Tag Archives: travel

Some Top BC Wineries to Visit: Tasting in the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys

We have some lovely friends who have moved recently to the West Coast.  They’re trying to get to know British Columbia – so we decided to take them to some of the best spots. That’s how we spent a week … Continue reading

Posted in BC, British Columbia, Cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Chardonnay, Gamay, Marechal Foch, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, red wine, ROSE, Rousanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Washington State, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bratislava’s National Wine Salon Experience

In April 2026, we visited Bratislava, Slovakia – smack dab in the centre of Europe, a brief riverboat trip down the Danube from Vienna, and located directly on what used to be a heavily militarized segment of the Iron Curtain … Continue reading

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Dunaj, OTHER, RED, red wine, Rudava, Slovakia, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Tracking Your Wine Journey Matters – Viura, Viña Gravonia, White Crianza, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2004, 12.5% abv.

This is EXACTLY why I keep track of the wines I enjoy. I opened a bottle of this wine 11 years ago in 2015 – and then again in February 2026.  Now I can compare the two – and congratulate … Continue reading

Posted in Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Pinot Noir, Clone Collection Dijon 777, CODE Wines, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley VQA, British Columbia, Canada, 13% abv., 2022

I had wanted to visit CODE Wines for some time. They’re relatively new to the Okanagan, BC wine scene, but they landed in it with accolades and awards, and I’d heard nothing but wonderful reports of them and the quality … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Chardonnay, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, red wine, Shiraz / Syrah, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Discover Farm-to-Table Dining in Bratislava’s Old Town at Pod Kamennym Stromom

In Bratislava’s old town, a farm-to-table restaurant offers authentic Slovakian cuisine in a 13th-century cellar. Marek, the welcoming host, serves daily-changing dishes like zander and exceptional pirogis, complemented by excellent local wines. Guests enjoy genuine hospitality and culinary tales amidst an ambiance free of tourist traps, promising an unforgettable experience. Continue reading

Posted in Devin, Dunaj, RED, Slovakia, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some Spanish Wines to Start the Year

Everyone has one of those moments – either they enjoy a special bottle, travel to a specific wine region, or they have a wine experience that helps them decide that this wine thing is their new passion.  Mine was a … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, FORTIFIED WINE, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, Palomino, Pedro Ximenez / Pedro Gimenez, RED, red wine, Sherry, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Discover New Grapes: A Global Wine Adventure

Recently I had the opportunity to introduce 20 lovely people to 9 different grapes from 5 different countries, in 3 different sparkling wines, and 2 still ones. I am not a fan of boring wines, nor of showing people what … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, British Columbia, Cava, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Lambrusco, Lebanon, Macabeu, Macabeu/Viura, OTHER, Parellada, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain, Sparkling Wine, WHITE, Xarel-lo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, Saint Émilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 12.5% abv., 1998, US$37 (opened October 30, 2025)

I panicked a little while searching for something to take to a friend’s for dinner. I found this 1998 sitting at the bottom of the wine cabinet. I had honestly forgotten it was there. Initially, I was concerned I’d missed … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot, OTHER, RED | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pinot Gris + Riesling, Alluvium, Fort Berens Estate Winery, Lillooet, BC VQA, 12.5% abv., 2023, C$20

I’m always on the lookout for a wine I can enjoy by myself or with company that I don’t have to think too hard about.  But, it has to have been made ethically and sustainably, and it’s a bonus if … Continue reading

Posted in BC, British Columbia, OTHER, Pinot Gris, Riesling, WHITE, Winery Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Watching the 2025 Harvest at Le Romanée-Conti – Chardonnay, Gerard Boyer, ‘Aux Gravains’, Savigny-les-Beaune, Premier Cru, Bourgogne, France, 2023, 13% abv., 35 Euros (C$58)

Doubters of global warming will continue to rail against obvious signs, but while I was in Burgundy for Harvest 2025, it was hard to ignore the facts about the effects. This year was extremely hot, and there were vineyards being … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, France, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments