2 mom's unsophisticated guide to wine & beer

The Shy Bubbly

2008-12-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

I first tasted this unique beer at the Belgian dinner I attended. Only a small shot glass was offered as it was with the amuse so it was the one beer I had that night that I felt I never really tasted. Of course, the leftovers from that dinner lined our local liquor store shelves shortly after and I picked up a few bottles.

Gueuze's brewing is especially unique to the area it is brewed, near Brussels, due to the fact no yeast is added. The ancient recipe relies on a spontaneously fermented lambic of malt, wheat and hop from the yeast in the air. It is then fermented in Oak barrels and bottled with a combination of young lambic and old, the young then starts a secondary fermentation in the bottle similar to champagne which is why it is sometimes referred to as a champagne styled beer.

Whoaa...perhaps a bit too much info. I don't know how else to describe this beer but as elusive. I have now tried three bottles (not just now) and still can't come up with an adequate description. Gueuze is very gentle and mild and doesn't have a bamm! kind of taste more a whispery kind of flavor you're going to just have to try for yourself.

Christle

Crowd Pleaser

2008-12-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

Last night I hosted a family dinner in celebration of my daughter's birthday. I was looking for a inexpensive red for the family who appreciates quantity more than quality, I say that in the most loving way, of course. Also lets face it, it's almost Christmas and I have three birthdays to contend with so we're not dripping with extra cash for the wine upgrades.

Luckily I found the 2006 Beringer Zinfandel which was inexpensive, pleasant and not overly sweet. I found it to be a easy drinking, full bodied red. I am familiar with Beringer wines from previous restaurants I've worked in but they were always pricey and I did not realized they produced the blue collar variety too. In fact after checking out their website found they have products ranging from $7 (2006 Chenin Blanc) to $290 (2002 private reserve Cab Sav). Quite the range but after a hundred and thirty years, give or take, of operation I guess they have discovered diversity along the way.

The Beringer website described this wine as "crowd pleasing" and it definately held true for our crowd. For 13.95 a bottle, I suspect it will be pleasing a few more crowds in our house for a while.

Christle

Six Pack of My Dreams

2008-12-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

I was awoken this morning by the beeping and hydrolic sounds of the recycling truck in our little cul de sac thinking, no doubt, that our recycling was still sitting on the deck. My husband has many talents but remembering recycling and garbage day is not one of them. He is, however, an incredibly talented and particularly sexy Chef. I don't often have the opportunity to dine at the Bistro in which he works but I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a special Belgian Dinner he created last Thursday. It was a gluttonous six course dinner inspired by his home and our recent travels, each course paired with a Belgian beer.

One of my favorite courses was the appetizer of a trio of Belgian endive paired with my favorite bubbly Duvel. Another stand out was the Beef Carbonades a la Flamande (carmelized slow braised beef stew) paired beautifully with the rich, carmelly, dark Chimay Blue Cap. The Amuse was a butter poached oyster served with the unusual champagne style Mort Subite Gueze. The fish course was sole a l'ostendaise(sole poached with mussels and shrimp with a most exquisite lobster sauce) paired with Witterkerke Wit beer. Of course the evening finished with some Kriek flavored chocolate truffles paired with the Mort Subite Kriek, the lovely, light cherry flavored beer which has won over many a non beer drinker.

Of all the wonderful food and beers offered, my husband was particularly excited to share his Chicken Waterzooi paired with Karmeliet. Karmeliet is brewed in his little home town of Buggenhout. The recipe for Karmeliet was created in 1679 in the Carmelite Monastery. It's unique blend of three grains and in bottle refermentation creates a truly memorable beer. Professional opinion eludes to the distinctive vanilla and citrus flavors, mine, is each tastes illicits a small grumbling, satisfied moan. MMMMM...goooood.

It was a amazingly memorable dinner not in the least because it opened up the wonderful world of Belgian beers (and food) to a few more people. A few more people to harass the local liquor store into stocking the products we love.

Christle

Why hello there

2008-11-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since i've posted here. In the time that has passed many strange and wonderful things have happened, perhaps most important is the fact that Christle and i now work together. We have spent many evenings after a busy service ruminating over lovely local wines and Belgian beer. Christle has taught me many things about wines and beverages in general. My palate has been refined and i can give a few good lines about most of the wines on our menu.

Our house wines are made up of a mix of local and non-local, more accessible wines. I have developed an intense passion for local wines, my favourite winery being Alderlea. Personally, i think Roger makes the best, most consistent local wines. The pinot gris and pinot noir are both big sellers in the restaurant and pair well with a variety of foods.

The stand out wine for me and many local wine lovers is the Clarinet. Clarinet is made from 100% Marechal Foch grapes and is intense and dark and luscious. We have three bottles left in the restaurant and i plan on saving them for customers who will truly appreciate what has come to be one of the most sought after local reds.

~jess

Tour de France

2008-11-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

My brood and I recently returned from visiting family in France and Belgium. As we don't get over to often, our trips tend to be fraught with good food, beer and wine and this trip was no exception. I did intend on taking viligant notes or at least looking at the bottles occasionally and managed to do so on a few occasions.

Champagne was not one of those occasions. We tasted much champagne, especially with leisurely. luxurious lunches in the South of France. Honestly, I can not recall a single label, however, I think the overall promotion of Champagne drinking is important. In Canada it tends to be saved for special celebrations, new years, weddings and whatnot but why not on a regular evening reading your book by the fire. My husband and I briefly toyed with the idea of having some of those lunches at home but it just seemed to alcoholicy for our prudent Canadian life.

One of my favorite new beer discoveries was the Hoegaarden Rose. Hoegaarden, as seen in a previous post, is one of my favorite Belgian beers so how could you go wrong making this refreshing, light white beer with a touch of raspberry? You can't. It was a wonderful, light, low alcohol beer perfect for hot afternoons when your Champagne buzz is starting to wear off.

Then of course, there is the leisurly dinner to contend with. The 2000 Chateau Coutet, St Emilion Grand Cru, was one of my favorites. It was wonderfully full bodied and rich. We were drinking the 2000 vitage because my husband's father has a wonderful wine cellar in which wine is actually kept and not drunken immediately upon purchases. My husband and I both offered to sleep down there, Dad laughed but I did notice an extra lock on the door next time I went by.

All that remains of our wonderful trip are some great pictures and one lone bottle upon our wine rack of the Chateau Coutet. The only reason it is still there is we are loathe to finish what will surely be a wonderful revisit to a wonderful, far to infrequent, holiday.

Christle

A Mouse in the House

2007-04-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

In our area we have two beer and wine stores, one I've mentioned before that has quite a variety, always bringing in new interesting products, quite lovely really. The other, which is closer, tends to feature lucky lager and wine in the box form. I don't go there very often but with a recent hockey game and a desperately thirsty husband I stopped in. I took a quick tour around the wine racks, predictable and boring, but I spotted this lone bottle back with the dusty port bottles bordering on the tequila section, Church Mouse Syrah.
Church Mouse is an off shoot of Church & State wines in the Okanagan. I searched their site to see what they had to say about this wine but it wasn't listed which makes me think this bottle was left from a unusually whimsical purchase on the part of the beer and wine store and it has been patiently sitting in the back waiting for someone to notice it.
I did, and I like it. It was smooth, rich and perfect when I got home from work last night and needed a nightcap. I think I need to investigate the Syrah more as it's not a varietal I'm very familiar with, I'll look forward to a little more investigation tonight.

A Tale of Three Merlots

2007-04-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

Cedar Creek Merlot, Hester Creek Merlot and Columbia Crest Merlot are three that have been on my mind of late. It seems every second diner who graces our restaurant is asking for my opinion on a Merlot so here goes...

The Cedar Creek Merlot (sorry no picture, they are apparently very annal about their logos) now this has been on our house wine list for several years and to be honest I never much cared for it, until this year. I find the 2004 to be smooth, rich and easy to recommend as it has a wide appeal, not to mention the low price point. It is always nice to see a wine evolve.

The Hester Creek Merlot, we brought it to try out. We have a feature sheet in which we get to play around with new products. We like to bring in a case or two of new products to try out (tough part of my job) for our ever evolving wine list. This is one we brought in recently to mixed reviews. I find it a little sharp and lip puckery for me however the other main server likes it. I've had the same sort of mixed customer reviews as well, interesting seems to be a favored remark. So I guess you'll just have to try this one yourself and see what you think.

The Columbia Crest is our House favorite and I personally think it's the best value on our menu. Wonderfully smooth and rich with a surprising fullness that I wouldn't normally expect from a Merlot. I love it, we love it and everyone I've recommended it to, loved it. Triple love here.

Wild About The Goose

2007-04-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

You have, have, have to try this wonderfully aromatic wine. I'm not usually a huge white wine drinker, except in summer, of course, but this is an exception. It doesn't seem to always be available so if you see a bottle, grab it, you won't be disappointed. A glass can conjure up wistful summer days with its intense rose petal aroma even on the most dreary, rainy West Coast day.

It's Super Freaky

2007-04-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

I tried this unusual Viognier/Shiraz mix a year ago and loved it, so I was excited to try it again when I found it in our little wine store. Again, great. It has the full, rich body of a Shiraz but with an interesting depth. It's an easy sipping wine that goes well with both blogging and Survivor, what more could you ask of a wine?

Old Friends

2007-02-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

We recently found a couple of old friends that have taken up a lot of space in our empties bin, Leffe & Hoegaarden. Now for those of you in other parts of the world, civilized world, you might wonder what's the big deal? Well out here on our Island paradise it is difficult to find a lot of variety of import beer, especially Belgian.

My husband and I stopped by a new liquor store that had recently opened up near by and were perusing the isles. We stopped dead infront of the Belgian section and my husband actually lifted me up and swung me around. This was followed by some jumping up and down and general revelry. I wish I was joking here folks but this is an entirely accurate description.

But if you've tasted our friends, I know you'll understand our excitement. Hoegaarden is a white beer that has a cloudy appearance and a completely fresh taste. Like I find with a lot of Belgian beers, it is also more bubbly that our Canadian beers, which I like. It is a smooth, tasty, perfect after beer work.

Leffe is a blond Abbey beer and lets face it those monks know their beer. I find Leffe to be more full bodied that Hoegaarden and more suited for slow sipping. Not that it is at all heavy but it just doesn't have that rush about it.

I think we need to encourage our Canadian Brothers to expand a make a little holy brew themselves.

Man, my head hurts!

2007-02-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

Jess and I have been on a six month bender and are just now starting to sober up slightly. We will be sifting through the empties over the next little while and will tell you about the more memorable ones (the ones we have the most empties of) Cheers! See you soon.

Deep Creek Gewurztraminer...I think I like it

2006-06-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

This Gewurztraminer was a lot softer than I'm accustomed to. It doesn't have that jump out in your face fruitiness and crispness however, its subtle flavors were quite nice. I kept having to take more sips to be sure that I did like it, which sounds strange, but each time I came up with the answer, I think I do like it. I checked out their website and thought they had some really great things going on, like adopt a row of the vineyard and receive some wine from the harvest. The website also states their commitment to organic processes, which is always a bonus. I think I'll have to try one more just to be sure!

~Christle~

Little Penguin...little appeal

2006-06-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

I was trying to think of a diplomatic, delicate way of describing this wine. I think I can best sum it up by saying there are few bottles left unfinished in our house, but this one was.

NatureLand has left the building

2006-05-30T20:50:00.000-07:00

When Christle dropped off the NatureLand Organic Beer i was rushing out of the house to a baseball game, so i plopped it in the fridge anticipating trying it when i got back.

While i was out of the house my brother-in-law showed up at our house heartbroken from a break-up with his girlfriend the night before. You can see where this is going right?

I came home to an empty fridge, my dog stolen for a sleepover and all my sweet beer gone. Just empty bottles left to remind me of what could have been.

Discouraged i checked out the NatureLand website except, i couldn't find one. I did find this commercial description:

A classic medium-bodied amber ale that is sure to please. This 100% all natural certified organic ale was awared a gold medal at the 2005 Brewing Industry International Awards in Munich, Germany. Brewed with 100% organic 2-row malt, 100% organic Hallertau hops and pure spring water sourced from the pristine Caribou Spring. This amber ale, full of flavour and aroma is a perfect complement to your healthy lifestyle.

I'm not sure that beer and healthy lifestyle ever go together but i remained determined to try the beer.

A few nights later i went for a barbecue at Christles and managed to sneak her last one out of her fridge. And hey! I liked it. Amber and clear with a decent size thick head, quite obvious its organic. It had a nice hint of malt and slight skunkiness.

Generally i like a darker, heavier beer but if it's good for my health then i'm all for NatureLand, especially on summer nights.

~jess

NatureLand Organic Lager

2006-05-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

When I saw NatureLand Organic Lager, "Canada's first organic beer", how could I resist? I must say when I pulled this out at a barbecue it was met with a resounding "hmmmmm". The first thing that struck me as we all checked out the label was that it was made in Prince George. Prince George, unless it's changed a lot since the last time I visited, did not strike me as the sort of place people consider whether someone sprayed a little bug spray on their hops. Not to knock the Great White North, hey I spent most of my life up there too, but really...The bugs are quite big, pesticide is like cologne up there. So my point is, I was expecting to see somewhere in the Kootneys or Lower Mainland, or on the Island somewhere. It seems that NatureLand, owned by Pacific Western Brewing, has been in the beer business for forty years with a whole list of firsts on their website. Also it seems there is one of North America's largest aquifers running under Prince George providing pristine water for brewing. Who knew?
The labels promises a European style lager with a light crisp and refreshing taste. A little too light for me. It was an interesting conversation piece, and the website seems to indicate a great community company but a little flat on taste.

~Christle~

Cider and Highlanders

2006-05-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Merridale Cidery, as Jess mentioned, is a gorgeous, sunny, rolling hilled orchard with a rustic cider house at it's center where you can taste their delicious bounty or have a great lunch while overlooking the orchard. Their many ciders are crafted from their own apples in a traditional style. I must say, I'm quite familiar with Merridale ciders as they are a favorite, refreshing end the the night night-cap at the restaurant. I'd say the sweet Cyser is my favorite. However, I must admit I was inspired to try the Traditional blend this time by the revisiting of some old friends. I've been reading the sixth book of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. (I know Jess is cringing with horror right now) and as the seventeenth century Highlanders come off the barley field at the end of the day usually some lovely lass is waiting with homemade cider to quench the tired, parched mouths of their men. It was with this in mind that I headed purposefully to our local beer and wine store (as I don't have a barrel around back) and picked some up for Jess and I. As I sat in my backyard in the sun, looking across to the field (we have a soccer field next door), I could almost imagine Jamie and Roger coming across, sweaty, kilts and hair blowing in the breeze heading towards the smoke curling from the chimney, and some ice cold cider, ahhhhh.

Merrily, merrily Merridale

2006-05-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

When Christle dropped a two litre bottle of Merridale Traditional Cider in my lap i felt like my gleeful teenage self.

For me, when i think of cider i think of sunny nights at the beach with underage girls giggling after drinking cherry cider. That is until i moved and became close neighbours with Merridale Cider. A visit to the cidery easily turns into a day long adventure.

There is beautiful rolling fields and orchards, whimsical faerie gardens and signs, a lovely restaurant to stop in for lunch and the cider tasting. Cider has a bountiful and amusing history - the stories at the tasting bar are as fun and refreshing as the cider itself.

The Traditional cider is the perfect mix of dryness, tartness and apple-y goodness. It is the perfect accompaniment to picnics in the backyard, barbecues with friends and, yes, evenings at the beach.

I really love Merridale Cider, but only in small quantities. The alcohol content can sneak up on you if your used to drinking beer, nothing a little water before bed can't handle.

~jess

Oh Spinnakers

2006-04-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to look at the Spinnakers web site and see how high brow they have become. I think it's a sad state when something that was simple and pleasurable, casual and fun, becomes a victim of the poshing up syndrome.

Ten years ago when i lived in victoria my husband and i enjoyed many lazy sunday afternoons at Spinnakers with friends and family. The food was good, the atmosphere westcoast beauty and the people fun. When i picked the NutBrown Ale for Christle and I to try i was hoping to relive those beautiful spring afternoons.

The beer is still delicious. Light, smooth and clean. Perfect.

I think my favourite pub has now become everyones else's favourite pub.

~jess

Spinnakers' Nut Brown Ale

2006-04-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

Spinnakers' is a great brewpub in Victoria BC, wonderful food, fantastic beer and an amazing setting. "Spinnakers beers are live real ales, are not filtered or pasteurized and contain no additives or preservatives." as stated on the label. This pride in offering traditional pure beer is also apparent in their food which boasts local grown fare.
Spinnakers' offers a variety of ales and lagers ranging from the lighter bodied Hefeweizen to the strong Tsarist Imperial Stout to the Fog Fighter, using traditional Belgian Yeast. We chose to sample the Nut Brown Ale this time around. I must say this beer goes great with gardening. This time of year is when all the hard earth turning, overgrown everything, really hard work gardening occurs. All those unused, aching and parched muscles are crying out for relief and this extra large, refreshing, light ale is just the trick. To get my garden in shape, however, I'm going to need a few more!

~Christle~

Beer on the Beach

2006-04-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

First, Sorry we've been quiet for so long, however, the demands of sick kids, re-enrollment in every last activity and school requiring copious amounts of cash, have left our palatable tour on the back burner. BUT! I thought all would be amended after our weekend away with several other moms to the lovely Tofino on our West Coast, alas, not to be. Jess ended up with the plague in her house and was unable to come, I, however, had high hopes.
It was a hectic week and after finishing my shift on Friday I dashed off to pick up a van load of excited women, I realized half way that I had forgot to pick up any wine or beer and pulled off at a small liquor store in some small town on the way. Well, they had exactly five, Yes FIVE, bottles of red wine, you can imagine none quite worthy of investigating. To be fair, they did have several coolers full of jugs and boxes of white wine, not quite what I had in mind. I headed over to the beer cooler, much the same, meant for mass consumption, not flavor. However, this little six pack of "stubby" reminiscent bottles caught my eye, Red Stripe, from Jamaica, why not?! Well I'm sure nobody complains what the beer tastes like on the lovely beaches of Jamaica, just as, nobody complains about the beer on a mom's get-away with the waves crashing in, lots of laughter and no demands except the pouring of another glass. So lets just leave it at that.

~Christle~

Dancing Bull Zinfandel, Pretty darn good

2006-03-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

The word Zinfandel tends to conjure up images of blue haired ladies sipping on sickly sweet pink wine but there is a whole other side to Zinfandels. Rancho Zabaco's 2003 Dancing Bull is a great example of the full bodied, fruity lusciousness that characterizes the Zinfandel. It was reasonably priced at $16 and a great sipping, blogging wine.
Now on a slightly different note, I feel I need to respond to Melanie's comment on Jess' last post on Virgin Vines. I was thinking about the term snobby, which to me, means elitist. I think there is a difference between being snobby and being a socially conscious consumer, if anything, we are anti-elitist, reversal snobbery, if you will. We just want to try to support the small, passionate, family vineyard wherever possible because that is who we are. Cheers!

~Christle~

Don't hate me for loving the virgin

2006-03-20T21:44:00.000-08:00

I pride myself on living my life, and for that matter my families life, in a responsible manner. I love to shop locally. I never consider it a financial burden to pay a little bit more for something that is wholesome, healthy and better for my community and my children's world.

A few weeks ago i watched The Corporation. I had read the book, but the movie was like a refresher wake up call. Kind of like loud kids at 6:38 am after a night of wine sipping. So, when browsing the wine aisle i spied the virgin wine i was simultaneously horrified and thrilled.

Virgin wine! The same virgin as the records, the airline, the online mega-corporation. I asked the man at the counter just to be sure "is this the same company as the airline?"

"Oh yeah. They're taking over the world. You sure you want two bottles?"

I wanted to justify my purchase. Tell him that only one was for me and one was for my friend. That we're writing this wine blog. It's all just for fun! I'm gonna hate this wine!

But, i didn't. Inevitably in our little town the word blog is met with a strange cocked head confusion and a "huh?"

So, i put my head down in shame, grabbed the two bottles and dashed from the store. (After paying of course! $15 per bottle.)

So, Virgin Corporation is making wine. How weird is that? Believe me someone somewhere and some part of the earth is suffering for me to try that wine.

But! That's not the worst part. I really wanted to write a scathing post about how crappy the wine is. But, much to my displeasure, it was very pleasurable. Really good in fact. This renews my pledge to find an honest wine that's really good. I can't let this wine be the only one that we reviewed together that i really liked!

Go ahead - send us some suggestions! Help us to bring down the corporate money machine that is trying to steal business away from the small, honest and good wine growers. I dare you.

~jess

Summerhill 2001 Pinot Noir

2006-03-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Christle picked the Summerhill Pinot Noir because one of their wines had been one of her favourites. Since she has far better taste than me i was excited to try it.

The bottle itself is really beautiful and the first thing we noticed when we opened it was the colour. A beautiful transparent red. My husband was a little surprised "why does it look so watery?" We did a quick google search on pinot noir's and aside from their fame in the movie "sideways" we found that they are a wine best paired with food. As we were having spaghetti for dinner we each poured a glass and began the taste test which alwaysstarts with the mandatory cheers with all the kids.

The wine was lovely with dinner. Complex fruity tastes nicely mingled with our tomato sauce and garlic bread. After getting all the kids to bed we settled in to the sofa and poured a second glass. Big mistake. What had been a great addition to our meal was simply an assault on the tongue when tasted on it's own.

I spoke with christle about it the next day and she told me to try it again with cheese. I made a trip to Hillary's Cheese for some great, really great, goats cheese and gave the Summerhill Pinot Noir another try. I was not dissapointed. This wine goes great with yummy cheese. For me it was one of the better wine and cheese pairings i've ever had.

~jess

Virgin Vines Shiraz...Evil Corporation Wine?!

2006-03-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

Jess left a note on my doorstep last night with this bottle of wine. She said it caught her eye as she had just watched "The Corporation" and it had the mass appeal pretty label we talked about with Barefoot Cellars as well as being Evil Corporation wine. What a combo! The back of the bottle boasts, "Virgin Vines believes wine should be all about having fun and loving the taste...not waxing poetically about meaningless wine-speak and food pairings. Simply drink this big bold red with something or someone you find delicious." Well, It sort of fits with our unsophisticated approach, however I don't agree with the food pairing part. I sense this is more of an evil corporation marketing strategy targeting 18-21 year olds rather than unpretentious wine loving. But I thought I would try to keep an open mind, check out their website, see what they had to say about their wine making. First of all, you had to enter your birthdate before entering the site, supposedly because you had to be 18 or older to get in, but more presumably to find out if they are in line with their target age group. I didn't learn anything about how they make their wine, or where, or really anything about the wine, just some catch phrases and offers to join their VIP group?! So it seems, perhaps, it IS just evil corporation wine, but not to bad evil corporation wine. The perfect wine to watch evil reality TV, Survivor. But just as I would rather go to my local coffee shop than to Starbucks, I would rather support a small but genuine vineyard.

~christle

Summerhill 2001 Pinot Noir, almost pretty good

2006-03-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

When I saw the Summerhill Pinot Noir I really wanted to try it because it reminded me of one of my favorites, 2002 Summerhill Baco Noir. One thing I forgot when tasting this wine, for me at least, is that a Pinot Noir needs to be accessorized. In this case, with some lovely aged cheddar and Gouda. I find Pinot Noirs in general better with food, which I forgot with my first glass. I found my first glass to be fruity and light but a little to sharp, actually alot to sharp. However, once I added a big chunk of aged cheddar to balance the wine's loud twang, I ended up with a nice symphony of flavor.

~Christle~

beer at the pub

2006-03-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

Christle and i are on the board at our kids school. Usually the meetings are long and tiring. Often there is coffee and i once asked Christle how she managed to drink coffee that close to bedtime and she said "oh, you balance it with beer later!"

And really she's right. Beer has a homer simpson way of lulling you into sleep - no matter how much coffee was consumed earlier.

Usually after the meeting we go to the pub for beer. Somehow, the pub is the natural home for beer. Fresh from the tap. One of my favourites is Shaftesbury Cream Ale. It's the perfect mix of deep, rich dark ale, but not so heavy that you can't drink a second pint.

~jess

Barefoot Cellars...or not

2006-02-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

I had every intention of doing a review of the Barefoot Cellars wine. I did. Except that i left it on the counter for two days in a row. Two days in a row when i was out late at meetings. My husband took it upon himself to try it. And try it a little more. He left me a small taste. Not really enough to roll over my tongue and get a taste for. I will say that the few drops i had fell somewhere in the okay. Fruity, slightly acidic, okay.

To be fair i don't like to taste wine for the first time after it's been sitting open for a day. It's sort of like your first cup of coffee in the morning. The first cup is perfect, blissful and trying to re-create that taste with a second, older cup is difficult, if not impossible.

Instead, i went out and bought the Yellow Tail Shiraz Cabernet. I had mistakenly not tried this wine before. I had somehow confused it for the much less palatable Obikwa wines. I'm not sure why, i think label confusion. Anyway, the Yellow Tail is sublime. It seems as though i am the last person on earth to make this discovery. Nonetheless, i am grateful to Christle for her reference to it. After enjoying the shiraz cabernet so much i went out and bought (only $12) the merlot. Also very good. The flavours in both wines were complex, deep, rich and also strangely mellow. Both wines are excellent. But, the shiraz cabernet was slightly more awesome.

~jess

Barefoot Cellars...also not bad

2006-02-23T12:31:00.000-08:00

Barefoot Cellar's is a winery from the Sonoma County, California. I was tempted to try this one for two reasons: 1. It fell into our under $15 category and 2. Our wine store had just received it in and didn't have any feed back yet. OK, Yes, I'll admit, the funky label did catch my eye. I really try not to be taken in by all these trendy, artistic new labels promising uncompromising quality without the pretense, which after all, is what unsophisticated is all about but my own ego scorns me for being taken in by this mass appeal marketing, however, I did buy the damn bottle.

This "premium red wine" reminds me of all the family style restaurants I worked in and their house reds wines, that usually stated "table wine" on the label. No year or varietal, just red or white and it apparently belongs on the table? Not a picnic wine, or beside the computer desk while writing your blog, no just for tables. It is not a bad wine, fine enough, house wine worthy, not particularly exciting.

However, I will not be deterred, we WILL find a "pretty darn good" if not "Wow you got to try this wine" in our budget. I'm sure there are a few out there.... That don't have Yellow Tail on the label.

~christle

hmm...not bad

2006-02-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Cherry Point coastal Red had an extremely fruity aroma and the first taste was really quite nice, but that first taste was really the highlight. Subsequent sips were a little disappointing after such a great start.

The label states it is "A delicious blend of Pinot Noir, Merlot and an assortment of European grape varietals from our vineyard". I think with such an assortment of varietals, the wine is left without any real depth. Its like when you mix all of those wonderful yellows, greens, reds and oranges on your palate and come out with mud brown.

Overall, not bad for the value but best left for those relatives who only like pink wine.

~christle

Cherry Point Vineyards Coastal Red

2006-02-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

The Coastal Red from Cherry Point passed my first test which is being affordable, $12.00 and thus a contender for an everyday wine for home. I enjoy really nice expensive wines as much as the next person, but the average household needs a library of inexpensive nice wines.

One thing that i have noticed about Cowichan Valley wines is the fruity aroma. It always sets me back when i go to take a first sip and i am overwhelmed by a smell alarmingly similar to the fruit punch concentrate i use to make my kids favourite juice. The Coastal Red was VERY fruity in the nose. My first taste was hampered by this paralyzing fruit basket running through my olfactory sense.

As the glass disappeared i began to enjoy the light-hearted nature of this wine that is promised "a very versatile and food friendly wine, ideal while picnicking al fresco, barbequing or just sipping on the patio."

Overall, i enjoyed the wine but the similarity between the fruity overtones of this wine and my father-in-laws home brew was a little unsettling.

~jess

why i love wine

2006-02-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

I love wine because it's yummy and delicious and helps me get through the days. Tonight i will post my first review of my favourite cheap wine. Under $10. I think we are ready to get this whole thing moving along. Christle and i will each post our review of the same wine on an, at least, weekly basis.

~jess

Globalization, How I got my Husband....And Duvel

2006-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

Now, I'm all for things local but those Belgians really know how to make some beer and husbands for that matter. Stella Artois seems to be the reigning Belgian beer around these parts but thanks to restaurants like Chambar, in Vancouver, Belgian beer is gaining more notoriety lately. I have started to see a lot of places pairing beer with food and why not, with so many varieties, we Canadians should be embracing this new trend whole heartedly, it is, after all our national pastime, isn't it? While I was in Belgium I had the opportunity to sample a lot of different beers, in fact, wherever I went some family member was asking "if I'd tried this one yet", and of course I obliged. They were all good, didn't come across one I didn't like but I always came back to Duvel.
I think I like it so much because it is so...Effervescenty..Bubbly..Foamy. It also leaves a lovely subtle sweet taste in your mouth. Duvel is served in a big snifter like glass that makes it seem like it will last forever as it tickles your nose with a dense foam. Now I know I sound a little to poetic about, what is after all, just beer, but it is a good one, my favorite.
So if Globalization is responsible from getting Duvel from here...

To the rainforest in my back yard....then I'm all for it.

~christle

Local...or is it?

2006-02-01T15:49:00.000-08:00

I feel that before I offer my, oh so humble opinion, in the drabble that follows I should give you a little background on myself. Firstly, and most importantly, I love wine, I love beer, I love all sorts of spirited beverages, in a social drinking, non-alcoholic sort of way, of course. Secondly, I've been working in fine dining establishments for 16 (oh my god!!) years. Now that doesn't necessarily make me an expert, it just means I've got to try a lot of really good stuff over the years.
For the last six years I've been living in the Cowichan Valley, a humble and up and coming wine region. The restaurant I work in is very committed to promoting local everything and let me say, we have some good stuff to promote. Several of our local wineries such as, Venturi-Schulze, Alderlea, and Blue Grouse are in such high demand in fine dining places all over the island and mainland, we all fight for what inventory there is to carry. However, as our wineries have gained notoriety, more and more wineries have been popping up to prosper on this new found industry to our area. Now obviously when you start a new vineyard, the grapes aren't already there patiently and succulently waiting to be picked and turned into the nectar for the gods, so it takes a while to build your vineyard to have enough grapes to produce your own locally grown wine. So a lot of wineries, when they are starting out, bring in grapes or pressed juice from the Okanagan until they have enough of their own, some wineries just bring in basically ready made wine and bottle it with their labels. Is this OK? Do we care? Well many of the 100% Cowichan Valley wineries care. These wineries have decided to create a Vintner's Quality Association, to allow their labels to state their product is Cowichan Valley grown, rather that just British Columbia. I believe the passion and commitment these Vintner's have towards their products is really apparent when you taste them.
Here's a few of my favorites, now I know these are hard to get unless you are in the area, however, another good reason to visit our beautiful island. Alderlea Vineyards, Clarinet (Marechal Foch), rich, full and wonderful. Blue Grouse Vineyards, Siegerrebe, fruity but dry, no chardonnays around these parts! Venturi-Schulze, our premier winery really, their Brut Naturel, for bubbly lovers is fantastic. They also have a traditionally made Balsamic Vinegar, that will make you want to grab a glass and drink it! So these are some of our local offerings, a little difficult to get but worth the effort. Cheers!

~christle

home brew

2006-01-30T13:30:00.000-08:00

Our hall closet is over-flowing with wine bottles. Remnants from our foray into the wine kit phenomenon. Once before we made our own wine; in the closet of our apartment while we were poor university students. The goal at the time being cheap drinks. That is seemingly the only goal one can achieve from making your own wine.

When we moved to the country we were alarmed at the numbers of people who felt that the wine from the u-brew place was an acceptable, even a better alternative, to real from the liquor store wine. Everywhere we went people were presenting us with their own bottles complete with custom labels of their special brews. Each and every one smelling the same - sour koolaid.

Eventually, as money ebbed and flowed we decided to make a trip to the local wine kit store. We were promised a fine Merlot which was one of the pricier offerings. Six weeks later we brought home 75 bottles of Merlot, filling our wine rack and our cupboard.

What followed can only be called our alcoholic summer. It's very easy to go through those 75 bottles when you know they only cost you a couple of dollars each. As time wore on our stomach linings began to burn and one headachey morning we realized the one important truth. Quantity is not quality.

Now our empty bottles sit in the closet never to be filled again. We have moved on to a more respectable pace in our wine consumption, found some inexpensive wines that serve the table wine needs very nicely and have embarked on a tour of local wines to find that unique and delicious special occasion wine.

~jess

cleaning out the fridge

2006-01-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

As we head on this palatable journey, I feel it is important that we be completely honest with you. So I feel compelled to begin with "the u-brew" wine and beer that everyone keeps plying me with at dinner parties and as gifts. There is a reason this phenomen hasn't caught on in other parts of the world. Parts of the world where winemaking is considered an ancient art, handed down from generation to generation, a craft to be honed. Lets be frank, it sucks. Those of you who think, "Well she hasn't tried ours, it IS really good", let me just say, I have and it does. Please, if we are to continue on this journey, it is time to admit what even the most novice of lovers knows, it isn't good... really. A cheap way to get a buzz, yes, a few steps up from aqua velva, sure, but really only a few steps. So now that we have that out of the way, I feel we can move forward on our unsophisticated journey.

~christle