October 2014

Chefs for Oceans: Here’s to ‘Yew,’ Ned Bell

Chefs for Oceans founder Ned Bell and lobster sandwich

Over the years, I like to think I’ve developed a sense of perspective. Or, more specifically, an ability to single out those who, truly, walk the talk… The other night, Four Seasons Vancouver executive Chef Ned Bell capped off his remarkable Chefs for Oceans ride across Canada with a celebration in Yew Restaurant, highlighting some of […]

Read more October 21, 2014 Dining

Drink in Wine Tourism Day with this Summerland Deal!

Summerland's Local Lounge | Grill

(From the release) November 8 marks North America’s 2nd annual Wine Tourism Day.  Okanagan Crush Pad has gathered neighbouring wineries, restaurants and a hotel, to offer an incredible weekend getaway in BC wine county. The winery itself will be open Nov 8 from 12-5 pm to pair their bubble with catered treats from chef Roger […]

Read more October 20, 2014 Wine

Golden Mile Bench Approved as Okanagan Valley’s First Sub-Appellation

South Okanagan, including the proposed Golden Mile Bench, from Anarchist Mtn., Tim Pawsey photo

Updated: October 17th, 2014 … GOLDEN MILE APPROVED AS BC’s FIRST SUB G-I As per the British Columbia Grape Authority: “Golden Mile Bench” Sub-GI Application On May 20, 2014 the Authority received an application from a group of proponents requesting that a new Sub-Geographical Indication under the name of the “Golden Mile Bench” be prescribed […]

Read more October 17, 2014 Wine

Judging by the Juice: 2014 Okanagan Preview

grapes to juice to wine

Fancy yourself a wine geek? How about this? This week I went to one of the more unusual tastings in which I’ve participated. The idea was to bring the excitement of the harvest right to Vancouver—for those of us city slickers who aren’t able to make it to the Okanagan (or elsewhere).  The B.C. Wine Institute […]

Read more October 15, 2014 Uncategorized

Bufala: Local Boy Brings it Home

Bufala Margherita sm

Bufala has landed on the West Side with a bang! A few years back, when I referred to Kerrisdale as a ‘culinary backwater’ the comment was removed by a sensitive editor. But the fact is that, for many years, the explosion of culinary culture that’s engulfed the rest of Vancouver and environs has all but […]

Read more October 10, 2014 Dining

2014 BC Wine Awards: A Premier for Platinum

BC Wine Award Platinum winners

Last week I was privileged to spend the best part of three days with a very focused group of wine judges from BC, across Canada and Kansas City. I’m convinced that, aside from an overall willingness to truly work together, the right setting enhances the process. As it turned out, with its ‘collegial’ personality, super staff, and […]

Read more October 1, 2014 Wine

(oops) wine – A Cautionary Tale of Typography

(Oops) wine label

(oops) wine label documents in detail the improbable but true story of how most of what used to pass for Merlot in Chile was actually Carmenère.

Read more October 1, 2014 Wine