To say that I am jealous of my wine friend Alena is an understatement. She studies, works and lives in the greatest wine region in Italy, maybe the world! Where is that you ask? Tuscany? One might think so, but no. She calls Mussotto home and is busy with research for her PhD thesis in the vineyards of La Morra, 10 kilometers south east of Alba in the hills of Bricco Rocca. This story introduces Alba, the International White Truffle Festival of Alba, a couple of fine restaurants and E. Molino wines made by one of Italy’s top enologists, Sergio Molino. If you are planning to visit Italy, make sure you have Alba on your list of stops. You’ll need a week and still not be ready to leave. 

In British Columbia, Riesling calls Lillooet in the north to Similkameen Valley in the south, home. ​​

"To reach the end - or the final result of something" is only part of the meaning behind "culmina". In fact, aiming for the highest achievement is the other layer to this story. While the Culmina Family Estate Winery marked the final hands on wine chapter for the Triggs family, it marked some firsts for BC. The Culmina legacy continues today under the Arterra Wines Canada umbrella. If you want to know more about the interesting naming conventions, BC's first sub-appellation and the family behind it, keep reading. Why not pick up a bottle for some added pleasure to your afternoon?

Without a doubt, visiting the vineyards of Valtellina was one of the highlights of 2022! This small, under the radar, quality wine region, located in the alps of northern Lombardy, produces stunning Nebbiolo wines from steep terraced vineyards left by the Romans more than 1500 years ago. The breathtaking views, the pristine mountain air and the fantastic wine and food will inspire you to put a pin in your travel map on the village of Sondrio. If you want to know more, keep reading. If you missed part one, here is the link.  

​"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." -- Kurt Vonnegut

Do you have a creative outlet? Do you dream of bringing your inner desires into reality? When I was young, my mom encouraged me to write. Whether a travel journal from a trip to Disneyland or personal diary of daily observations, there was a culture in my family about writing things down. ​

If you love wine and you haven't participated in a blind tasting yet - now is the time! The reason it matters is because ultimately in your wine journey, your goal is to be able to determine whether the wine in the glass is good wine, representative of a place and a variety that is a classic expression. Being a wine nerd includes having the ability to assess wine, a skill that makes all the other wine marketing noise silent. Tasting wines blind removes bias. It's a great way to develop your sensory skills. Plus there's a bonus - its creates new pathways in the brain (science says so). IMHO building reflexive brain function is one way to stay young and active. 

​On June 25, 2022, the first annual Noir Fest was hosted at Averill Creek Winery in the heart of Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. With the easing of Covid 19 restrictions, wine events are back. Two years is a long suffering period – from missed tastings to missed social interaction so it’s no wonder the energy and excitement behind Noir Fest 2022 hosted at Averill Creek winery in Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island the last weekend in June. Not only was the event well attended by Pinot Noir producers – internationally, locally and regionally –but consumers found their way to this off the beaten path location in an up and coming wine destination.

June 30th is behind us. They say the Supermoon will arrive soon and I'm still searching for wine. That's why British Columbia is such a gift - wine country is not just in the Okanagan Valley - it's on the island, in the Kootenays, the Fraser Valley and along the Thompson to Kamloops and Lillooet. This is my summer of wine and while it is cooler than last year, I'm happy that fire season is below the radar and air quality is good. Covid is still in our midst so please be vigilant. 

May was a wine month. TopDrop was a highlight although the follow up by Wines of Portugal presenting "vinho verde" was exceptional because it was a sit down tasting, accompanied by a three course meal (loved) and Treve Ring was bright and precise which made for a quick trip through northern Portugal. It did bring back memories of my trip to Lisbon in June of 2018.