Orange is the new Rosé. But it’s not rosé. And it’s not from oranges. Nor, is it from the Australian wine region Orange (though it could be, and if it was a skin fermented white from Orange in New South Wales, would it be OZ
In mid-July I joined hundreds of fellow wine folk in Niagara to celebrate the original cool grape: chardonnay. The seventh annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4c) saw 59 wineries from nine countries pour 159 chardonnays over
Don’t mistake pink wine for being frivolous. While there is a sea of unserious, silly, and even scary rosé in the wine world, Provence has consistently peaked, with top Provençal Rosés admired for their drinkability and structure
Portugal gets the heat. This beautiful, friendly and genuine country, wedged between continental Spain and the vast Atlantic ocean can easily reach 45+ Celsius, so indigenous grapes (there are more authchthonous grapes per hectare in Portugal than anywhere
Earlier this week we wrapped the seventeeth National Wine Awards of Canada in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Alongside 21 of Canada’s top wine judges (my wine family) we tasted some 1700 wines over five days, rolling through 2400 Zwilling Prédicat
Last month I guided 30 of Vancouver’s wine trade through a tour and tasting of South Africa. Over the course of two hours, and 18 wines, we chatted about what’s driving South Africa’s wine revolution, and why I find the country to be
Prosecco scoffer, yeah? Too sweet, too simple, too commercial? You’re just drinking from the wrong bottles, friend. Prosecco may be the most successful sparkling wine tale in the world, and it’s no secret why. Basic prosecco is cheap, cheerful,
Never pass up an opportunity to taste. That's my rule. After my recent flight to London was delayed due to an aircraft change, my exit row seat was swapped out for middle, back of plane - not ideal for an overnight 9.5 hour flight. The new, smaller plane
What is chardonnay? It really depends on who you ask, and where it's from. Adaptable and hearty chardonnay flourishes easily in most climates and conditions, making it one of the most widely-planted grape varieties on the globe, and planted in more wine
Few grapes incite as much emotion, or admiration, world wide as pinot noir. Last week a small group of Vancouver sommeliers to taste through a dozen Mornington Peninsula pinot noirs. The wines aren't available in the Canadian market (yet) but were selected
Last fall I spent a week in Portugal’s Douro Valley with The Douro Boys during harvest. Though they don’t quite qualify as ‘boys’, the five men (and their wives, daughters, and sons) behind the innovative collective all possess
Next week the wine world will gather in Wellington, New Zealand to focus on Pinot Noir NZ 2017. Pinot Noir NZ 2017, held every four years, is a must-do event for pinot-philes, uniting 115 wineries and more than 600 wines to showcase to some 600 industry
We all know them. Maybe we’ve even been one ourselves. That person, come January, who swears off alcohol in a New Year, new start, liver cleansing, clean living, Dryuary. Yes – post-holiday restraint and moderation is a smart and healthy move.
We're continuing into 2017 with a final look back at 2016 and our top scoring BC wines tasted last year. Our Top 10 has expanded into a Top 18, with wines scoring 93 and 92 points. Even so, there are only a dozen wineries represented here. No surprise
There is something special about being in a wine region at harvest. In mid-September, I visited the Douro Valley in Portugal during harvest with Dr. Jamie Goode, The Wine Anorak, and spent a lot of time chatting with port producers. The vibe