Our Favourite Things

Ask any wine writer why they do what they do, and you’ll probably hear a different answer from each person. Maybe they like crisp white wines. Maybe they fancy red Bordeaux. Maybe they harbour secret fantasies of one day owning a vineyard. And maybe they just love it all — new vintages, vineyards, wines and wineries.

One thing is certain: we probably didn’t get into this business just for something to do. In most cases, we started writing about wine because we’re passionate about it and its creators, and because we want others to care as much as we do. We want to know about the latest trends and news in wineries and vineyards around the world, and we want to know now.

So, with that in mind, we’ve asked several of our favourite Canadian wine writers to share with us what they’re passionate about in 2011. Perhaps it’s a favourite grape variety. Or a region. Or, well, volcanoes. Read on and share their excitement.

Exploding Flavours: Volcanoes add magic to soils by John Szabo

Chilean Whites: The new breed of Chilean whites is ripe with regional identity by DJ Kearney

The Reinvention of Syrah: This popular grape shines in cool-climate offerings by Rhys Pender

Great Grenache: Rhône's famous red is versatile and well-balanced by Craig Pinhey

Dry Rosé: Often overlooked, this versatile wine is food-friendly and delicious by Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson

'Grü-Vee' No More: Grüner veltliner is delicious, approachable — and phonetic by Kurtis Kolt