I first came to Canada in 2013 for the i4C, the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Conference (here’s my blog post on it). My trip then was to make a lasting…
Niagara: Flat Rock
Nice to revisit Flat Rock, which has one of the prettiest cellar door views in Niagara. On this stunningly clear day we could see over Lake Ontario to Toronto. Owner…
In Niagara, Canada: Hidden Bench
Hidden Bench is one of Niagara’s leading boutique wineries. Owner Harald Thiel bought the Locust Lane vineyard, where the winery is located, in 2003 after selling a successful audiovisual business…
Deliciousness at Bar Raval, Toronto
Had a lovely lunch yesterday at Bar Raval, Toronto. This is a beautiful tapas bar on College St, with a design that’s channelling Gaudi. We ate very well, including tinned…
Judging the National Wine Awards of Canada 2018
I’m just on the way back from Penticton, BC, in the Okanagan Valley, where I’ve been part of the team judging the Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada. It’s…
In the Okanagan: the impressive 50th Parallel Estate Winery
When we arrived at 50 Parallel, owners Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel were waiting for us. They look like rock stars, and they have built an incredible winery in the…
Okanagan: Culmina Family Estate Winery
Donald Triggs has been an important figure in the Canadian wine industry. A businessman with international experience, he partnered with Alan Jackson to form Niagara-based winery Jackson-Triggs in the early…
Visiting Okanagan Crush Pad: Haywire and Narrative
This is becoming one of the most exciting wineries in all of Canada. I first visited Okanagan Crush Pad back in 2014, and since then things have come on in…
Tasting some top red wines from BC, Canada
Following on from the BC white and fizz tasting, here’s some top rosés and reds from BC, with a focus on the Okanagan Vally, as you might expect. There were…