Honda Accord Coupe V6 Navi at Painted Rock Sleek lines in front and behind I have to confess, I had a tough time giving back my sleek Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V6 Navi, which I was lent for the other week’s Okanagan trip, prior to the BC Wine Awards judging. This is one [...]
The view from Watermark Resort: An ever changing panorama I’ll admit it: when I’m in full-on writing mode, I’m a bit of a home-body, which can be challenging on the road. All the more reason why I’m very happy to be ensconced in the Watermark Beach Resort, in Osoyoos, in southern BC. [...]
What’s in a blend? Why worry? One of the many interesting people I met at Beautiful South in London last week was winemaker Kevin Grant. He and his wife Hanli own Ataraxia in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, on a ridge overlooking the stunningly beautiful, cooler coastal region—whose name (which means "Heaven on Earth") kept popping up during [...]
Centennial BC Coat of Arms at Government House This elaborately carved coat of arms from 1958 details the history of European settlement and early industries—grape growing not among them. (More below ...) There's no time like the B.C. Day long weekend to celebrate the diversity of B.C. wines, no matter where in the [...]
La Source des Fées: in the heart of the Burgundian countryside La Souce des Fées is tucked away in picturesque Fuissé When I was in my early teens my parents arranged a summer exchange with my French pen-pal. I’d already crossed the Channel once (to sing at Chartres Cathedral), a trip that marked [...]
Planning a wine tour? Here's a few ground rules Not a bad way to start the day: at Quails Gate, overlooking Lake Okanagan A couple of weeks ago I found myself on the patio at Quails Gate’s impressive, vista-kissed tasting room, at around 10 in the morning. The first wine up was Quails [...]
La Roche de Vergisson, in southern Burgundy, presides over vineyards with names such as Les Crays (Chalks), Tim Pawsey photo Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy. One day into a whirlwind tour of Burgundy, my very obliging guide, Youri Lebault (Bourgogne Gold Tour), is anxious to make sure I understand the importance of “The Rocks”. (More about [...]
UPDATE: There are still a few tix to be had for this year’s Sun Peaks Winter Festival of Wine (January 12-20, 2013). Take a look at last year’s post and you’ll see it’s a lot of fun—particularly if you’re a skier or into any other winter sports. Sun Peaks is one of those ‘just right’ [...]
Buying wine by the case has its benefits, Tim Pawsey photo© Changes are happening at a rapid pace to the ways in which Canadians have traditionally been able to purchase and consume their wine. In Manitoba it's only a matter of days before the first Manitoba Liquor Mart will open in Pembina Safeway. [...]
Quails Gate Estate, on the site of the Allison homestead, overlooks Lake Okanagan (photo Brian Sprout) UPDATED: The Lake opens tonight—and is sold out. The good news is there are still tix for tomorrow night (November 15). And the better news is that all audience members have a chance to enter a draw [...]