An evening of wine, food and jazz to benefit the ALS Society of B.C.  Upon arrival each guest will receive a complimentary wine glass for the tasting.  Yours to keep.

Saturday October 15

Vancouver Art Gallery

7pm-11pm

Tickets: $79

Guests will have the opportunity to purchase an arms-length of tickets for $20 which can be entered into 4 draws. Complete details here

*  Trip for 2 to Las Vegas with airfare and hotel

*  Wine tasting trip for 2 to Kelowna with hotel

*    Deluxe framed autographed Steve Nash 2 time NBA MVP Phoenix Suns Jersey. The approximate value is $1,500.00.

*   Wine gift basket with certificates to local restaurants

Tickets can be divided between each draw or all put into the same draw, it’s up to you.

Space is limited benefits ALS Society of B.C..  To purchase tickets call 604-278-2257 ext.227 or email support@alsbc.ca

On Thursday, September 29 2011, Wines of Argentina will host a tasting to showcase the quality and variety of wines the country produces. Held at Vancouver’s Sutton Place Hotel, the event will feature bottles from over 24 wineries.

The world’s fifth largest wine producer, Argentina has developed a reputation for creating approachable and food-friendly wines.  The evening will be an enjoyable way to learn about what the country offers consumers who are looking for value but don’t want to sacrifice taste.

Wines of Argentina Consumer Tasting

Thursday, September 29 2011

7:00 – 9:30pm

Sutton Place Hotel

845 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Tickets $44 per person available at www.winesofargentina.ca

The event will benefit the BC Hospitality Foundation’s Tip Out To Help campaign

The giveaway:

You have until Monday September 12 at 12 noon to enter to win 2 Tickets to WINES of ARGENTINA (value $88). To enter, tell me your two favourite Argentina wines commenting below with your email address or twitter address and retweet the following:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to WINES OF ARGENTINA via @vanfoodster #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/owTm8i  RT to enter!

Local culinary aficionado Kathy McAree is cooking up a whole lot of good things these days as she prepares to launch the third-annual Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, a gastronomical event set to take place July 21 – 24, 2011 in Victoria, BC.

Focusing on Vancouver Island cuisine and British Columbia wines, the festival is supported by a number of local winemakers, chefs, artisan producers, farmers and  fishers – all key players in helping to make Vancouver Island a vibrant culinary destination.

“When choosing partners for Taste, I look at a number of factors to ensure they’re really walking the talk, so to speak,” said McAree, founder of Taste and Vancouver Island’s premier culinary tourism operator. “I look at how local and seasonal ingredients are showcased in their products, their contribution to our community which contributes to our local economy. Taste is also unique in that, rather than just being one day, it offers four great days of serious food and wine indulgence!”

The Taste weekend kicks off on Thursday, July 21 at Victoria’s Crystal Garden with The Main Event: an evening brimming with more than 100 BC wines and great Vancouver Island eats. Guests will be joined by local chefs, wine producers and the live music of Greenlaw, a local band with a unique blend of dub, soul, jazz, drum and bass-infused rhythms.

Other special events taking place July 22 to 24 include the wine and seafood extravaganza Sips and Seafood hosted by the Inn at Laurel Point and chef Takashi Ito, a Silk Road tea tasting with Tea Master Daniela Cubelic, a Swine and The Vine pig roast on the Hotel Grand Pacific patio, a three-course brunch at Vista 18 and a unique wine seminar of Vancouver Island vs. the World.

And new to this year’s multi-day line-up is Land and Sea Harvest on the Family Farm: a dining adventure to take place in the middle of the field at the Vantreight Family Farm, overlooking the Saanich Peninsula and ocean. Join Ryan Vantreight and chef Matt Rissling from The Marina Restaurant for a “zero mile diet” dinner, paired with wines from BC’s Mission Hill Family Estate Winery.

Tickets to Taste are set to go on sale May 13, 2011. For more information on the events and purchase information, visit www.victoriataste.com.

Monday May 16, 2011

7:00-9:00 pm

Bridges Restaurant {Dining Room} on Granville Island

Tickets are only $24.99 and can be purchased here.

The giveaway:

You have until Thursday May 12 at 11 am to enter to win 2 Tickets to Rose Revival (value $50). To enter, tell me which Rose wine is your favourite commenting below with your email address or twitter address and retweet the following:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to ROSE REVIVAL via @vanfoodster #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/jGydR9 Please RT

Chefs team - Westin Bayshore Hotel

On April 21st, I attended a food and wine pairing tasting that featured a large selection of wineries from all over the Naramata Bench area as well as a selection of local and Naramata region restaurants.  The ballroom tasting along with a silent auction held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel paired one or two wineries with food bites.

These were my favourite bites from the event:

Spiced Lamb Kofta

Westin Bayshore Hotel with their unique Spiced Lamb Kofta with crisp parsnip and blackberry gel paired with the Marichel Vineyard 2008 Syrah.

Pacific Striped Bass Salad on Toast points

Kitsilano Daily Kitchen with their tasty Pacific Striped Bass Salad on toast points paired with the Township 7 vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc.

Garam Masala Beef Curry

Vij’s delicious and spicy Garam Masala Beef Curry with Coconut green beans paired with the Poplar Grove 2006 Legacy.

Township 7 Vineyards Barrel Tasting

Chef Kyle of Twisted Fork Bistro - Almond Tulie Cones with Lavender infused caramel mousse, fresh raspberries & maple syrup ice cream

For dessert, the best in the house was the Almond Tulie Cones with Lavender infused caramel mousse, fresh raspberries & maple syrup ice cream paired with the Kettle Valley 2009 Viognier.

If you are planning a visit to the Naramata Bench region and want to check out some of the wineries, you may want to visit them online at www.naramatabench.com

By: Richard Wolak

Discover the fabulous array of New Zealand wines and enjoy your wine with a sampling of fine food and cheeses.

In every glass of New Zealand wine is a world of pure discovery. Sample over 100 proven performers and stars-in-the-making at this once a year exclusive tasting. Make this your opportunity to discover New Zealand in a glass!

Monday May 2, 2011

7:00-9:30 pm

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

181 Roundhouse Mews in Yaletown

Tickets are only $60 and can be purchased here.

The giveaway:

You have until Saturday April 30th at 12 noon to enter to win 2 Tickets to New Zealand in a Glass (value $120). To enter, tell me your two favourite New Zealand wines commenting below with your email address or twitter address and retweet the following:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to NEW ZEALAND IN A GLASS via @vanfoodster #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/l8VadD RT to enter!

CONTEST WINNER: Janna Gabrek

“What’s better than a new wine release?  A not yet released Barrel!  This year Naramata Bench wine makers are bringing wines in barrels and their wine thief to treat guests to a preview of tastes from the Barrels of the Bench as well as new Spring releases and appetizing pairings from some of Vancouver’s finest restaurants.”

For this great evening of wine and food, tickets are $89 and must be pre-purchased and this event sells out every year – so get your tickets now and mark your calendar on April 21st  for an evening of fun, flavour and discovery as the Naramata Bench Wineries bring their barrels and wines  to Vancouver at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

Tickets are available online at www.naramatabench.com and can also be purchased by phone at 1-800-663-1900.

The giveaway:

You have until Thursday April 14th to enter to win 2 Tickets to Naramata at the Bayshore (value $180). To enter, leave a Naramata region  wine related comment below with your email address or twitter address and retweet the following:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to NARAMATA at the Bayshore via @vanfoodster #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/fRxeaz RT to enter!

Whether you are a casual wine enthusiast or a serious wine connoisseur, don’t miss this exciting opportunity to sample the finest wine from over 100 wineries from the Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast regions. Now in its 31st year of touring across Canada the 2011 CALIFORNIA WINE FAIR BALLROOM TASTING includes products currently available in the market, as well as new vintage and varietals that have yet to be released to the Canadian Market.

You will also enjoy our diverse & exciting silent auction featuring hard to find private cellar wines, dinner-theatre packages, travel getaways and more.

Captivate your palate and intensify your knowledge and love of wine. See the list of participating wineries this year.

Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place. 7PM

Tickets: $65 regular price, $55 each for groups of six or more (must be booked at one time).

For Ticket and Info, call box office at 604.687.1644 or buy online.

Jonah & Andrew from Bentons Cheese

I recently attended Taste BC 2011, a fundraiser put on by Liberty Wine Merchants with proceeds going to BC Children’s Hospital – Oak Tree Clinic. The event held at the Hyatt gave my friends and I a chance to walk about the large room and taste wines, ciders and beers from fine producers from around BC. I was able to chat with many of the producers to find out which products were new or how they were made and where they were available.

Rustic Roots Fruit Wines

Kettle Valley "Starboard" Wine

For Wine, loved the Rustic Roots fruit wines, Painted Rock wines, Laughing Stock wines, and the Kettle Valley ‘Starboard’ dessert wine. The best food booth was Bentons Cheese who offered up samples of many different cheeses that paired well with the wines.

By: Richard Wolak

Chef Lee Humphries of C Restaurant

On Monday, January 17 I attended an evening celebrating the premium wines of BC’s Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars at the Four Seasons Hotel.  The event was grazing style which allowed guests to wander the room sampling wines paired with cuisine from twelve of British Columbia’s top restaurants.

Cured Duck Confit Steam Bun by Chef Sean Cousins at The Vancouver Club

My favourite dish was the Cured Duck Confit Steam Bun by Chef Sean Cousins at The Vancouver Club –this dish was served on a clear plastic business card (clever and memorable presentation) paired with the Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2009.

Spot Prawn Canneloni with leek fondue by Chef Chris Whittaker of O’Doul’s Restaurant

Belizian Prawns Provencale by Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia of Provence

Other favourite dishes were the Organic Oceans Salmon by Chef Robert Clark of C Restaurant –paired with Blue Mountain 2009 Pinot Blanc; Spot Prawn Canneloni with leek fondue by Chef Chris Whittaker of O’Doul’s Restaurant – paired with the Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Gris 2008; and Belizian Prawns Provencale by Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia of Provence – paired with Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2009.

The other restaurants that participated in this stellar evening included: Cin Cin, DB Bistro Moderne, Hart House Restaurant, Lift Bar & Grill, Raincity Grill, The Shore Club, The Pointe Restaurant at Wickaninnish Inn and Yew Restaurant+ Bar.

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars is a family-owned winery in BC’s Okanagan Valley and is distinctive among Canadian wineries in that all its wines are produced exclusively from grapes grown on the estate’s vineyards.  Ian Mavety purchased the land which is now Blue Mountain Vineyard in 1971.

By: Richard Wolak