Sam The Wine Teacher 
Dine Out Vancouver Festival, with over two hundred and seventy participating restaurants, is a very popular local event and those who have gone once know to book early. The list of participating restaurants has grown this year to include Frankie’s Italian Kitchen and Bogart’s. Earlier this week, I was invited to a top-secret preview … Read more
Hidden away at the foot of Hornby Street in Vancouver, just south of Pacific, is the unassuming Long Table Distillery. Opened just about a year ago, by Charles Tremewen, former Mount Robson National Park Ranger, it has a line up of hand crafted, small batch and locally sourced organic spirits, including vodka, several gins, Marc … Read more
Grilled Scallops with Corn, Bacon and Red Pepper Ragout In case you haven’t heard the good news, Chef Rob Feenie has joined My VanCity and contributes recipes for Taste of Thursday from time to time. This week’s recipe is Grilled Scallops with Corn, Bacon and Red Pepper Ragout. It sounds absolutely delicious doesn’t it? … Read more
his is the first Wine Wednesday of the new year, and seeing as people may have over-indulged financially, I’m focusing on wines under $20. Yes, you will notice several Spanish reds in this list. There are two reasons for this, one they were included in a tasting I did a while ago and two, Spanish … Read more
I saw an online coupon for the Steveston Seafood House and decided to give it a try. We drove out there on a beautiful clear winter afternoon and enjoyed the sunset at Garry Point Park before heading to dinner. I had confused the restaurant with one of the ones on the pier, but found it … Read more
Time to check out my cellar to see what bubbly I’ll open to ring in the New Year. I always try to keep a few on hand and at least some of them in my cellar’s mini fridge. I have a magnum of Sumac Ridge’s Stellar Jay Brut, always a favourite and two from … Read more
Capilano University is offering a new Continuing Studies program in the new year, taught by yours truly. I think you will find it very informative and enjoyable. Hope to see you there. Introduction to Wine Judging NEW Ever wonder why some wines are better than others? Join us for an introduction to the process of … Read more
2011 Chardonnay (Reserve) Pacific Breeze New Westminster, BC $29.99 Gold Medal Tasted 2014 12 Rich lemon yellow in colour with medium plus intensity. The nose is complex with aromas of caramel, tropical fruit, honey, toast and butter with a hint of citrus. Very well balanced with unctuous mouthfeel. The flavours echo the nose. A long, … Read more
Natalie MacLean’s book, Red, White and Drunk All Over is one of the best wine books I’ve ever read. Her book is humorous, informative and covers a range of topics from the importance of real estate (terroir) – “location is everything”, to the diverse approaches to making wine, the mystique of champagne, the competitive aspects … Read more
I think it is safe to say that most people enjoy wine, so it can make a great gift, especially if you know someone’s tastes. But what if you don’t? One person’s plonk is another person’s favourite, and that is totally OK. By the same token, it can be a great waste if you splurge … Read more