​You've heard the buzz, seen the grocery store shelves, even liquor store shelves – non-alcoholic (NA) beverages are everywhere! From Dry January to Sober September, the "sober curious" movement is gaining momentum, with people of all ages reaching for refreshing sips sans booze. And our BC wine scene? It's answering the call! But as you explore this newish category, you might notice two terms: "de-alcoholized" and "non-alcoholic." Are they the same? Not quite, and understanding this nuance may be key to finding your next favorite glass. As a wine gal, I'll admit this is not my category, but I'm interested and intrigued by their potential, especially for younger generations and non-drinkers like my own kids.

If you know me, then you know I love bubbles. Lately pinching pennies has been a discussion so here are bubbles that you can afford. Two are off dry and one is bone dry. Check these out if you need a solution. Otherwise - I'll bring my saber.
​Oh and just in case you missed it, the WINE HELP LINE is 604 306 2289! 

​You might have noticed a shift on the shelves of your local BC Liquor Store. The familiar presence of US wines has, for the most part, vanished. And in the midst this change, you might find yourself scratching your head, wondering why we're championing BC wines that, ironically, might contain grapes from Washington, Oregon or California. Confusing? Maybe a little. But is it a problem? Absolutely not.

​After an uneventful three-and-a-half-hour train journey through the Portuguese countryside from Portimão, I arrived in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Évora is steeped in history and nestled within the Alentejo region’s golden plains. The walled city is iconic for it's remarkably intact Roman ruins, it's whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, and hilltop perch. You can see for miles. But why not see for yourself. Travel with me October 13 - 19, 2025 for the  Insider's Guide to Southern Portugal.  It's a trip of a lifetime.

Portugal is more than a destination; it’s a feeling. It’s the way the light reflects off the tiled buildings in Lisbon, the way a glass of port warms your soul, and the way the waves crash against the cliffs in Nazaré. Every moment and place felt like discovering a small piece of treasure—each adding to the brilliance of this puzzle - this pearl. Portugal isn’t just a place to visit; it’s a place to return to, again and again. If the world is your oyster, then Portugal truly is the pearl—a rare and luminous gem that leaves you enchanted and yearning for more.

​This wine gal is deep in the hospitality side of things at Invictus Games 2025 hosted in Vancouver and Whistler in beautiful British Columbia. It is February and a cold one at that. In fact, snow still sits on the side walks and parked vehicles that don’t see much action, for more than a week. 

The games host 24 countries, with over 500 competitors, their support team and their friends and families. There are 1800 volunteers supporting a small but mighty core group of 140. The Vancouver Convention Center has been turned into a “home” with amenities that offer comfort and space looking out towards Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains. These cold sunny days have made the setting glorious and the photo ops  unbeatable. 

They say you should start with the end in mind, which, when I joined IG 2025 in early January, I did. I was thinking about what we would be sipping when the games come to an end - on that final day? Bubbles is the only answer. It has to be bubbles. Not just any bubbles. The best bubbles. Oh, and my saber. There’s no better way to get a party started than blowing the top off a chilled bottle and hearing that perfect sound - a kind of delicate thunder of whosh-pop followed by cheering laughter as the fear of failure and the joy of success collide. The moment when the blade and the bottle become one only for that perfect split second brings immense reward. Streams of bubbles spilling over into glasses, sipping from flutes to quickly capturing the first fresh sips before the memory and the energy fades feels fabulous. Let’s sip and then toast and enjoy all that Invictus Games have inspired. I am thirsty.