THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Review Vol.17
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage
Number 9
$1.15 including GST
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
A wine for all occasions - even Royal ones Review Staff
Submitted photo
Clos du Soleil presented their flagship white the 2013 Capella at the Canada House re-opening in London, England.
As the newly revamped Canada House was reopened in London, England last week a Similkameen Valley winery made its UK debut. The boutique ultra-premium Similkameen Valley based Clos du Soleil Winery was selected as the sole BC wine sponsor for events surrounding the official reopening of Canada House last Thursday. The event received massive media coverage and was attended by Queen Elizabeth. Winery founder Spencer Massie called being part of the monumental occasion “an absolute honour.” “Well the biggest thing was that it was an opportunity to showcase just how good the wines of BC are to an international audience. And a chance to put the Similkameen on the map,” Massie wrote in an email to the Review following the event. Clos du Soleil presented their flagship white the 2013 Capella at the event which included dignitaries from England and Canada. The 2013 Capella is a classic old world style blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, barrel fermented in very small lots. The wine was declared the Best White Wine overall at the 2011 BC Wine Awards.
Massie said the wine was well received by all. “They loved it – Mike Clark and the vineyard/production team at Clos du Soleil put a lot of work and effort into crafting our fine wines – and everyone appreciated the Capella 2013. It was a great match with dinner – and I had a dozen British guests asking where they could buy it in London – so that’s all part of it. And some follow up work to be done – to bring the Similkameen to them,” he wrote. Unfortunately Massie wasn’t able to arrive in London in time for the opening ceremonies as he was attending a function in Victoria, BC the night before. He was able to tour Canada House later in the day. “It was an amazing day with several (highlights) but – meeting Mark Carney – the Canadian Governor of the Bank of England was one, as I think he’s truly remarkable. Former Premier Gordon Campbell was in fine form. The renovation was beautiful – but the Canadian artwork on display really was amazing – Hughes, Emily Carr – a who’s who of fine Canadian art,” he said of highlights of the day. Canada’s High Commissioner to the
United Kingdom, Gordon Campbell had high praise for Clos du Soleil in a press release. “I am delighted that so many leading Canadian firms were eager to participate in helping us to celebrate the Official Opening of Canada House on Trafalgar Square in true Canadian style. I would like to personally thank Clos du Soleil Winery for their generosity. They have indeed brought some of Canada’s finest to the very heart of London,” he stated. For the first time in more than 50 years, the revitalized Canada House brings together all Canadian high commission staff under one roof. The project to return Canada House to its former glory and connect it to the adjacent building on Cockspur Street emphasizes the key historic links between Canada and the United Kingdom. The revitalized Canada House serves as a showcase for Canadian art and design and features more than 300 pieces, among them works by Emily Carr, Arthur Lismer—a member of the original Group of Seven— and Gordon Smith, another renowned Canadian painter, as well as photographs by Edward Burtynsky and sculptures by Gathie Falk and Joe Fafard, among many others.
Arctic Apple approval could have core effect on Cawston Tara Bowie Review Staff
There could be short term gain but longterm pain for local organic farmers after a decision in the US approving the growing of the genetically modified Arctic apple. The apple patented by Okanagan Specialty Fruits’ in Summerland is genetically engineered to prevent browning of the flesh, which would aid in apple processing plants. “It’s kind of two-tiered. It depends what our government does about it. So far Canada has not approved the Arctic apples but traditionally we follow suit with the US,” Sara Harker of Harker Organics said. The risk of cross contamination if the Arctic apples were approved in Canada is of major concern for
organic farmers everywhere but especially in Cawston dubbed the organic capital of Canada. “If it was approved there’s no way to stop the cross contamination or cross pollination with GMO apples and non-GMO apples,” she said. If Arctic apples were approved to be grown in Canada it would destroy Harker Organics hard work to farm organically which spans multiple generations of the family and at least three decades. And although that prospect is devastating, Harker said at this point efforts are going into educating consumers and operating the business as usual. “Even with the US approval, it’s several years off before those apples are on the market,” she said.
There is a slight upside to the approval as it reduces the US ability to export apples specifically to the European Union which does not accept genetically modified produce. “As long as we as Canadians have a moratorium it won’t affect our farmers directly. What it could do is strengthen the support of Canadian apples because consumers are very against GMOs,” she said. Following the US decision last week, Alex Atamanenko, MP for the Southern Interior wrote to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to reiterate his concern. “The trademark Arctic Apple is causing a great deal of worry to BC fruit growers. There is legitimate fear that public backlash would
File art
Cawston organic farmers are concerned after US approval to allow growing of the genetically modified Arctic Apple.
wreak havoc in the marketplace. Customers do not support the genetic tampering of fruit and vegetables for the benefit of patent-holders especially when the genetics of
their products cannot realistically be prevented from cross-pollination with neighbouring varieties,” he wrote. Continued on page 6