Kurtis Kolt

  1. Bordertown Vineyards, MWC Wine Club, and a Revelation in NYC

    Bordertown Vineyards, MWC Wine Club, and a Revelation in NYC

    The BC wine industry is growing so fast, it's getting harder to keep up with new wineries appearing on the scene. When we used to count the wineries in dozens instead of hundreds (we’re pretty much at the 300 mark), the learning curve was a gentle slope. But now, this writer has to put in extra effort just to keep a basic handle on what’s going on! This matter came to the surface about a month ago, when I had the opportunity to travel to New York City, with the B.C. Wine Institute and a handful of B.C. wineries -including Bordertown Vineyards & Estate Winery, this month's featured vineyard for the wine club. One of their wines unexpectedly became a star of the evening.

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  2. Free Shipping from Sperling Vineyards

    Free Shipping from Sperling Vineyards

    Here in Vancouver, we’ve just gone through one of the rainiest, coldest and even snowiest winters on record. While I realize I’m not going to get much sympathy from those living in the rest of Canada, that certainly doesn’t diminish my eagerness for sunnier days and warmer temperatures. Consequently, I’m feeling a little more seasonal when it comes to what I’m drinking, and am fine to take a little sabbatical from rugged red wines that comforted throughout those abundant dark and rainy days. Is it possible that the Okanagan Valley’s Sperling Vineyards have read the minds of us who are so done with winter, by dangling the carrot of FREE SHIPPING when ordering six or more of their wines this week, so we can enjoy their lifted and bright wines that will suit our spring and summer well? With Mother's Day approaching, this is the perfect opportunity to give Mom her favourite wine and get free shipping!

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  3. Top Wine Picks! Moraine Estate Winery

    Top Wine Picks! Moraine Estate Winery

    After honing her skills in her native New Zealand, Moraine Estate Winery's winemaker Jacqueline Kemp (‘Jacq’ to those around her) had worked vintages in Western Australia and a little place in France called ‘Burgundy,’ before eventually settling in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. While working with various wineries, she was raising her young boys in her Naramata home, and had always kept an eye on what looked to be an ideal vineyard property down Naramata Road, perched just above Lake Okanagan.

    When area newcomers Oleg and Svetlana Aristarkhov eventually purchased the property, even though it wasn’t Kemp signing on the dotted line, serendipity struck and she took the role of winemaker, enjoying the opportunity to get her hands in the soil after all.

    The hot days and cool evenings treat the grapes well, preserving their natural acidity, while the clay soils built from glacial deposit lend fresh minerality and provide solid structure for the wines.

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  4. Top Wine Picks! Lang Vineyards

    Top Wine Picks! Lang Vineyards

    Here in Vancouver, we’ve had a record-breaking winter full of torrential rains and more snow than our West Coast capacity can handle. Finally, it’s spring - and as the sun beams a bit brighter and the cherry blossoms bloom, we look to refreshing, lively wines to echo the season.

    I was clicking away here on My Wine Canada, and thinking how a selection from British Columbia’s Lang Vineyards, this week’s feature winery offering free shipping when you order six or more bottles, would suit the season so fine.

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  5. Top Wine Picks: Moon Curser Vineyards

    Top Wine Picks: Moon Curser Vineyards

    Down in the desert country of Osoyoos, at the very southern end of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, the mercury has been hovering around the zero-degree mark for a while now, but that shouldn’t last much longer. Soon enough, buds will burst on the area’s grapevines, and as vineyards bloom under the sun, those temperatures will climb into the thirties and forties. It’s as we get into vintage when the region’s desert classification becomes a lot more obvious. Not only is it ‘hot enough for ya’ more often than not, but while toddling around the area’s landscape, cacti and rattlesnakes aren’t exactly uncommon sights.

    It is here where the Okanagan Valley excels at ripening the grapes for rich red and white wines, while sandy soils with pockets of clay, limestone and granite add distinct minerality and the cool nights allow natural acidity to be preserved.

    These conditions make it possible for quite the variety of, er, varieties to be grown, and when it comes to Osoyoos wineries, this writer can’t think of anyone taking advantage of this scenario as much Beata and Chris Tolley, the owners of Moon Curser Vineyards.

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  6. Wine Club Feature: Sperling Vineyards

    Wine Club Feature: Sperling Vineyards

    Here in Vancouver, it’s the week of the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival. This year is particularly exciting, because among the 180 participating wineries from 16 countries, there’s a strong Canadian contingent, as our home and native land is this year’s theme country.

    Yup, to celebrate our nation’s 150th birthday, wineries from coast to coast (many of them My Wine Canada partners) are gathering to pour their best and brightest for thousands of attendees.

    One of the wineries I’m particularly looking forward to catching up with is Sperling Vineyards from Kelowna in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Not only are the wines from winemaker Ann Sperling some of the best from the region, but there’s a notable heritage associated with them. This month, Sperling Vineyards is proud to be featured in My Wine Canada's Valentine's Wine Package. Check out this great deal and order by February 15th at midnight!

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  7. Top Wine Picks for the New Year

    Top Wine Picks for the New Year

    How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along?

    Even though we’re already a couple weeks into January, I’m going to recommend you add one more resolution for the year. Let 2017 be the year when you get out of any wine rut you may find yourself in. If you’re getting tired of having the same old Chardonnay or Merlot week after week, head outside of that comfort zone to try new varieties, or wine from a region that may be new to you. Here, a quintet of off-the-beaten path gems that you can order right here at My Wine Canada, and they’ll be on your doorstep in no time.

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  8. Seasonal Wine Gifts That Sparkle

    Seasonal Wine Gifts That Sparkle

    As holiday gift-giving reaches fever pitch over the next couple weeks, why guess at your friends or family’s sizes to ensure that new sweater will fit, or wonder if they really need a new cutting board? Not only is a great bottle of wine always appreciated this time of year (or really, any time of year), but sometimes a fun bonus with gifting a stellar bottle is that your recipient just may be inclined to share it with you down the road! And, of course, who doesn’t love bubbles? Here are three top Canadian sparkling wines perfect for gift-giving (but you can always feel free to treat yourself to ‘em, as well)! And if you act fast, you can get Lang Vineyards' Sparkling Rosé with free shipping.

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  9. Holiday Wine Cocktails

    Holiday Wine Cocktails

    Those holiday bells are just beginning to ring, and among an upswing in merriment and cheer, we’re finding ourselves increasingly likely to imbibe all things delicious. Yes, this often includes enjoyable pours from our favourite Canadian wineries, but when cocktails are in order, that doesn’t mean we necessarily have to cast aside our grape-oriented brethren.

    Wine can be a key component of many an excellent cocktail, so if you’re looking to do a little stirring or shaking this holiday season, here are a few favourites....

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  10. Pair It Up! Malaysian Lentil & Squash Curry and Lunessence Wines!

    Pair It Up! Malaysian Lentil & Squash Curry and Lunessence Wines!

    So far this season, Vancouver has been typically and notoriously rainy. There have been a few years recently when winters have been uncharacteristically sunny and dry, but we’ve certainly been honouring tradition as of late.

    With the rains come a desire to stay in once the work day’s done, and tuck into something warm and comforting for dinner. While it’s tempting to lean towards a rich pasta or meaty stew to sate such cravings, I’ve been trying to eat a little healthier as of late (knowing that it’s all going out the window as we get into the holiday season). Plus, with the free shipping deal from Lunessence Winery & Vineyards that's on right now, their wines are the perfect match for comfort food...

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