"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.
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When it comes to tasting wine - blind tastings rule!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.
When & Where was Noir Fest?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. In Search of WineMay 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.
Wine, Wine and more Wine!Welcome to a journal of my favorite wines from TopDrop. Spring in Vancouver presented many opportunities to taste wine. Thanks to everyone involved. Great event. As of June 1 I am officially in Wine Country BC for the summer! What a great opportunity to visit local wineries and put together winery offers. Stay tuned. More to come. Hope you enjoy this post! Please leave your comments below. The first sip and I was hooked. You can taste the careful hand work, healthy soil and delicious grapes. Top of the heap and had not tasted for a while, this wine lives up to its reputation. Put Prichard Hill Napa Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon on your steak night list. You'll spend some more here but its worth it.
Wine dreams from the wild one! If you love wine then read on. Tastings from Vancouver Island and Portugal are below. It's a lot of info. Any questions - message me. Don't forget to leave a comment or share with your network. Life is short. Drink good wine. MUAH!
Good Wine Gal - The Learning Never Stops!Follow Your PassionSince I fell in love with wine, that decadent, hedonistic elixir that lift spirits and accentuates a meal, I have been asking the question - how can I serve? Service has something to do with my strict Catholic upbringing which has faded with time, but it also has to do with my love of community. Considering that wine is my a mistress to my first love - food - it seems right that I find ways to inspire others to the delight that I have found from my wine life. That's why I chose to teach and share my passion. Take CoursesLike many of you, I chose to study to help make sense of the confusing and overwhelming experience of wine not only in the liquor store but also in the restaurant - staring at a multilingual list of bottles and names I knew nothing about. After two years of collecting pictures and considering experiences, I enrolled in the WSET program in Vancouver. Here I experience my first ah ha moment - wine is a giant story with deep history filled with legendary characters from which a kaleidoscope of color, flavours and delight could be found. Not only this but also meeting others who were as inspired with whom I could discuss and even study. In 2012 I completed WSET level 3 - challenging for sure, and then found myself enrolled in 2015 in Diploma. After 18 months of sweat, writers cramp, flash cards, study groups and palate amelioration I passed. I swore that was it - never again. Taste WineNo, there are no shortcuts! Wine is about sensory analysis. It's good if you already enjoy food with the nose and palate for a wide variety of aromas, flavours, textures and of course appearance. Wine must be tasted. For those who are serious about a wine life - taste, taste, taste. If you haven't taken a sensory course, consider it. It will light up your cerebral cortex and inspire more exploration. You may even decide to buy "Le Nez du Vin". Joining a wine club or a tasting group is also a great way to keep your palate engaged and developing. Listen to Wine StoriesThere is so much wine information. One only has to look to the Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson to realize it. The challenge part of it all - remembering. Recalling information is paramount to mastering wine. One of the best ways to remember details is to recall a story - whether to repeat or just to contextualize. History after all is based on facts - like Phylloxera - can't be denied. Stories can come from friends who share their wine experiences and of course listening to a wine podcast winemaker video or hanging out on a zoom call a great way to keep learning. You might find out that wine production for a particular vintage makes the wine in your glass even more precious. Information is a moving target and in wine - every year we have news. Read About WineThere are many wine writers, classic wine books that every wine lover should have and wine publications both on and off line that are there for the taking. Just because you have completed your Diploma in wine does not mean that you are finished. In all likelihood you realize that the more you know - the more you don't know. And that is why I continue to taste, listen and read. In fact, now I write for publications and for myself. It's one way to stay relevant and up to date with wine. YouTubeOne of the most interesting places to find characters in the wine space sharing their passion is YouTube. That's where I discovered the "unknown winecaster" (love him) and my most recent interest Konstantin Baum, a recent Master of Wine who talks and tastes wine with attitude. You can now find Good Wine Gal's recorded wine sessions on YouTube. Are you celebrating? Here are some things you might not know about Malbec and wines that you may want to consider after reading this. Cheers!
Life is short. Drink good wine. That's my email signature. OK maybe I took license ... but it's true. And while I don't drink wine every day, I make time to search for, find and enjoy good wine.
What's Up Wine People?How are you? I hope you are surviving 2022 - it was supposed to be the best year yet. Let's hope things turn around.
In the last few weeks I've covered some ground. Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna and a thousand kilometers later I'm no worse for wear. I love the open road. Between my playlists on Spotify and the scenery, road trips never fails to inspire me. Not only that but seeing friends and family as things start to open up is a great feeling. I'm staying with that positive feeling for the time being. That and pondering the idea of buying an RV and taking it on the road. As you know, my journey includes celebratory meals and good bottles of wine. Here are some bottles tasted and meals enjoyed. Are we there yet?
Covid Challenge? I said I would not color or cut my hair until the threat of Covid had passed. LOL! What was/is your Covid Challenge? World Wine Days Calendar35 dates. 12 Zoom Wine Events. It's Global & Local. Free to attend. Bottles not included. No subscription required. English spoken here. Welcome to 2022.
If you haven't downloaded it yet, now is the time. It is easy. Click the button and it will present the file in a pdf format. Click to download et viola! Happy New Year Winelover!This blog post offers three things: 1. thoughts about the experiences in 2021 hopes for 2022; 2. top wines for 2021; 3. a link to building community in 2022 with the World Wine Days. Download a copy of the World Wine Days calendar. Link at the end of this post. I need more wine!These are extraordinary times. It's the global pandemic. Our days are filled with data, action and reaction. There is a climate crisis to boot. Flash - the province on fire. Then - the province drowning. How does one maintain personal balance when all seems to be upside down? I keep pivoting, pondering and reacting. Looking back over 2021, its been a rollercoaster. It went from great to good to wtf? From elation to trembling, soul-sucking shock with many layers in between. I'm so glad that wine has been consistent as have my amazing wine community. In this year of crazy, here are a few take-aways that I'd like to share with you. I'd also like to share a few bottles of wine worth sipping.
Meet Winemaker Stephanie Stanley. Stephanie Stanley, a seasoned winemaking professional originally from the Okanagan, is shaping the future of whites, roses and sparkling wine in Lake Country. Having trained under Howard Soon, after many years with Peller Estates along with several winters in the southern hemisphere, she found her path leading back to the Okanagan Valley where she commissioned the new Fitzpatrick winery and ultimately arriving here at O'Rouke's Peak Cellars. So what is happening in Lake Country? Hear Stephanie tell the story of Carrs Landing, new initiatives and plantings at Peak Cellars Winery. She's making single varietal wines from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gruner Veltliner and Gewurztraminer. It's starting to sound like Alsace, non? What does you wine glass say about you? Does it say "I like the finer things in life"? Does it say "I know my wine"? If you prefer a flute then you are looking for streams of fine bubbles. If you tend towards a coupe or the shape of Marie Antoinette's breast, then you are looking for fun. If it's unique shape for each grape variety then congrats - you appreciate the sensual elements of wine. If it's generic suiting all wine and washable in the dishwasher, then way to save money and time. For the record, here is my short take on wine glasses.
Where are the wine recommendations for BBQSomm? I can't find them!! Here you go. We've got six styles to choose from and all at a great price point. These are wines that drink above their price - isn't that what 'good wine' is? The wines listed below have automatic links that connect directly to our friends at Marquis Wine Cellars. Check it out!
Cheers to you for your interest in Moldova. Our next live session is this Thursday at 7:30 pm on Zoom. To register, follow this link. It's free to attend. If that doesn't fit your schedule our last session is June 22 at 11 am. Sign up here. Welcome Back! It's Part 2. This is Part 2 in our series on Moldova - a country that you have never heard of, that is until now. If you missed Part 1 here is the link. It introduces the history of Moldova from 10 million years BCE to present day which sheds light on why you may not be aware of this amazing wine country. If you are interested in the wine story of Moldova, please join us June 10th at 7:30 pm by registering on Zoom. Use this link to reserve your place. Moldova. Moldavia. Bessarabia. Today it is the Replublic of Moldova. It is a land far far away. But it's not the Disney story with the happy ending. Moldova was the wine gem of Russia, kept behind the iron curtain and turned into a wine factory making vast quantities of low quality wine. In the last decade, with a complete about face, Moldova is coming out and facing the West. There is an incredibly long history of grape growing and wine making. You'll find a sunny and favorable climate, unique soils, a long list of both international and indigenous grape varieties. You'll witness a number of development agencies working with Moldova to turn the tide in it's favor away from its dark past and towards modern production techniques and export markets. This is Moldova's chance to rewrite, revamp and revitalize it's industry and you can be a part of it. If history is a teacher then we have much to learn about the tenacity of Moldovan people and Moldovan wine.
BBQ tastes better with "wine"! Just sayin'BBQSomm is a live Zoom event with VanMag's sommelier of 2020, Robert Stelmachuk and your host Good Wine Gal, Barb Wild. Join Robert and me as he shares his secrets for the best wine pairings to accompany Vancouver’s favorite BBQ. It might be southern, it might be Chinese, Japanese or Korean but one thing for sure - it's going to be tasty. A few years back, when visiting Napa City, I found myself noshing on pork ribs that had been smoked for 24 hours and sipping some of Napa's best red wines. The meat was compact along the bones, the flavours were not just coating the surface. This was smokey, meaty California star power perfection. The place was called the Bounty and it turns out they also have the California star power wine list too. Ya, that's right. Wine and BBQ. You've heard it said a lot of beer goes into making good wine - I grateful for that. Everyone needs a cleansing ale from time to time but for me, when it comes to BBQ - I'm wine - all in.
5-Week Series on Rose All May | Week Five Join Alison Kent of the Home Kitchen and me, Barb Wild of Good Wine Gal, as we explore the world of Rosé Wines throughout the Month of May. Week Five ... The Finale!!! Welcome back to Rosé All May! Hi, it's Barb. This is our final week and wow, we are having so much fun I'm not sure we can stop this train. How about you? Have you been following along? In case you missed our previous Rosé posts here are the links: Week 1 - Cinsault, Week 2 - Grenache; Week 3 - Bordeaux Varieties; Week 4 - Red & White grape blends.
5-Week Series on Rosé All May | Week Four Join Alison Kent of the Home Kitchen and me, Barb Wild of Good Wine Gal as we explore the world of Rosé Wines throughout the Month of May! Welcome back! It's Week Four.To chill or not to chill?! NOT being an absolute wine enthusiast like my good friend Barb, I used to be less fussed about whether wine was served chilled or at room temperature, because by mid-glass it was always room temperature anyhow so why bother. HOWEVER, Barb’s wisdom has definitely been rubbing off on me, and I often DID appreciate that first sip of cool liquid on my throat enjoyed right away.
5-Week Series on Rose All May | Week Three Join Alison Kent of the Home Kitchen and me, Barb Wild of Good Wine Gal as we explore the world of Rosé throughout the Month of May. Welcome back! It's Week Three Welcome back to Rosé All May! It's Alison. Rosés used to be too sweet for my taste. But they - like White Wine - can also be dry (= not sweet), light, bold, sparkling … Old World (think centuries old European vineyards where the ways of wine-making were developed) Rosés tend to be more dry, with New World styles (typically non-European vineyards that have taken the old styles of wine making and adapted them to suit new technology and the evolution of taste preference) can be sweeter. Of course, there are exceptions, and then there are the Ancient World wines - the true OG’s.
If you want to learn about food and wine pairing from the best - join us. You can buy wine and order take out or improvise to suit your budget, time and energy. There are no "requirements" other than signing up for the session by following this link. The session is $30 and supports everything you desire for a great date night. See you May 19th at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Which wines pair well with BC's Bounty? Our second session with Vancouver Magazine's 2020 Sommelier of the Year, Robert Stelmachuck is happening on Zoom May 19th at 7:30 pm. It's promising to be a tasty night of eye opening wine and food pairings garnished with excitement, stories and laughs.
5-Weeks of Rose-All-May | Week TwoJoin Alison Kent of the Home Kitchen and me, Barb Wild of Good Wine Gal as we explore the world of Rosé. Share in this 5-week blog series as we explore the South of France, Italy, BC and more. In case you missed our inaugural Rosé post, here's the link. Rosé All May! Week Two - Sud de France A great place to start with Rosé is France - Provence, the Rhone Valley, the Languedoc or even the Island of Corsica. Here you will find Rosés in various shades of pink deliciousness. France produces more Rosé than anywhere else in the world. Prices vary but generally $20 is a good price point from which to start your tasting adventure.
Week One | Provence & Sud de France Join Alison Kent of The Home Kitchen and me, Good Wine Gal as we explore the world of Rosé Wines throughout the Month of May. Follow us here, on Facebook and Instagram for more on this 5-week Series!
Winery Website Superheros! The pandemic has been a catalyst for change. It's thrive or die. To show it's true colors and ability to think outside the box the Hungarians wine industry has taken a new approach to wine awards with the addition of winery website awards. The goal is to inspire and engage with it's industry to spur on adaptation and success in the global wine market.
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AUTHORI'm Good Wine Gal.
I blog about "good wine" and how to find it! Join me on my adventures of finding beautiful wine loving places, people and those special bottles we all get excited about. Archives
March 2024
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