Grape Squeeze

Oh February. Is there any other month of the year that forces us to examine the depth and character of our romantic relationships (or perhaps the lack thereof) more closely than February? I expect this to happen every year, and while some Februarys have been full of joy and optimism, there have also been those [...]

When is the last time you had a hallowed wine and food moment? You know the kind I am talking about. When you take a bite of something delicious followed by a sip of something divine, and it’s like there is a sort of angelic choir note followed by the clouds parting to reveal sunshine! [...]

Very recently my daughter said to me that I am the best cook in the whole entire world. I had been reading her a menu I have been developing for a future four course wine dinner I am preparing, and she begged me to save her some left overs. I know that she said this [...]

I will admit that my first experience with the subject matter happened earlier than it should have. In my defense, it was back in the day and we were curious girls. There was a certain restaurant in the town I grew up in (notice how I am being deliberately vague) that did not require girls [...]

Every summer I pack up the car and take my family on a road trip because that’s the way we roll. My kids and I have an agreement: in even-numbered years we throw one of each of their friends into the car with us and stay in an old log cabin beside Dutch Lake in [...]

Blackwood Lane Winery in South Langley has been creating a buzz by putting forth superlative wines for a while already. I first heard about them from one of my Wine Club Members who had been there. Almost cautiously he asked me, ‘have you been to Blackwood Lane?’ The answer to that, before today, was no. [...]

I say, when you get a new drinking buddy, you’ve both got to learn to adapt. This is the word of the Wine Guide. Seriously. I can hang out with you beer drinkers and non drinkers, but if you expect to glory in my company you’ve got to at least make an effort to drink [...]

The idea of comparing wine to clothing came to me as a result of something I read.  There is a gentleman by the name of Michael J. Gelb who has written a book called Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking.  Seriously, of all things… we have never met yet I am almost completely positive that this [...]

My earliest experience with New Zealand dates back to my years at Fairfield Island Elementary School.  I don’t know how the teachers went about doing it, but somehow they found pen pals from New Zealand for some of their more eager students.  Being a budding writer even way back then, I signed up for a [...]

Lo que no al amor?  What comes to mind when someone says ‘Spain’?  Do you visualize the blood, gore, and excitement of Matadors fighting dangerous, snorting beasts in the bullring?  Perhaps you imagine female flamenco dancers with their swirling red dresses, or the men in bolero jackets and skin tight black pants.  Sports fans will likely [...]