Import Vintners and Spirits Association Show (IVSA)
The Import Vintners and Spirits Association (IVSA) hosted an autumn showcase of new products for Edmonton’s industry trade to sample.
The Ageworthy “Stonewell”: Another Peter Lehmann Winner!
Peter Lehmann invited participants to “experience the first twenty years of Stonewell in a rare vertical tasting of the very best Barossa Shiraz.”
Unity Brew
This past fall an interesting project took place in Alberta. A special beer was brewed for charity, and instead of it being brewed by just one brewery, this “Unity Brew” was a joint effort by a cross-section of the Alberta brewing community.
Vancouver previews Argentina in advance of April’s
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival
The largest-ever tasting of Argentina’s wines in Vancouver took place October 1.
Hopscotch
The Foodconnect.com Hopscotch Festival recently leaped into its 13th year of showcasing scotch, whisky and premium beer.
Canada hosts Napa vintners
Napa vintners toured Canada in October, showcasing some of the best new releases and the diverse styles of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and, yes – Zinfandel – being made in the county.
Opening event Relaunches Hester Creek
An invitation-only ribbon-cutting launched Oliver’s Hester Creek Estate Winery into a new era this past fall on September 29.
Victoria has Taste!
Victoria’s new food and wine festival, Taste, was hosted last July in the recently renovated Crystal Garden (now part of the Victoria Conference Centre).
South Africa Targets Value
South Africa’s climb back on to the international stage as a respected wine-producing region in the wake of apartheid saw it carve a niche for itself somewhere between the Old World wines of France and the New World wines of Australia and California.
Great Canadian Beer Festival Crazy for Casks
What's old is new again. This adage proved true at the 17th annual Great Canadian Beer Festival, held in Victoria in September.
Happy Birthday to “the Black Stuff”
Ordinarily, we all get to be Irish once a year. But this year, we all have gotten a little bit luckier, thanks to the 250th anniversary of Guinness beer.
Zinfandel Producers Showcase Diversity
California’s wineries have been taking a strong interest in British Columbia this year.
Spirit West Debuts in Naramata
May 23 saw the much-anticipated public debut of Spirit West, a farm distillery that’s part of Naramata’s growing Holman Lang Group.
Port and Hockey Collide: Greatness Meets Greatness
It is rare for the worlds of port and hockey to collide. But collide they did in Calgary – twice. What are the odds of that?
New Zealand Plays up its Strengths
New Zealand wineries toured Canada in May, offering up the Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs for which the country is known, as well as a selection of varietals seldom associated with the island nation.
Nicholas Feuillatte Cellarmaster Visits Calgary
On April 21, 2009 the cellarmaster from Nicholas Feuillatte – Jean-Pierre Vincent – presented his Champagnes at a luncheon hosted by Divino.
Wines From Austria - Vancouver Tasting
The first thing noticeable at this year’s Wines of Austria tasting was that the relatively small event space at the Pan Pacific was packed with considerably more eager tasters than last year’s show.
CedarCreek Launches New Packaging
CedarCreek is launching new packaging, with a refined look on their labels. The new design is elegant and distinctive, just like the wines themselves.
B.C. Wine Islands Step into the Limelight
On Easter Monday, the wines of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands took centre stage at the first annual tasting organized by the Wine Islands Vintners Association (WIVA).
Import Vintners and Spirits Association Hosts First Alberta Tastings
The Import Vintners and Spirits Association (IVSA) based in Vancouver, British Columbia, hosted their first Alberta industry tasting this spring.
Sip! The Wine and Food Experience at Edmonton’s Capital Ex
Edmonton’s 2009 Capital Ex festival had all the trappings of a classic exhibition. But between the midway rides and mini donuts, there was a place of class and solace called Sip!
Tinhorn Creek Turns 15
It was not enough to let the Alberta wine community help celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of Tinhorn Creek Winery via email. The extremely generous marketing and sales group planned a day at Tinhorn Creek in Oliver, British Columbia.
Wines of Germany – Vancouver Tasting
The three-pronged message at this year’s Wines of Germany seminar pretty much echoed the sentiments of last year: Germany now makes mostly dry wines; Germany is preparing to wow the world with its red wine; Germans themselves are now proud of their wines.
Wines of Portugal: Beyond Port and Madeira
The table wines of Portugal are just beginning to be discovered in Western Canada. On February 3, 2009 Vini Portugal, an umbrella group working with all of Portugal’s wine producers, wanted to prove the diversity of Portuguese wine regions and styles, and prove it they did.
Nugan Estate Wine Dinner
On an icy evening in March, Philip Goodman of Nugan Estate, with his charm and humour, brought some Australian warmth to the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. An elegant five-course dinner was paired perfectly with a grand selection of wines.
British Columbia Grabs the Spotlight
B.C. stood in global company at this year’s Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, giving this year’s 25,000 participants a chance to size up B.C.’s best against the world.
California Wine Fair
The 29th Annual California Wine Fair rolled into Alberta last spring. The Edmonton stop, in support of the Citadel Theatre, was held in the light, spacious Shaw Conference Center, Hall D.
Flavours of B.C.’S Naramata Bench
On the east bank of the southern portion of Lake Okanagan lies the 10 km stretch of the Naramata Bench – one of the most scenic wine regions in North America. Over 22 small production wineries have staked their claim in this prime agricultural paradise.
Torrae del Sale & AMBO Italian Wine Tasting
Torrae del Sale and AMBO wines were presented by visiting wine consultants Marco Olivieri and Allessandro Berselli as they graciously hosted a tasting at a fitting venue, the intimate and classic La Casa Pergola in Red Deer.
The Rhone Gang: Four “Bandits” Hit Western Canada
Three young winemakers from family-owned estates in the south of the Rhone Valley and Northern Provence met up with a savvy hands-on wine merchant – and they decided to explore their artisan roots by creating blends like their fathers and grandfathers did in days gone by.
The Best of Beer: Touring the World with Mike Tessier
Vendor writer Mike Tessier lent his expertise to The Best of Beer event in Red Deer recently. Here are his tasting notes on a clutch of unique beers:
Renegade Rum
On January 28th, Freehouse Wine and Spirits hosted a trade tasting of Renegade Rums from the Bruichladdich Distillery.
The Food and Wine Experience
Seared Black Cod, Asparagus & Leek Polenta Cake, Dijon Beurre Blanc served with Cookoothama Chardonnay: delicate peach with vanilla and cinnamon aromas; soft peach and cream on the palate.
Alberta Liquor Store Association Trade Show, “The Wide World Of ALSA”
ALSA’s Spring Trade Show and Convention held on April 18th and 19th, in Red Deer. It gave members a chance to meet one another, celebrate award winners and sample new, along with existing products, at the Saturday Business Mixer and Sunday Trade Show.
Flavors of Italy
The Italian Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the “Flavors of Italy Food and Wine Tasting.”. Keen wine enthusiasts buzzed around the 17 tasting tables.
The 2003 Wines from Cave de Tain
According to Julie Campos, Managing Director of the Cave de Tain winery in the Northern Rhone region of France, "European wine can be intimidating to some people, but it doesn't have to be. Anyone can begin to appreciate wine at any time in their life.
Red Deer International BeerFest
Featuring more than 100 different products, the Second Annual Red Deer International BeerFest was a head above the first in diversity and excitement. The event created a buzz around the city and drew an attendance of almost 4,000 from Red Deer and surrounding communities late September 2008.
Carolyn Wente Visits Western Canada
I have to admit, I don’t recall the last time I tasted any of the wines produced by Wente Family Vineyards. Last fall in Calgary, however, I was very happy to have revisited them: Wente wines were a distinct surprise and, literally, quite refreshing.
| designed by |  |