Category: Uncategorized


  • One last grand wine tasting as a new chapter begins at Featherstone winery

    By Rick VanSickle After 25 years of success, the Featherstone Estate Winery on Niagara’s Twenty Mile Bench is beginning “a new chapter.” Louis Engel (below) and her winemaker husband David Johnson have gone from owners to employees after selling the popular estate to Toronto’s Rayla and George Myhal last February. While both Engel and Johnson…

  • Celebrating International Rosé Day at River Stone Estate Winery

    There is a certain magic in the southern Okanagan. The post Celebrating International Rosé Day at River Stone Estate Winery first appeared on My VanCity. Read Celebrating International Rosé Day at River Stone Estate Winery at MyVanCity

  • Meyer Family Vineyards Rosé 2023

    Reading Time: 2 minutes Meyer Family Vineyards is known for its award-winning Burgundy-style wines. Here is a quick review of the 2023 harvest and Rosé. The 2023 Harvest Photo Credit Meyer Family Vineyards – Pinot Noir ready to harvest “Initially, it was doom and gloom and for many parts of the Okanagan that was the…

  • Deep Woods Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 (Margaret River) – Wine Review

    After enjoying the lovely 2023 Deep Woods Margaret River Chardonnay last month, tonight’s red wine review is a lovely follow-up from the same producer. This red wine is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO as part of the recent July 6th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. Like the Chardonnay, it is produced by Deep Woods…

  • Wineries in Ontario making hybrid grapes cool again

    By Rick VanSickle When the Vintners Quality Alliance of Ontario was first envisioned in 1988 (and later proclaimed into law on June 29, 2000), it rendered hybrid grapes Public Enemy No. 1. In that pivotal year, it was more lucrative for growers to accept the government’s offer for an extensive grapevine pull-out (hybrid grapes) and…

  • Mayhem produces more Anarchy

    Photo: Mayhem winemaker Ajay Chavan (courtesy of the winery Mayhem Wines portfolio of reserve wines, which are labelled Anarchy, has now expanded to four with the release of the inaugural Anarchy Pinot Gris from the 2023 vintage. The name, Anarchy, seems to have been inspired by the Anarchist Mountain Vineyard, the home of Terry Meyer…

  • The LCBO ordered to do better on VQA market share at their stores

    By Rick VanSickle In a rather startling letter to the LCBO, the provincial government has clearly expressed that it wants the Ontario booze monopoly to fix the historically low market share for VQA wines on their shelves. Ontario finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, below, sent a detailed letter to Carmine Nigro, chair of the LCBO, listing…

  • Wednesday Wine Reviews with @Sam_WineTeacher

    2021 Pinot Gris (Switchback Vineyard) Haywire Winery Summerland, BC $29.99 100% organically grown Pinot Gris, whole cluster pressed and naturally fermented before aging in concrete tanks all of which helps to ensure that the terroir shines through.  You’re not going to mistake this distinctive wine for another Pinot Gris.  Very food friendly.  Straw coloured with…

  • The Oxley bridges fine dining and pub comfort in Toronto’s Yorkville

    The Oxley Public House is a must-visit place where fine dining and casual comfort coexist in harmony While Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood is merely a small slice of what the city has to offer, it’s flaunted as being one of the most desirable postal codes to live in – known for its Victorian-era homes, cobblestone…

  • Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Moscofilero Rosé 2023 (Greece) – Wine Review

    Tonight’s rosé wine review is a lovely dry rosé from Greece that arrived at the LCBO as part of last weekend’s July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. Like the lovely 2022 Skouras Moscofilero I enjoyed a few months ago, this rosé is also produced by the well-known and highly-regarded Domaine Skouras. The winery was…