The Friday Files: News & Notes From Canada’s Wine Scene

Does B.C. need a signature grape a-la Argentine Malbec, Aussie Shiraz, etc? Barb Phillip, Canada’s first female Master of Wine, did her dissertation on the subject a few years back. Over at The Georgia Straight, MWC’s own Kurtis Kolt reflects on the issue. Could B.C. instead be known for a signature style?

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society announced the winners of the British Columbia Best of Varietal Awards on Thursday, kicking off the 21st Spring Okanagan Wine Festival.

Over at the Ottawa Citizen, Rod Phillips deftly mulls food-and-wine pairings with an analogy to clothing co-ordination — keep it simple and wear it with confidence. (He’s also got some love for the Coyote’s Run 2013 Pinot Noir.)

Some great insight by the Montreal Gazette’s Bill Zacharkiw on why winemakers blend (or don’t blend).

Beppi Crosariol of the Globe and Mail answers reader mail about why the price of wine at the till in B.C. might seem different (read higher) than the price on the shelf.

Canadian wine guru David Lawrason recently visited Prince Edward County, and had nothing but nice things to say about the Ontario region to the Kingston Whig-Standard.

Speaking of Prince Edward County, good news: My Wine Canada’s forthcoming wine club selection is none other than Prince Edward County’s Keint-he Winery and Vineyards.

Oh, and in case you missed the post a couple days ago, My Wine Canada is offering free shipping on six-bottle orders or more from seven different wineries until Monday. Send ‘em to your mom for Mother’s Day, or enjoy yourself.

 

Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson is the wine columnist and literary editor for the Winnipeg Free Press. He’s on Twitter and Instagram at @bensigurdson.