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Canadian Wine Trends 2024: BC and Ontario Wines

Canadian Wine Trends 2024: BC and Ontario Wines @winesofbc #bcwine #ONwine @winescanada #googletrends

In 2022, I reviewed the 2021 wine trends across Canada, by province for different grape varieties and by regions around the world.  To do this, I used Google Trends. Google Trends.  Wikipedia describes Google Trends as “…a website by Google that analyzes the popularity of top search queries in Google Search across various regions and languages. The website uses graphs to compare the search volume…

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VanWineFest 2025: A Feast for Your Palate Winery Dinners

@VanWineFest 2025: A Feast for Your Palate Winery #Dinners #VIWF @cincinristorante @bluewatercafe @acquafarinavan @lapiazzadarioristorante @alouetteyvr

Here is an announcement about the VanWineFest 2025 winery dinners that go on sale, Jan 8, 2025. The Announcement Looking for an exceptional dining experience this February? VIWF winery dinners go on sale Wednesday, January 8, at 9:30 a.m. Many dinners sell out quickly, so don’t delay – get your tickets! This year, the festival features 14 spectacular dinners, including the…

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Taste ASV Wines from California at VanWineFest 2025

Taste ASV Wines from California at @VanWineFest 2025 @california.wines @chartonhobbsbc #Chardonnay #Cabernet

ASV Wines is a new California winery to me, but it has been around for several years.  Let’s welcome ASV Wines and taste their wines at VanWineFest 2025.  ASV Wines is certified or affiliated with the California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery Association (CSWA), California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), International Featured Standard (IFS), California Association of Wine Grape Growers (CAWG)…

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Selecting Wines for the Chinese New Year of the Snake 2025

Selecting Wines for the Chinese New Year of the Snake 2025 #CNY2025 #bcwine #ORwine #IDwine @haywirewine @wineaustralia

Chinese New Year of the Snake (Image courtesy https://pikbest.com) January 29th, 2025 is the Chinese (Lunar) New Year of the Earth Snake. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. Snakes represent the symbol of wisdom. They are intelligent and wise. They are good at communication but say little. Snakes are usually regarded as great…

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The First Red Wines Reviewed for 2025: Blasted Church

The First Red Wines Reviewed for 2025: Blasted Church @winesofbc #bcwine #bcvqa #okanagan #winewriter

Blasted Church Renaissance Series Cabernet Franc 2021 and Small Blessings Mourvedre Syrah Grenache 2021 wine labels What surprises does 2025 hold for wine lovers?  Could it be a new varietal or region that you have not yet tried?  Or maybe a new winery in your area?  Today, I am tasting two red wines from Blasted Church Vineyards that were sent to me.  They are not new to me, but maybe the grape…

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Enjoy the Range of 689 Cellars Wines at VanWineFest 2025

Enjoy the Range of @689Cellars Wines at @VanWineFest 2025 @appellationwine @california.wines.canada #NapaValley #CabernetSauvignon #Chardonnay #VIWF

California’s 689 Cellars offers a variety of wines for different classes of wine drinkers, from casual to serious. Here is some background information from the winery and the wines they will be pouring at VanWineFest 2025. About 689 Cellars Curtis McBride from 689 Cellars Curtis McBride is the owner and founder of 689 Cellars and Premier Wine Group. Curtis founded Premier Wine Group over 20 years…

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No Fooling, Township 7 Riesling 2021 and seven stars Rigel Sparkling Wine 2022

No Fooling, BC's @Township7 #Riesling 2021 and seven stars Rigel Sparkling Wine 2022 @winesofbc #bcwine #bcvqa

Pyrite aka Fool’s Gold (By Ivar Leidus – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, httpscommons.wikimedia.orgwindex.phpcurid=99444453) What is fool’s gold?  It is the nickname for a mineral called pyrite that looks like gold, but is harder and does not have much value.  I wondered about the naming of the Fool’s Gold Vineyard in the north Oliver area of the Okanagan as there is no fool’s gold.  The soil is sandy…

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Celebrate Chinese New Year of the Snake with Haywire Winery Lunar Red Wine

Lunar Red Wine from @haywirewine for Chinese New Year of the Snake @winesofbc @chinatownfoundation #bcwine #bcvqa #CNY2025 #vegan

Chinese New Year of the Snake Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a vibrant celebration marking the start of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. In 2025, it ushers in the Year of the Earth Snake, a sign in the Chinese zodiac symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and transformation. According to legend, the Snake, though often underestimated, is clever and resourceful,…

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MyWinePal’s Top 4.5 – 5 Star Wines for 2024

MyWinePal’s Top 4.5 – 5 Star Wines for 2024 @winesofbc #bcwine @nzwine @california.wines.canada @drinkalsace @valpolicellawines @winesoftuscany @spearheadwinery @bluemtnwinery @hestercreek1968

While I was Grinch-like in awarding 5 stars to only three wines I tasted in 2024, I was more Oprah-like with the 4.5-5 -star wines.  Plus, there are many quality wines, so it should not be a surprise.  This year there were 13 BC wines, 18 Italian wines, 4 French wines, 2 Californian wines, and 4 wines from New Zealand on my list. 41 wines out of 493 wines this year which works out to 8.5% of the…

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Last Minute Wine Suggestions for Your Christmas or Holiday Meal

Last Minute Wine Suggestions for Your #Christmas or Holiday Meal. @winesofbc #bcwine @hestercreek1968 @blastedchurch @HaywireWine @pewseyvalevineyard @lacremawines @louislatour1797 @solverowines

The holidays are a time when many of us get together with family or friends to enjoy a meal together; hopefully with a glass of wine.  Here are a few last-minute suggestions of wines you can pair with traditional dishes for the holidays.  Enjoy. Wine Pairings for Roast Turkey Hester Creek Estate Winery Chardonnay 2023 – Chardonnay: A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the rich flavours of roast…

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MyWinePal’s Top 5 Star Wines for 2024

MyWinePal’s 5 Star Wines for 2024 @winesofbc @dasilvawines @sequoiagrove @inama_wine #cabernetSauvignon #Chardonnay #Garganega

In 2024, I wrote 190 articles, with most of the articles reviewing at least one bottle of wine.  From a quick calculation, I wrote about 493 wines on mywinepal this year.  Wines submitted to me through the year ranged from [3.5] to [5] wines, but I usually only post wines that were at least [4].   5-star wines are the wines that I cannot find anything lacking or anything that I would add to…

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Cocktail Time With Sherry

#Cocktail Time With #Sherry. #finosherry #PedroXiménez #spanishwine @Bodegas_Alvear @PWS_Canada

Bodegas Alvear sherries Sherry is a very misunderstood wine style. It comes in a wide range of styles, from dry and citrusy to medium-bodied with some sweetness and nuttiness to deeply coloured, luscious, very sweet with a thick feeling on the palate.  These wines each have a place in a meal or sipping on their own. But, what you may not know, is that you can make cocktails using sherry.  I…

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Garnet Valley Ranch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir 2022: Quality from Okanagan Crush Pad

Garnet Valley Ranch #Chardonnay and #PinotNoir 2022: Quality from @OkCrushPad. @bcwine #bcwine #bcvqa #winelover #sommelier #organic #veganfriendly

These are the first wines that I’ve tasted from BC’s Garnet Valley Ranch, made by Okanagan Crush Pad, and I am greatly impressed with the quality. Garnet Valley Ranch is a certified organic site, home to vineyards, field crops, a lavender farm, a bustling beehive and a small winery and The Outlook visitor center.  The area is planted primarily with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes; I am tasting…

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A Burger Pairing with Mayhem Wines Cabernet Merlot 2022 on a Hot Summer Day

A Burger Pairing with @MayhemWines #Cabernet #Merlot 2022 on a Hot #Summer Day. @buybc @bcwine #bcwine #winelover #sommelier #okanagan

It’s hot! Darn out outside.  No time to spend cooking inside.  Time for the BBQ.  I was thinking of grilling some prime rib beef burgers I recently purchased and enjoyed them with BC’s Mayhem Wines Cabernet Merlot 2022.  Let me tell you about the wine and then the pairing. My Wine Tasting Notes Mayhem Wines Cabernet Merlot 2022 (BC $24.44) This wine is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc…

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Enjoy Gerard Bertrand Le Chouchou 2023 This Summer

Enjoy Gerard Bertrand Le Chouchou 2023 This Summer. #organic #Grenache #Syrah #Cinsault #summertime #winelover #winewriter @GerardBertrandO @PWS_Canada

Gérard Bertrand‘s Le Chouchou 2023 is the winery’s answer to new consumer trends, producing a light, fresh red wine.  It has low alcohol content and can be enjoyed at a cooler temperature.  It sits somewhere between a rosé and a fuller-bodied red wine, IMHO.  This wine is a blend of organic Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes coming from Cevennes, Limoux, in south-central France. I received this…

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Pairing Wine With Seafood? Take This Delicious Quiz.

Pairing #Wine With #Seafood? Take This Delicious #Quiz. #sommelier #chef #winelover

Rosé and white wine paired with seafood in coconut cream on wild rice Pairing wine with seafood is an art that enhances the dining experience by harmonizing flavours and textures. When done well, the right wine can accentuate the delicate sweetness of seafood or balance its richness, creating a symphony of tastes on the palate. The acidity of the wine can refresh the palate between bites, while…

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Enjoying Mayhem Wines Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Enjoying Mayhem Wines #PinotGris and #SauvignonBlanc 2023. @bcwine #bcwine #bcvqa #okanagan #winelover #sommelier

With the Canada Day long weekend, it was fitting to enjoy some BC wine.  I have two bottles of white wine from Mayhem Wines to tell you about; the Mayhem Wines Pinot Gris 2023 and Sauvignon Blanc 2023.    2023 was a challenging year in the Okanagan due to the cold winter snap that adversely affected the grape vines and reduced the amount of wine produced in the interior of BC.  From the winery,…