Howling Bluff, Saclabrone Rosata, Revel, The Modern, Players, Stage, Gretsky and Madonna Wine, C scallops

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HOWLING BLUFF ESTATE

Howling Bluff is so new; the ink is still drying on its colourful label.

Notice we said label … In June 2007, Owner Luke Smith released his first and only wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, so quietly we barely heard its name whispered in the chatter about new BC wineries. At the time we discovered it, even John Schreiner, the man who knows everything there is to know about the local wine scene, hadn't tasted it. And yet surprisingly, Howling Bluff is no small estate. In the South Okanagan it boasts 12 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Semillon vines (Petit Verdot to be added in 2008), and all of it planted within the past four years.

Notable neighbors to the newborn Howling Bluff are Laughing Stock Vineyards, Poplar Grove and Hillside Estate Winery, as well as the wines are being made by local, award-winning winemaker Garron Elmes from Lake Breeze Vineyards.

There is no retail/tasting room at the winery yet (although we noticed a few bottles for sale at Marquis Wine Cellars), and the winery's website is still a work in progress. However, Smith assured us that his 2006 Merlot and Pinot Noir are now in barrels, tasting wonderful and should be ready for release next year. Now would we bluff you?

Tasting Notes:
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan B.C., 2006
A mouth-watering, straw coloured Sauvignon Blanc with aromas reminiscent of fresh peaches, pear-vanilla jam, gooseberries and pea shoots. Clean flavours of zippy citrus and sweet grass, a lovely, smooth weight on the tongue and a warm, extended finish. $21.00 at private wine stores


Howling Bluff
1036 Three Mile Road
Penticton B.C.
www.howlingbluff.com


Filed by Daenna Van Mulligen a.k.a. The Wine Diva
Filed in DRINK/Obscure Little Canadian Wines





































A REGAL PINK ...
TENUTA GUADO AL TASSO "SCALABRONE" ROSATO
Bolgheri, Tuscany Italy, 2006

The colour alone will stop you in your tracks.

With the pure, vibrant colour of freshly cut watermelon, the Guado Al Tasso (the estate) Rosato (rosé) from the "Scalbrone" vineyard will be a stunning addition to your picnic table.

It shows bright, honest aromas of sweet, ripe field berries, juicy citrus and minerals. On the palate it’s superbly clean and dry with a silky texture and the delicate flavours of apple and melon. Refreshing and very soft on the finish -- which seems somewhat contradictory to a bold blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah --- but it doesn't disappoint!

PRICE: $24.06
WHERE TO FIND IT: Private Wine Stores +262949
AGENT: Mark Anthony Group

Filed by: Daenna Van Mulligen, a.k.a. The Wine Diva
Filed in DRINK/ A Bouquet of Rose

BUT WAIT FOLKS, THERE’S MORE !

As you can imagine, reporting on the Vancouver food scene these days is like drinking from the proverbial fire hose. Despite all the openings, there’s still more of everything on the way … restaurants, specialty food shops , chef changes … Which is all good and interesting, if not a little exhausting.

The most highly anticipated arrivals may be Italian Kitchen, The Loden Hotel and the restaurant at Holt Renfrew (which is said to be in the hands now of Rob Feenie, although before that, three other chefs were rumoured to be involved). Here however, are a few more, that at this stage, no one has threatened to shoot us for talking about. And you’ll see what we mean about that later.


.... For more about The Packing House, Revel, Players Chophouse, Me and Julio, Zin, Cupcakes, The Modern ...CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in RESTAURANTS/news and rumours

STAGE OPENS IN VICTORIA'S FERNWOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD

Inspired by the success of Paprika Bistro, their award-winning Oak Bay restaurant, George and Linda Szasz have taken on a new project in a new neighbourhood.

Stage is a 50-seat bistro featuring a small plates menu and a wood-topped wine bar created from a refinished section of bowling lane salvaged from the recently demolished Victoria landmark, Mayfair Lanes. Set in a heritage building in the funky neighbourhood of Fernwood, the bistro emits a contemporary vibe with its exposed brick, slate grey walls, wood floors and open kitchen. ... CONTINUE READING.


Filed in REGIONAL/Victoria

WINE TRENDS
DISCO ON THE (WINE CELLAR) FLOOR

If you had any doubts that snooty winemakers were itching to cross over into new demographic markets, then take a look at some of the new bottles on the wine shelves. Beer guzzlers and Cosmopolitan swillers are not going to know what hit them.

Check out these two new wine labels. One from Ontario's Niagara region, and the other straight out of Michigan.

www.gretskyestatewines.com.
www.madonna.com/store/wine.php


Links found by Judith Lane.
Filed in DRINK/Drink News

C SERVES SUSTAINABLE SEA SCALLOPS

In keeping with the 100-mile menu, Harry Kambolis, owner of C Restaurant, NU Restaurant & Lounge and Raincity Grill, has introduced Pacific Scallops to “Hi-Res Lo-Imprint� Dining.

“Farmed scallops are the only way to go,� says Executive Chef Robert Clark, “and they will be accessible to everyone as production increases.� Which means they won’t be as cost-prohibitive as, say, Kagan Bay Scallops, mainly because Pacific Scallops have a shorter growing season and they are distributed via Organic Ocean Seafood, thus eliminating another middle man. (With much of our seafood, it’s amazing how many distributors are in between the fisher and you.)

... CONTINUE READING.

TODAY'S PRESS RELEASES

So you think you can pull an espresso? Find out how good you really are when the Canadian Barista Championships hold their Western Regional qualifierat Heritage Hall. There is something for everyone, even if you just prefer to drink your coffee and let others master the hissing chrome machines.



Other Events coming up this summer:

Fleet footed chefs race through the fields for the Terra Nova Schoolyard Society.

The Slow Food people glut on tomatoes down at Kits beach.

Foodies on bicycles will pump through Agassiz in quest of cheese.

Fourteen top chefs get passionate for a worthy cause.

Filed in DAILY NEWS/ Press Releases and Greater Details.

PLACES:

1) TransContinental- Restaurant, Gastown, Vancouver
2) Deuce - Restaurant, North Vancouver, Vancouver
3) Voya - Future Restaurant, Downtown, Vancouver
4) Cobre - Restaurant, Gastown, Vancouver
5) So.Cial Custom Butcher Shop - Deli, Gastown, Vancouver

THINGS:

1) Feast of Fields
2) sea scallops
3) History Bites, Victoria
4) Food at the PNE
5) Polderside Farm chicken

MOST INEXPLICABLE CONNECTION:

Vancouver plays on a barge

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES LOGGING IN: 222
NUMBER OF CITIES WORLDWIDE (this day): 44 (#44 was Banff, Alberta)