
When it comes to complexing whites, the first to mind is chenin blanc. Chenin is one of the world’s most versatile, transformative grapes. Wines from this early-budding, late ripening grape arc from searingly bone dry to sweet nobility and from
There is distinct energy, even amongst established producers, that authentic Australia’s time has come. It seems redundant, albeit necessary, to state that Australia today is not Australia of the past. Respecting wine tradition and embracing modern
Cat's pee on a gooseberry bush. That was my first level introduction to sauvignon blanc. For a keen enthusiast, this was terrifying (you want me to drink what?) and relieving (finally, wine descriptors that make sense). Of course, sauvignon blanc is
quicksearch
Newer Posts