eat & drink
Get thee to the Vancouver Wine Fest! City Cellar by Kurtis Kolt
W
hile this year’s edition of the Vancouver International Wine Festival doesn’t start until February 24, I’m sharing my recommendations of can’t-miss events sooner than later since, at press time, more than half of the tastings, seminars and dinners have sold out. I’m sure a big chunk of this year’s popularity is due to France being the theme country and sparkling wine holding court as the general wine-style focus. In saying this, you’ll definitely want to hit the International Festival Tasting Room at least once during the Thursday, Friday or Saturday editions, and enjoy the opportunity to sip 780 wines from 178 wineries and 14 countries. All the information’s over at VanWineFest.ca, including tickets for these three events I’m heartily advising you nab sooner than later. France Bubbly Party | Tuesday, February 25 | Ginger 62 | 9-11pm | $65 I love casual, nighttime stand-up events — there’s just something so cosmopolitan about them. Besides the fun DJ and
lounge atmosphere, there’s a raw bar for snacking and a host of sparkling wines and Champagnes from the likes of Pierre Sparr, Lanson and H. Blin. Who said being civilized couldn’t be fun? SIP THIS: Zinck Crémant d’Alsace Brut ($23.99, BC Liquor Stores) is a tremendous value that you can keep top-of-mind all year long. Fresh, crunchy apples with lemon and sea-spray for under 25 bucks makes it a bargain. The Heart of Burgundy | Wednesday, February 26 | Coast Restaurant | 6:30pm | $155 What a great opportunity to feast on Chef Pedro Gonzalez’s local fare while tucking into many a bottle of Burgundy from world-famous vineyards. Find out why most wine geeks go to the storied region when they’re asked for their all-time favourite wines. SIP THIS: Latour Corton 2010 Charlemagne Grand Cru ($200-250, various vintages, BC Liquor/Private Stores) comes from stony, limestone soil and is the poster child for pitch-perfect elegant oak treatment in a stunning vintage.
Mediterranean Mingler | Saturday, March 1 | VCC West, Level 3 | Noon–2pm | $80 With a backdrop of the North Shore Mountains and plenty of snacking to be had during this grazing lunch, it’s no wonder it increases in popularity each year. A completely different atmosphere from the sometimes-frenetic International Tasting Room, there’s a much more leisurely pace at this event where you’ll have the chance to chat with winery principals from some of the biggest names in the south of France, like Paul Mas, Gerard Bertrand, Chapoutier and more. SIP THIS: There’s fresh and lively Southern French expression to be found in a bottle of Chapoutier Bila-Haut Cotes-du-Roussillon ($15.99, BC Liquor Stores), which blends Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault while keeping things full of purple fruit and herbs at a chipper 13 per cent alcohol.
As always, if you’re having trouble finding something or just want to say hi, find me via KurtisKolt.com or on Twitter @ KurtisKolt.
Next Jen-eration of gluten-free Husband and wife duo Hamid Salimian and Jennifer Peters team up on new line of baking products
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or the past year and half, Hamid Salimian and Jennifer Peters have turned their house into a test kitchen. The husband and wife chef duo have developed a new line of gluten-free baking products called NextJen Gluten Free. And once their website gets up and running in the next week or so, they’ll also be posting the 45 recipes that they’ve created to best showcase the products. “Hopefully consumers will have an easier time because we’ve done all the legwork,” Salimian said as his wife presented their smoked salmon canapés at the 6 Course Discourse Jan. 20. Peters (La Belle Auberge, Raincity Grill) is gluten-intolerant but wasn’t willing to give up all the breads and baked goods she loved. The gluten-free all-purpose flours she could find on the market Hamid Salimian and Jennifer Peters gave people a taste of didn’t quite sift it for her. their new product at Mijune Pak’s (centre) 6 Course DisAll recipes calling for flour aren’t created equal. course as part of Dine Out Vancouver. Martha Perkins photo What’s good for the cookie isn’t always good for the pastry. She and Salimian (Diva at the Met’s This weekend sees the return of the Gluten Free Expo. Given executive chef and now at teacher at Vancouver Commuthat BC leads other provinces in the number of people who follow nity College) tried out different combinations for different a gluten-free diet, organizers are expecting a crowd. (Last year recipes, coming up with the best mix. (A frozen puff pastry they seemed a tad overwhelmed.) It’s January 25 and 26 from still eludes her but she’s working on it.) 10am to 4pm at the PNE’s forum. Go to GlutenFreeExpo.ca for The products will be available through their website, details on speakers, products and tickets ($12 or $15 at the door.) NextJen.ca, as well as soon-to-be-determined retail outlets.
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