Portugal’s Wine Identity Through Heritage & History
Admittedly, I know a lot more about the wine industry in Portugal than I do about the country itself. I shared a few tidbits earlier this year following a Wines of Portugal showcase in Vancouver. A quick Google search told me that its coastline sees some of the biggest waves in the world – up to 100 feet! I also learned that Portugal is one of Europe’s oldest countries with 700 years of (nearly) unchanged borders. And aside from Port, its most famous export is Christian Ronaldo. Not surprisingly, these things (except the soccer superstar) play a big role in…
Summerhill Pyramid Winery: New Chapter & New Vision
My connection to Summerhill Pyramid Winery dates back to the late ’80s. Since I was 5, my family spent our summers camping at West Bay Beach Resort on the Westside of Kelowna. I’d lay on a lounge chair for hours…
Telmo Rodriguez’s Spanish Wine Landscape
In 1994, gastronomy in Spain consisted of paella and sangria; One food and one drink known the world over as ‘Spanish’. In that same year, Telmo Rodriguez began traveling across the country in search of workable vineyards to create a…
O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars is Moving Mountains
It seems that authenticity and boutique-style experiences are trending. Wineries are giving visitors unique and personalized tours or the taste of one-off samples of experimental wines in order to be memorable. However, these experiences translate to visitors in vastly different…
Trialto Showcase: Yealands, Grgich & L’Ecole No. 41
I’ve never been speed dating but if I had, I’d imagine it to be fairly similar to a recent experience at a portfolio showcase for Trialto. I was invited to interview 3 of Trialto’s wine producers at one of my…
Upscale Casual Restaurants and Wine Picks for Fall
Fall is a busy time of year. Between prepping for Halloween and catching up on TV’s season premieres – meal prep and planned dinners tend to go by the wayside. It’s hard to always be on our A-game, but meals…
What It Means To Be A Single Vineyard Wine
I admittedly look for words like ‘reserve’ or ‘estate’ on the label when buying a bottle of wine. However when looking for a quality bottle, another label moniker to seek is ‘single vineyard.’ When I first started researching single vineyard…
I’m not a wine snob, but sometimes I think like one
The wine world can get information-heavy pretty quick. The encyclopaedias are thick; the barrels are deep and the snobbery can get ridiculous. However, being a wine snob is a thing of the past. Thankfully, those hoity-toity tides are turning with…
36 Things About Me On My Birthday
This weekend I turned 36 years old. These 36 things about me will help you get to know me and my wine-loving self a little better! If you asked me at any point in my life if I’m doing what…
Gamay is finding a home in BC #gogamaygo
I always try to personalize wine; it helps give a sense of understanding. For instance, let’s say Pinot Noir is your solid BFF. It’s distinct, reliable in a pinch and there’s never a doubt you’ll create many memories together. But…
Robert Mondavi Winery at Van Wine Fest
A few months back I sat in on seminar during the Vancouver International Wine Festival. It wasn’t just any seminar, it was a dive into Robert Mondavi, his path to wine, a peek at his family life and of course…
