- December 2005

Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

It seems as though every year Christmas comes earlier. I really don’t think it does, I just think we forget from year to year. As a proud Wine Diva, planning is essential (of course) and because my birthday falls in mid-November, friends and family are drolly aware there is a moratorium put on Christmas until AFTER I celebrate.
So, from November 19^th onward, go ahead put up those ghastly icicle lights (that we all have), fill the CD player with 2000 renditions of ‘Deck the Halls’, attach the eggnog  intravenous and knock yourself out decorating, ‘cause my day is done!

Of course since the Wine Diva is all about drinking Bubbles  throughout the entirety of November, through Cornucopia, birthdays, Beaujolais Nouveau and American Thanksgiving…well heck may as well roll those Bubbles right into the New Year!

In this issue:

• Festive Bubbles
• Quails’ Gate Vertical Library tasting
• Wines to Warm the Winter Chill
• Hola-The wines of Parés Baltà
• Sweet Finishes
• Taste Bites (Holiday Style)
  Vista d'Oro
  Canada's Olive Oil
  Cupcakes-24 carrot goodies
  Snack Attack
• Trendspotting
  Quince-Hand Crafted Cuisine
• Final Words-Home for the Holidays
  What a Wine Diva really wants for Christmas
   

Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

 festivus season=bubble research!

 Moscato

Moscato d'Asti-Italy-Lighter and sweeter than traditional Champers, fresh, sweet, candied flavours and aromas with more delicate ‘frizzante’ bubbles. It is made from Moscato Bianco grapes.

The Kelly Clarkson

Batasiolo Moscato d’Asti - Sweet candied orange rind, honey peaches with hints of herbs and mineral. Fresh and sweet not syrupy and readily available. A great aperitif to start off your holiday season, or finish off with a bottle for desert with fresh fruit dipped in honey and mascarpone.
BC LDB $19.95

The Scarlet Johansen

Marchesi di Gresy La Serra Moscato d’Asti, 2004- Worth looking for at specialty stores. Sweet and seamlessly elegant, the freshness and minerality balanced perfectly with creamy wild honeyand sweet fruit. Delicate and voluptuous all at one time. The Wine Diva plans on opening a bottle of this with her traditional panforte on Christmas morning, a perfect pairing with the honeyed dried fruit and hazelnuts in this Italian style Christmas cake.
I know you really want to be at my place Christmas morning… don’t cha?
BC LDB (splits) 375ml $16.99
Specialty wine stores 750ml $26.00 (approx.)

The classier new and improved Carmen Electra

Vespaiolo Demi-Sec Spumante- Don’t let the word Spumante scare you, the Vespaiolo is similar in style to a Moscato d'Asti, demi-sec (semi-dry) is light fresh and sweet with a full lush mouth and clean finish. A great alternate to Champers or traditional Prosecco, and far more sophisticated than that old Spumante my uncle Vinnie used to pour!
Specialty wine stores $21.99
Wine Diva tip: Vespaiolo is a grape varietal. Spumante is Italian for 'frothy'!

 Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

Prosecco

Wine Diva tip: Prosecco-Italy-Prosecco is actually a grape. This sparkling wine is similar in body to Moscato d'Asti is generally light and crisp and can be made in a dry or off-dry style. Quite often it has more apple, mineral and slightly bitter citrus-rind flavours.
 

Sommariva Prosecco-Creamy mousse, toast and citrus not bone-dry but not sweet either. A sophisticated and elegant prosecco with a fresh and creamy mouth-feel.
BC LDB $24.99

Vespaiolo Vino Frizzante ‘spago’- Aromas are of ripe almost sweet fruit and flowers. Dry and delicate in the mouth, a dance of orchard fruit, earth and the slightly bitter
citrus-y pith also commonly found in prosecco.
BC LDB $19.99 (just arrived in stores)
Wine Diva tip: Vespaiolo is a grape varietal.
 

Mionetto ‘Sergio MO’ Extra Dry Prosecco- Creamy smooth, apple and citrus. Rich and smooth in a bold masculine bottle that won’t horrify the boys at your party!
BCLDB $26.99

Valdo Prosecco Marca Oro- Fresh and light, minerals citrus and floral. A very feminine  style of prosecco, with a bold yellow label.
BCLDB-$19.99

 Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

 Sparklers from all corners of the world

Marquis de la Tour Brut-France- Cheap and cheerful, I like to keep this sparkler around to make pretty pinkish Kir Royals or brunch style mimosas. A blend of the classic French varietals Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc it has loads of delicate, crisp, fresh citrus and orchard fruit, and at this price that you can feel good about your excessive holiday spending.
BCLDB $11.99

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut- California- A fun and creamy sparkler with soft mousse, sweet orchard fruit soft toast and a long smooth finish without any bitterness. Good optional value rather than Champagne.
BCLDB $29.95
Wine Diva tip: Try to find a bottle of the Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir around $39.00 which is harder to find but worth the effort for your holiday entertaining.
 

Wolfberger Brut Cremant-Alsace-Fresh and fun especially if you prefer bubbles without the classic yeast/toast flavours. Citrus, mineral and slightly green/herbaceous flavours with a dose of orchard fruit on the finish.
Specialty wine stores $24.00 (approx.)

Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Brut 2000-South Africa- Blanc de Blanc is a traditional term in Champagne used for 100% Chardonnay. The Graham Beck is one I have always liked but seem to forget from try to try how much. That is, until I have another taste. Fat, creamy-smooth mouth, toast, floral and orchard fruit with no pith or green bitterness to the finish.
BCLDB $24.99

Fox Creek ‘Vixen’-Australia-100% Cabernet Franc…yes, I did say Cab Franc!
Aromas seem classic Cab Franc, hint of green bell pepper, black fruit and berries. Intensely extracted purple-black hue with just a hint of sweetness and soft bubbles to carry this rich cassis, plum and earthy anomaly to your tastebuds.
Specialty wine stores $29.99 (approx.)

Peter Lehmann ‘Black Queen’, 1997-Australia-100% Shiraz with the power and intensity of a big Aussie Shiraz to be sure! Sweet and extracted without being as cloying as some sparkling shiraz on the market. Gentle bubble in this unctuous beverage that is layered with black fruit, spice and eucalyptus. Worth tracking and trying!
Specialty wine stores $34.90

Franciacorta, Bellavista Cuvée Brut, Lombardy Italy- Franciacorta is considered the 'Champagne' region of Italy known for its premium sparkling wines. The Bellavista comes in a severely modern, triangular shaped bottle with a small, classy gold embossed label.
Crisp orchard fruit, hints of floral, citrus rind and yeast with a hint of roasted nut flavors. Fine mousse, delicate but persistent bubbles. The Wine Diva drank a bottle of this putting up the Christmas tree...shhh...
Specialty Wine Stores

 Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles
 

Champagne

Pommery Brut Royal- Golden foiled for a festive golden-hued Champers.
Rich mousse, fresh apple and citrus with a solid yeasty/toasty backbone and mineral finish.
*Take note all you Wine Diva penny pinchers this Champagne has a reduced price Dec.5-February 6^th, enough to buy an eggnog latte!
BCLDB reg $57.95 reduced $54.95

Jacquesson Cuvée #729- Super full mousse when it hits your mouth. If you are a Wine Diva that loves superhero bubbles this one is for you! Gorgeous, simple and elegant label on this lesser known Champagne to match the product inside the bottle. Fresh citrus, herbs, mineral, toast and citrus rind
BCLDB $59.99

Lanson Rosé- Pretty and festive pinky-rose hue with lovely aromas of fresh ground berries on the nose and in the mouth, zingy yet elegant with a rich lush mousse.
BCLDB $59.99 LTO $47.99
Wine Diva tip: Lanson Black label is a great alternative and a well priced Champagne at $47.99
Just reduced LTO $44.99 

New Kid on the Block

Duval-Leroy-A limited edition, specially designed bottle silk screened with the Paris skyline and cradled in a lovely gift box, perfect for gift giving. Available in BC now for a mere 3 weeks this 'new kid' is a yummy new offering!
Refreshing green apple, toast, nuts and a tease of soft floral aromas, delicate bubbles and a fine persistent mousse, very classy indeed.
You may decide to keep this designer bottle for yourself!
BCLDB $59.99

  Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

The Ultimate Bubbles for Wine Diva

De Venoge Rosé Brut-Fresh berries, orchard fruit, toast and spice, Fresh and rich, sexy and elegant with great structure and depth. Check out the pretty label
Wine Divas, a perfect milieu for ladies who lunch!
BCLDB (splits) 375ml $31.99
Specialty wine stores 750ml $63.00 (approx.)

De Venoge Vin du Paradis, Cuvée Dry- Crazy fresh and hopping out of the glass (not unlike the gorgeous and intricately coloured label on this bottle) with aromas of just squeezed citrus, flowers, honey and quince. A hint of sweetness (just like a Wine Diva) and refreshing like the fruits of paradise should be.
A Wine Diva favorite!
BCLDB $52.99

Quails’ Gate Pinot Noir Library tasting November 17^th 2005

The Wine Diva was tickled electric-pink-and-topped-with-a-leopard-print-bow to be part of a group invited to sit down with the Stewart Family and winemaker Grant Stanley during a recent vertical tasting event. Our small group of local business owners and media were charmed by patriarch, Dick, sons Ben and Tony Stewart as they spoke about the history of Quails’ Gate and riveted by Grant's lecture on the present and future vision for (especially) their flagship, Pinot Noir. Listening to them all speak so passionately about Quails’ Gate, the history of the vineyards, the vines, the winemaking styles and how they have evolved was both enlightening and inspiring.

1990 Reserve Pinot Noir- Berry liqueur, earthy undergrowth, stewed fruit, dusty cedar and tobacco. It was a fabulous experience to try this wine and taste the evolution of Quails’Gate but this vintage was a bit lean and tired. If George Burns had been a wine...

1994 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- Sweeter red berry aromas than the 1990, framboise liqueur, cedar, soft leather and greenery. Again, more freshness on the tongue than the 1990 yet still robust and slightly dusty with chewy tannins.

1997 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- The progression continues, fresher than the previous two with sour cherry, dried fruit and smoked meat jumping out of the glass, leaner than expected on the palate but with a solid structure and flavours of red berry, leather, tobacco and earth.

2001 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- Berry jam and cherry Garcia (think I was getting hungry for Ben & Jerry’s?), candied violets, soft leather and tobacco in a boozy new world style. A lush, intriguing and mysterious woman, a fine wine with depth and elegance.

2002 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- Slightly closed, especially after the forward fruitiness of the 2001. She opens up slowly and shows a depth of raspberry, cherry and dark flowers with earthy undertones and smoke. A surprisingly round, lush mouth-feel that is both clean and sophisticated harboring ripe fruit and a long spiced finish.

2003 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- Brilliant hue from a wine that takes the next step in Quails'Gate elegance. Deep berry, dark fruit and cherry, leather, mushroom and tobacco. Ultra fresh in the mouth, robust berry and leather flavours with a long, hot, peppery finish supported with obvious tannins.

2004 Family Reserve Pinot Noir- Needed to be brought out of its shell with some aggressive swirling but was impressive and masculine when it did. Smoked dark berries juxtaposed with fresh sour cherry, sweet spices, leather and cedar. Smooth and masculine in the mouth (don’t even think it) with deep cherry and tobacco flavours.
A teddy bear of a Pinot, like a warm man and cold night by a blazing fire.
 

2004 Limited Release Pinot Noir- Lighter and fresher than the 2004 Family Reserve, fresh and spicy yet earthy. Crisply sweet and spicy in the mouth with a long cola-ish finish like a Teenbeat heartthrob cover model.

 

And just to compare, Grant brought along two of my favorites…

Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2002, Canterbury New Zealand- Sweet, deep aromas of black fruit, smoke, and game meat. In the mouth the sweet flavour comes through as ripe cherry, clean, pure flavours of greenery and a long, hot spicy finish.
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, 2002, Willamette Oregon- Fresh and pure aromas of red berries and cherries, sleek and slippery on the tongue with blueberry, cedar and sweet spice. An elegant an sensual Pinot Noir, very feminine in style.

 

Wines to Warm the Winter Chill

Calona Artist Series Pinot Noir 2004- What can I say, rarely do you find a bottle of Pinot Noir for under $13.00 that is, well, this good. Fresh, sweet berry, leather, beets and and spice with a hint of vanilla oak and earthiness. A solid and perfectly quaffable Monday to Wednesday wine.
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
$12.59
Wine Diva tip: Sometimes I hate giving up my tips, but for you all I will! Pick up a bottle of the Calona Artist Series Gewurztraminer at the same time. For $12.99 it’s a bargain.

Saturna Island Winery With baited breath, we in the wine biz await the new vintage, new winemaker and improved winemaking practices coming from this local island winery. We all want to see this lovely little BC winery succeed. None more than the Wine Diva who, over the course of several trips back in 1997 and 1998, hiked around the vineyards, picnicked on the site and watched the skeleton of a winery rise slowly. The nearby Saturna Island Inn was a lovely romantic getaway with great food, wonderful people and quiet surroundings. I learned to kayak on Saturna Island (Wine Diva in a narrow floating vessel) and even had a sea otter offer to join in on a serene waterfront picnic.
With 2006, rumor has it the now all 'estate grown' fruit and hand harvested grapes, loving tended to by new winemaker Daniel Lagnaz, will be bottled with a sexy new label guided firmly along with the newly acquired sales marketing prowess of Vancouver's Lisa Baxter.
In the interim…

Saturna Island Pinot Noir, 2002- Fresh and juicy on the entry with good Pinot Noir flavours. Earth, tobacco, and cedar followed by a fairly lengthy white pepper finish until ‘lo and behold that initial berry comes back for an encore. Good Value for penny-pinching pinot-philes, especially during the heavy spending Festivus season.
(Just a little Seinfeld humour)
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
$15.95

 

Hainle G2 (Gewürztraminer/Riesling), Okanagan, 2004- Another well designed label from this Peachland winery.
The G2 is not only attractive to look at saving those who stumble over the tongue twister guh-vairtz-tra-meener . Fresh apples and citrus from the Riesling enters softly and then the 65% Gewurztraminer kicks in, spicing things up a bit. Elegant, refreshing and dry, this wine would be perfect with those dynamite maki rolls we Vancouverites love!
Wine Diva tasted- November 2005
BC VQA and Specialty Wine Stores $14.90

Hainle Z3 (Pinot Meunier/ Merlot/Zweigelt), Okanagan, 2004-A favorite with BC wine drinkers and a few local wine writers for sure. The 2004 vintage is the best one I’ve tasted yet, fresh red berries, light, crisp and spicy. A wine made to go with food but light and refreshing enough as a sipper. Pop it into the icebox for five to bring out the fresh berry aromas then serve it up with light appetizers or soft cheese.
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
BC VQA and Specialty Wine Stores $14.90

Hainle Zweigelt, Okanagan, 2004-Bright ruby red, like free-run ‘beet juice’, as owner/winemaker Walter Huber likes to say. Walter has taken over from Tilman Hainle (previous owner/winemaker) and seems to be doing an impressive job of the wines I have tasted so far. The 2004 Zweigelt is soft, velvety and elegant in the mouth with sweet cherry/candy floss aromas and a light mocha, tobacco finish. A crowd pleaser, and Walter grins, 'The ladies love it'!
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
BC VQA and Specialty Wine Stores $22.90

Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay, California, 2004-This may have been the best Chardonnay I tasted at the recent Whistler Cornucopia Wine Event. Creamy and rich like a tropical fruit ice cream bar with just enough bright citrus and minerals to keep it fresh.
Sounds like a Wine Diva wine to me!
Wine Diva tasted-November 2004
BCLDB $21.99

Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Zinfandel, California, 2002- A plush and yummy Zinfandel for the cool winter nights that have set in. Bright fruit, jammy red berries with spiced mocha, sweet tobacco and a long warm finish. If only a good man was so easy to find eh ladies?
(75%Zinfandel /13% Syrah /7% Primitivo Zinfandel /2%Petit Verdot /3% other)
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
BCLDB $22.00 (December LTO $21.99) 

Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel, Mendocino California, 2002- First of all you have to check out the website www.edmeades.com and check out the ‘Vanimal’, (aka)winemaker Van Williamson.
Second you should know that Edmeades is considered the ‘iconoclastic Mendocino Zin’. But because it's only available in specialty wine stores and in restaurants you may not have had the opportunity to savour an Edmeades wine, but please do try!
Intense and bold like the ‘Vanimal’ himself ,this Zin is chalk full of ripe jam-fruits like black cherry and blueberry, lush and velvety in the mouth with sweet spice and vanilla swimming in a long warm finish. The blend in this wine explains, in part, the intensity with 75%Zinfandel/13%Petit Sirah (this is where I get the blueberry) and 11% Syrah.
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
Specialty Wine Stores $37.00 (approx.)

Hola!

The Wine Diva loves visitors…Especially those who make wine in international regions. Those who can better educate me on their unique terroir, grapes and winemaking practices. To me, the only thing better is being there yourself immersed in the wine, the food and the culture.
Although Spain is making an impression on BC wine drinkers now, more than ever before many of us are still at a loss. The label names are foreign, we are not sure of the grape varieties and the price points seem either really low, or really high. The Wine Diva understands the general confusion which is why I always love to taste with owners and winemakers who can give me some insight (and maps please) into their products.

Parés Baltà's Joan Cusiné visited in November and these are the wines we sampled from his family winery.

Parés Baltà Cava Brut, Spain- We’ve all heard about Cava (Spain’s version of Sparkling Wine) it is yummy, fresh and usually quite inexpensive. The blend of grapes that are classic to Spain Parellada (pear-ay-da), Macabeo, Xarel.lo (jcha-rel-lo) give this sparkler freshness in the form of citrus juice, a hint of citrus rind for bite, green apples, mineral and soft floral aromas to soften. Pleasant and refreshing.
Specialty Wine Stores $20.00 (approx)

Parés Baltà Blanc de Pacs, Penedes Spain, 2004-Smoke, flint, citrus and fragrant white flowers aromas. In the mouth citrus rind and vegetal flavors with a long warm finish.
Great with seafood, shellfish and light tapas, and its 100% organic!
BCLDB $16.95

Parés Baltà Mas Petit, Penedes Spain, 2002- Fresh red berry, cherry and vegetal aromas of bell pepper. In the mouth the flavours are fresh and pure; it is medium-bodied with a long smooth finish. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha has an attractive price point and is a great introductory into the red wines of Spain.
BCLDB $17.95

Parés Baltà Mas Elena, Penedes Spain, 2002-A very terroir driven wine, (meaning you can taste the unique soil composition and regionalism) in this wine. Honeyed fruit, acacia blossoms, clover, rosemary, sweet berries, dried fruit, smoke and tobacco, a very liqueur like or nearly Amarone style of wine. This wine is soft and round in the mouth but has  enough dusty tannins on the finish to satisfy any ‘big Cab’ lover! (Merlot/Cabernet Franc)Specialty Wine Stores $25.00 (approx)

Parés Baltà, ‘Absis’, Penedes Spain, 2001- True aromas of lush sun-ripened berries, honey and savoury herbs. In the mouth it is rich, velvety smooth and complex with fresh and dried fruit flavours that continue to build up into chewy, mouth-gripping tannins.
Another amazing wine, a real cellar keeper that will continue to age well. (Tempranillo/Merlot/Cab.Sauv/Syrah)
 approx. $99.95 (not yet available in BC)

Gratavinum 2πr, Priorat Spain, 2003-Warm…aromas of chocolate, coffee, smoke and sweet, ripe, black fruit topped off with mint leaf. On the palate, fresh ripened fruit, lush, complex and elegant then the finish comes up and grabs you with a pit-bull sized bite of chewy tannins. Wow…wow! The Wine Diva is speechless.
(Carinyena/Garnatxa/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot)
approx. $47.00 (not yet available in BC)

Gratavinum GV5, Priorat Spain, 2003- Very different from the 2πr with fresh red berries, mint and more vegetal and herbaceous aromas. Don’t let these more delicate aromas fool you, there is real intensity in this wine, serious depth and smoky/flintiness with earthy minerality. A real taste of Spanish soil
approx. $80.00 (not yet available in BC)

Wine Diva tip: The Parés Baltà vineyards are all located, scattered around a region just outside of Barcelona, they welcome visitors and are amazingly humble and friendly.
 I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. Check out their website www.paresbalta.com

Sweet Finishes

Domiane Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Altenberg de Bergheim, Alsace, 1996- Quintessential Alsace Gewurztraminer in a sweet dessert wine style. Tropical fruit, lychee, rose petal and Asian spice, honeyed and lush without being cloying or ‘fat’. In a Wine Diva word, gorgeous!
Wine Diva tip: The 1996 in not available but the equally delicious 1998 is!
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
Specialty Wine Stores-375ml $ 55.00 (approx)

Chateau Megyer Tokaji Aszu 4 puttonyos, Hungary, 1999- Not as viscous or fat as expected but a gorgeous Tokaji with sweet spices, ripe fruit, honey and hazelnuts. A perfect cellar keeper, with easily a decade or more until you need to crack it!
Wine Diva tasted-November 2005
Specialty Wine Stores-$36.00 (approx)

Taste Bites

Cheese Pleaser!

Vista d’Oro Artisanal Jams- Not just a product but a destination! The Wine Diva is all about local products and Artisans (aka culinary agritourism). Not only is it the freshest you can buy, but it also helps support our local industry. Vista d’Oro farms is located in Langley where Lee Murphy produces and concocts her seasonal treats, creates her cakes and teaches us punters how to do it all and more in her cooking school. I was addicted to her jams before I met her or knew about the farm at all, but after meeting the sweet and charming Lee herself I became her most vociferous Wine Diva fan. 
Some of the current Jam offerings:

• Turkish Fig with Walnut Wine
• Pink Grapefruit with Champagne
• Orange Cardamom and Brandy
• Citrus and Candid Ginger

I will not tell a lie, I am addicted to the Turkish Fig and Walnut Wine primarily due to it’s affinity with anything cheese related. My perfect meal with wine…A Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisp (insert your favorite flavour) a corpulent slice of any ripe goats cheese, topped with a dollop of the Turkish Fig and Walnut Wine Jam. (Just give me a Wine Diva moment please….)
Find it: Vista d’Oro Jams are available at various Vancouver locations:
Hot Cuisine @ 2083 Alma (at w.4th)
Village VQA Wines 3050 Edgemont Blvd.
Village VQA Wines 3536 w 31st @ Dunbar
Vintropolis VQA 1811 w 1st
or call or check the Vista d'Oro website...                              

Or head off to Langley yourself and visit the farm. But hurry, the farm shop is closed from December 18^th thru March and is only open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. For hours and directions visit www.vistadoro.com or call 604-514-3539

Canada's Olive Oil

Highwood Crossing Organic Canola Oil- Somewhat less local (Alberta), but artisanal and healthy all the same is this pure, rich, buttery-nutty flavoured elixir the colour of the sunshine.
Thanks to the exceptional dinner I had a couple of months ago at Mission Hill Winery, world class Chef Michael Allemeir who poured this intoxicating liquid onto side plates to dunk his fresh-from-the-oven sourdough bread into, I was hooked. The Wine Diva was obviously not the only one to become addicted from the suddenly silent table as we all dove in for dunk after dunk.

Owners Tony and Penny Marshall call it Canada’s Olive Oil, organic and cold pressed in small batches using non-GMO seeds. They actually have a sticker on each bottle that tells you the day it was bottled and best before date.
Find it: Rumour has it that Les Amis du Fromage may be stocking it soon so talk to Joe if you don’t see it on the shelves.
Check out their website at www.highwoodcrossing.com or Planet Foods www.planetfoods.ca who bring it into Vancouver from Alberta
 

Cupcakes on Denman- 24carrot cupcakes.

Every time I get a new visitor into town I have to take them to this adorable and fantastical little shop of cream-topped dreams with its Wine-Diva-pink painted walls.
As a child I would have thought I had died and gone to an idyllic little girl heaven, seeing the assortment of colourful confections. I could think of nothing better except living in a Gwen Stefani/Alice in Wonderland type video or being little Cindy-Lou Who in Who-ville.
My favorite, the 24carrot is available in cake (order 48 hours ahead) or Cupcakes (min 12 order 24 hours in advance) and is rich and dense, chock full of carrot-y goodness, walnuts, dried fruit and topped with ultra creamy cream cheese frosting. 
I dismissed the cake for my recent birthday, truth is known I’m not a cake fan, but these cheery one-size-fits-most cupcakes suited just fine. P.S if you are looking to bring me a tiny-ish gift, the Wine Diva a perfectly, pink topped diva cupcake would not be refused.

Find it: Cupcakes 1116 Denman Street Vancouver 604-974-1300

www.cupcakesonline.com

Snack Attack

I watched the commercial on T.V for at least six months, two twenty-something roommates discussing mostly fattening snacking habits to fend stress. Special K Vanilla Almond cereal right out of the box which unfortunately has only 110 calories per serving. The thought of Vanilla Almond flavoured anything sends me into Wine Diva tremors, so I searched and waited and waited and searched until it arrived on shelves. Is it good, definitely, snack attack worthy, indubitably low calorie…questionable because I can’t seem to trust myself to only one serving = 2/3 cup. To really satisfy this Wine Diva’s craving at least a quarter of a box is needed, which in my mathematically challenged mind is… 400 calories…hmmm doesn’t sound so bad after all!
At grocery stores approx. $5.00

Christmas Morning Traditions

Sapori Panaforte-I mentioned earlier in the newsletter about looking forward to our once a year Christmas morning tradition of noshing on Italian flat disc shaped confection reminiscent of fruitcake (but better). This dense and chewy, flourless disc is made from honey, hazelnuts and good dried fruit (no green or red luminescent stuff),it goes great with spiked coffee or the Wine Diva’s choice, Moscato d’Asti.

Trendspotting

Once again I find myself stuck between, ‘is this Trendspotting or is it Tastebites’?
So I flipped a coin…kidding.
What makes Quince fall under Trendspotting is the concept of takeout/cooking school/caterer/eat in, all under one roof. I love the idea and have seen the concept popping up in New York, L.A and Toronto…and since we know Vancouver is hipper than thou…

Quince-hand crafted cuisine

I had a Wine Diva eye on this space for a couple of months watching as it slowly transformed itself from Lesley Stowe’s old digs to a new and sexy somethin’-somthin’, shaded an amazing chartreuse green and sporting an even sexier logo.
Quince.
Simple, exotic and kind of ‘South Beach’. The paper was finally peeled off the windows a couple weeks ago giving me a real eyeful. An ultra-hip room splashed with said chartreuse, lean and striking lighting, warmed up by gorgeous wood tables and benches. A work in progress I'm sure as the room is still quite hollow feeling. But I did notice the space was beginning to fill up with gourmet products and designer sprouts growing out of modern table-planters.
Offerings- An ever changing selection of high quality, vacuum-sealed take-out in the refrigerators include: Braised Lamb Shanks, Osso Bucco, Duck Confit, Smoked Sable Fish, Ginger Carrot Soup, vegetarian antipasto, Chickpea Ragout, Du Puy lentils.
Sauces, Dressings, Stocks, Condiments, and Desserts like White Chocolate Mousse,  various Sabayon, Caramel Sauces and Crème Anglaise. Or, buy the pastry to bake and fill, Pate Brisée or Pate Sucre.
The Wine Diva popped in this week to get a take out menu and see exactly what she could take home during this important entertaining season called, ‘Christmas’. I spoke to a friendly young man who told me that they also make their very own fresh bread on site, serve lunch, and by the looks of the shiny new cappuccino machine on the counter, café-au-lait and lattés as well.
The Quince website is not fully functioning yet, but keep an eye on it for the upcoming classes and information or better drop by while you’re in the ‘hood. Quince and owner chef/sommelier Andrea Jefferson is in good company, a mere stones throw from Barbara-Jo’s and Les Amis du Fromage.
An important addition to the neighborhood, and catering to boot for all of the business around the area.
Good Luck Quince!
www.quince.ca 
1780 w 3^rd Avenue (at Burrard) 604-731-4645

Final Words
Wine Diva-isms

Christmas used to be easier, every year we’d pull out the ancient mismatched decorations that had been passed down from my great grandmother and position them systematically around the tree; we each had our favorites and would vie for the perfect spot. Now I seem to have to change my theme every year to keep up with trends, what colours will I choose, traditional or modern, bold or subtle?
I really liked the bold orange and fuchsia theme I had last year when I bought rolls of garishly hued ribbon to make bows and glue gunned (Wine Diva with a glue gun...scary) perfect plastic flowers in the centre of each.
I specially ordered fuchsia and orange carnations from Hilary Miles (not easy to find these colours in the dead of winter apparently) and made floral pomanders. I pre-ordered miniature cupcakes from the lovely ladies at Cupcakes on Denman and set them atop an antique orange cake plate that I hunted high and low for, and that was just the beginning.
I’m getting exhausted just thinking about it.
Maybe electric orange and flaming fuchsia are beginning to sound good again, maybe I’ll just follow my last years trend theme. After all what’s a pink-loving Wine Diva supposed to do, change her theme colours to icy blue or traditional tartan?

 

All a Wine Diva wants for Christmas…

Besides a lifetime membership to Spa Ethos, a free ten year supply of Manolos and my weight in jelly bellys?

• Anything from dear, home décor + gifts a fun and funky new addition to (north) south Granville at 2212 Granville Street, 604-733-9233

• A magnum of De Venoge Champagne

• A new Stainless Steele Blanco apron front sink with industrial faucets. A matching kitchen would be nice)

• Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps

• Juicy Jam’s Saideh’s Rose Petal Jam

• Tabletop S’Mores Maker from www.wishingfish.com

• 50 year-old Balsamic from Modena

• Vista d’Oro’s Turkey Fig and Walnut Wine Jam

• A cute pink ‘Cupcakes’ T-Shirt and a flavour of the week delivery

• For H&M to get to Vancouver…fast!

• The perfect black t-shirt that stays black

• To believe in Santa again

• To see Karma work faster

Chew on that for a while, I have a fridge full of bubbles to drink!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...see you in the New Year!

Kisses & bubbles, The Wine Diva