Pieter Van den Weghe
Pieter Van den Weghe is general manager
and wine director at Beckta dining & wine.
Pieter Van den Weghe's Latest Posts
Marrying wine with food from non-wine cultures
As their palates develop and knowledge grows, wine drinkers aren’t always content to drink the same wine with whatever they eat. A few start to dabble in the sometimes-elusive joy of food and wine pairing. Others jump right in. They search for a perfect combination; one in which the combined sensory pleasure of the two […]
Natural wines: A growing ‘crush’ of many wine lovers
Many of us share a growing interest in knowing where our food comes from and what happens to it along the way. Not surprisingly, this same curiosity has carried over to wine. Recently, natural wines have become less the secret buzz of sommeliers, and more the new crush of many wine drinkers. Whether natural or […]
Winning Rieslings from Canada and beyond
If wine grapes were people, Riesling would have a large and crazy family. The personalities on one side would be sweet and affectionate, the other dry and austere. In between, there would be all sorts that are combinations of the two, but all would have their own sense of balance, poise and focus. And they […]
Canada at 150: Wine worth drinking
A 150th anniversary is a good reason to take pride in Canada’s accomplishments and we have much to toast when it comes to our wines. Compared to some other New World countries, wine had a difficult start in this country. Early attempts by European settlers to cultivate their own vines typically failed due to the […]
Building a perfect wine cellar — and what to put in it
It’s quite natural for those who enjoy wine to develop some nesting tendencies. Things start off innocently enough, with a glass of wine when out and about, or perhaps a bottle bought to be enjoyed at home. Then, some hoarding begins. Whether it’s stashing a few bottles in the closet or building a designer wine […]
The art of blending
It used to be that where a wine came from was more significant than the grapes used to make it. The advent of regulatory appellation systems, the New World’s liberty to select its own grape varietals and a more scientific awareness of varietals have helped change that. While the history and tradition associated with regions […]
The irresistibly intense wines of Prince Edward County
Over the past two decades, something very special has been happening at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Intrepid and determined grape growers and winemakers have carved out a most unexpected wine region that borders the impossible while striving for the fantastic. The quality of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc and sparkling wines […]
Making the best of a dry situation
Less is more when it comes to water and growing wine grapes. Pressuring a grape vine to dig deep with its roots and seek out water is the foundation of winemaking. While other factors have a role to play, great wine can only come from the fruit of an appropriately stressed vine. However, balance is […]
Gorgeous Grüner Veltliner
Few countries have a wine industry that’s only known for a single grape varietal. Sure, many North American wine drinkers immediately expect a Pinotage when they think of what they will find in their glass of South African red wine. Yet, those consumers would probably be surprised that Pinotage represents only seven percent of South […]
Bubbles from the New World
Sparkling wine is an incredible and splendid kind of drink. Not only is it delicious, and versatile for food pairings, it transcends being a wine to become an icon of culture. Its mere mention evokes images of everything from proper celebrations to a heady life on Easy Street. All that said, it’s also serious and […]
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