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Long overshadowed, this foundational white grape is stepping into the spotlight—refined, expressive, and distinctively Catalan Macabeo is a versatile Spanish white grape primarily grown in regions like Catalunya and Rioja, where it is used in both still and sparkling wines, including Cava. If you are looking at a map of Spain, in the uppermost northeast…

Here are my top wine picks from the August 2, 2025 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection (click here for digital edition), which features Canadian Wines from Coast to Coast as the theme of the release, while the mini-feature has a trio of wines from an Australian producer, and in Local Talent there’s a look at…

Reading Time: 2 minutes August 31st Enjoy Award-Winning Wines with A Taste of Argentina in Kaleden, BCThe Okanagan’s Favourite Food Truck Brings End-of-Summer BBQ to Lakeboat Winery Photo Credit: Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery OKANAGAN VALLEY, BC – Tickets are available NOW for the Okanagan’s most delicious summer wrap-party: A Taste of Argentina at Lakeboat Vineyard & Winery on Sunday, August 31st. Authentic Argentinian…

Reading Time: 3 minutes British Columbia’s white wines continue to shine with precision, texture, and regional character. The 2022 and 2023 vintages, shaped by cooler harvests and evolving winemaking, are delivering brilliant acidity, restraint, and depth. Below is a curated list of top-tier BC white wines—from iconic Chardonnays to unexpected gems like Grüner Veltliner. Each…

Reading Time: 3 minutes In August 2023, we published a forecast of three major trends expected to shape the BC wine industry. Two years later, how did those predictions play out? With two brutal winters behind us, and new initiatives like Crafted in BC emerging, it’s time to reassess where the industry stands. Climate Resilience:…

Reading Time: 4 minutes Hester Creek Estate Winery has released two more wines from the new Columbia Valley Collection (CVC): Riesling and Rosé Noir. Before going to the wine information and tasting notes, here is the background on the 2024 harvest and the “crafted in BC” program. 2024 Harvest Columbia Valley AVA “The 2024 vintage from…

Sunday, July 20th: I participated in a Q & A with members of the Marynissen Book Club called Wines & Spines. The event was held at the winery, outdoors under a tent. Julie Enns, the winery’s brand manager, who runs the club, sent me the following questions to answer about my series of wine murder…

By Rick VanSickle As challenging a vintage as 2024 was in British Columbia, trying to navigate the current landscape of where your wine is coming from can be nearly as daunting. Consumers are tasked with deciphering what white wines from the 2024 vintage are sourced from south of the border, while the 2022 red wines,…

Reading Time: 8 minutes Introduction One of the first wines I drank in my early twenties was Sauvignon Blanc.  The Mateus Rosé we started our wine adventure with was becoming too sweet for the palate. We needed a value dry wine to pair with Aussie Garlic Prawns.  Out jumped an inexpensive bottle of Entre-Deux-Mers! The name…

Growing high quality white winegrapes The conversations I have about quality tend to focus on red wine. This is especially true in California, where Napa Cabs have historically garnered high prices, followed up by Coastal Pinot noirs and red Rhones. Honestly, in most places I’ve been where the climate allows for ripening red grapes, the…