Vancouver Has A Taste For The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

For its 18th year, Liberty Merchant Company hosted over 500 guests at the Four Seasons Hotel to indulge in drinks and fare from BC’s best wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries and food purveyors.

Taste BC 2012 raised in excess of $15,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Oak Tree Clinic.

Liberty Merchant Company would like to thank everyone who donated time, effort and product to our cause.

Taste BC 2012 was proudly sponsored by 100.5 the Peak, CTV, Edible Vancouver, Metro News, Yelp.ca, Precision Graphics & Fluff Designs.

A special thank you to our generous donors: Banana Tans, Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar, Butchart Gardens, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Coquitlam Centre, Craigdarroch Castle, Dezire Chic Corsets, Edible BC, Grouse Mountain, Hagensborg Chocolates, Lesley Stowe Fine Foods, Museum of Anthropology, Okanagan Opals, Opus Hotel, Pacific Surf School, Prince of Whales, Skoah, Suite Living, Sun Peaks, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival, Ted Loo Fitness and The Wickaninnish Inn.

People’s Choice Awards

Favourite Winery: Domain de Chaberton Estate Winery & Cedar Creek Estate Winery
Favourite Brewery: R&B Brewing
Favourite Food: Savoury Chef – Pumpkin Tarts

Official Judging Results

Judges: Kurtis Kolt, Jake Skakun, Robert Stelmachuk, Jason Yamasaki & Tyler Dawson

Best of Show Wine: Hester Creek 2009 Cabernet Franc Reserve

Best of Show Beer: Lighthouse Brewing Uncharted Belgian IPA

Wine

Gold Medal Wines: Averill Creek 2010 Pinot Grigio, Blue Mountain 2010 Gamay Noir, Blue Mountain NV Gold Label Brut, Elephant Island 2010 Framboise Dessert Wine, Fairview Cellars 2008 Mad Cap, Foxtrot 2008 Pinot Noir, Foxtrot 2010 Chardonnay, Lake Breeze 2010 Pinot Blanc, Painted Rock 2009 Red Icon, Quails’ Gate 2010 Dry Riesling, Wild Goose 2010 Autumn Gold.

Silver Medal Wines: Blue Mountain 2010 Chardonnay, Calliope 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Cedar Creek 2007 Platinum Merlot, Ex Nihilo 2009 Pinot Noir, Ex Nihilo 2010 Riesling, Forbidden Fruit 2009 Pomme Desiree, Hester Creek 2010 Character Red Blend, Lake Breeze 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Seven Poplars, Lake Breeze 2010 Semillon, Mt. Boucherie 2010 Gewürztraminer, Painted Rock 2009 Merlot, Painted Rock 2010 Chardonnay, Quails Gate 2010 Chardonnay, St. Hubertus 2009 Dry Riesling, Stoneboat 2010 Chorus, Summerhill Pyramid NV Cipes Brute, Thornhaven 2009 Pinot Noir, Thornhaven 2010 Pinot Gris, Tinhorn Creek 2009 Merlot, Wild Goose 2010 Blanc de Noirs, Wild Goose 2010 Riesling Stony Slope.

Bronze Medal Wines: Averill Creek 2008 pinot Noir, Blasted Church 2010 Hatfield’s Fuse, Calliope 2010 Rosé, Cedar Creek 2008 Chardonnay, Domaine de Chaberton 2010 Bacchus VQA, Elephant Island 2009 Pink Elephant, Fairview Cellars 2009 two Hoots, Fort Berens 2010 Chardonnay, Hester Creek 2010 Character White Blend, Lake Breeze 2010 Chardonnay Seven Poplars, Moon Curser 2009 Dead of Night, Quails Gate 2008 Stewart family reserve Pinot Noir, Stag’s Hollow 2010 Con-Fusion, Thornhaven 2008 Evolution.

Honorable Mention Wines: Averill Creek 2010 Cowichan Black, Blue Mountain 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Calliope 2010 Figure 8, Elephant Island 2010 “I Told You So”, Mt. Boucherie 2010 Gamay Noir, Mt. Boucherie 2010 Pinot Gris, Mt. Boucherie 2010 Pinot Noir, Oak Bay 2010 Gewürztraminer, Rustic Roots 2010 Plum, Sonoran Estates 2007 Forbidden Love Icewine, Sonoran Estates 2007 Oraniensteiner Icewine, St. Hubertus 2010 Chasselas.

Beer

Gold Medal Beer: R&B Brewing Eastside Bitter.

Silver Medal Beers: Lighthouse Brewing Belgian Black, R&B Brewing Hoppelganger IPA.

Bronze Medal Beers: Lighthouse Deckhand Belgian Saison, R&B Brewing Raven Cream Ale, R&B Brewing Red Devil Pale Ale, R&B Brewing Sun God Wheat Ale, Tree Brewing Hop Head IPA, Tree Brewing Vertical Winter Ale.

Honorable Mention Beers & Ciders: Lighthouse Overboard Imperial Pilsner, Trees Brewing Dukes Cider, Tugwell Creek 2009 Harvest Melomel.

About Liberty Merchant Co.

Established in 1986, Liberty Merchant Co. is the parent company of Liberty Wine Merchants, the largest chain of private wine stores in Western Canada. Liberty imports more than 400 exclusive and affordable wines and spirits, all hand-selected from over 120 of the world’s top wine producers. Liberty Wine Merchants carries 5,000 wines through five locations in Metro Vancouver,  along with its original location in Point Roberts, WA.

For additional information on Liberty Merchant Company, please visit http://www.libertymerchantcompany.com.

A fundraiser for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company and arguably one of the most important wine events in North America, this year’s event will bring 180 participating wineries from 15 countries. Expected to entertain some 25,000 oeno-enthusiasts at 64 events, the Festival will offer seven days of tastings, seminars, and wine focused minglers hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre West and top Vancouver restaurants, hotels and venues.

Beginning at 9:30AM on January 10th, 2012, tickets to the Playhouse Wine Festival can be purchased online at PlayhouseWinefest.com or by phoning the Playhouse Box Office at 604-873-3311 or toll free at 1-877-321-3121.

The full Festival brochure can be viewed online at http://playhousewinefest.com/page376.htm.

Follow Playhouse Wine Fest on Twitter for up to the minute information on remaining tickets and sold out events: http://twitter.com/PlayhouseWine.

THEME REGION: WINES OF CHILE

Wines of Chile take centre stage as the Theme Region at the 2012 Playhouse Wine Festival.  Surrounded by sea and mountains, Chile offers an incredible diversity of terroir and a broad range of grape varieties. From crisp Sauvignon Blanc to lush Chardonnay, zippy Riesling or fragrant Viognier, juicy Merlot or classic Cabernet, festival goers will have the opportunity to sample these and many more from the 14 valleys that are home to Chile’s incredibly diverse wineries.

A TASTE OF THIS YEAR’S CHILEAN WINE EVENTS

Taste Chile – Tuesday, February 28th

Kick off the festival with a casual, fun wine and food grazing at the iconic Waldorf Hotel. Let the venue take you back to 1947 while the wines bring you up to speed on what this exciting region has to offer. Chilean styled canapés created by Executive Chef Cesar de la Parra will pair wonderfully with the exceptional Chilean wines, while the beats of resident DJ El Garzita help set the mood.

West Coast Montes – Wednesday, February 29th

Chile’s iconic Montes Winery and Vancouver’s acclaimed West Restaurant unite to present this exclusive evening offering the best that each region has to offer. Esteemed Chairman and Winemaker Aurelio Montes will offer insight and commentary about their premium Chilean wines paired with the impeccable cuisine of West Executive Chef Quang Dang.

The Next Star Grape: Syrah – Friday, March 2nd

What will be the next big thing in wine? With its diversity of climates, Chile is able to produce some fantastic examples of Syrah from big, lusty, juicy delights from warmer climates to cooler climates where the wines turn sublimely spicy and complex. Rhys Pender MW and DJ Kearney will lead participants on a journey through some stunning examples of Chilean Syrah – will it be Chile’s next star?

K.I.S.S. – Sunday, March 4th

Three courses. Three wineries. Nine wines. For one price you get two tickets to this wine and food pairing cooking class hosted by Caliterra, Emiliana and San Pedro. Chef Instructor David Robertson of the Dirty Apron Cooking School, along with Chambar’s resident wine expert Robert Stelmachuk, will guide you through the basics of creating a simple meal while giving the low down on wine and food pairing.

GLOBAL FOCUS: CABERNET(S)

Cabernet Sauvignon is often called the King of Wine. When someone refers to “Cabernet,” they are almost certainly talking about the big daddy of this year’s Global Focus. Cabernet’s distinct character and class is unique in the wine world. At the highest level of quality, Cabernet Sauvignon is the primary varietal in the world’s most sought-after wines, demanding some of the world’s highest prices. Cabernet Franc, or Cab-Franc, is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux-style wines, but can also be vinified alone. As a single varietal, it usually benefits from small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and can be as intense and full-bodied as either of those wines.

Think of it as Cabernet’s hip cousin.

A TASTE OF THIS YEAR’S CABERNET(S) EVENTS

Caymus Vertical Tasting –Wednesday, February 29th

This is a unique opportunity to experience a rare vertical tasting of wines from the Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards. Chuck Wagner, Owner and Winemaker, will conduct this tasting, which will cover seven vintages of the winery’s iconic Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. Special Selection is the only wine to have twice been named Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.”

Kings of Cabernet Sauvignon – Thursday, March 1st

While Cabernet Sauvignon’s identifiable characteristics are found in all its wines, each region adds its own signature to the intrinsic black currant aromas and rich tannins of the variety. Join Master of Wine Barbara Philip and a panel of leading experts for a comparative tasting of top notch Cabernets from around the world.

Speaking Frankly About Franc – Saturday, March 3rd

Rarely seen on its own, Cabernet Franc tends to be more at ease partnered with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Join house wine co-owners Michelle Bouffard and Michaela Morris as they reveal the true character of our unsung hero. You’ll meet Cab Franc in its unadulterated expression from the Loire Valley, Washington, Argentina, California and BC, and discover why it is so important in blends in Bordeaux, Chile, Italy and beyond.

ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, will run from February 27th to March 4th, 2012. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. In 2012, the Theme Region will be Chile and the Global Focus, Cabernet(s). The Festival features a week of special events including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, and lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Playhouse Wine Festival is produced by the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and Festival partners; and raise funds for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1979, the Festival has raised over $7.5 million to enable Western Canada’s leading theatre company to mount 229 productions and develop extensive community outreach and educational programs.

• ·  These credentials are a valuable and widely respected mark of a wine professional’s commitment to personal career development and ultimately to the wine industry as a whole.
• ·  Individuals that receive professional certification raise the standard of proficiency in the wine arena and assist the industry by elevating the knowledge base of everyone with whom they come in contact.
• ·  Professional certification encourages an industry to build upon itself by fostering an environment where individuals can pursue excellence and achieve subject mastery.

Schedule:

Each Tuesday : Jan. 31, Feb. 7/14/21/28, March 6  from 6:30pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Monday, 12th March : 6pm to 7pm

 Price :

$915 +HST (For industry member special rate, contact us). 

BC Wine School is now part of Vinoscenti.

For more information www.vinoscenti.ca

BC Wine School Team
101-1220 West 6th Avenue – Vancouver BC V6H 1A5
info@bcwineschool.com or 604.684.6000

Around The World in 80 Minutes

Tuesday, January 10^th | 6:30 pm | $40 | The Waldorf Hotel

Wine 101 at breakneck speed, covering all the major countries, wine grapes, how to read labels, food pairing tips and more!  Walk away knowing your Bordeaux and Burgundies from your Riojas and Chiantis with dozens of regions to spare.

An 80 minute course that’ll last a lifetime!

32 Grapes ~ 16 Countries ~ 8 Samples

Tickets and more information at EastVanWineAcademy.com!

Want to learn about wine without breakin’ the bank? Want to actually have fun while doing so? The East Van Wine Academy produces wine events that don’t suck at Vancouver’s legendary Waldorf Hotel. All events are produced and hosted by local wine writer and consultant Kurtis Kolt, who likes a good time just as much as you do.

Okanagan Spirits WHISKY is priced at $39.95 and is bottled in 750ml bottle.

This whisky is produced as a complement to our small batch Single Malt project.  Okanagan Spirits is well on its way to producing a premium Single Malt Whisky made entirely from B.C. malt.

By receiving this email you are on our mailing list and will be kept abreast with release dates and product availability.

Please forgive the amateurish photograph.  We have yet to get professional product shots done.

Okanagan Spirits Liqueur Gift Box

For the holiday season we have produced the ideal Christmas Spirits gift box.

Five different Okanagan Spirits Liqueurs presented in a gift box with cocktail and recipe inset card.

This sample set includes 50ml bottles of our Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Cherry and Cranberry liqueurs.

$40.00 including all taxes and deposit would make the perfect last minute gift or stocking stuffer.

Your last chance to guarantee Christmas delivery

If you are unable to get your favourite Okanagan Spirits products at your local liquor store -

WE CAN SHIP FOR FREE.

Order any three bottles and we will ship your order for free.  We offer a reliable trackable shipping service with Christmas delivery guaranteed for orders placed before Monday 19th.

Kelowna Distillery

Our Kelowna distillery is now fully operational and we are loving our new location.  The building is designed and beautifully constructed under the watchful eye of Jubi Steinhauer of Stonebridge Custom Building and Design.

Our floor and wood beams uses reclaimed fir from the Laurel fruit packing house.  Where better to reuse these than in a fruit distillery.  We have a brand new 250ltr copper pot still manufactured in Germany and a 25ft tasting bar finished with recycled glass.

If you are in Kelowna, please make a point of dropping in to our Distillery for a tour and a taste.  We are open every day between now and Christmas from 11am to 7pm (Sunday 12pm – 5pm)

Merry Christmas from the owners and staff of Okanagan Spirits

It has been a busy year for Okanagan Spirits.  New owners, new products (Gin, Whisky and Sea Buckthorn Liqueur) and now a new Distillery.

We would like to thank all our customers who have helped and supported us over this last year.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season and we looking forward to connecting with you again in the New Year.

12. The PDT Cocktail Book ($30):  Sold out at Chapters?  Back order four months on Amazon?  Not here.  Come find out why this book is being hailed as “the cocktailing book of the decade”.

11. Glenfiddich Gift Pack ($97):  For the whisky lover in your life, this three pack makes an excellent stocking stuffer.  Features 3 200 mL bottles of the 12, 15 and 18 YO.

10. Chimay Grand Reserve 1.5 L or 3L ($30.15, $68.95): Get the party started this year in style. The beer is capped with a Champagne style

cork and cage, and will definitely let your guests know they’re in for a festive night.

9. Kozaemon House Junmai ($35.85): Legacy boasts the largest selection of premium chilled sake in BC. We carry a variety of sizes and price ranges. Our sake enthusiasts’ current favourite: Kozaemon House Junmai. With the beautiful goddess of sake on the label, this versatile sake is smooth and full-bodied.  

8. Bittered Sling Bistro ($60/ticket): For the person on your list who has everything, nothing is better than creating memories. Pick up a pair of tickets to Bittered Sling Bistro, a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition series dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft.

7.  The Stoic Stocking Stuffer ($32.35): For something a little different, stuff someone’s stocking with the funky The Stoic, a prized and potent Belgian-style Quadruple with depth and complexity.

Free Upcoming Tastings 

FORT BERENS WINE TASTING
Friday 4 to 8 pm   Dec 9, 2011

We will be pouring the Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

KETEL ONE TASTING
Friday 4 to 8 pm   Dec 30, 2011
Inspired by 300 years of tradition, Ketel One® Vodka is crafted from small batches in the Dutch tradition by the 10th generation of the Nolet family.

XFOUR VODKA TASTING
Sunday, 2 to 6 pm   Dec 11, 2011

Xfour™ is British Columbia’s finest premium vodka. Made of only Canadian grown corn, rye and the purest glacier fed water from British Columbia’s interior.  Try the new Chocolate Martini!

Special Events for December

CREAM LIQUEUR SEMINAR

Monday, 7 to 8 PM Dec 12, 2011

TICKETS: $20/head, 20 tickets available.

Christmastime is perfect for Cream Liqueurs.  They make amazing cocktails for parties and lovely digestifs for after-dinner.  Legacy has many cream liqueurs exclusive to the store, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, this tasting is for you!

We will be sampling the Voyant Chi Cream, Songsters Jamaica Rum, Sheridan and Sinsations Vodka Chocolate Martini.

GRAND MARNIER AND XOXOLAT TASTING

Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00 pm   Dec 13, 2011

 TICKETS: 36 tickets available, $30 a ticket.

Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange.  There are four different Grand Marnier varieties, which we will sample in this harvest table event with beautiful paired chocolates from Xoxolat.  Learn about this unique liqueur and brand, how well it pairs with chocolate and how it’s perfect for the holidays!

CAMPARI & APEROL/KALE & NORI: BITTERED SLING BISTRO

Tuesday, 7:00pm – 9:30pm   Dec 20, 2011

TICKETS: 19 tickets available
$60/ticket which includes gratuity and HST

Guest Bartender: Marlo Panucci, Market by Jean-Georges

We are proud to introduce you to “Bittered Sling Bistro” – a bi-monthly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver.

Click Here for Menu

About Legacy Liquor Store

• We deliver and ship province wide
• Gift baskets available in store and online; available for delivery
• Party planning and cellar building services
• Free Online Wedding Registry Program – Stock your Cellar, who needs another toaster?
• We love your questions! Please call us at 604.331.7900 or come in and visit soon!

Legacy Liquor Store is located at 1633 Manitoba Street, right in the heart of the Olympic Village (just north of First Avenue). We are open seven days a week, from 10 to 11 everyday. Our selection is extensive and unique, our staff are knowledgeable and friendly and we offer a wide variety of inhouse services and tastings.

And it won’t cost big money: each of the 100 wines checks in at under $20.

Every wine is here for a reason: because it’s perfect with a steak, goes great with a picnic, or simply makes a superb stand-alone sipper. The wines come from a whole host of countries and are a mix of grape varieties. There are reds and whites, dessert wines and bone dry fortifieds—and of course sparkling. It’s true wine diversity!

Continuing its quest to provide innovative, accessible information on wine, for 2012 Had a Glass goes smartphone-savvy. The Had a Glass “app”—available for download through the iTunes App Store (http://is.gd/mhcKjo)—features all the essential wine information of the print version* in a handy, mobile form, including:

- 100 hand-picked wines, expertly reviewed

- Food pairing suggestions for each wine

- Occasions to enjoy every bottle too!

- Easily searched by price, country, wine type, food, occasion, and more…

- Bottle shots of each wine for easy reference in the liquor store

- Essential information on wine enjoyment

- Create your personal wine list of best bottles

- Share favourite wines with your friends

- A special wine “randomizer” for those times when you don’t want to choose!

“Had a Glass is the wine guide for everyone,” explains author James Nevison, “and it’s fantastic to keep things fresh and current, and to be able to offer people a user-friendly format for enjoying Had a Glass.” James adds: “Plus, not everyone wants to walk around the liquor store with their nose buried in a book… though I enjoy seeing it!”

For more information, visit www.hadaglass.com

Reduced prices available for IFT, Gold Pass and Salud Chile Theme Region Pack

On November 22nd the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will release advance tickets to the 2012 Festival. The tickets will offer wine-savvy consumers an opportunity to purchase discounted Festival packages and International Festival Tasting tickets in advance of the official ticket release date on January 10th, 2012.

The advance ticket release offers an incredible opportunity to access the International Festival Tasting, which will look out to the spectacular backdrop of the mountains of the North Shore for the first time in Festival history. Advance tickets will also be available to two of the Wines of Chile Theme Region events as part of the Salud Chile Pack. Surrounded by sea and mountains, Chile offers an incredible diversity of terroir and a broad range of grape varieties. From crisp Sauvignon Blanc to lush Chardonnay, zippy Riesling or fragrant Viognier, juicy Merlot or classic Cabernet, festival goers will have the opportunity to sample these and many more.

Of the advance tickets that will be released, the Gold Passes and Salud Chile Packs are sure to be the most popular. 1000 advance tickets to the International Festival Tasting Room will also be available for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The 2012 Festival is expected to entertain and educate over 25,000 thirsty wine enthusiasts to the tune of 181 wineries, 15 countries, 30,000 bottles of wine and 64 events in 7 days.

Tickets will be available by phoning the Festival box office at 604-873-3311 or toll free at 1-877-321-3121 or in person at Playhouse Theatre Box Office (601 Hamilton Street, Vancouver). Internet sales are available for International Festival Tasting events only at www.playhousewinefest.com.

AVAILABLE ADVANCE TICKETS:
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TASTING

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

7:00PM to 10:00PM

Vancouver Convention Centre West

For the first time ever the International Festival Tasting will look out onto the mountains of the North Shore and the Pacific Ocean thanks to the addition of Ballroom D at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Centre stage will be the remarkable winemakers from the 2012 Theme Region of Chile and this year’s Global Focus, Cabernet(s). This year’s International Festival Tasting will once again be organized by country, allowing oenophiles easy access to wines of the world.

Advance ticket price $85 (includes HST and ticket service charges)

Regular ticket price    $95 (includes HST and ticket service charges)
Highlights of the 2012 IFT

The Cabernet(s) Wine Tasting Station will engage with connoisseurs and the curious thanks to samplings of various Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs—and blends thereof—from around the world, poured by experts from the International Sommelier Guild. Regional Tasting Stations will take visitors through a series of sommelier-assisted wine flights highlighting the unique regional terroirs of Australia, British Columbia, New Zealand, South Africa, or the South of France. Also included in the price of each ticket is the opportunity to shop at the Festival Tasting on-site BC Liquor Store, where wines from each presenting winery will be available for purchase – a unique and rare opportunity!

GOLD PASS

Enjoy VIP treatment with the Festival Gold Pass, which offers incredible access to the Festival. Sample an assortment of premium bottles thanks to the helpful guidance of sommeliers and enjoy some early light bites in the before hitting the tasting floor. This pass includes three evenings in the International Festival Tasting Room (with priority access), two afternoons at the Trade Tasting sessions where you’ll rub elbows with Vancouver’s top sommeliers and restaurant owners, admission to the exclusive Curtain Raiser VIP reception on March 1st and weekend entry to the exclusive Gold Pass Tasting Lounge which opens at 5:30PM (well before the IFT).

Advance ticket price $425 (includes HST and ticket service charges)

Regular ticket price    $460 (includes HST and ticket service charges)
SALUD CHILE PACK

Enjoy an afternoon and two evenings of celebrations with the Salud Chile Pack: a taste and swirl sensation that will take you from the incredible Waldorf Hotel in East Vancouver to a ballroom in the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Cap your Chile experience off with a tour through the International Festival Tasting on your choice of Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Package includes:
Celebrate Chile

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

12:30PM to 2:30PM

Vancouver Convention Centre West

Wines of Chile has tasked VCC Executive Chef Blair Rasmussen with the seemingly impossible task of creating a Chilean themed menu to pair with more than 70 Chilean wines. Chef Rasmussen will no doubt rise to the challenge and create some amazing synergies between our own Pacific Northwest cuisine and the wonderful flavours of Chilean dishes. Your challenge will be to try and figure out which wine and food pairing you love most!

Taste Chile

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

8:00PM to 10:00PM

The Waldorf Hotel

Kick off the festival with an evening of wine, food and music at the Waldorf Hotel. Let the venue take you back to 1947 while the wines bring you up to speed on what this exciting region has to offer. Despite nearly 500 years of winemaking, Chile’s wine industry is fresh, young, and boldly evolving to meet the needs of today’s consumers. Chilean styled canapés will pair wonderfully with the exceptional wines from more than 20 wineries while the beats of resident DJ El Garzita will set the mood.

International Festival Tasting

Also included in the price of the Salud Chile Theme Region Pack is an evening session in either the Thursday, Friday or Saturday International Festival Tasting.

Advance pack price $219 (includes HST and ticket service charges)

Regular pack price    $249 (includes HST and ticket service charges)

ABOUT THE PLAYHOUSE WINE FESTIVAL

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, will run from February 27th to March 4th, 2012. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. In 2012, the Theme Region will be Chile and the Global Focus, Cabernet(s). The Festival features a week of special events including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, and lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Playhouse Wine Festival is produced by the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and Festival partners; and raise funds for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1979, the Festival has raised over $7.5 million to enable Western Canada’s leading theatre company to mount 229 productions and develop extensive community outreach and educational programs.

This is a great match for venison, lamb and roasts and would make a great holiday gift for the particularly nice people on your list.

$34.95 Marquis Wine Cellars

The concept of cocktail and food pairings has become extremely popular, and since 2010, Lauren Mote’s original “Cocktail Kitchen” competition at The Refinery produced energetic statistics: 168 original cocktails produced, 56 bartenders invited, 224 bottles of spirits poured, 14 different sponsors. This city’s brightest bartenders – a collaboration of seasoned veterans and young apprentices – took their place behind the wood and produced magic for 1680 total guests in 14 months.

We are proud to introduce you to “Bittered Sling Bistro” – a bi-monthly food and cocktail pairing competition  dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver.

“Cock tail, then is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters it is vulgarly called a bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head.” – May 13, 1806, “The Balance and Columbian Repository”

The evening starts with a cocktail reception accompanied by paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. The vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this delicious affair. Guests are guided though an interactive tasting, led by the guest bartender, right at the harvest table. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit’s wide range of notes and character. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the guest bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender’s presentation and pairing skills. The two top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an superbly interactive way.

Menu - Hors d’oeuvres, appetizer, principal, dessert, 4 cocktails + seminar tasting (vegan option available for guests with dietary restrictions; no other modifications will be permitted). *Vegan options available.

Hors d’Oeuvres*

Oyama Schinkenspeck wrapped Farmhouse brie cheese with celeriac purée and tarragon

Crispy macaroni and aged cheddar cheese balls with smokey tomato dip

Menu*

Sablefish boudin, quince mostarda, smoked pepper duck yolk, sea lettuce – sesame crisp

Makers BBQ pork shoulder, Farmhouse cheddar spoonbread, apple, fennel and pumpkin seed slaw, wild mushroom jus

Raw cocoa and coconut chocolate terrine, caramelized pineapple mousse

salted caramel crunch

This is all about spirit – in both the bartender and the bottle.

November 2011 - Maker’s Mark Bourbon

 About Bittered Sling Bistro:

Location - Legacy Liquor Store

Time - 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Date – Tuesdays, bi-monthly

Tickets - available online through Legacy Liquor Store for $60/person (this includes HST and Gratuity); 36 tickets available.

Schedule - Spirit and host bartender schedule will be online through Kale & Nori and the Legacy Liquor Store events page. Tickets will be available one month in advance. This program runs from November – April 2012 twice monthly on Tuesdays.

Prizes - each host bartender receives a prize to participate; each host bartender is eligible to win one of two spots in the finals (one night), May 2012. Grand prize for winning host bartender will be announced in early 2012.

Media Inquiries:

This event is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association.

© Kale & Nori Culinary Arts Inc. 2011

Link directly to Legacy Liquor Store Listing and to purchase tickets: Click me for more information on Bittered Sling Bistro!