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You are here: Home / Archives for Type / Wine

Wine Education Week 2019: September 9 – 15, 2019

August 27, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the largest global provider of wine and spirits qualifications, is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary with the first ever global Wine Education Week.

Wine Education Week takes place September 9 – 15, 2019 and celebrates the diversity, taste and culture of the world of wine with a programme of interactive events. The events are focused on learning about and enjoying wines from across the globe.

Wine Education Week will kick off on Monday, September 9 with food and wine pairing launch events across the world starting at 6 pm local time in 24 countries.

Beginning with Auckland, New Zealand and ending with California, USA, WSET is aiming for a continuous 24-hour global food and wine tasting session.

In the UK, the launch event will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wine lovers to help break a Guinness World Record – for the largest ever recorded sommelierie lesson.

In Canada, there will be a launch events in Toronto (hosted by IWEG Drinks Academy) and Vancouver (hosted by Statera Academy).

Following the launch, Wine Education Week will continue with more than 450 fun, educational events in 46 countries to encourage consumers to learn more about wine and to drink ‘better’.

With sessions ranging from ‘Deciphering Wine Labels’ to ‘Matches Made In Heaven’ – and ‘World Wine Monopoly’, the events will help attendees make wiser choices when choosing a bottle and to discover the delights of lesser-known wines they might not have tasted before.

In Canada, WSET course providers are organising 15 events in five locations over Wine Education Week.

Calgary, AB: CO.OP Wine Spirits Beer

  • 12/9/19: Finding the perfect match
  • 13/9/19: Deciphering wine Labels
  • 14/9/19: Vine to glass

Toronto, ON: IWEG Drinks Academy

  • 9/9/19: Wine Quiz                                          
  • 11/9/19: Cabernet and red blends
  • 12/9/19: Ontario wine masterclass

Vancouver, BC: Statera Academy

  • 9/9/19 Secrets to great food & wine pairing

Guleph, ON: University of Guelph

  • 10/9/19: Finding the perfect match
  • 11/9/19: Vine to glass
  • 12/9/19: Deciphering wine labels

Burnaby, BC: VinoZen

  • 10/9/19: Finding the perfect match
  • 10/9/19: Deciphering wine labels
  • 10/9/19: Vine to glass
  • 10/9/19: Mastering maturation
  • 10/9/19: Wine trivia night

Full details about Wine Education Week and the events taking place can be found at www.wineeducationweek.com 

Filed Under: Event, What's New, Wine

Spring Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

June 4, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cincin Ristorante on Robson Street to try out a few of their spring features. Leading the kitchen is Chef de Cuisine Andrea Alridge as Executive Chef Andrew Richardson splits his duties between Cincin and and Elisa.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante
Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

To start, we enjoyed a pair of sweet and succulent spot prawns.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

The first course was burrata from Puglia with grilled red fife bread topped with crushed garbanzo beans and lemon, mint and arugula.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante
Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

We also enjoyed a very bright and refreshing organics green salad with raw shaved vegetables, edible blossoms and elderflower dressing.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

Next was the pasta course: stinging nettle and ricotta tortellini topped with marcona almonds, grana padano, summer truffle and dressed in a smoked citrus vinaigrette.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

The seafood main was Pacific halibut with pea tip brodo English peas and Hannah Brooke farms asparagus.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

Cincin is known for their wood-fired cooking and the fourth course featured a wood grilled tenderloin of beef accompanied by potatoes, prosciutto, parmesan collard greens in a tangy, buttery salmoriglio sauce.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante
Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

To finish off the amazing meal was the Black Forest – a beet chocolate sponge cake with cherry and amadei chocolate cremeux, tonka bean chantilly, and griotte cherries.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

The evening featured delightful wine pairings by Wine Directors Shane Taylor and Michael Littleford.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

Thank you to the Chef Alridge, Restaurant Director Richard Luxton, Restaurant Manager Elle Boutilier, Wine Director Shane Taylor, Assistant Wine Director Michael Littleford and Bar Manager Shion Fujita for a wonderful evening of food, wine and company.

Spring/Summer Dinner Menu 2019 at CinCin Ristorante

For more information, visit cincin.net

Filed Under: Featured Posts, Robson Street/West End, What's New, Wine

Ancora Hosts Paella and Rosé Patio Parties on June 8, 2019

May 16, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

In celebration of National Rosé Day, Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio will be hosting dual Paella and Rosé Parties on the open-air patios at both its False Creek and Ambleside locations on Saturday, June 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

The simultaneous reception-style events will feature six notable rosés hailing from BC.

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

There will also be a selection of Mediterranean-inspired tapas such as Boquerones (white anchovy on toast), Castelvetrano Olives and an exclusive taste of Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico.

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

Procured from Spanish provider Cinco Jotas, the top-grade jamón is made from 100% purebred “black hoof” Iberian pigs that enjoy more grazing space and are fed from acorn-rich dehasas (meadows) for two seasons.

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

This is a unique opportunity for guests to taste the highest grade of jamón in Spain, and therefore the world. Ancora is proud to be the only restaurant in Canada to feature this prized authentic ham fashioned from pure ibérico-breed pigs, which gives it a much more pronounced acorn flavour as well as texture and aroma.

During the events, Chef Ricardo Valverde and his team will be interacting with guests on the patios while cooking up Ancora’s signature Peruvian-style Paella (local crab, prawns, scallops and clams, as well as the unique addition of chimichurri and Huancaina aioli) for all to enjoy as the main course.

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019
Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019
Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019
Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

PAELLA AND ROSÉ PATIO PARTY MENU

Tapas

  • Boquerones
  • Castelvetrano Olives
  • Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico

Peruvian-style Paella

Local Crab, Prawns, Scallops and Clams Served with Chimichurri and Huancaina Aioli

Wines

  • Sea Star Blanc de Noir Rose 2018, Pender Island, BC
  • La Frenz Pinot Noir Rose 2017, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Mt. Boucherie Rose 2018, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Boutinot, Pasquiers Grenache Cinsault Rosé, Pays d’Oc. 2018, France
  • Quinta da Calçada Lago Cerqueira Rosé (Vinho Verde) 2017, Portugal
  • Rocca di Montegrossi Rosato 2018, Tuscany, Italy

TICKETS

A limited number of tickets for Ancora’s Paella and Rosé Patio Parties taking place at both their False Creek and Ambleside locations are available for $49 plus tax and gratuity and may be purchased online at ancoradining.com/product-page/paella-and-rosé-patio-party.


Ancora Ambleside — 1351 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver BC  V7T 2P9 | 604-926-0287
Hours: Lunch noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday | Cocktail Hour 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday | Dinner 5 p.m. to close daily

Ancora False Creek — 1600 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC  V6Z 2L9 | 604-681-1164
Hours: Lunch noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday | Cocktail Hour 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday | Dinner 5 p.m. to close daily

Ancora Paella and Rosé Patio Parties  June 8, 2019

Disclosure: I attended a media preview.

Filed Under: Event, Media Event, What's New, Wine

4 Tips on How to Pair Wine and Chocolate

February 9, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Chocolate and wine are two bold tastes that complement each other very well especially when paired based on flavour and body. While there are many ways to pair wine and chocolate, here are a few tips on finding a wine that complements your favourite chocolate well for that extra wow factor.

4 Tips on How to Pair Wine with Chocolate
Lakeview Wine Co

Tip #1: The sweeter a wine is, the sweeter the paired chocolate should be.

Tip #2: The higher the cocoa content in chocolate, the stronger the red wine pairing.

Tip #3: Heavier wines will often pair well with heavier chocolate such as dark chocolate or milk chocolate.

Tip #4: Lighter bodied wines including most whites and Icewine will pair well with white chocolate, and even milk chocolate.

Chocolate pairing ideas with Lakeview Wine Co.:

  • Chocolate fondue – EastDell Pinot Noir 2016
  • White chocolate – FRESH Opportunities Riesling Gewurztraminer 2016
  • Dark chocolate – EastDell Black Label Shiraz 2015
  • Milk chocolate – Lakeview Cellars Merlot 2013

For more information, please visit lakeviewwineco.com.

Related posts:

7 Things to Know About Icewine

Filed Under: Wine

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2019

January 18, 2019 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Attention wine lovers, mark your calendars!  The 41st Vancouver International Wine Festival returns for an eight-day celebration of wine and food February 23 to March 3 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues around Metro Vancouver. 

vancouver international wine festival grand tasting 2018

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2019 festival features 160 wineries from 15 countries, including 53 wineries from California, this year’s featured region. They’ll be joined by 107 wineries from around the world, pouring 1,500+ wines at 54 events.

Vancouver Wine Festival Savour Spain Event

Each participating winery will be represented by a winery principal who come to Vancouver every year to share and discuss their wines with festivalgoers.

vancouver international wine festival grand tasting 2018

The festival is headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre; in addition, more than 20 other restaurants and venues around the city will host winery dinners, lunches, seminars and wine minglers.

The sumptuous Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, benefiting Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, kicks off the festival on Saturday, February 23 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; tickets and tables are on sale now.

The heart of the festival is the Tasting Room, where all 160 wineries will gather for four International Festival Tastings.

vancouver international wine festival grand tasting 2018

Festival week will feature 20 California events, including vine star seminars, vintage tastings, winery dinners, a wine party to kick off the week, and a spectacular Saturday lunch featuring all 53 wineries.

How To Buy Tickets

Online: VanWineFest.ca
Phone: 604-873-3311, toll free 1-877-321-3121 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
In person: 202-162 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Filed Under: Event, What's New, Wine

5 Things To Know About Zinfandel

November 25, 2018 by foodgressing Leave a Comment

Want to learn more about Zinfandel?  Here are 5 things to know:

zinfandel ravenswood

  1. Although best known for its status as a prestige wine grape in California, Zinfandel only made its way to the US during the Gold Rush in the 1850s.
  2. Look for ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ on your labels!  This is often sought after as it is made from grapes on vines that are at least 40-50 years old, often much older.
  3.  Zinfandel is a bit of a chameleon, producing white, rosé and red wines from its grapes.  With both a youthful appeal and an ability to age gracefully, it can be made light and fruity, big and ripe, or complex and age-worthy.
  4. There is no such grape as “White Zinfandel”!  White Zinfandels are rosé wines produced from the same small, black-skinned grapes that make bold reds.
  5. Ravenswood co-founder Joel Peterson is known as the “Godfather of Zin” thanks to his championing of the Zinfandel grape and helping make it the runaway phenomenon it is today.

zinfandel ravenswood

For more information, visit Ravenswood Winery.

Filed Under: Wine

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