What’s Up In The Wine World This Week

Another week of people in the wine world getting the good word out via virtual tastings. We are not a bunch that likes to stay home and sip solo; it’s more about sharing in the wine world.  Follow our drinks contributor Good Wine Gal, Barb Wild for more on wine. We hope to raise a glass to you all in person soon.

Wednesday June 17 – It’s the #9 Winery of the Year in 2019 at the InterVin International Wine Awards, La Frenz Winery chatting it up with John at Marquis Wine Cellar as part of our BC Local Heroes campaign. From 5 – 6 pm on #bcwinewednesday you get up close and personal with winemaker, Dominic McCosker, as he shares his commitment to sustainable farming and the experience having worked a dozen vintages at Canadian and Australian premium wineries. Zoom Registration Link.

Wednesday June 17, 2020 – If you are a somm or an aspiring one, don’t miss out on the next session of the SOMM SESSIONS with Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) hosts: sommeliers Leach Barkley & Pa Souliere MS, with Grower Champagne producers – Florence Bauchet of Champagne Bauchet & Charline Drappier of Champagne Drappier as they discuss the History and Future of Grower Champagne. Details 11am (PDT) – 2pm (EDT) – 3pm (ADT) – 8pm in France For more details, featured wines, & to register.

Wednesday June 17, 2020 – Wednesday is World Class Whisky Tour of Scotland with Dan Volway at 7:30 pm.  Good Wine Gal & Yaffler welcome Dan Volway as we tour Scotland in search of Dan’s favorite “single malt scotch” distilleries. Aye lassie and laddie – it’s a bonnie dram for all! Food pairings? How about oysters, smoked salmon, charcuterie and strong cheeses! You might want to give Rodney’s Oyster House a call for some fresh shucked raw or pan frieds. Best in town. Details here.

June 18, 2020 – Thursday it’s Sassy Spanish Reds with Mark Shipway 7:30 pm as Mark takes us on a journey of traditional and modern expressions of Spain, as we nosh on machego and choizo, learning about the history, geography, vineyards and varieties that make reds from Spain our go to for “good wine”. Reserve your spot here.

Friday June 19 2020 – Learn about Whisky with Vinoscenti Vineyards. Location: Vinoscenti Vineyards 15560 Colebrook Road Surrey, BC V3S 0L2 Date and Time: Fri, 19 June 2020 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM PDT Whisky is also know as “Water of life”. From the cold windswept shores of Scotland, to the green island of Ireland, away to the land of prairies in Canada and South to the United States, and beyond to the Asian continent we are now greeted with whisky.  Details here.

Tuesday June 23, 2020 – It’s the Essential Guide to Port featuring Tantalizing Tawnies at 7:30 pm with Cynthia Opsal. It’s all about ageing and food pairings along with a cruise down the river as Cynthia shares history, vineyards, varieties and winemaking styles that influence this fabulous expression of Port. Reserve here.

Wednesday June 24, 2020 – It’s BC Wine Wednesday with wine maker and owner of Bella Wines, Jay Drysdale at  5 pm. It’s called “Geeking out on Gamay” as Jay takes us on a journey of sparkling wine styles featuring Gamay from around the Okanagan Valley.  Details here.

Wednesday June 24, 2020 – Marquis Wine Cellar continues their #winewednesday tastings online with “Get to know Alsace”. Hear about Domaine Trimbach and Domaine Zind Humbrecht, two of the most famous wine estates in Alsace. Both wineries are multi-generational dating back 400 years. Join John Clerides, and Neil Punshon of the Trialto Wine Group as they talk and taste different varieties of Alsace produced by these two magnificent estates. Zoom link registration.

Thursday June 25, 2020 – BC Wine Education & Virtual Tasting Series Episode 4 June 25, 2020 @ 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM with Rhys Pender, MW talking with Darryl Brooker, Chief winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estate & Winemaker and Andy Gebert, winemaker & proprietor at St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery.

Rhys will lead a discussion on the age-ability of BC wines. Learn what makes BC VQA Wines so unique and worth pouring in your glass. This virtual event is designed for anyone who is making, growing, selling or just drinking BC wine. Link here.

Thursday June 25, 2020 – It’s Amazing Alsace with Mark Shipway 7:30 pm. It’s fantastically old, charming and one of France’s top quality white wine producing regions. Varieties like Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat from basic quality to Grand Cru status. What’s all the fuss? Find out why Alsace is the Holy Grail for wine lovers around the globe. Details here.

Tuesday June 30, 2020 – Bubbles 101 – “Bubbles” are synonymous with celebration. It is one of the fastest growing categories as consumers fall for the Fizz! For many, Sparkling Wine can be anything from Champagne, to Cava to Prosecco and more coming from every corner of the wine world including France, Spain, Italy, California, Australia and right here at home in Canada.  Join Van Doren Chan, Vancouver’s leading lady of Champagne, to taste and explore with Good Wine Gal. Details here.

100 Tasting Rooms Open says Kayla Bordignon, founder of the uncorkBC wine blog. Kayla tasted her first B.C. wine while on a family trip to Osoyoos one summer. Since then, she has made four or five trips a year to the Okanagan to sample and write about vineyards in the region. Her list can be found on www.uncorkBC.com.