Shiraz | VanFoodies.com

Posts Tagged ‘Shiraz’

[Wines] Affordable Wine Tasting Party

Posted in Drinks, Kathryn, Product Reviews, Wine Series, tagged Barefoot Wine, BC wines, Black Cellar, Cono Sur, Finca Los Primos, Gazela, Gray Monk, Kerner, Malbec, Merlot, Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, red wine, Rose, Saint & Sinner, Sauvignon Blanc, Shift It, Shiraz, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, wedding wine, white wine, Wine, Wine Tasting 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] Sipping Our Way Through the Wine Festival #VIWF

Posted in Culinary Events, Drinks, Kathryn, Vancouver, Vancouver International Wine Festival, Wine Series, tagged "The Bogan", Australia, Australia wine, Jacob's Creek, Kaesler Vineyards, Luongo, Rose, Sandhill Winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Serafino, Shaw + Smith, Shiraz, Turkey Flat, Vancouver International Wine Festival, VIWF, Wine Tasting on March 10, 2015| Leave a Comment »

[Editor’s Note: Please give a warm welcome to Kathryn, our new blogger. With her experience working in the wine industry and sipping her way through many bottles, Kathryn is going to bring some new insight in wine tasting. Check out her debut post below!]

Hello foodies! Thank you for inviting me into your food/beer/wine loving homes. And what is the best way to start my wine blogging debut? It’s to talk to you about the 37th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival of course!

Joyce and I attended the Restaurant Australia and International Festival Tasting events together. What terrific events full of food and wine to tantalize and quench anyone’s craving for flavour and variety. I will leave the food portion to Joyce (needless to say I enjoyed the food) and focus on the wines of the day.

The first event, Restaurant Australia, wet the whistle and eased us into the day by pairing food with wine for 2.5 hours. It was then followed by the 2-hour afternoon International Festival Tasting – such a short time to give the tasting room, filled with 170 wineries, justice! However, I sacrificed myself and tried as many wines as possible so I could share some tasting notes plus provide you with some behind-the-scenes information that perhaps you can’t just read on a wine label or website.

Firstly, if you are not a fan of the herbaceous or mineral flavours that Sauvignon Blanc usually provides, then do I have a Sauv Blanc for you!
(more…)

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#DineAustralia – Celebrating Australia Day in Vancouver

Posted in By Invitations, Culinary Events, Food Bloggers, Joyce, Meat, Media Events, Pop-up, Restaurants, Seafood, Travel, Vancouver, Wine Pairing, tagged #DineAustralia, Australia, barramundi, Chapoutier Australia, Grenache, John Placko, kangaroo slider, Shiraz, Tourism Australia, Viognier, Wine Australia, Yalumba on January 26, 2014| 2 Comments »

In celebration of Australia Day on January 26, I was invited to an event last week called Restaurant Australia. It’s put on by Tourism Australia and Wine Australia to promote Australia as a food & drink travel destination.

The event started with welcome speeches from Tourism Australia, Wine Australia and Chef John Placko.

Of course, there was plenty of food and wine to go around. The menu, created by Australian-born Chef John Placko, featured unique ingredients found in various regions in Australia.

Food

Here is what I tried:

New South Wales: Sous vide prawns, caramelized onion sponge, toasted macadamia crumbs, dill fluid gel

Queensland/The Great Barrier Reef: Buderim ginger & lime spiked barramundi, wilted greens and Australian olive oil

Victoria: White Stripe Lamb seasoned with forest berry and Murray River salt flakes, minted cucumbers and beetroot meringue (more…)

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[Wines] Lucky Penny Wine

Posted in By Invitations, Food Bloggers, Joyce, Mr., Vancouver, Wine Pairing, Wine Series, tagged Australia wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Les Amis du Fromage, Lucky Penny Wine, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz, Viognier, [yellow tail] on April 8, 2011| 3 Comments »

Mr. and I were invited to an event to try a new line of wine by Australia’s [yellow tail]. It’s called Lucky Penny and it comes in one white blend and one red blend. Apparently BC is the first place in the world to be selling it.

Held at Les Amis du Fromage, we joined other bloggers to try the wine as well as canapes that highlight the distinct flavours and aromas in the wine. It’s also a potluck event, so each participant was encouraged to bring a homemade dish that may complement the wine as well.

Lucky Penny Wine

Before we start commenting on the wine, please keep in mind that both Mr. and I are no expert in wine; in fact, we’re fairly new to this. But we believe in sharing our thoughts about what we tried, just to give you another set of opinion.

Lucky Penny White

The white wine is a combination of Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Grigio, and contains the notes of honey, apricot and pear. I personally like my white wine fruity and slightly sweet, so I quite enjoyed this wine. It’s fruity and you can definitely get the apricot note.

Lucky Penny White

Mr. Says: This white is sweet and crisp, with a whole range of aromas and flavours for your senses. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, just know it’s delicious. It’s great on its own, or paired with food. I was on my third glass at the end of the night—it would’ve been the third bottle if no one was looking.

Here are the canapes at the event that were supposed to be paired with the white: