Just tried these impressive sparkling wines from Blue Mountain (who I visited a couple of years ago) in Canada’s Okanagan Valley. They are really good, and compared with their peers…
Debate: what should British Columbia’s identity be as a wine region?
One of the sessions at the Cornucopia Wine Summit was a good old fashioned debate about the future of BC (British Columbia, Canada) wine. What should BC’s identity be as…
In Whistler, Canada
There’s something special about mountains. I’m in Whistler, Canada, for the Cornucopia food and wine festival, and it’s great to be here. Whistler is North America’s largest ski resort. It’s…
Gamay focus 23, Joie Farm Gamay 2014 Okanagan Valley, Canada
Canada has a bit of a talent for Gamay. Ontario’s Niagara region is making some smart ones, and under completely different conditions, BC’s Okanagan is also doing some good work…
Canada versus New Zealand: two top Pinot Noirs from 2011 compared, and a lesson learned
Three nights ago I opened this pair of Pinots, both from the 2011 vintage. They’re wines that I’d cellared. The first is the Te Muna Road Pinot from Craggy Range,…
Vintage at Norman Hardie (4)
I’m back from Canada, and already in South Africa. But I’m thinking back to those few days I spent at Norman Hardie, and all that I saw, absorbed and learned….
Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2013
So, I’m back today in the UK from spending time at harvest with Norman Hardie in Canada’s Prince Edward County. My sister and brother-in-law ask me where I’ve been. Do…
Vintage at Norman Hardie (3)
Over the course of four days of vintage, I was exposed to a number of the stages of making wine. I spent the second evening at the sorting table. Pinot…
Vintage at Norm Hardie’s (2): making Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a big focus at Norman Hardie. In yesterdays’ post from vintage here, I described the way the grapes are received at the winery in plastic bins. If the…