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Posts Tagged ‘Malbec’

[Wine] Gusto Latinoamericano Wine Lunch at Vancouver International Wine Festival

Posted in Culinary Events, Joyce, Lunch, Vancouver, Vancouver International Wine Festival, Wine, Wine Pairing, Wine Series, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 15, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Even though the theme region for this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival was California, there were many events featuring other wine-making countries/regions. Lucky for me I was able to attend the Gusto Latinoamericano wine lunch at Lift Bar Grill View. As you may have guessed already, this wine lunch highlighted wines from Argentina and Chile.

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Event guests were treated to a 3-course lunch here, along with wine pairing. But before that, there was the amuse Argentinean Prawn with Chimichurri. The prawn was sweet and plump, and the chimichurri brought bright acidity. It was paired with the Domaine Bousquet Organic Brut NV — a dry, crisp, easy-drinking bubbly with 25% pinot noir and 75% chardonnay.

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For our appetizer, it was a Chilled Seafood Salad, with a mix of wine braised octopus, mussels, clams and squid, along with some chorizo chips and warm garlic bread. (more…)

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[Wines] 25 Under $25 at the 2016 Wine Festival

Posted in Culinary Events, Drinks, Joyce, Product Reviews, Vancouver International Wine Festival, Wine Series, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 10, 2016| 8 Comments »

At the 2016 Vancouver International Wine Festival, I once again went to the popular 25 Under $25. Hand-picked by James Nevison, The Province’s “Wine Guy”, we got to sample 25 wines from around the world that are priced reasonably at $25 or less.

25 Under $25 2016

Here is the list of wines grouped by colour (white, rosé, red or port), then sorted by countries in alphabetical order. In the event program, there is a price listed for each wine, so I’ve included it here for your reference. If they are currently available at BC Liquor Stores, I have used their listed price instead. Keep in mind that prices may be different at private liquor stores.

I’ve highlighted the ones I enjoyed the most: (more…)

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[Wines] Affordable Wine Tasting Party

Posted in Drinks, Kathryn, Product Reviews, Wine Series, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2015|

Friends and I (including Joyce and Bryan) have formed a beer club called Garibaldi Club. To date our Garibaldi Club has had 13 beer nights, so it was about time we had a wine night. Plus it was good timing for not one, but two couples in our club, who are getting married this year, to obtain some feedback/ideas on potential wines for their nuptial-day shenanigans. Please note: Prices listed below are mostly based on the BC Liquor Stores website and may vary depending on monthly promotion, and it will be priced differently at private, independent liquor stores as well.

Wine Tasting Party

Whites

Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Gewurztraminer (2012/2013)
Canada – Alc 12% – Sweetness 02

If you are looking for something light and crisp to go with a spicy meal (or samosas, which we just so happened to have whilst sipping on this semi-sweet Gewurz) then this is a great choice. It’s got a lovely balance of flavour and sweetness without being too much. Out of 11 people there was only one or two people who said it wouldn’t be their choice, but overall it was quite enjoyable. BC Liquor Stores: $13.29 – good price for a VQA

Saint & Sinner Pinot Grigio (Vintage Not Specified)
Canada – Alc 12% – Sweetness 00

Now for someone who isn’t usually a Pinot Grigio fan I actually really enjoyed this white. It’s sweetness rating is 00 yet in my palate’s opinion it was closer to a 01 – not super dry as a 00 rating may suggest. Overall there wasn’t a negative comment in the house – it was easy drinking and quite refreshing – this may very well be seen at one (or both) of the weddings! BC Liquor Stores: $11.29

Gazela Vinho Verde (Vintage Not Specified)
Portugal – Alc 9% – Sweetness 00

I’m not going to lie, this was just not my style. (more…)

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[Wines] 2014 Vancouver International Wine Festival – International Tasting Room Recap

Posted in Culinary Events, Drinks, Joyce, Product Reviews, Vancouver, Vancouver International Wine Festival, Wine Pairing, Wine Series, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 4, 2014| 4 Comments »

The 2014 Vancouver International Wine Festival has come to an end, and we were invited to cover two events. We’ll spend the next two posts to give you a recap. First of all, a glimpse of the International Tasting Room. There were various sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We went to Thursday evening one; apparently it also tends to be the most “tame” session of all.

Wine Tasting

As I always say, I’m no wine expert and I don’t have the trained palate for it. It’s something I would love to explore more, though. With that caveat, I will list out some wines that we enjoyed at the tasting room while feeling all overwhelmed in the presence of the 178 booths there.

Inside the International Tasting Room

This year’s theme country was France with a global focus of Bubbly. We spent a good amount of time in the French wine area.

VIWF featuring French Wines

There was a fun quiz in the event program that helps you identify the types of French wines you would most enjoy. Guess what, I’m all over the map. I suppose it’s because I enjoy different types of wine depending on the food I’m having, the occasion, the weather, my mood, and every other factor that you can blame on. There really isn’t a go-to wine for me, per se.

We probably stopped by a good 15-20 tables in the French area. Here are our highlights: (more…)

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[Wines] Icon Fine Wine & Spirits – Annual Portfolio Tasting

Posted in Culinary Events, Drinks, Joyce, Media Events, Vancouver, Wine Pairing, Wine Series, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2014| 1 Comment »

I was invited to the annual portfolio tasting of Icon Fine Wine & Spirits, which represents a huge portfolio of wineries around the world.

Icon Fine Wine & Spirits Tasting

There was a lot of wine for tasting and I don’t think I even went through 1/4 of them! After talking to some sales rep and fellow guests, I picked out a few to try and here I’m highlighting what I liked. Keep in mind I’m not a wine expert so this is purely my own personal taste. Unfortunately I didn’t get to try any of the beer & spirits they represent so this will only focus on wine.

Wine Tasting

I sampled three sauvignon blanc, of which I most enjoyed the Chateau de Sancerre Blanc. (more…)

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