Category: Uncategorized

Natural Pest Predators and Insectary Plants Climate change is bringing with it an associated change in pest pressures as they are moving into regions that were not previously suitable. Conventional farming often has high areas of monoculture, with no habitats for natural predators. When an infestation occurs, there is nothing to keep it in check…

Steven Elphick’s iconic photo of an Icewine vineyard Monday, February 23rd: Dinner: Blackened scallops with grilled peppers, with Trillium Cellars Chardonnay 2019. Tuesday, February 24th: Dinner: Beef and Short Rib Lasagna with Southbrook Cabernet Franc 2001 (mildly corked, unfortunately, but drinkable.) Wednesday, February 25th: Magdalena Kaiser dropped by to show me her author’s copy of…

In the hills of Piedmont, a small producer is redefining Moscato d’Asti with old-vine fruit, limestone terroir and an almost-lost aging tradition Fifteen years ago, moscato experienced a massive surge in popularity within the Canadian market. What was once nearly non-existent on local wine shelves quickly became one of the most popular white grape varieties…

How to make your vineyard more resilient to climate change We are entering an era where climate patterns no longer follow predictable cycles. Temperatures continue to rise, rainfall becomes erratic, and weather events grow more violent and frequent. Climate adaptation and climate change resilience are becoming urgent challenges for wine growers. The new normal is…

How to make your vineyard more resilient to climate change We are entering an era where climate patterns no longer follow predictable cycles. Temperatures continue to rise, rainfall becomes erratic, and weather events grow more violent and frequent. Climate adaptation and climate change resilience are becoming urgent challenges for wine growers. The new normal is…

Usually I like to dine twice at any restaurant before I write a review, but often this is not possible. This time it was my second time reviewing Ugly Duckling. The first time I had the honour of reviewing the exclusive L’Abattoir x | Ugly Duckling | Gastown Meets Chinatown last November. Two champions of…

The prestige apex of Cava grows with five new Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado Cavas • The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) endorses and certifies five new Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado Cavas. • The D.O. CAVA Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado category now totals 15 select products. The select club of Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado…

In addition to the weekly wine review and the various other, usually wine-related, articles I write for My Van City, I am going to include a new one that will appear from time to time.  I’m calling it, ‘From the Cellar’. It will be similar to the wine reviews, except that it will feature wines…

Earlier this week I conducted a wine tasting of four lovely wines from Blue Grouse. This was a private wine tasting with friends. All totalled there were about twenty wine loving friends gathered in our condo building’s lounge. It was the ideal spot to sit, enjoy the wines and socialize. Our lounge was just big…

Tonight’s white wine review is a lovely, dry Pinot Gris from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough that was featured as part of the thematic on wines from the Southern Hemisphere in last weekend’s February 21 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It is produced by Eradus Wines, a small, family-owned winery that was established by Har…