Pixarola.com

The annual N. America ROADSHOW parachuted into Vancity yesterday and I'm so happy we were on that list!
gave a most engaging and informative seminar where we tasted some exceptional wines notably rare including a lovely Touriga Nationale Tempranillo blend and an exquisite Mourvèdre from 130+ year old vines--the oldest planting of that varietal on the planet! Several other noteworthy wines were all excellent. I am particularly happy to see grapes 🍇 like Italian and Nebbiolo thriving in Australia. A poignant 'avant-goût' to a casual walkaround tasting afterwards showcasing many top Australian white wines.
Among them were a few delicious bubbles from Tasmania, several expressions of Chardonnay (paired with oysters 🦪 on the half shell!) , Fiano, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and one of Australian wines darling grapes Semillon which paired well with bacon 🥓 wrapped dates, fresh pea spring rolls and delectable amuses-bouches prepared by the Chambar chefs.
Special thanks to Australia Wine Canada's Annie Dingwall for organizing along with all the efforts for the Roadshow team sharing some of the continents best vinos for us to savour. 🇦🇺🌏
And all the best as the Roadshow moves onwards to Boston and Nashville next week. Cheers! 🥂

A GREAT line-up of top vinos were presented by yesterday in celebration of .

These wines really demonstrated the excellent diversity of expressions this grape 🍇 produces depending on vineyard sites, elevation, winemaking techniques and cellaring. Terrazas has such a lovely floral nose and bouquet. Over 100 years of Bosca history giving us sweet ripe black fruit and spice. Catena's bottling here from a higher elevation expressing bright and delicate fruits with good acidity and a fresh mouthfeel. My favorite of this dégustation was Decero. Just a wonderfully concentrated palate with complexity and good length. (And reminding me of my visit in 2020 which was quite special with a most memorable meal in the resto laid out for myself and my guests after tour and tapping barrels in the cellar!)
Great to spend some time with sharing her own stories and insights into these producers and wines.
BIG thanks to for facilitating and having such a top curated portfolio on offer in the heart of .
DID YOU UNCORK MALBEC TO CELEBRATE ITS SPECIAL DAY? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 👇

Give it upfor today! It's world 🌎 Malbec Day, or . I'm happy a single varietal grape 🍇 has a special day unto its own.
is an annual observance celebrated on April 17, to commemorate the day on which President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento of officially made it his mission to transform Argentina's wine industry. On April 17, 1853, Sarmiento tasked Michel Aimé Pouget, a French soil expert, to bring new vines to Argentina.
While the grape has had a long history historically in France, it has firmly found it's place and true home in Argentina, where it thrives and has many expressions from bright and fruity to deeply concentrated and velvety round. It is grown at high altitudes aroound the
Andes Mountains 🏔️ as well as throughout Mendoza and across several other areas of the country.
I talked at length about Malbec a couple of year's ago with top winemaker of the world Dr. on my wine podcast "The Barrel Room"

if you're raising a glass today, why not make it Malbec? It's delicious and versatile when it comes to pairing. I like the Argentinian tradition of Asado which is like BBQ 🍖 meats and it especially goes well with hard ripened cheeses 🧀 like Cheddar.
DO YOU LIKE MALBEC? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCER? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! 👇