A few weeks ago, I gathered with a group of New Brunswick grape growers and winemakers to meet with Quebec grape legend Alain Breault, an expert on Minnesota and Baltic grape varieties.

We met at Boudreau Vineyards in Memramcook, where Paul Boudreau, current President of the New Brunswick Grape Grower's Association (NBGGA) farms a variety of grapes. We walked through the vineyards with Alain Breault, who commented on the status of the various vines and answered questions about all things vinous.

When I travel outside of Atlantic Canada I'm proud to champion our region, and I always try to cure the rest of the world - and Canadians - of their ignorance of the Right Coast of Canada.

I often encounter people who think we are quaint, and our region is pretty, but when I tell them about our fantastic restaurants and tasty wines, they give me that perplexed look. They just don't take me seriously, but don't want to say anything and appear rude. What does this Coaster know about wine and food? He's a Coaster ferchrissakes.