Gurvinder Bhatia

Gurvinder Bhatia left a 10-year career in law to indulge his passion for wine and food. He is the owner of Vinomania, a wine educator, wine commentator, international wine judge, published wine writer and has served as the wine consultant to hundreds of hotels and restaurants.

Gurvinder is Contributing Editor for Quench Magazine (Canada’s most widely distributed wine and food publication) and wine columnist for the Edmonton Journal. Gurvinder is a regular contributor to Global Television and Italy’s multi-lingual digital publication Winelife. He was also the wine columnist for CBC Radio for 11 years. His articles have appeared in many publications including, Appetite Magazine Singapore, Wine Access, City Palate and Vendor Magazine. Check out his Blame it on the Vine blog at edmontonjournal.com/vine as well as his Wednesday video wine pick.

Read our interview with Gurvinder below…

1. How many years have you been working with wine?
20 years

2. What was your first wine related job, article, or assignment?
First wine related job – Opened wine store (1995), First wine related media job – wine columnist for CBC Radio Edmonton (2000)

3. Is there a grape or style of wine you are personally attached to?
Great quality wines that are well balanced and have a sense of place – soft spot for Nebbiolo, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Noir & great bubbles.

4. What was your first Canadian “aha” wine moment?
Visiting Cave Spring in the late 1990s, having dinner at On the Twenty and staying at the Inn. It was my first indication that the Canadian wine industry was coming of age.

5. Which grape(s) do you feel is/are Canada’s best bets in terms of producing top quality wine?
Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles.

6. What would you like consumers to know about Canadian wine?
Canadian wines are much better than you think and there is more diversity than you think. Canada is making wines that are comparable to some of the best in the world and we’re only going to get better. Keep an open mind and never say no to trying.

7. How many years have you judged Canadian wine?
10 years

8. What do you enjoy most about judging at The Nationals?
Year after year, tasting the improvement, evolution and diversity of the wines being produced in Canada and tasting with my fellow wine professionals from across the country – which is always a great learning experience and a lot of fun.

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