news

What comes to mind when you have the chance to see the Northern Lights? Do you picture a celestial butterfly gently fluttering its wings, or a wizard’s wand sweeping across the sky? The Aurora Borealis, as they’re also known, are a mesmerizing natural phenomenon of vibrant, dancing lights often observed in high-latitude regions. Scientifically, these lights result from interactions between the Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the sun. When these solar particles collide with the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they are guided by the magnetic field toward the polar regions, where they interact with atmospheric gases, creating the stunning light displays we see. Their colors, ranging from greens to reds, are determined by the types of gases involved, with oxygen and nitrogen being the primary contributors. This solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle. At the height of this cycle, known as the solar maximum, the sun emits larger amounts of charged particles, increasing the intensity and frequency of auroral displays. The next one-and-a-half years will provide many viewing opportunities, as we are currently in the middle of a solar maximum, lasting from early 2024 to late 2025. Auroras are not unique to Earth; they can occur on other planets as well. The two essential elements needed to create an Aurora are an atmosphere and a magnetic field, which produce light shows similar to those on Earth when interacting with charged particles from the sun. Auroras have been observed in the atmospheres of gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn, which have strong magnetic fields. However, they have also been discovered on Venus and Mars, even though these planets have much weaker magnetic fields, highlighting the diversity of this phenomenon across our solar system. The term “Aurora Borealis” was created by Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei in the 1600s, inspired by the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas. But evidence of the Northern Lights and human awareness of their occurrence dates back much further, with the earliest suspected record found in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France. The scientific explanation for the phenomenon wasn’t developed until the early 20th century, when Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland correctly described the physical properties of the Northern Lights. Still, it’s not just the scientific side of the phenomenon that has long captivated human imagination. The magnificence of the lights has inspired a multitude of myths and legends across various cultures. For those who lived in regions where the Auroras were often visible, the mysterious lights were seen as otherworldly and magical, giving rise to stories that reflected deep spiritual beliefs. In many indigenous cultures, the Auroras were thought to be the spirits of the dead trying to communicate with those still on Earth. In areas where they were seen rarely, like in Europe, people saw them as a bad omen or, on the contrary, as a sign of good fortune. The Northern Lights held a prominent place in Scandinavian folklore, initiating beautiful legends. The Vikings revered the lights, believing them to be the glowing reflections from the shields and armor of the Valkyries, the female warriors tasked with guiding fallen heroes to Valhalla – the afterlife hall ruled by the god Odin. In a Finnish legend, the auroras were attributed to the “fire fox”, a mythical creature whose fast movements across the snow sent sparks flying into the sky, creating the fascinating lights. These stories reflect the awe with which ancient peoples viewed the Auroras, seeing them as powerful and mystical forces that connected the earthly and the divine. What you see while watching the moving lights in the sky is limited only by your imagination – and that is the true magic of the Northern Lights. By: Anna Aráoz

The reputation of Canadian wine used to be less than stellar. However, times have definitely changed, and many Canadian wines now stack up against the best in the world. As someone who has pursued several certifications in wine and spirits over the past few years, I’ve probably been exposed to more wines than the average person. I must say I remain impressed with many wines coming out of Canada, and a large number of my wine purchases are now Canadian. Canada has three main wine-producing regions: BC, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Ontario leads the country with 62% of production, followed by BC with 33%. BC has nine geographical indications (GIs): Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, Similkameen Valley, Thompson Valley, and Vancouver Island. Okanagan Valley (with 11) and Vancouver Island (with 1) have sub-geographical indications, which are specific geographic areas within a GI. BC grows 56% red grapes and 44% white grapes, with the top ten varieties being Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. Ontario has three official wine-growing regions or appellations: Niagara Peninsula, the north shore of Lake Erie, and Prince Edward County. Niagara Peninsula has two regional appellations: Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Escarpment. Each of these regional appellations has sub-appellations. Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek, Niagara River, and St. David’s Bench are sub-appellations of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Short Hills Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, and Beamsville Bench are sub-appellations of Niagara Escarpment. Ontario grows 45% red grapes and 55% white grapes, with the top ten varieties being Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Vidal Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Baco Noir. Nova Scotia has seven wine-growing regions: Annapolis Valley, Gaspereau Valley, Bear River Valley, LaHave River Valley, Avon River Valley, Malagash Peninsula, and Marble Mountain. The primary grape grown is a white hybrid called L’Acadie Blanc, which accounts for one-third of production, plus some NY Muscat, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Vidal Blanc. Nova Scotia is becoming quite well known for its sparkling wines. As I mentioned earlier, a large number of my wine purchases these days are Canadian wines. So, how do I know which one to buy considering there is quite a range of quality and price? One of my best sources is the National Wine Awards of Canada, run by WineAlign, where a panel of esteemed wine judges rate Canadian wines. Wines of distinction are awarded Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in various categories, with the results typically published in mid-July. One of my favorite things to do is check out the Platinum winners, visit the winning wineries’ websites, and order 6-12 bottles if they’re available. If all these judges think that a wine is a Platinum award winner, who am I to argue? I’m pretty much assured it’s going to be an outstanding wine. I’ve bought many award winners over the last few years and haven’t been disappointed yet. Also, living in Manitoba, we can order delivery directly from the winery for a charge of $25-$50. Not every province has the luxury of being able to order directly from the winery. Many of these wines are also available at the Manitoba Liquor Mart or a specialty wine store. In my opinion, Canadian wine stands up to many of the best wines around the world. There are producers turning out award-winning wines year after year that I encourage you to try. If you’re unsure about the best ones to buy, check out the WineAlign National Wine Awards website at winealign.com/awards By: Stu Charles WSET Wines & Spirits Level 3, Spanish Wine Scholar, French Wine Scholar, WSET Sake Level 1, BC Wines of BC Ambassador Level 1, Certified Expert in California Wine Level 2.