Wines from Argentina at the BCLDB
Wines from Argentina Event Shines the Spotlight on Top Wines, Tasty Bites, and Tango Dancers
Throughout April of 2010, BC Liquor Stores will celebrate the quality and value of wines from Argentina. The month-long promotion will include a consumer tasting at the 39th & Cambie Signature Store on Friday, April 9th. Guests at the event will enjoy Argentine wines paired with South American cuisine from Baru Latino Restaurante and will be treated to a demonstration of tango dance moves.
Argentina has made a huge splash on the international scene in recent years. International sales of Argentine wine have increased an astounding 700% over the past 6 years. Wine lovers around the world have come to rely on Argentina’s winemakers for bottles that consistently deliver value for the money.
Throughout April, Argentina’s success will be celebrated with displays in 60 BC Liquor Stores. Some of Argentina’s best bottles will be featured, including the following:
| Bodega Francois Lurton Pinot Gris | 556746 | $ 13.99 |
| Bodegas Pascual Toso Malbec | 129163 | $ 13.99 |
| Bodegas Santa Ana Malbec-Shiraz Reserve | 96966 | $ 14.99 |
| Bodegas Renacer Punto Final Malbec Classico | 455980 | $ 15.99 |
| Bodegas Trapiche Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon | 323295 | $ 13.99 |
| Domaine Jean Bousquet Organic Malbec | 807263 | $ 15.99 |
| Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec | 633628 | $ 14.99 |
| Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Malbec | 770925 | $ 16.99 |
| Finca Flinchman Misterio Malbec | 757245 | $ 12.99 |
| Masi Tupungato Passo Doble | 225813 | $ 15.99 |
| Michel Torino Don David Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | 407007 | $ 15.99 |
| Trivento Amado Sur | 568238 | $ 15.98 |
At the Cambie & 39th consumer tasting, the wines listed above will be paired with bites from Baru Latino Restaurante. Guests at the event will also enjoy a demonstration of passionate tango dancing.
In conjunction with the promotion, Wines of Argentina is also offering a prize package that has all the makings for a spectacular night out. The prize consists of dinner for 8 at Baru, where the winners will enjoy outstanding cuisine paired with top-quality wines from Argentina. Limo service to and from the restaurant is included.
BARU’s Latin driven cuisine is the focus of this award winning, neighbourhood restaurant located in the Point Grey / Kitsilano area. Here, responsibly caught seafood and organic meats are served with classic and original drinks in a warm and welcoming environment.
To enter the draw, please visit www.winesofargentina.ca.
Wines of Argentina Consumer Tasting
Friday, April 9, 2010
3:00 – 7:00 pm
BCLDB 39th Cambie Signature Liquor Store
5555 Cambie Street, Vancouver
www.winesofargentina.ca
www.baru.ca
Canada’s First Wine & Food Mobile App Goes Green
Which Canadian wines go best with the “green food” that we’ll enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day, such as corned beef and cabbage or Irish stew? How about those fresh spring vegetables that will soon be on our plates?
“Green foods are the problem children of the wine world,” says Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine site at www.nataliemaclean.com. “But as a stubborn hedonist whose grandmother’s name was Brophy, I’ve found some terrific Canadian wines to drink with them on March 17.”
Natalie has just launched a new mobile application for iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Droid and other smartphones. Developed by Cerado, this app builds on the success of her Drinks Matcher and includes all the pairings in the original app, plus thousands of wine reviews, recipes, articles, blog posts, glossary definitions, cellar journal and winery directory. You can access the new app at www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp.
In the spirit of going green (and giving back green), the new app is free. With the Nat Decants Mobile App, you won’t need the luck of the Irish to pick the right wines, whether you’re in the pub, at a friend’s house or at the liquor store restocking. It’s like having a sommelier (and leprechaun) in your pocket.
Nat Decants Free Mobile App Features:
- Find 380,000 professionally tested food and wine pairings
(not generated by computer algorithm)
- Access thousands of wine reviews by an independent journalist
- Search the reviews by winery, price, score, region, grape, vintage, food match
- Check how many bottles of a particular wine are in local liquor stores
- Track your wines in your virtual cellar and add your own journal notes and scores
- Search a directory of 10,000+ wineries to buy wine or plan a visit
- Find thousands of tasty, tested recipes for every wine
- Get wine savvy with articles, glossary definitions & blog posts
- Share on Twitter, Facebook and e-mail with friends
Natalie’s Top 10 Canadian Green Wine & Food Matches
1. Corned beef and cabbage: L’Orpailleur Seyval, Quebec
2. Irish Stew: Black Prince Winery Cabernet Franc, Ontario
3. Spring Asparagus: Vineland Estates Sauvignon Blanc, Ontario
4. Field greens salad: Tantalus Vineyards Riesling, B.C.
5. Fiddleheads: Domaine de Grand Pre l’Acadie Blanc, N.S.
6. Tomatoes: Le Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir, Ontario
7. Green peppers: Sumac Ridge Sparkling Brut, B.C.
8. Grilled veggies: Malivoire Rose, Ontario
9. Green peas: Rossignol Little Sands White, P.E.I.
10. Spinach and bacon salad: Kacaba Vineyards Merlot, Ontario
For more tips on pairing green food and wine, visit http://bit.ly/dsYG0g.
To get the free Nat Decants Mobile App visit:
www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp
On the page above, click on the words iPod or iPhone under the iPhone image to go to the iTunes store for the app. The direct link is:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nat-decants/id353052386?mt=8
For BlackBerry, Droid, Nexus One, Nokia, Palm Pre and other smartphones, click on those words under the BlackBerry phone image. The direct link is:
http://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobile
About Natalie:
Natalie MacLean is an independent journalist and author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over. For Google searches on popular terms like “food and wine matching” and “wine newsletter,” Natalie’s site is often on the first page of the results as it has become a go-to resource for food and wine lovers. Natalie has won four James Beard Journalism Awards, including the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. At the World Food Media Awards in Australia, she was named the World’s Best Drinks Writer: www.nataliemaclean.com/bio. You can find her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/nataliemaclean and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nataliemaclean.
About Cerado:
The mobile development company Cerado, Inc. created the Nat Decants Mobile App. Founded in 2002, Cerado creates mobile and web-based solutions that enable businesses, associations and organizations to better connect and understand their customer and member communities. Learn about Cerado and developing mobile applications for your organization at www.cerado.com.
Food Photography Course
Just to let everyone know we are having a food and beverage photography class held at Focal Point ( www.focalpoint.bc.ca ) this spring, running from April 29th to June 24th, once a week on thursdays.
It’s sure to be fun and full of information on food and photography.
Feel free to contact Tracey at tracey@foodiephoto.com with questions about the content of the class, and Patrick at patrick@focalpoint.bc.ca about enrollment.
The cost is 375$ for a 30 hour class.
We realize it’s a learning experience and welcome amateurs, however we do have a minimum requirement of basic studio lighting skills, you should know how to operate strobes, a light meter and be able to process raw files.
Please see details and schedule attached below.
Our goal is to share, inform and teach, not to spam, so my apologies if this email offer doesn’t pertain to you, we will be sending out a reminder in April so if you wish to be taken off the mailing list, just email me back and I will gladly do so.
Also please feel free to pass this on to anyone you may think would be interested.
Thanks and I hope to see you in the spring.
Tracey Kusiewicz
Foodie Photography
http://www.foodiephoto.com
E: tracey@foodiephoto.com
Tel: 604-708-4343
Olympic Special at Sanduz Estate Wines
Sanduz Estate Wines is cheering on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics by offering specials on select wines which represent the colours of the Olympic rings!
The following wines will be 10% off the regular price from February 12th to the 28th
Dry Blueberry Wine
Viognier Wine
Blackberry Wine
Granny Smith Apple Wine
Raspberry Wine
As Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year also fall on this weekend, we will be having our Raspberry Table, Strawberry Table and Raspberry Dessert wines at 10% off as well from Feb. 8 to Feb. 14.
We also carry frozen blueberries in the winery year round, in addition to the world’s first Puffed Blueberries. Come try them today! Our blueberry Blazins (raisin-like blueberries) are available now as well.
Also, visit us at Speed Skating Canada House located at the UBC Boathouse. We will be offering samples of our famous Puffed Blueberries.
Come by and visit our store and tasting room for complimentary tastings of our latest wines. Open daily from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Wheelchair accessible
Location: 12791 Blundell Road (& Sidaway Road), Richmond, B.C.
Ph: (604)214-0444 / Fax: (604)273-5646
www.sanduzwines.com
Purdy’s and Mission Hill Icewine Truffles
Mission Hill Family Estate and Purdy’s Chocolates are pleased to announce the co-creation of Purdy’s Icewine Truffle.
Each exquisitely handcrafted Purdy’s truffle is infused with luscious Mission Hill Vidal Icewine. A delectable dessert for the sensory adventuresome and an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day romantics, the Icewine Truffles are sold individually or with assorted Purdy’s Truffles in an elegant gold box, which are available at Purdy’s retail stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario as well as on purdys.com for $12.95 for 130g.
“Cultivated on our Naramata Ranch vineyards, the Vidal Icewine grapes burst with honey aromas and tropical notes on the palate, creating an ideal pairing with Purdy’s rich, artisanal chocolates,” says Mission Hill Family Estate Chief Winemaker John Simes.
“Purdy’s chocolate combined with Mission Hill’s Vidal Icewine make an extraordinary combination,” says Purdy’s Chocolates Head Chocolatier Gary Mitchell. “The numerous flavour notes complement each other so well that the Purdy’s Icewine Truffle delights the taste buds and satisfies the senses.”
Both Purdy’s Chocolates and Mission Hill Family Estate are iconic Canadian brands that stand for quality and authentic, luxurious indulgences. Created in this spirit, Purdy’s Icewine Truffles are a distinct treat for fine wine and chocolate lovers. Complimentary samples of the Icewine and Icewine truffles will be available for tasting Valentine’s weekend on February 12-13 at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch Ambleside and North Vancouver Westview stores.
ABOUT PURDY’S CHOCOLATES
Since 1907 Purdy’s Chocolates has been delighting chocolate lovers near and far with hand crafted, premium chocolates. Family-owned and operated since 1963, Purdy’s chocolates are still made in its famous Vancouver factory kitchen using only the finest ingredients from around the world – chocolate from Belgium, ginger from Australia, cashews from India and dairy products delivered fresh daily from farms across Western Canada. With a reputation for premium quality chocolates, a culture of innovation, creativity and customer service, Purdy’s Chocolates is Western Canada’s largest and Canada’s second largest retailer of specialty chocolate. Visit purdys.com for more information.
ABOUT MISSION HILL FAMILY ESTATE
Located in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Mission Hill Family Estate is world renowned for its award-winning wines, stunning setting and architecture, and its Cuisine de Terroir-based Terrace Restaurant. Majestic mountains, scenic lakes and lush orchards encase the winery’s dramatic architecture and culminate in a setting that celebrates wine, food and the arts. With sustainable practices that ensure care for the environment, and a timelessness that respects the family’s European heritage, guests experience the height of winemaking in an incomparable lakeside mountaintop winery. Visit missionhillwinery.com for more information.
ABOUT ICEWINE
Icewine originated in Roman times where grapes were not harvested until after the frost. Today, icewine production meets exacting criteria. This precious liquid is widely sought after by culinary and drink experts around the world. Canada requires that the grapes be naturally frozen on the vine at a minimum of -8°C and at 35 Brix sweetness level or higher. The frozen grape’s long hang-time and gentle pressing produces small quantities of juice with a rich concentrated fruit flavour, high natural sweetness and well-balanced acidity.
Mission Hill’s 2006 Reserve Vidal Icewine is available for $49.99 for 375 ml at:
- Mission Hill Family Estate winery
- British Columbia’s Liquor Distribution Branches
- Artisan Wine Stores in Metro Vancouver and Victoria
- select fine wine shops across British Columbia and Alberta
- in Ontario through Mission Hill’s private order website: missionhillontario.com
- online at missionhillwinery.com
