Merry Ho Ho ...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my Family and Friends this holiday season........my Christmas wish.. to have a tree like this..

Dwight's Top Picks for the 2010 Bordeaux Release!

I thought I would be the conduit for Dwight's "FWS" insights into the Bordeaux release this year….. so….. below are his top picks for the left and right banks… a bit of an inside tip are the Fronsac. It is a really good value as the AOC, the area the wine is from, is right beside Pomerol, one of the more famous right back Bordeaux communes. 

Fronsac is a bit obscure, not popular because it is not well known and not well marketed.. so you don't see it very often. Fronsac has the same level of commune restrictions as Margaux or Saint-Emilion, meaning the French gov't regulations for the quality are exactly the same, which means the quality is there for half the price. 

Dwight's value picks for the 2010 Bordeaux release! One of the best vintages in the last 10 years! (numbers are based on the catalogue from the BC Liquor Distribution Catalogue) 

Left Bank Bordeaux's - Cabernet Sauvignon based

#21 - Chateau Brown, Pessac-leognan $38.00 - Drink now or 2020 

#13 - Château Bel-veu, Haut-medoc $38.00 Drink now through 2020

Right Bank Bordeaux's - Merlot based 

#86 - Haut-Carles, Fronsac $38.00 - Drink now through 2030 

#154 - Chateau La Vieille Cure. Fronsac $38.00 - wait till 2015 then good for another 10 yrs 

#17 - Chateau Bourgneuf, Pomerol $68.00 - hold till 2015… and longer :-) 

So Dwight is heading straight for the Fronsac's.. my job is to tackle the crazy people that get in our way!! Got to get my elbows out and go Haligonian on them!!!!!  :-) 

Ann 

What I did on my summer vacation!

So I know it's been a long time, and I am sorry... I have signed up for Facebook and it seems to have become my defacto way of posting... So.. This array of images is from my most recent vacation. Which I would like to point out… was really wonderful, we really do live in a great country.

It all started with the RBC Banff Gran Fondo, in essence a 145km bike race. Well they say its not a race.. But I knew better, and I did race it...and I am very happy with my effort, 4hrs & 54mins, 19th out of 171 in my age group and 37th out of 474 females overall... It might not sound that impressive but given the fact that I had been sick for almost 6 weeks and ended up on antibiotics two weeks before the race for bronchitis ... I thought it was not too shabby!

I have to give some great credit to my coach Mike Neill from Human Powered Racing, while I did not get formal coaching this year, last year Mike not only coached me to prepare for the ride but during the ride as well! It was his support and guidance during the ride last year that help so much this year, I was able to pick myself up after getting dropped by the group I was with in the last 20km and talked myself into moving forward at the pace I needed to… thanks Mike, I know you thought you were being hard on me last year…. but you were not and it helped!

The Trip…

So three nights in Banff with a great visit from my sister in law and it was off to wonderful Chateau Lake Louise, 6 nights; hiking, biking, canoeing, eating... And yes wine....  I can not even express how wonderful that place is! We were in a 1 bedroom lake view suite, yes… it was that nice!

Then one night in Radium Hot Springs, where we made friends with a waitress at the golf club that was sure we should do shooters, luckily we were sure we should not :) after a good nights sleep it was off to Nelson BC.... Historic, beautiful... But just a tad odd..... That's for sure...

Now after a very scenic drive we are staying at a little slice of heaven in Naramata BC, vineyard views, birds chirping, and breathtaking sunsets....

Want proof of all this wonderfulness? Here you go!

Beautiful Lake Louise

Its ok… he's just slipping...

Up high over the Chateau!

Hiking through the trees

On the beach in Nelson, BC! 

At the top of the hike, Mt Fairview 9002 FT! 

Iconic Lake Louise, we had dinner here! 

Our little slice of heaven in Naramata BC

Hume Hotel, Nelson BC

On the Lake...

Top of the world! Mt Fairview 9002 Feet

Incredible views… 

A couple of fun videos! 

I hope you enjoy…….!!!

New Sport, New fun!

Since starting my athletic life at 30 (ish) I have often wondered why I did not start sooner. I always thought I just liked learning new things... when what I really like is learning a new physical actitiy. I should have seen this coming, baseball with the brothers, loved being on my bike when I was a kid, taking dance lessons (this was very brief,, the tights were just too much!) all of it early indicators that being phyically challanged by learning a new sport was something that I enjoyed...so naturally when I entered back into this world again Triathlon was a great choice, lots of variety.. and LOTS to learn... but as some say.. been there, done that, and guess what... I am doing it again! Not triathlon however.... but a new sport, Rowing...... not the row, row, row your boat kind of rowing... in the club its called scullling. Now I can hear all the people that know me.... "of course you did!"

Don't I look happy :-)

Well, I am ...  not only is this sport physically challanging, it mentally challanging as well. This is one of the most technical activities I have ever done... and for good reason, if you dont do it properly you end up very, very wet!

I started last year... why pick this sport? Well there is a wonderful resturant called The Lift, yeah I know, wait for it, and it just happens to sit perched out into one of the prettiest harbours in Canada... sitting in  the sun facing Stanley Park watching... yes you guessed it, rowers... they looked so at ease, so happy, so graceful.. I turned to Dwight and said.. I would like to try that some day.

And so I did.......

I joined the Learn to Row program last year... level 1 & 2 - both done in two months.. September and October.. so I got a nice taste of "winter" rowing in October.. but I could not stay away.. worked hard over the last couple of months and finally got accepted into a program at the Vancouver Rowing Club out of Coal harbour.

Some good news is that I have NOT flipped a boat yet! But they do say, don't worry.. you will.. everyone does.. at least once ! I would relate it to when I first started clipping into bike pedals... you just know that it is going to happen, that day that you take your focus away for just a minute, usually at a traffic light.. and down you go!

So hopefully when it does happen, its warm.. and the water is clean :-)

In the learn to row prgram you start in an eight man boat "sweeping" so only one oar.. its really something to see, 8 brand new rowers trying to get coordinated and not go in the water.. I think I spent the first three classes with images of me swiming back to shore floating through my mind constantly... but we made it through and surprisingly we did not get wet, and we actually got to a point where we were.... if only a little.. rowing togheter.

The level 2 program has you in a four man boat "scullling" so two oars... that is even more interesting. The fact that I would be willing to rist my life with strangers on the water is knowing that I have a coach boat beside me... but I am not sure they would be so motivated to save us... at least not at first, its cold in the Pacific!

So I have started on another learning journey.. I have always said I like to do activities that make me feel like a kid again... cycling, rock climbing, trail running... and now.. rowing.. its like being in a big bath tub with a great new toy!

My New Playground!

Rowing is a sport that I expect to take a long time to learn, thats a good thing.. at least I think. So that brings me back to the question of ... why did I not start in sports sooner? The only answer that I have is.. I just didn't.. my path became one of smoking and eating potato chips.. with that behind me now I certainly have a passion for staying healthy and being fit.. its rather addicitve actually.

Hopefully I will be able to share some great stories of my new experiences here... and I might even get that picture of me in the water ....... some day... but lets say.. some day not too soon!

But for now I will enjoy my new adventure… and always..and I mean.. always… enjoy the post effort reward! 

Till next time......... Happy chatting......

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Was 2001 a good year? Would you know? Would you care? you should…..

 

Why, because when you drink Bordeaux that is properly aged you will realize what the fuss is all about, trust… I didn't know until I did.. and now… I do…and I learned a lot... as you will see !

 

Dwight recently came home - yes remember the whole French Wine Scholar torturous classes he must attend.. yeah, one of those.. they spent time in Bordeaux… from that knowledge, tasting and experience.. I got to try… a really tasty bottle of Bordeaux.

 

this was it.. Yum.. Yum

 

So up front you need to know that Bordeaux when its released it not meant to be drank, Bordeaux is made to age. It is expected to spend a considerable amount of time in the cellar.. or your closet :-)

 

 



So if you have this........



or this.... keep it safe!

 

Most of our experiences with Bordeaux is that we drink it too young, this means it has some unsatisfying flavours… mainly; lots of tannin,  jammy fruit, or its overly woody. All of these things are there all the time however they are there in an overpowering way when the wine is young, but meld into a beautiful bouquet when aged.

 

The little number above is one that Dwight picked up to convince me that I would like Bordeaux…. I said.. bring it on.. I am not an easy push over… I might not be a FWS… but I drink A LOT of wine…!

So.. he did, and he was right…. it was awesome….without the education of the very scholastic language, I would say… it was smooth, it was balanced, and it most importantly for me.. did not have heavy tannins.

 

Some tips about Bordeaux:

 

$50 or less - hold for 5 to seven years, anything over this hold for at least 10 years.. (trust me it worth it)


Always decant a Bordeaux, it has just been sitting for a long time, it will have sentiment , thats ok.. you just don't want it in your teeth!

 

***as a note, the concept of "breathing" wines really only works well with young wines… oxygen is not a friend of old wines… decant to get the sentiment out.. then drink.. don't over agitate the wine… its not needed… its rather fragile.. and if I see you doing it.. I will hurt you…..

 

The regions in Bordeaux are the Left bank and Right bank, there just happens to be a major river that splits them.. yeah I know.. picture yourself in cottage there… enough said. The vines on the left bank (south side) are predominately Cabernet Sauvignon based and the soil is mostly gravel.

 

The right bank (north) are predominately merlot based.. and there the soil is mostly clay. Because of the terrior they both have a distinct flavour profile… again a situation where you have try to see which you like.. this may help!

 

 

 

I find the issue with Bordeaux is that we can't drink it… so waiting until its ready to drink makes it expensive, hard to find, and usually.. not something we pick up. For the finance people reading; they actually sell futures for each vintage… so every year the Chateaus will release tastings for the pervious harvest, these are evaluated to set a market price, the following year another sample will be released and again they will do another evaluation.. then a second price will be set…then just before they put it in the bottle the final price is set….... so the lesson of this economic story.. is know your wine! 

Yes, in case you have not already figured it out... Dwight right helped me write this … :-) Well, I kind of just typed !!!

Till next time.. happy chatting!

 

 

 

 

 

Encouraging his Studies…..

If you really want to torture me all you have to do is one thing….. drink wonderful champagne without me! I know that people say they like Champagne, but truly I think most just say that because they think they are supposed to like it. I, on the other hand LOVE Champagne, I have learned.. with Dwight's help, that there are so many different variations it can please everyone.. if you know how to drink it… so if first you don't succeed in finding something you like, try.. and try again! Its just so much fun…..! We have a little tradition for my birthday… I have a vintage champagne… every year it gets replaced so I can drink the one I have…… funny thing is .. now he has to buy me two.. one to drink and one to hold, I am just addicted to collecting this stuff……

A few in my collection….

So Dwight did torture me one morning… his answer when I said.. "What is your French Wine Scholar class doing tonight?" His answer, yep, you guessed it… Champagne… I begged, let me come.. I will just sit quietly and drink the left overs… honestly…you won't even notice I am there… but no chance, if you are not already a "advanced wine scholar" you can't play.. what do they know.. do they really think they can drink Champagne better than I can!!! Really….. So instead of getting to taste two vintage champagnes, very small grower bottles.. and god knows what else.. I get to pick his brain about what he learned… Oh well… its not all that bad :-)

The bottle that started my collecting, I still have it

So here we go…...

The first you need to know about Champagne; it was an accident….

a thousand years ago…or technically.. once upon a time, in the north regions of Europe they would make wine… because its a northern climate the yeast naturally goes into a dormant state because it was too could.. the early vintners would bottle the wine.. thinking it was done and come the spring the yeast would wake up… similar to how people in Vancouver respond sunshine, it already being bottled means that the yeast wakes up to finish the job.. or finish the rest of the sugar…. as we all know.. yeast eating grape juice.. produces two things: alcohol and carbon dioxide…. seeing how the CO2 has no where to go.. it dissolves in the wine….  so on first opening.. while a unexpected pop, frizz, and yum yum.. occurred.. they said.. wow.. this could be a good thing… I agree :-)

So in the modern age.. we do things a little differently.. a few "differently".. meaning there are many different ways of making sparkling wine.. but there is only ONE Champagne.. lets explore what that means and why….

Another on my shelf, the difference is that this is a Blanc de Blanc, so no Pinot Noir in this.. just the Chardonnay grape.

Sparkling wine that is Champagne can not be duplicated any where else on earth. No other sparkling wine region posses this unique terroir. The chalk and kimmeridgean soils are very rare, the vineyards lay at the edge of viability for grape production. This cold climate produces wine with racy acidity. The wines are firmly structured, they are masculine or feminine.. but they are well chiselled regardless.

There are three primary grapes used to make Champagne; one white grape, Chardonnay, and two red grapes, pinot noir and meunier…. most Champagne is a blend of these three.. they crush it very softly and free run the juices right away… which helps keep white, if they want rose they keep the skin in contact with the juices.

Sparkling wines produced from around the world even when made from the same varieties of grapes, using the same method.. can not deliver the same product. Champagne terroir exists no where but champagne.

The drinking bottle for my B-day this year… and a vintage for the shelf! 

The single most important distinction is that there are two fermentations,  and the second occurs in the bottle. Staying in France. the most common sparkling you will see are; Cremant, champagne styles made outside of the champagne region ..so you can have a Cremant D'Bourgnone .. meaning its made from grape from the region in a champagne style.

The Price of champagne… why how why do I need to spend so much…!

FYI:

• In France you can buy a 15.00 bottle of champagne, yes real champagne, from the grocery store. 
• In Canada champagne is considered a luxury item.. and priced appropriately. 
• Don't ever think that because you will spend over $100 on a bottle of champagne that its good.. sad but true, you need to know your champagne and what you like.

Some advice from my French Wine Scholar……

• There are two different marketing styles.. the big houses  like "Verve Cliuquet" that strive to make the same tasting champagne year after year, so there predictable, and good. 
• The "grower" Champagnes, these are small producers that make the product from their own grapes, only from what they have available. This means that what the grower wants to express is important lending to unique vintages, unpredictable.. but very good. 
• Vintage champagne is only produced in exceptional years, so if it has a date on it.. its good!
• It does not have to be expensive, you can buy "grower" champagne at good prices.. but you will have more variation in the product each time you buy it. 
• Don't drink Champagne with sweet food.. contrary to poplar belief Champagne does not pair well with sweet food, why we just drink it at news years is beyond me. 
• Go for, salty.. fatty type food.. oysters, foie gras, popcorn… and my absolute favourite.. Original Pringles.. (i am so serious about this.. try it!) 
• What to look for on label: 
• NM: negociant-manipulant - these are the big producers that incorporate grapes from others into the vinification process. Most big champagne houses are NM.. this is not a bad this.. its predictable.. which in a global market is good. 
• RM: recoltant-manipulant - these are growers that use only his/her own estate grown grapes. 
• MA: margque auxiliaire - this is a private label registered by any individual, group or societally, the source for the private label could be any of the above. So in France.. this is what you would see in bottles sold in grocery stores or restaurants. If you are seeing this here in Canada…I would stay away, you can do better. 

Till next time ..happy chatting

My torturous wine life.....

Some of you may know, and for those that don't, my hubby has successfully completed his advanced wine studies with the WSET (Wine Spirits Education Trust) and can now be deemed a Sommelier.. what does that mean exactly.. well.. to him it means that he has tasted over 2000 different wines, explored how to drink it, taste it, look at it, and what kind of food to it with it.... what does it mean to me... Well.... some good and some bad... I get to learn about the wines he tries, I get a free wine lesson at least once per week, we always.. and I mean always.... have good wine... so what's the bad you ask? It is simply this... I don't get to try over 2000 wines! :-)

Why should I tell you about my torturous wine life... I thought someone should hear about it... like the time that he had his Champagne class and tried, I don't even know how many different types of Champagne.. yes .. real Champagne, or the time when after the French Burgundy class they all sat and ate cheese, ham, crackers and pate... and of course drank the rest of the wine.. there was even a Gevrey Chambertin on the table.... its torturous I tell you!

But instead of whining........... I thought it might be a good idea to vent my experiences here... after completing the advanced program he has decided to move on to become a French Wine Scholar.. don't laugh.. its real a designation... and so while we move through France together I thought you might enjoy some of the moments.... which I will endeavor to describe here.. and I hope you enjoy………

The first stop was in Alsace, where? Its in north eastern France across the Rhine river from Germany… so you might guess the speciality - Riesling… some highlights of what was being tasted.. a 2000 Grand Cru Riesling and a Grand Cru Pinot Gris.  Riesling is a grape variety, as a matter of fact its one of the only non indigenous grapes grown in France, considered a "nobel" (this will be handy in later posts!) variety, it originated in Germany. Pinot Gris is the second most common variety in Alsace, you may know it as Pinot Grigio, it is the same grape although don't be fooled; it tastes very different, in Alsace the grape stays on the vine longer giving it a thicker more bold flavour.

What makes a good Riesling? Fruity floral aromas of peach, apricot and citrus.. but what distinguishes it are hints of Petrol when aged… yeah.. I know.. Petrol.. What? Well actually its one of my favourite flavours and one of my favorite white wines for that exact reason… if you find a nice Riesling it can have so much wonderful flavour.. if you think white wines don't have depth.. try a Riesling!

Your first tip of the blog…..Most people think sweet when they think Riesling..however the Alsace region produces whites that are less so, more "off dry" Rieslings come from Germany. Tip to figure out what's off dry.. and what's not… look at the alcohol content, rule of thumb is the higher the alcohol the drier the wine. So experiment, I like 8 to 9 % - which for some people would be way too "sweet", where 11% might suit them better.


Don't be afraid to pick up a Riesling, but look for this when you do….

• remember the alcohol content… and experiment.. for me :-) 
• Alsace can be more expensive but you don't have to pay more than $25 for a good bottle
• Germany is my favourite.. but remember they tend to be sweeter
• Vintages to look for in Alsace.. 2007 to 2010 inclusive; are all excellent vintages
• Serve at 8 to 10 degrees 
• Pairs excellently with German, French and Asian foods but really goes well with pork

Till next time…..Happy chatting.. and sipping

Just for fun…..

So I love reading something that makes me chuckle.. you know.. not one of those laugh out loud type of moments, something that turns the corners of my mouth up ..just slightly…

Here are some interesting facts that made me do just that….

A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.     

Blueberry Jelly Bellies were created especially for Ronald Reagan.

Did you know that there are coffee flavored PEZ?

Einstein couldn't speak fluently when he was nine. His parents thought he might be retarded.

Hershey's Kisses are called that because the machine that makes them looks like it's kissing the conveyor belt.

"I am." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.

Hypnotism is banned by public schools in San Diego.

Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung.

In Tokyo, they sell toupees for dogs.

"Kemo Sabe" means "soggy shrub" in Navajo.

Los Angeles's full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula" and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its original size: "L.A."

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.

Ok, so thats probably enough… funning thing is.. there are hundreds of these silly facts out there…true or not as long as they make you chuckle its worth having them around…. well, maybe one more…..

till next time, happy chatting…. and chuckling… 

Sometimes fun just happens…..

So no surprise that we took a little trip this weekend, we do have a tendency to go out and about on the weekends.. and this weekend was the new "family day" holiday in BC… so what did we do.. well we spent it with some family…… just not in BC :-)

A fun trip to Seattle, food, wine, a little shopping, and A LOT of laughing…… take a peek…..

Now with some music…… and a little video…..

till next time….. happy chatting…...

Sunshine!

You know when its nice here… its REALLY nice.. meaning when the sun comes out in the "winter" it reminds you how beautiful this area really is…. so we jumped in the car and went skate skiing…

Looking out the window you wouldn't think "skiing"!!!

Going up the mountain and still… looks more like a cycling day….

But then it starts…. from none….. to...

almost 400 cm!!!! 

Nice trails on Cypress Mountain.. 1/2 hour away from all that green!

First ski of the season… its always hard !

But fun! 

The nice thing is that tomorrow I can go skiing, skating, running, cycling, or even golfing…! And we wonder why so many people want to live here!!!!

Till next time, happy chatting…….