
Ben Sigurdson
Literary editor, drinks writer
Ben Sigurdson edits the Free Press books section, and also writes about wine, beer and spirits. He paid his way through university by working at a handful of wine stores in Winnipeg, which helped him land the wine-writing gig on a freelance basis in 2005.
Ben started working in the newsroom in 2012 as a part-time copy editor. Later that year he was hired as a full-time web copy/web editor, working the graveyard shifts.
When esteemed books editor Morley Walker retired in January 2014, Ben rekindled his love for all things literary and started a new chapter at the Free Press.
Ben holds a bachelor of arts degree in English/politics from the University of Winnipeg as well as a master of arts degree in English (writing stream) from the University of Manitoba.
Recent articles by Ben Sigurdson
All hail the Wine King
7 minute read Preview 6:00 AM CDTBesner bringing memoir to Free Press book club
2 minute read Preview Yesterday at 4:10 PM CDTWhat’s up: Experimental music, food and brews, Bike Week birthday bash
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 8, 2023Josiah Neufeld believes faith can be driving force in environmental activism
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 8, 2023A little chill is always welcome in your wine
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 3, 2023What’s up: Beer fest, taco treats and dino-mite adventure
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 1, 2023The case of the mysterious veterinarian
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, May. 31, 2023Flatlander’s expanding beyond beer
5 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 27, 2023What’s up: Pride Month, live music and food festival
7 minute read Preview Thursday, May. 25, 2023Local libations win big
5 minute read Preview Friday, May. 19, 2023What’s up: Kelly Bowen reads, Manito Ahbee celebrates, opera singers mansplain
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, May. 24, 2023Loving your chosen family — of robots
6 minute read Preview Tuesday, May. 16, 2023Fizz and flavour: drinks writer and his mom review boozy options to celebrate Mother’s Day
9 minute read Preview Friday, May. 12, 2023What’s up: country queens, TikTok royalty and downtown spirit
5 minute read Preview Thursday, May. 11, 2023Professional sommeliers are gathering and they hope you’ll raise a glass with them
6 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 6, 2023What’s up: Jane’s Walk, Disturbed, pizza, jazz and more
6 minute read Preview Thursday, May. 4, 2023Valley of the Birdtail wins Dafoe prize
1 minute read Preview Wednesday, May. 3, 2023Local citrus beer offerings must mean summer nears
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 29, 2023Laughs galore as performers from all backgrounds hit city stages
22 minute read Preview Monday, May. 1, 2023Party for pageturners: indie bookstores celebrating; you’re invited
3 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 28, 2023What’s up: Poetry, music and designs
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Apr. 27, 2023Calculating climate costs into the price of your next bottle
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023What’s up: Music, art and history
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Apr. 20, 2023Argentine Malbec and producers gets their day and their due
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 15, 2023What’s up this week: Cupcakes, comedians and Ukrainian concerts
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023Brews for both seasons
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 8, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023It’s whisky o’clock
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023What’s up
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2023Bank and climate crises are crowding the vines
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 25, 2023What’s up
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023Grape days ahead: wine classes educate the palate
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023Catton’s compelling, propulsive eco-thriller worth the decade-long wait
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023What’s up
7 minute read Preview Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023A matter of taste slightly — and briefly — altered
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 11, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023More Canadians getting into the spirit of becoming whisky connoisseurs
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023Come alive with local brews in the dead of winter
4 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 24, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023Cellaring wine: keep it cool and dark
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023What’s up: Belly laughs, beading and budget-friendly dining
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023Big-grape romance at bargain prices
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023When you write a weekly drinks column, there’s a certain sense of obligation around Valentine’s Day to offer up suggestions for wines to pop open with your sweetie. (There are only so many times you can write about wine and chocolate… trust me.)
What’s up
6 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 10, 2023Can’t take it with you, so savour Open That Bottle Night
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023What’s up: 5 things to do this week
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023Booze events to help beat the winter blahs
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023Writer weaves life’s experience into rich, detailed prose
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023Prince Harry’s memoir an uneven but revealing look at life under the Royal fishbowl
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023Value through the grapevine
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023Winnipeg couple launches the Søbr Market
10 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023Hurry for Harry: city readers snap up memoir
2 minute read Preview Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023Take a journey to France for standout red wines
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023The Free Press literary editor picks 15 books to watch for in first half of 2023
5 minute read Preview Friday, Jan. 6, 2023What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023Zambonis, Whistle Dogs and banana meatloaf
9 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022Toasting some possible drinks trends for 2023
6 minute read Preview Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022Challenges, comebacks, closures and controversies spiced up the local bar and restaurant scene in 2022
7 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 29, 202210 fizzy options to help ring in the new year
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022Last-minute gift ideas for the drinks lovers on your list
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022Streaming services offer up seasonal episodes aplenty to get your holiday fix
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022Christmas playlist has highs and Lows
8 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 16, 2022What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022Find the perfect wine to grace your holiday dinner table
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022What’s up this week: Ads that pop, markets that pop up, comedy and Country Roads
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022Words and images resonate across the pages in charming coffee-table offerings
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022Ale and arty: face the chill with latest sips of the season
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022What’s up this week: Festive First Fridays, Zoo Lights and Xmas with the King
4 minute read Preview Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022Consider gifting wine, beer or spirits Advent calendars
6 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 25, 2022A Celtic Christmas to Disney heroes on ice: 5 fab events this week
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022The many styles and flavours of Pinot Noir
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022What’s up
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022Manitoba-made whiskies flowing to distillery shelves
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022New music
7 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022What’s up
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022Pro/Am Brew Challenge ranged from flawed to fantastic
7 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 4, 2022What’s up: Bros. Landreth at Burt, Ian Rankin at WAG, free shows at Forks
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022Sweet, sweet verdicts
6 minute read Preview Monday, Oct. 31, 2022Treat yourself to one of these spooky brews
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022Spooky tunes for boys and ghouls
9 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 28, 2022What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022New, notable wines include juicy red, fruity white
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022What’s up
7 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022Plethora of fall events provide plentiful pairings
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022Bold beer to celebrate Free Press’s 150th anniversary
7 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 7, 2022Wines of the week
2 minute read Preview Friday, Oct. 7, 2022IF you’ve come to this space seeking Thanksgiving wine recommendations, fret not — I’ve got you covered…
Weszeli 2020 “Felix” Grünew Veltliner (Niederosterreich, Austria — $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)
Green apple, lime zest, crisp pear and hints of spice and chalk all show well on the nose of this organic, vegan Austrian white wine. It’s light-bodied and bone dry, with fresh green apple, pear and lime coming with those spice and chalk notes that provide focus and zip (the medium acidity helps in that department too). A fresh and fun wine that would work as well with turkey or ham as it would with sushi, spring rolls, oysters and milder hors d’oeuvres. 4/5
Low Life Barrel House “Leaps” (Winnipeg/Ontario — $25, brewery/winery, Liquor Marts and beyond)
What’s Up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022Roberston, Zaidman win book awards
2 minute read Preview Monday, Oct. 3, 2022Popular wine terms and how to use them
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022What’s up: Events for Truth and Reconciliation Day
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022Cooler weather means it’s time for toastier beers
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022What’s up
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2022Thin Air festival offers packed roster of established, emerging authors
5 minute read Preview Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2022Retrying tried-and-true classics turns up some changes
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 17, 2022What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 15, 2022Something to cheer about: Winnipeg Wine Festival’s return
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 8, 2022Brews, reds and whites for cheering on the Blue and Gold
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 3, 2022What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 1, 2022Fall offers plenty of highly anticipated fiction and non-fiction titles for readers
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022Six wines to take you through summer’s waning days
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022What’s up
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022Never waste backyard apples … or cereal-beer dreams
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022What’s up
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022B.C., Ontario lead the pack at National Wine Awards
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022In late June, two dozen seasoned palates from across Canada (myself included) descended upon Ontario’s Niagara region. the bunch of us spent five days holed up at Club Italia tasting nearly 1,900 wines from eight provinces at the WineAlign 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada. And as always, the release of the annual competition’s results (available at winealign.com/awards) is a chance to reflect on the state of Canadian wine.
What’s up
3 minute read Preview Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022Infused beers a tasty way to get your daily serving of fruit
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 30, 2022What’s up
3 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 27, 2022Keep a clear head with alcohol-free brews and bubblies
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 23, 2022An all-local lineup at Ballpark Brewfest will have fans trading RBIs for IPAs
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 20, 2022For warm-weather sipping, rosés have skin in the game
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 16, 2022Crisp, refreshing wine options ripe for summer sipping
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 9, 2022What’s up at Folk Fest
6 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2022Local breweries offer palate-pleasing lagers and ales
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 2, 2022What’s up
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 30, 2022Wines abuzz in Abruzzo
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 25, 2022Plenty in the wine, beer aisles for Father’s Day toasts
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2022What’s Up
6 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022Manitoba bevvies clean up at first Prairie Beer Awards
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 11, 2022Bergen best again at book awards
2 minute read Preview Thursday, Jun. 9, 2022English professor’s new memoir an exploration of time, family and fishing
7 minute read Preview Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2022Hotter weather heralded with summer sipping events
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jun. 4, 2022Liquor-law changes could go a lot further
5 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 28, 2022Taste some ripping Chardonnays for a good cause
5 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 21, 2022Apple of their eye
6 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 14, 2022Who needs flowers when there’s wine?
5 minute read Preview Saturday, May. 7, 2022A year in the life of Winnipeg entrepreneurs building unique brewpub experience
28 minute read Preview Friday, May. 6, 2022Doc’s memoir, novel up for book of the year
3 minute read Preview Friday, May. 6, 2022What’s up
5 minute read Preview Thursday, May. 5, 2022Canadian wine growers rise to the challenge presented by extreme weather conditions
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 30, 2022Emily St. John Mandel’s time-travel novel weaves beauty, humanity through centuries
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 30, 2022Lots of news with this city’s brews
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022Whatever the weather, wine will warm Easter table
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Apr. 16, 2022Tasting events set to return to whatever normal there is
4 minute read Preview Friday, Apr. 8, 2022Lighten up, beer lovers: time for paler, less boozy brews
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Apr. 3, 2022Tastings set to make triumphant post-pandemic comeback
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 26, 2022Canadian-born first lady of Iceland explores path to gender equality in Nordic nation
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 19, 2022Ten tasty tipples to toast the coming spring
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 19, 2022Singer Bruce Dickinson’s spoken-word show takes audience on a journey
5 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 18, 2022After two years, St. Patrick will finally get his due
8 minute read Preview Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022Grenache… the lesser-known grape with panache
7 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 11, 2022Craft breweries tap into $1M in federal funds for expansion
3 minute read Preview Friday, Mar. 11, 2022New tastes, taps and spirits for the drinks geek in all of us
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Mar. 5, 2022Power play
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022What’s in that wine, anyway?
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022Cosy up with a cocktail
6 minute read Preview Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022Not every ‘organic’ wine is as pure as the name suggests
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022Chris Jones’ new book champions creativity over soulless stats, analytics
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022Micro brews to balance your macro Super Bowl spread
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022Say ‘Be my Valentine’ with some big, bold flavours
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022Venture brings together chefs, brewers, builders for new restaurant, taproom
11 minute read Preview Friday, Feb. 4, 2022Go big and go home with these boxed wines
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022Choosing wisely key to supporting four pillars of taste
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022Post-apocalyptic novel commands timely second look
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022Manitoba-made Crown Royal crowned whisky of the year
2 minute read Preview Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022Some craft tipples to take you through post-holiday blues
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022Five beverage trends we’d like to toast in 2022
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022Heavy weather has wine industry reeling, ever adapting
4 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 31, 2021Like everyone else, winemakers and grape growers were impacted by COVID-19 in 2021, with fewer healthy bodies able to pick fruit, make wine and get the stuff into consumers’ hands (i.e. supply chain issues) impacting the bottom line of wineries.
But more so than any other factor, the story of the year in the wine world in 2021 was the extreme weather events caused by climate change.
The past year saw a late and heavy spring frost impact almost every region in France and neighbouring countries, with the Bordeaux and Champagne regions hit particularly hard. In June, the Rhône Valley was pelted with massive hail, damaging many vines. In addition to killing hundreds, the mid-July floods along the Ahr river in Germany wiped out dozens of wineries. Wildfires up and down the west coast of North America wiped out some vineyards, while impacting a lot of the fruit that survived with smoke taint. The Aussie bush fires had a similar impact on some regions Down Under.
A Boxing Day report by Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes did a good job of summing up the isse in their segment talking to producers and scientists in many parts of the world about wine and climate change (visit wfp.to/60minutes to watch it). Stahl talked to grape growers in Bordeaux, experimenting with new, warmer-climate grape varieties in response to hotter growing seasons, producers in Bordeaux and Champagne whose crops were decimated by extreme weather events, climate experts and more.
Slate of books coming in the first half of 2022 show plenty of promise
8 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 31, 2021Building a new nest, feathered friends included
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021In 2021, Free Press Book Club brought together readers and writers for all things literary
7 minute read Preview Monday, Dec. 27, 2021Raise a glass, as we kick 2021 in the…
6 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 24, 2021Books marrying written, visual components offer a thought-provoking feast for the senses
8 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 24, 2021Still time to capture spirits of the season
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021How the arts community is rebounding, adapting as the pandemic drags on
15 minute read Preview Friday, Dec. 17, 2021Raise a glass to these sinfully seasonal suds
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021Palm Lounge renovations find the venerable room looking chic, structurally sound
7 minute read Preview Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021Put these terrific tipples on your Christmas list
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021German Society home to Winnipeg's smallest commercial craft brewer
7 minute read Preview Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021Rick Mercer’s memoir looks back on a life in the spotlight
5 minute read Preview Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021More entrants, medals mark bigger better wine industry
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021A feel-good bundle of new brews, rewards
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021A budget-conscious happy birthday tipple for me
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021No such thing as ‘good vibrations’ with wine
6 minute read Preview Friday, Nov. 5, 2021Ian Williams hopes to shed light on what racialism looks like, feels like
5 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 1, 2021Today’s wine lovers owe first fermenter debut of gratitude
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021Chill out, and give those reds a wee blast of cold
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021Peter Mansbridge recounts rise from Churchill airport to stardom
7 minute read Preview Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021True North's 'Craft Beer Corner' pays lip service to the notion of craft
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021Five days, 400 wines, one certainty
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021Party hearty
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021Writers festival reacts to pandemic plot twist with blend of live, virtual events
5 minute read Preview Wednesday, Sep. 22, 2021Put away the pilsners; fall is time for heartier fare
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 18, 2021The new big cheese in wine
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 11, 2021Reading, writing and red?
6 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021Dashed hopes in France turn to fruitful endeavour at home
8 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021Lineup of fall non-fiction titles tackle race, politics and rock and roll
7 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021Free Press books editor picks 20 fall fiction titles to watch
10 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021Without a corkscrew? Try these options
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021With a host of new or renovated businesses, South Osborne is having a moment
16 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 20, 2021Author Kelly Bowen brings historical fiction to book club
4 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021The Winnipeg Free Press Book Club and McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome local author Kelly Bowen on Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., to read from and discuss her latest novel The Paris Apartment, published by Grand Central Publishing in April 2021.
Featuring dual timelines, one set in 2017 and the other during the Second World War, in The Paris Apartment a woman named Lia Leclaire inherits her late grandmother’s Parisian apartment — a residence previously unknown to her family. Lia discovers the apartment, untouched for decades, is filled with artwork, clothing and more. She eventually connects with English art dealer Gabriel Seymour, who begins to help her understand the orgins of the artworks, many of which are by past masters.
In the wartime storyline, Lia’s grandmother Estelle struggles to navigate Nazi-occupied Paris, where danger seemingly lurks around every corner — especially for a woman with connections to the resistance movement. Estelle eventually connects with Sophie, a British secret agent with a tragic past who is sent to Paris to find a German Lorenz cipher machine located somewhere at the Ritz Hotel. The hope is that Allied forces can learn how the machine works, break the coded messages and bring an end to the war.
A seasoned writer of historical romance novels, Bowen enjoys the research involved in writing novels set in the past, and was particularly fascinated with the events on which The Paris Apartment was based. “I love history, so the research part of this book, or any of my previous books, is almost the best part,” she told the Free Press at the time of the launch of The Paris Apartment. “That art, tied into the loss of families, of lives, of history… It can’t be compared to the loss of human lives, but it’s the loss of what it represents.”