At Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy.
Wine, a libation that has delighted connoisseurs for centuries, is often associated with elegance, luxury, and prestige. While most wines are accessible and reasonably priced, a select few have ascended to a level of opulence that places them among the most expensive in the world. These prized bottles command astronomical prices, often fetching tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here are some of the most expensive wines in the world and the reasons behind their exorbitant costs.
Read More
RMS sparkling wine.
When you think of sparkling wine, your mind likely drifts to the rolling hills of Champagne or perhaps the crisp fizz of northern Italy. Oregon? It’s probably not the first place that pops into your head. But spend a little time among the misty vineyards of the Willamette Valley, and you’ll discover a quiet revolution in the glass.
Here, where cool mornings meet volcanic soils and Pinot Noir reigns supreme, a new generation of winemakers is crafting sparkling wines that don’t just whisper elegance—they sing with it. I’ve tasted bubbles from around the world, but Oregon’s are among the few that have made me pause, smile, and reach for a second glass.
Read More
Sommelier Kathryn Woods.
Wine, at its heart, is about stories. Vines twisted through generations. Bottles shared across tables. And people—passionate, curious, sometimes covered in lees—who shape it. Few embody this spirit more vibrantly than Kathryn Woods, Wine Director at Whistler’s Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar.
But if you’re picturing a sommelier as a stiff, suit-clad guardian of dusty Burgundy, Woods is here to refresh your mental palate. “I wear my heart on my sleeve,” she says with a laugh. “Gone are the days of the stuffy, scary old Maitre’D. Personality is what separates a great sommelier from a good one.” It’s this candid, joyful energy that defines Woods’ approach—not just to wine, but to the evolving role of the sommelier itself.
Read More
Chris with winemaker Andrew Etsell.
If you’ve ever driven through the rolling farmland of Mt. Lehman in Abbotsford, British Columbia, you know there’s something special about this pocket of the Fraser Valley.
Quietly tucked into a hillside, surrounded by forest with Mt. Baker rising in the distance, Singletree Winery feels like one of those places where everything just fits—the land, the people, the wine. It’s clear from the moment you arrive that this is a family affair; and at the heart of it all is the Etsell family, who were farming here long before vines were in the ground.
Read More
The historic Malbec vineyard at Cheval des Andes.
Malbec is that dark and delicious red wine that originally came from France but now is most closely associated with Argentina. Deep purple in colour, velvety in texture and plummy in profile, Malbec is capturing fans the world over for its Bordeaux-like characteristics without the big price tags.
Malbec is one of the original Bordeaux grape varieties, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carménère. It also has considerable plantings in the Cahors region which resides 200 kilometers southwest of Bordeaux near the Spanish border. Cahors is thought to be the birthplace of Malbec.
Read More
Executive Chef Garett Blundell (centre).
Tucked away on the sixth floor of Parq Vancouver, The Victor is one of those rare spots that manages to hit all the right notes — effortlessly. At first glance, its location might raise an eyebrow. A resort complex in the middle of downtown?
But step inside, and you’re transported somewhere else entirely. With its stylish design, warm lighting, and leafy terrace overlooking BC Place, it feels more like an escape than a hotel restaurant. And that’s just the beginning.
Read More
A standard vineyard tractor at Smith-Madrone in Napa Valley.
The world of winemaking has always been a delicate dance between tradition and innovation. As artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies seep into vineyards and cellars, a pressing question emerges: Will these advancements revolutionize wineries, or will they widen the gap between boutique artisans and industrial giants?
Read More
Zinfandel is a fascinating grape with a long history, but origins that were only recently unraveled.
Zinfandel grapes [source: intovino.com]
Made in the right hands it produces big wines with fruity and spicy characteristics that can be drunk young and that won’t break the bank.
For a long time, Zinfandel was thought of as America’s grape. It is the fifth most planted grape in the USA and loves the hot climates of Sonoma and Napa. However, the myth that Zinfandel has its origins in American soils was dispelled in the 1990s.
Read More
Recent Comments