A Taste of Summer at Firefly Fine Wines and Ales
May 30, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · Leave a Comment
Firefly Fine Wines and Ales held its first educational tasting event Saturday, May 29, 2010. Guests were invited to enjoy “A Taste of Summer,” with three whites, three roses and three big reds. The evening was hosted by yours truly, Sheila Whittaker.
It was a bling tasting and all I told my guests was that the three wines in each set were all the same type of wine, but from three different countries: Canada, the US and France. The rest was up to them to sniff, sip and discuss their way to an educated guess. We marked the wines based on appearance, aroma, mouthfeel/balance, taste and finish for a total of 25 points. Scores were tallied at the end of the night to reveal the most popular wines. A little competition is always fun!
The first wine of the evening was Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2009 from Washington State ($28.95). It was very pale in the glass and we got pear, peach and other tree fruit on the nose. It left us with a sweet coating in our mouths on the finish. It was a real winner paired with the cheese from Greens Organic + Natural Market, as the salty flavours complimented the sweetness. It would be a great choice for a summer picnic — bring on the cheese, bread and charcuterie! It took third place in the evening’s popularity contest.
Paul Zinck Riesling 2007 from Alsace, France ($27.15) was up next. A couple years older than the other two
Rieslings, it was more golden in the glass. There was a definite diesel note and minerality that was not present in the other two. We thought it would be great with fish and chips, as the dryness would cut the fat. Another great food pairing idea was flatbread brushed with olive oil and topped with anchovies and Asiago cheese. Although two tasters really enjoyed this wine, it was 8th overall, as many tasters were unaccostomed to the diesel note.
Orofino Riesling 2009 from Cawston in BC’s Similkameen Valley ($24.85) rounded out the trio in style. It was pale in coulour with floral, peach, apricot and pink grapefruit notes. It was just the right balance of sweetness and acidity, smooth to drink and long on the finish. This wine got everyone talking and was the number one wine of the night.
It was interesting to see the range of wines that can be made from one varietal! As one guest said “I learned something tonight — I like Riesling! I thought I didn’t before.” Congratulations!
We moved on to our second trio, this time is was rose — a must-drink for the summer months.
Domaine du Bosc Rose 2008 from Southern France ($21.15) was the deepest in colour, a fleshy pink reminiscent of tuna sashimi. 
It was simple, fresh and fruity — one taster suggested it smelled like “Cherry Jolly Rancher.” Although, another said it was reminiscent of “the bus ride home,” since the alcohol came through on the nose. The finish was a bit stemmy and bitter, so this is not a patio sipping rose — it is made for creamy pasta or other rich lunches. This was the least popular wine of the evening.
8th Generation Rose 2009 from Summerland, BC ($23.45) was a pretty pale pink and offered delicious jammy strawberry aroma and taste, accompanied by dried cranberry and sour cherry. It was well-balanced with good acid to compliment the slight sweetness. We all agreed it would be a great wine to greet dinner guests with in the summer and serve with the first course. It would also suit the patio on a breezy summer afternoon. It was the most popular rose of the evening and fourth overall.
Delicato White Zinfandel 2006 from California, USA ($11.35) had a very sweet strawberry and watermelon aroma. The nose gave
us a lot to talk about, but the wine was very simple with little to no acidity and it disappeared on the finish. It placed seventh in our popularity contest.
It was time to prepare for summer BBQ’s with some big reds.
I fudged a little bit and chose a Merlot-based Bordeaux to start off a flight of Cabernet Sauvignon. I was dying to try it! Chateau Ronan 2005 from Bordeaux, France ($33.85) had a complex nose of cherry, anise, cassis, and earth. It was a mellow, medium-bodied drink with well-integrated, dusty tannins. Chateau Ronan is the entry level wine from Chateau Clinet, a sought-after Pomerol estate. Being from the right bank of Bordeaux, the blend is driven by Merlot and backed up by Cabernet Sauvignon. It would make a great dinner wine for the summer with grilled chicken, pork or BBQ chicken pizza. It was sixth in the horse race.
After one sniff of Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 from Oliver, BC ($43.25), the tasting room was buzzing with 
commentary. It was very unique: cedar, wood, sawdust, earth, smoke, vanilla, potpurri — one taster likened it to “working on the roof,” while another thought of a hope chest. The palate was intense with more cedar, vanilla, plum, chocolate and coffee. It screams for meaty BBQ fare: smoked sausage or Jack Daniels-sauced ribs. It placed fifth on the night.
We finished the night with Pacific Breeze Killer Cab 2007, made with California grapes in New Westminister, BC ($27.85). We got chocolate, tobacco, cherry, prune, and sage on the nose. It was a deep ruby colour and full-bodied — tasters were using words like ‘powerful’ and ‘ballsy’ to describe the mouthfeel. This would stand up to anything from the summer grill, especially red meat. It was a great way to end the tasting and was the most popular red, while finishing second overall.
The night was a big success and lots of fun — thanks to all the guests for their active participation! I look forward to the next tasting night at Firefly.
Tinhorn Creek Wine Tasting with a Social Twist
May 27, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · Leave a Comment
Tinhorn Creek winemaker Sandra Oldfield warmly welcomed guests to the CBC Audience Lounge in Vancouver with a glass of … white wine. That was all she would tell us.
After the first drink, the DJ played the sound of a glass smashing — the cue for tasters to move to the next station. At Station 1, we were given … white wine. Winemakers will usually go on and on about each wine, how the grapes were grown, what the weather was like, the vinification process — what was going on?
The concept for the night was a staggered blind tasting. The wine bottles were 
hidden in brown paper bags. All guests were given cards to guess which was which, with a list of choices at the bottom. Of course, a few red herrings were included to throw us all off!
It was a fun concept and well-received by a great crowd; the challenge got people talking and tweeting. Participants were encouraged to take part in an online discussion during the tasting through Twitter, with the hashtag #socialtwist. A television screen in the room showed the updates live.
After hustling through nine samples, we turned in our cards and hoped for the best! Cards were quickly marked and five people in the room got all the answers correct. Fabulous prizes were given out, including a magnum of 2006 Oldfield Series Merlot (served at Station 7 during the blind tasting).
I was not among the gold star tasters of the evening, having reversed the final two wines (2006 Oldfield Series Merlot and 2006 Oldfield Series Syrah). I give partial blame to my Aussie tasting partner — I thought I could trust her to sniff out the Syrah!
In order, we tried Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Oldfield Series 2Bench White (a blend of 33% Semillon, 31% Chardonnay, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 13% Viognier, and 3% Muscat), Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc (my favourite), Merlot, 2006 Oldfield Series Merlot and 2006 Oldfield Series Syrah.
I managed to guess the first seven wines correctly. What did that tell me? Tinhorn Creek makes varietal wines with good typicity — each one shows the signature characteristics of a wine made from that grape. (Or that I am a good guesser who’s luck ran out after seven samples of wine…)
If you were at the event, I would love to hear your comments!
Want more? There’s an interview with Sandra Oldfield in Taste and Sip and a more pictures from the event on BC Living’s website.
Bloom: BC VQA Spring Release Tasting
May 21, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · 2 Comments
Over 50 BC wineries showed off their latest releases to Vancouver’s media and wine tradespeople at the Bloom: BC VQA Spring Release Tasting. Wines of British Columbia hosted the event at the Marriott Pinnacle.
With so many wines to choose from in the room, I was spoiled for choice. But I managed to make the most of it. Here’s my 4X4 list of wines that stood out:
White
Clos du Soleil White 2007 from the Similkameen Valley. A crisp Bordeaux-style white blend (mostly Sauvignon Blanc, with around 5% Semillon). A beautifully-made wine that would be a classy addition to your summer dinner table.
Twisted Tree Viognier/Roussanne 2008 from Osoyoos. Great quality from this aromatic and vibrant wine. Another excellent choice for a special meal — guests bringing this to Chateau Whittaker will be invited back.
Ex Nihilo Riesling 2008 from Okanagan Falls. An intense wine bursting with citrus and bright acidity. A mouth-watering number sure to refresh!
Poplar Grove Chardonnay 2008 from Naramata. This is one of those chards that hits the balance between being crisp with green apple, mineral and citrus, yet still offering some creamy texture and only a hint of toastiness.
Rosé
Tantalus Rosé 2009. It’s dry, but very aromatic and a beautiful, bright pink in the glass. It’s made of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier and would suit the poolside or the table.
Le Vieux Pin Vaïla Pinot Noir Rosé 2008 from Oliver. This is the wine snob’s answer to those who think pink wine is a sweet girlie drink. Vaïla proves them wrong with its elegant, distinctly French-style.
Stag’s Hollow Syrah Rose had a sweet smell, but was dry on the palate with a round mouthfeel.
Church & State Wines Cabernet Blanc 2009 had bright fruit, was slightly (sweet but not overly so) and would rock a patio.
Red
Stag’s Hollow Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. Yes! An affordable (under $30) red from BC that is smooth, aromatic, and easy-to-drink — while remaining interesting. By comparison, the Heritage Block 1 2006 (Cab/Merlot blend) was earthier, had more oak influence, more complexity, heavier body and grippier tannins.
Church & State Wines 2006 Meritage. Smooth, with sweet red fruit and an easy-drinking nature. Its 2007 Syrah, with sweet spice and current notes, was also pleasant. The former is in the $35 range, the latter $10 less.
Clos du Soliel Red 2007. Cab Sauv/Merlot/Cab Franc that offers bright red fruit and is approachable now. A delicious choice for presenting to the host of the next dinner party you get an invite to.
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2007. Well balanced with ripe, dark fruit, soft tannins and medium body. The Merlot 2007 (plum, oak, medium-bodied with fair acid) and Syrah 2007 (full with grippy tannins, dark fruit and a peppery finish) are also well made.
Reds for your cellar
Dunham & Froese Amicitia 2008. A Merlot/Cab Sauv/Syrah/Cab Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot blend — totally different from the last vintage, which was driven by Cab Franc. It had a lot to it and is definitely a wine for the cellar. Big, bold and needs time to settle down before it peaks.
Painted Rock Red Icon 2007. A huge Bordeaux-blend that, even after three years, is still tightly wound with lots of tannin and acidity. It will age for many years — and should to be properly enjoyed. If you have the means, it will be the reward.
Poplar Grove Legacy 2006. If you were to drink this now, you should open it at breakfast to enjoy it at dinner. It is powerful, complex and worthy of a cozy spot in your cellar.
Black Hills Nota Bene 2008. There’s a reason this has become BC’s cult wine. It’s full with black current, plum, blackberry, oak, earth, good acidity and smooth tannins. It’s delicious and will be for years to come. The Carmenere was also on offer and was a hefty, meaty, dark, tooth-blackening delight.
If you were at Bloom and tried something that I missed, please comment below! I’d also love to hear what you thought of the wines I have listed here. There were so many on offer, I was certainly not able to get around to all of them (although I gave it the good ol’ college try!).
Vancouver Craft Beer Week Unites Women and Beer
May 18, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · Leave a Comment
Although the minority in both production and consumption of beer, women came out in force to support female brewers and sample their offerings Thursday night at The Refinery on the Granville entertainment strip.
Clever men who list women and beer at the top of their interest charts also secured tickets to the sold-out event.
Once I got passed the friendly volunteers with the guest list, I was handed a branded Vancouver Craft Beer Week sample-sized beer glass and directed to R&B Brewing’s cask of Extra Special Bitter, an extra special treat and not one of R&B’s usual offerings. Perhaps it will be soon — it was well-liked! It’s a moderately (not overpoweringly) bitter English-style ale and not lacking in hoppy, floral and citrus flavours.
The tables were spread with Lesley Stowe’s Raincoast Crisps and Saltspring Cheeses for nibbling. The evening officially kicked off with
a welcome from VCBW event coordinator, Lundy Dale. Also president of the Vancouver chapter of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), the senior ales advisor at Firefly Fine Wines and Ales, and in hot pursuit of her Cicerone certification (the equivalent of a sommelier in the beer world), Dale is a woman who knows and loves beer.
Lauren Mote, general manager of The Refinery and award-winning mixologist, is no stranger to quality bevvies and was on hand to make sure the evening flowed as smoothly as the brews. Leah Heneghan, VCBW project manager, was also a major contributor to the night’s success.
Chef Mike Carter was busy at work in The Refinery’s kitchen creating delicious appetizers to pair with the evening of ales. First up was the seasonal Heatherdale Ale from Saltspring Island Ales. This ale is infused with the aroma of Heather flowers from the Butchart Gardens, and was described by brewery co-owner Becky Julseth as a ‘girlie’ beer. It was paired with a spot prawn and chorizo nestled atop a cracker-like form of parmesan polenta. It inspired fantasies of backyard hammock relaxation, and non-stop refills of refreshing Heatherdale Ale from a cabana boy.
Next, Saltspring showed its tougher side with the Whaletail Ale — an amber bursting with hops. It was a huge leap from the subtle drink we’d just finished, but showcased the diversity of Saltspring’s offerings. It was the favourite of local travel writer John Lee, who attended the event to give away a couple copies of his recent book Drinking Vancouver.
R&B made another appearance with its Red Devil Pale Ale. It’s an easy beer to sip because of its slightly sweet malty qualities and refreshing finish.
Leslie Fenn, the owner and director of Howe Sound Brewing introduced the Three Beavers Imperial Red Ale. It is a strong, malty ale with 7.5% alcohol. Chef Carter paired it with coffee-crusted lamb loin, pickled fennel and vanilla dressing, cleverly served on a round slice of potato. My mouth is watering for the mere memory of this bite-sized gem.
The new Squire Scotch Ale was presented by Patt Dyck, Co-Owner of Cannery Brewing. It’s a medium, caramel ale with little hop, lots of malt and a touch of sweetness. It’s a great beer for food and paired well with three-cheese flat bread with roasted tomato.
The perfect cap to the evening was kindly offered by Rebecca Kneen, co-owner and assistant brewer of Crannog Ales and Rachel Sawatzky, chololatiere of CocoaNymph Chocolates and Confections. The Back Hand of God Stout, a rich, smooth drink with definite coffee and chocolate notes made a perfect pairing with the gourmet, artisan chocolate.
To ensure guests’ memories of the evening were lasting, all were sent home with a goodie bag that included Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo from Lush (made with Crannog beer), Cannery Brewing Blackberry Porter with Hops soap, and other fun stuff.
The first Vancouver Craft Beer Week hosted events all over the city for beer enthusiasts to get out and enjoy. If you experienced something noteworthy during VCBW, please share in the comments area below!
Spot Prawn Festival
May 10, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · Leave a Comment
Loca
l, sustainable, delicious spot prawns, a beautifully warm and sunny day, live blues-rock music, wine and beer samples — a dream Saturday afternoon in Vancouver became reality at the Chefs’ Table Society of BC‘s 4th annual Spot Prawn Festival May 8th.
At noon we arrived at Fishermen’s Wharf and had no trouble getting our $10 tickets for a delicious plate of five spot prawns with seafood sauce, mango chutney or spicy Thai sauce for dipping and warm, grilled bread.
I snagged a sample of Granville Island Brewery‘s Robson St. Hefeweizen, an unfiltered wheat ale that is refreshing and a great pair for the flavourful sauces. Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery was also on hand with wine samples.
Our group found a nice spot in the park overlooking the wharf and spread out our blanket on the grass in the sun.
As I dove into the plate, snapping off heads and peeling back shells, I found myself wondering why I had never had such juicy prawns before. They were bursting with flavour, had a nice, firm texture and the freshness was unsurpassed.
Local fisherman were selling the spot prawns for $12 per pound to the public, and it was no wonder that so many people were walking around with bags full of the tasty little crustaceans. There is a six-to-eight week window of opportunity for you to do the same, either by heading down to Fishermen’s Wharf or finding a eatery in the city with spot prawns on the menu, such as C Restaurant. 
About 90 per cent of BC’s spot prawns are exported to Japan. Vancouver chefs are trying to spread the word to consumers that local spot prawns are an excellent and affordable alternative to the farmed tiger prawns. Many local chefs attended the festival to promote the the Chefs’ Table Society’s latest cookbook, Vancouver Cooks 2. Festival goers were able to purchase books at the festival and have them signed.
It was not long before our plates were empty and we were left basking in the sun licking our fingers, while music from local blues-rock band Terminal Station drifted up from the festival. We were living the West Coast dream.
Primitivo and Canucks Game 4 vs Hawks
May 7, 2010 by Sheila Whittaker · Leave a Comment
Wine and food pairings? How about a wine and hockey pairing! Primitivo, the grape used to make this Italian red wine, comes from the Latin word “primitivus” which translates as precocious. And what could be more precocious than the goal against the Canucks at 0:18 of the first by Brent Seabrook?
It was clearly time to get out the corkscrew! I reached for a 2006 Primitivo from Cantele, which comes from the Salento IGT. The nose has some blackberry, Bing cherry, spicy toasted oak, clove and … relief! At first taste the smooth tannins and zesty berry flavours calmed my nerves. Wellwood scored at 1:34 and tied the game. This seems to be working!
The wine is vibrant and lively on the palate, but lacks the body that I was expecting. Certainly not a hard-hitter like O’Brien, who managed to get two cross-checking penalties — the second of which resulted in a Jonathan Toews goal at 9:23 that put the Hawks back up 2-1.
The finish is minty and long. Hopefully the Canucks will finish as pleasantly!
