Between the Vines

Funny video from Road 13 Vineyards co-starring cellar master Bailey Williamson

Kathleen Rake — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:23:13 -0800

Scroll down and watch this funny video discussion about Stelvin closures (and other things) from Road 13 Vineyards, co-starring cellar master Bailey Williamson.

My gal-pals and I spent a rainy August afternoon in the Road 13 barrel room, with Bailey taking us through a fabulous tasting. He even taught me how to spit in the drain.

You can view Road 13's other videos here, here, here, and here.

Salut!

Cooler weather calls for hearty wine

Kathleen Rake — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:51:14 -0800

This piece was originally published in the October 29, 2009 issue of My City, a monthly magazine distributed with the Abbotsford News.

As the days get shorter, cooler, and damper, I tend to pull out and serve my heartier wines with what are, just naturally, more substantial dinners. In my cellar, the heartier wines are typically red. And in the kitchen, the more-substantial dinners translate into almost anything that is roasted, stewed, or braised.

Take this weekend, for example. Pouring rain and falling temperatures meant a roasted rack of pork for our Sunday dinner and a Malbec from Argentina to sip. Read more...

Learn about the fermented grape at this relaxed, no-pretense (but tons of fun) wine-tasting night in Vancouver

Kathleen Rake — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:08 -0800

Do you love wine as much as I love it? Ever wonder why you love it? Have you ever thought, "Gee, I'd sure like to know more, but I don't know where to go or whom to ask?"

Well, my dear, you are in luck!

A group of highly passionate and knowledgeable (but no where near stuffy or staid) wine lovers, bloggers, and sommeliers have joined forces to bring you an opportunity to learn about more than 20 different wine regions, styles, and winemaking techniques as you taste your way through 10 stations and 20+ wines in wine-show style.

At each station, you'll come away with a lesson to help you better understand wine fundamentals. And by the end of the evening, you'll have tasted some 20 yummy wines, found answers to your questions, and gained enough knowledge and confidence to boldly go and pick that next bottle of wine from any specialty liquor store shelf or restaurant wine list.

You will be encouraged to grab a glass of your favourite wine of the night to sip while you mingle and make new friends.

Mark your calendar now for next Tuesday, November 10, then click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.

Only 100 Tickets available—purchase online to receive a $10 discount.

Salut!

Tina Bacon from The Pink Spatula makes goodies that turn even the simplest cup of tea into a special event

Kathleen Rake — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:34:31 -0800

Tina Bacon from The Pink Spatula, a recent (very recent) grad of the Fraser Valley Self Employment Program, is the maker of quite possibly the most divine miniature sweets you've ever tasted.

When you choose her little lemon yummies, serve some Moscato d'Asti along side them for a perfect afternoon delight. And, if you're in the mood to learn to make these morsels yourself, you can find Tina the pastry chef giving lessons at Langley's Well Seasoned.

Salut!

According to Vay-ner-chuck, a lot of amazing stuff is going on in Ontario and the Okanagan

Kathleen Rake — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:12:16 -0700

Gary Vaynerchuck tastes a Niagara wine in his Toronto hotel room and says "Canada is going to be a player" in the wine world. Give this a watch and listen and then tell me what you think...

Salut!

Friday night dinner at The Keg in Abbotsford

Kathleen Rake — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:38:51 -0700

We had an early, impromptu dinner at The Keg in Abbotsford tonight. To start, Rick had a rum & coke and I sipped a single-serving cava as we shared tempura snap peas and asparagus.

For dinner, I had the Prosciutto-wrapped shrimp with prime rib and Rick had a steak with bacon-horseradish cream sauce. Mine was fabulous and Rick proclaimed his as "great."

The wine was a 2008 Domaine Jean Bousquet Malbec (13.8% ABV) from Argentina, "made from organically grown grapes."

I found vanilla, smoke, dark red fruits, and blackberries on the nose, with rose petals, spice, coffee, and ripe black fruits on the palate. The tannins were soft and the finish was longer than I had expected. This wine, not quite as sophisticated as its sister, the 2006 Reserva, is good and rings in at $33.95 at the restaurant and $15.99 at B.C. government liquor stores.

And our server, Joanna Lumley, was out of this world.

If only all servers could be as professional, warm, and appropriately attentive as this lovely young lady. You'd better hang on to her, Mr. Keg Steakhouse.

Salut!

Harvest report: BC's Okanagan Valley

Kathleen Rake — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:47:39 -0700

BC is home to five official wine-growing regions or DVAs (designated viticultural areas): Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands. Its most established and arguably most important DVA, the Okanagan, runs long and narrow from the Canada/U.S. border northward 160 km and encompasses Canada’s only bona fide desert and myriad mesoclimates. Read more...

Salut!

Globe in Your Glass: discover new world wine and support Canuck Place

Kathleen Rake — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:42:00 -0700

What if you could help support Canuck Place Children's Hospice by sipping wine from around the new world?

Well, you can when you attend The Globe in Your Glass on Wednesday, October 28, from 7:00-9:30 p.m at the Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver.

Winemakers from Australia, New Zealand, California, and B.C. lead you through what they're proudly calling, "a new world wine discovery."

Tickets are just $25 but attendance is limited to 200 so you should move on this now. I'll be there...come and find me so we can meet!

If you'd like to donate directly to Canuck Place, please click here!

Salut!

Wine on the Mountain: wine & food pairing fundraiser for Adoptive Families Association of B.C.

Kathleen Rake — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:15:40 -0700

The top of Grouse Mountain is home to the fourth annual Wine on the Mountain fundraiser supporting the Adoptive Families Association of B.C.

Blind tastings, curious pairings, chocolate cellar, and more November 7. Tickets are limited. To get yours, call 604-320-7330, ext. 122 or drop a note to events@bcadoption.com.

Salut!

Taste wines from 12 different countries at Rainbow Wine Festival

Kathleen Rake — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:07:44 -0700

Sip, sample, and savour wines from around the world and pair them with delectables from Chef Bill Schildpatt on Saturday, November 7 at Chilliwack's Best Western Rainbow Country Inn. Part proceeds go to support the Chilliwack Fraser Rotary Club and the Salvation Army Chilliwack Food Bank

Call Deanna Wardell at (604) 795-3828 to buy your tickets.

Salut!