The scenic Naramata Road passes a selection of my favourite vineyards. Our destination this day was Laughing Stock Vineyards.
Taking (laughing)stock of the best of the Naramata Bench Read More »
Almost a year into this pandemic, we’re all dreaming about travelling again. Last summer, during the B.C. bubble, my wife and I took a road trip to explore Okanagan vineyards.
Pour one out during the pandemic Read More »
I was in the Yukon Liquor Corporation about six weeks ago, when I was delighted to make the acquaintance of an old friend. Looking for
I’m always interested whether when people choose the foods for dinner first, and then select accompanying wines, or vice versa. I use both methods. Several
Matching Wine to Cheese Fondue Read More »
Since September there have been some good additions to the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) shelves. October and November seem to be emerging as the wine
Some New Wines to Look For and Try Read More »
While we had an exceptional summer, part of me welcomes the changing leaves, grey cool days, slower pace, stars, and northern lights. This change of
Autumn Brings Renewed Interest in Chiantis Read More »
About a year ago, I worked with Yukon Artists @ Work on a project called “Canvas Confidential,” a fundraiser to help Yukon artists if illness
Fundraising Fun avec Vin Read More »
As Yukoners, one of the real treats we have is access to a broad selection of game meats. While I don’t hunt, I am lucky
A Good Wine to Serve with Moose Read More »
November is my favourite month of the wine year. While it is the month where we have to acknowledge, especially in the Yukon, that we
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive! Read More »
Working the Rotary Wine and Fine Food Festival last month, I was reminded all over again why I love the world of wine. There were
Sweet Dessert Wines For Long Winter Nights Read More »
As a wine drinker and (wine) lover, I was spoiled by the years that I lived in the United States. To this day, my recollection
Making Wine Without Getting Your Feet Dirty Read More »
Sharing wines is a wonderful experience. Coming on Oct. 23, here in Whitehorse, is an opportunity to gather with friends, try many new wines and
Have Fun Learning At Wine and Fine Food Festival Read More »
Sometimes, finding that special gift for someone who is a wine lover seems like a daunting challenge, so I’d like to devote this article to
Holiday Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers Read More »
The best wine experiences that I have enjoyed have been dinners with friends, often under unexpected circumstances. There was a night in the mortuary of
Good Friends, Good Food and Good Wine Read More »
As I reflect upon the approaching year end, I would like to thank you, the readers, for providing me with encouragement, enthusiasm and support for
Closing out the Old Year and Ringing in the New! Read More »
One of the things that I have been delighted to find, moving from the United States back to Canada, is that a much greater percentage
Consider an Italian For Your Own ‘House’ Wine Read More »
I was pondering what to write about in this article, when I was approached by a co-worker of mine who is heading out to family
Wines to Serve With Christmas Dinner Read More »
We are familiar with names of great French Bordeaux wines like Château Lafite Rothschild, that sell out immediately, year after year, and command prices that
A Home Run Malbec from Cahors, France Read More »
For 10 years, living in the United States, I read the Wall Street Journal to keep on top of developments in the business world. But
Open-That-Bottle-of-Wine Night Read More »
I mentioned in one of my last articles, in 2008, that I am a big fan of red wines. I have found, to my delight,
A Toast to New Pairings and Good Matches Read More »
I have a confession. After encouraging friends and readers to participate in Open that Bottle Night, I remembered I had committed to attend the Rotary
Opening That Bottle Again Read More »
For some time, my editor has been urging me to explore the world of non-alcoholic wines and I have to admit that I put off
What’s Bubbly Without the ‘Buzz’? Read More »
As Northerners, we are profoundly touched by the end of winter, the slow return of warmth and the rapid return of light to our lives.
I, and the fellow wine enthusiasts I know, seem to have wandered from country to country in the process of discovering wines. We have familiar
Spanish wines? ¡Si! Read More »
Sometimes a dinner invitation can turn into a wine adventure. This past Saturday night was one such occasion. My partner and I had been invited
Beef Wellington and Great Wines Read More »
The return of the light and the steady drip drip drip of the snow melting has re-awakened my yearning for all that the Yukon has
Sipping Rosé Wines for Spring Read More »
With the exception of New Years Eve, I think I drank two glasses of wine in January — not propitious behaviour for a wine writer.
Kitchen Sink Wines Read More »
Two weekends ago, a friend and I drove up the road from Rabbits Foot Canyon, to Fish Lake, to take her dog for a walk.
Wine Indoors or Out Read More »
I suspect salmon and hospitality have been partners a long time in this part of the world. The salmon makes regular appearances in the artwork
A Great Wine Match for Salmon Read More »
I guess when most of us think of Italian food, we think spaghetti and those old-school straw-covered flasks of Chianti. I am channelling that scene
The Italian Connection Read More »
It’s full-on summer. Kids are out of school; Canada Day is past and every weekend from now until the end of August will be packed
What’s ‘Fun’ in ‘Funky’ Read More »
What makes a vacation, at least for me, is going to a place different than what you are accustomed to. This could be a change
A Recipe for a Lasting Memory Read More »
I, like many wine enthusiasts, love the challenge of finding the right wine to pair with a meal. Many people start with this simple axiom:
What do you pair with muskrat? Read More »
It’s always fun to be on the lookout for new wines to try, and this past weekend gave me the opportunity to explore two tasty
Reds for a Gathering Read More »
Over the past several weeks, a number of my friends have been asking me when this year’s Rendezvous Rotary Club’s Wine and Fine Food event
An Evening of Wine Tasting Read More »
Julia Child, the late, great American cookbook writer and chef, was profoundly moved by her first French meal when she and her husband arrived by
Films That Make You Thirsty Read More »
Several weeks ago, the Rotary Club that I belong to held its 18th annual Fine Wine and Food Festival. We had a record turnout and
Decoding Wine Names Read More »
I had some friends out to my cabin this past weekend for a great fall dinner with pasta and several good Oregon pinot noirs to
Pairing the Sweet with the Sweet Read More »
As the Christmas and holiday season roll around, several friends have asked me for gift suggestions for the wine enthusiasts on their gift list. Without
Gifts for Wine Lovers Read More »
With the drop in temperatures, the shorter days and the recent snowfall, I am reminded that we are headed into the holiday season. Few places
A Toast to a ‘Sparkling Season’ Read More »
As we race toward Christmas and the new year of promise that follows, I can’t help but reflect on the wonderful and poignant experiences that
Wine Throughout the Year Read More »
Christmas and New Year’s are fast approaching us here in the Yukon, and this weekend reminded me what a beautiful and magical place we live
A Happy Start To The Holidays in Dawson City Read More »
So now the rich, velvety darkness of the Yukon winter has descended and the temperatures at my cabin have dropped below minus 20, several evenings.
Wine for a Winter’s Eve Read More »
I was introduced to a neighbour who is planing to open a restaurant and it got me thinking about wine glasses. The restaurant is expecting
Considering the Glass … of Wine Read More »
Several weeks ago, I mentioned OTBN, or “Open That Bottle Night”; on Saturday, Feb. 27, I had a small dinner at my cabin to celebrate
Special Wines for a Special Night Read More »
Last Saturday evening, a friend of mine invited me and several of my co-workers to dinner at her cozy little apartment. My friend is an
Thai Food: A Delightful Challenge Read More »
Sometimes you set out to explore one thing, and end up discovering something completely different. Such was the case, recently, and I wanted to share
Two Chilean Reds and One Surprise Ending Read More »
Our copyeditor for What’s Up Yukon recently sent an e-mail to me, where she related that she had stumbled across an alternate definition for the
Over the coming months, I hope to explore some new wines that I have not tried before, and also make a concerted effort to look
A Bold, Brassy White – Organic, Too Read More »
I noticed, when I worked as a wine merchant, that wine enthusiasts love a challenge. Occasionally a customer would come into the store, and relate
In Search of a “Local-ish” Organic Red Read More »
As I mentioned in my last article, I have been invited to develop a wine list for a restaurant that a neighbour of mine plans
The Ideal Wine Collection? Read More »
We’re plunging into the winter and holiday season at full tilt and for me this is a season of getting together with friends for dinner
Legado Munoz: A Terrific Spanish Red Read More »
By the time this article is in print, we will be on the cusp of the Beaujolais Nouveau season. Each year I look forward to
“Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé” (Almost) Read More »
In the days leading up to the Rotary Wine Festival, I felt as if I was eating, sleeping and breathing wine. At that point it
Spanish Reds and How to Order Wines from Outside Read More »
Over the last several weeks, I have been giving a significant amount of thought to wine tastings, and wanted to speak about them in more
How to Attend a Wine Tasting … and Look Like a Connoisseur Read More »
One of the fun questions I enjoy asking wine drinkers is, if you had one wine to take with you to a desert island, what
Singing the Praises of the Much-Maligned Zinfandel Read More »
Last week, I visited the Wall Street Journal website to read the most recent article by my favourite wine writers, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Open that Bottle of Wine Night! Read More »
As we are invited to holiday gatherings at friends’ homes and begin to realize that our runway for shopping for gifts is rapidly running out,
Wine and Wine Gift Ideas for the Holidays Read More »
Now that the Yukon snows have finally arrived and the all-too-brief weeks of skating the magically bare icy surface of my lake are done, I
Tasting France’s Most Famous Wine Read More »
Last week I was cornered by someone who asked what her options were for taking wine along on a paddling trip. For me, part of
A kind friend returned from a trip with a belated gift for my 50th birthday – a mixed half case of British Columbia VQA wines,
BC Pinot Gris: Well Worth Trying Read More »
In past articles, I have written about the fun of trying to match wines with food, and have also suggested that there is no one
Five Superb Wines Tried with Beef Wellington Read More »
Drinking inexpensive wines does not have to mean you are missing interesting wine experiences. This was brought home to me this past Sunday evening, when
Aerating a Red (and a Money Diet Suggestion) Read More »
Holy cow, it has a cork!” These were the exact words I exclaimed to a friend when I went to open a bottle of Australian
No Reservations About These Reserves Read More »
Several weeks ago, I had the happy opportunity to explore a significant portion of the range of Gary Monk Estate wines. A friend of mine
Exploring Gray Monk Estate Wines Read More »
I try to write a wine column every couple of weeks, unless life gets crazy, as it has over the past month or so. In
Message in a Bottle Read More »
I was asked by some friends to participate in “An evening of Art, Wine and too much fun” presented by The Artist Relief Fund Society,
EA Wine Triple Treat Read More »
Most Canadian wine drinkers are pretty familiar with California wines. Their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays have been celebrated in such movies as Sideways and Bottleshock,
Washington Comes to Yukon Read More »
The third Thursday of November, chalkboards across France announced, Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! (literally, “The new Beaujolais has arrived!”). This annual event is the
A Walk Through the YLC Wine Store: Part 2 Read More »
In the week that followed the holidays, when I returned to earth with a thump to reflect on the fun and parties and food and
Turning to Argentinian Whites Read More »
After more than a month of grey skies and rain, the sun finally made a re-appearance over my lake. Still, it feels like it is
Trying Some Malbecs Read More »
One of the delights of wine is that there are always surprises to be found and bargains to be enjoyed, if you are open to
Wine Money Diet: Part 2 Read More »
I can’t believe I am writing my last wine column of the year! This is a time when I reflect on what I have experienced
Last-Minute Christmas and New Year’s Thoughts Read More »
This past weekend I had a very tasty bottle of red wine that I will be going back to buy more of. It was a
Some of the Best Wines You’ve Never Tasted Read More »
For at least 4,000 years, wine drinkers have chosen food to accompany certain wines and vise versa. When I imagine trying a good wine, it
An Evening of Fine Pairings Read More »
Several years ago, my then-editor at What’s Up Yukon asked me to do a walk-through tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) store in Whitehorse,
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part One Read More »
Last night a friend stopped by for dinner. He brought moose sausages to grill; I boiled up some Yukon grown red potatoes and added butter
Several articles ago I promised to finish my tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) wine shelves before the snow melted. With the rains coming
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Finale! Read More »
Several months ago I was asked by my friend Wendy in Dawson City to plan a wine tasting at her B&B, Bombay Peggy’s. We’ll be
Planning a Wine Tasting Read More »
A recent article on the consumption of Italian wine pointed out that, for the first time, the value of Italian wines exported was greater than
New Finds from Italy (in time for Thanksgiving) Read More »
This is a funny time of year in the Yukon. The return of the light and the moving forward of the clocks speaks to the
Two Fine, Big Reds Read More »
I’m getting thirsty doing this ongoing wine tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp (YLC) store in Whitehorse, but I hope my articles in this series
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Pt. 5 Read More »
In January, I wrote part three of a wine drinker’s walk through tour of the Yukon Liquor Corp. (YLC) store, covering Australia, and wanted to
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 4 Read More »
I’m not looking to expand my writing into the restaurant review arena, but I couldn’t help but relate an excellent dining experience I had last
Fine Pairings for a Birthday Treat Read More »
It is amazing how the experiences and passion for wine that I have shared with friends has come to colour and enrich my life, and
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Part 3 Read More »
It’s a treat to ease off of the money diet as I shop for wines these days! While I have made some terrific wine discoveries
A Happy Find for Bordeaux Lovers Read More »
I was reminded again recently of the role that sharing wine can have in igniting enthusiasm and making new friends. As I mentioned in my
And the Winner Is … Read More »
Love of (and interest in) wine has opened wonderful doors for me in my life. Tasting wine has been the lens through which I have
A Taste for the Arts Read More »
It took until the middle of July, but it seems (I don’t want to jinx us) that summer has arrived in the Yukon! The past
Treats for Summer Evenings Read More »
In my last several articles, I have been reviewing a number of inexpensive, yet tasty Malbec and Malbec blend red wines from Argentina. The high
The Other Side of the Andes Read More »
As mentioned previously, I’ve been on a “money diet” these past months, but still want to be tasting interesting wines to go with meals I
Argentine Finds on the Money Diet Read More »
In my last article, I told you about the wine tasting I was planning at Bombay Peggy’s in Dawson City over the May long weekend.
Learnings from a Wine Tasting Read More »
When I set out to do a walking tour through the Whitehorse Yukon Liquor Corporation (YLC) store, I imagined I could make it through the
A Walk Through the Wine Store: Pt. 6 Read More »
It wasn’t until I moved to the Yukon six years ago that I heard the term “money diet”, but I immediately liked the concept. Sometimes
Tasting the Money Diet Read More »
Searching for wines is a little bit like a scavenger hunt at times, and sometimes it calls for looking at the outliers of the wine
Looking off the beaten path Read More »
The members of Whitehorse’s newest band, Abscess of the Dog (AOTD), sit in a comfortable Riverdale living room and drink scotch. Matt Larsen, the band’s
Refreshing Riff Rock Read More »
This weekend, I had friends up to my cabin for a dinner of pasta with grilled vegetables and chorizo sausage. I stopped at the liquor
A New Find From Argentina Read More »
My most rewarding experiences working in a wine store were sharing my enthusiasm for wines with customers and helping a few of them to overcome
A Quick Tour of Our Local Liquor Store Read More »
