Yes we can

Alternative packaging is always interesting. The large bag-in-box format (aka Cardbourdeaux) has been a round for a while and Tetra-Pak has been slowly gaining ground for the environmentally aware wineries. Stainless steel is the high-brow alternative to glass but probably isn't that much better in the long run, though I have no science to prove …

Apples to apples, must to must…

The Okanagan Valley (and yes, the Similkameen too...) are what most people think about when they think about B.C. wine (or #BCwine, if you prefer). Most of the grape production happens in these regions and it far and away the dominant presence in the province's wine industry. What does that do to the other regions …

Ontario quarantines its wine industry for another year

Oh Ontario. More news to file until the "Not really that surprising" category. Ontario's Ford government has extended the restriction on receiving interprovincial shipments of wine through their regulations. Wine lawyer Mark Hicken posted today that the Ontario government has amended the law to restrict wine shipments from outside of the province for another year …

How many Gold Medals are there?

On my first wine tour in the Okanagan, the very first winery offered us a tasting of their gold medal-winning Gewurztraminer. We loved it and bought a bottle. Then, at the next winery, we were offered a tasting of their gold medal-winning Gewurztraminer. It was good too and we bought that as well. Driving away, …

No More Feeding at the Trough – Tasting Rooms During COVID-19

Wine shops should be teaming with people by now. Tourists should be coming to the Okanagan in droves and enjoying wines on patios and tasting bars. Wineries should be selling their newest vintages as they have every year. None of that is happening right now. At least not with the same volume as previous years. …

Wine Reviews: To Care or Not To Care

Let me be right up front about this from the beginning. I've never liked wine reviews. When I was learning about wine, I found them a bit silly, never really useful for deciding for myself about which wines to seek out, and when I did find one and its review, was never able to really …

Why now is the best time to join a wine club

Why join a wine club? Isn't that only for the really rich people who have huge cellars and purchase wines by the case to stock for their massive house parties? I don't own a Cavavin or Eurocave, and live in a small place, so why would I ever need to puchase that much wine at …

The Okanagan Wine Tour Guide, 6th Edition is now out

There are times in one's life when  things go sideways. Oftentimes, other good things come from it. In my case, this is one of them. John Schreiner asked me in the spring of 2017 to contribute to the next edition of the Okanagan Wine Tour Guide. For me personally, the spring of 2017 could be …

How things have changed

As we all know, things have changed a lot in the past month. The changes that have affected the world are shaking the foundations of our cultures and civilization to such a degree that things that we once felt were extremely important are now less important than they used to be. The biggest change is …

Laughing Stock is cashed in

The big news in wine country today is about a small winery. Laughing Stock, on the  Naramata Bench northeast of Penticton, has been acquired by Arterra Wines Canada (formerly Constellation, formerly Vincor, formerly Cartier Wines and Beverages .... formerly Grower's Wine Company) which is now administered by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.  Of course John Schreiner …