Port Now Fortified!

Port is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are made by adding a proportion of grape spirit, or brandy, to the wine at some point during the production process. The name comes from the harbour Porto this harbour is located in the City of Oporto . Some say Port was named after the city. The original wine region from which Port first came is called Douro. Today port wine is made in numerous countries; Canada has building a reputation for fine Port style wines .The Canadian Government reached an agreement with Portugal. Agreeing that only wines made in Douro maybe referred to as Port.

On December 31, 2013, the Canadian wine industry will no longer be able to use the terms “Port” and “Sherry”, as per the Canada-EU Wine and Spirits Agreement (CEWSA). Article 12(2) of CEWSA requires Canadian producers to stop using certain geographic indications in any market to describe or present wine.

In June, the final Fortified Wine Guidance Document was issued by the CVA Fortified Wine Committee to help ensure a smooth transition with full compliance to labelling laws and regulations. The new classifications (presently known as “Port’ and “Sherry”) are intended for the Canadian market, and may deviate slightly from more traditional classifications for these fortified wine products. Furthermore, flexibility has been provided for fortified wines to leave room for producers to vary their style of wine without undue restrictions.

1) Port will be replaced with Tawny, Ruby and Vintage for these styles of fortified wines produced and sold in Canada

2) Sherry will be replaced with the term Apera for these styles of fortified wine products produced and sold in Canada

This guidance is voluntary but will ensure compliance with federal regulations and avoid any unnecessary enforcement action from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA

The important fact here is that Canada produces a high quality level of fortified wines. Among the notable wines is Black Sage Vineyards Pipe made by winemaker Jason James. “Pipe” to reflect the time- honoured tradition of Port producers and the quality of this fine wine. The wine is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, usually the last grapes to be harvested, with a Brix level of 25 to 26. Partway

For years now we have enjoyed the fortified wines from La Frenz on the Naramata Bench. La Frenz was names Small Winery of the Year at the Riverside Wine Competition California both in 2012 and 2013. 

NV Liqueur Muscat This unique fortified wine is produced in a Solera system, meaning the average age of the blend progressively becomes older. In other words, every year’s release has a percentage of our first vintage in 1999. The wine is aged in neutral oak barrels and is a blend of three Muscat varietals, the dominant one being the Schönberger grape

NV Tawny Port It has flavours of nuts,dates and dried fruits reminiscent of dark fruit cake infused with a butterscotch sauce. Tawny is a combination of vintages, it will not benefit from any additional cellaring. It shows the beautiful and complex characteristics that come from the multiple years spent in neutral barrels.

2013 Vintage Port estate grown Shiraz grapes which offer the mouth-watering aromatics of sweet blueberries with hints of white pepper. La Frenz's own custom-distilled brandy dosage adds fortification and complexity to the wine. The wine is sweet, but finishes dry on the palate.

One that we have not tried recently is Quails' Gate Estate Winery Fortified Vintage Foch This Fortified Vintage Foch was made in the traditional port style using very ripe Marechal Foch grapes 

Unsworth Vineyards, BC n/v Ovation is one we have tasted a couple of times recently We can recommend it Gold Medal Winner, 2014 All Canadian Wine Championships

Known for our icewine Canada is rapidly gaining a reputation for its Sparking wines, ciders and fortified wines. Watch for the port-style wines come out of Quebec. One winery to watch is Coteau St-Paul, QC 

At the 2020 All Canadian Double Gold for La Frenz Winery, BC    N/V    Tawny Port  and     Gold for their   2019   Vintage Port     $27.90

 

Skilled Chef in a Tiny Coffee Shop!

Once again Barbara and I along with two dear friends found ourself having Sunday Brunch at a very special coffee shop. A coffee shop with a very friendly, kind and skillful chef. I will of course not tell you where this hidden gem is. We want it all to ourself.

The menu is short but has expanded from our first visit just a few short months ago. It features all one needs for a classic Sunday brunch.

Without a doubt Larry the co-owner along with his wife Kelly makes the best Lobster Benny in all of Ocean Park and for that matter all of South Surrey. According to their son, he also makes the very best pancakes.

Lead by Kelsey the staff is friendly and very efficient. They help make your visit an enjoyable one. The coffee is also quite good.

On this particular morning, Larry provided some freshly baked Cresent rolls. Oh so good!

Now on Saturday Larry's featured menu item is Beef Dip! My favourite dining out meal. I mentioned that Larry was a kind gentleman. He saved me some prime rib and produced a beef dip for me.. Yum!

Now my wife is a member of the Soroptimist Club of White Rock. An organization that aids women in need. Larry and Kelly also run a clothing store beside their coffee shop. They donated a huge box of clothing for Barbara to give to the Soroptimists.

I hope you have not figured out where this little gem close to the Safeway store is located. I want to have a table when we go there. So far Barbara and I have sat at every table at least once. I like the one in the window where  I can look across the street at the community club.

Going to the coffee shop was part of Barbara's birthday celebrations. Larry provided a tiramisu for Barbara. We sang Happy Birthday to her and where joined in by a couple of Dudes at another table.

Sometimes after visiting the coffee shop we would go a block south and walk around  Kwomais Park. Other times we would go north and visit Crescent Park. I am thinking we might have to do it the other way around at work up at the coffee shop after our walk. A pulled pork sandwich or a chocolate brownie with a hot cup of coffee.

Now for a little secret. Larry and Kelly are going to open..................!

 Party at the Keg

Last night a dear friend treated Barbara and me to dinner at the Morgan Creek Keg. It was Barb's birthday. It was a wonder-full time  good conversation, laughs, memories, good food and fine wine. The evening lasting over two hours.

I was a happy camper from the very start as we turned into a well lite parking lot and easily found a spot close to the entrance. The Keg has a double door entrance between the door a young lady awaited guests opening the door ensuring Covid 19 protocols. You tell she was greeting us with a big smile even under her mask. She extremely polite and soon had us inside where a second host greeted us and guided us to our table where three friends were waiting for. 

Barbara and I found the chairs a bit too soft and far too low for our comfort. That was no problem for the very polite and smiling staff, who quickly replaced the chairs.

Wine time! Our dear friend Mary was our dinner party host and she selected a very nice wine, Stags Leaps Cabernet Sauvignon.

Four of us relaxed and sipped the wine as we discussed the menu. Mary's daughter Lucy needs to age a bit before she can partake. The wine was present in the proper manner and served correctly. Well done Keg!

The presentation of gifts for the birthday girl came next. It was a wonderful night for Barbara. The most memorable part was the wonderful words written on the cards.

Appetizers were ordered next. For those partaking Shrimp Cocktails was the popular choice. Those shrimps were huge and apparently delicious.

Four out of five ordered the Prime Rib classic. Classic means salad (your choice) and sides ( your choice) included. The young lady Lucy went for the steak a Top Sirloin.

Simply put the meals were prepared to perfection. My prime rib was so tender, so juicy and delicious. The portions rather larger and that's a good thing. Add a little more wine and we were all having a most wonderful evening. The time just flew by.

The birthday girl and Lucy were the only ones to have dessert. Lucky went with a chocolate brownie and Barb went for the crème brûlée.

Well done Keg! Superior serve, excellent food and good Covid protocol!

Thank you, Mary!! 

 The Glass House Winery

The huge winery all by itself on "0"  Ave the road that separates Canada from the USA. The winery was originally opened by Arthur and Ingrid de Jong. Arthur owned a company that build glasshouse houses for farmers.

The de Jongs ran a very successful business with high quality wines. Joseph Richard Group has taken over the wineries operations in 2019 Under the agreement, the de Jong family will continue to own the property, while JRG operates the vineyard and winery.

Barbara and along with a friend visited the winery in early October. Besides a few more picnic tables we could not see ant changes since our previous visits.

Since the JRG owns and operates a number of restaurants throughout the lower mainland. I was expecting a better menu. However, the Crab dip, flatbread and charcuterie plate were all good.

As for the wines the Stellatus Brut Cuvee was very good the 2019 Bacchus amazing.

 

Dining at Burrowing Owl Winery

All good things must come to an end, on our final night in the Okanagan we decided on dinner at  Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver. We booked at the winery over a week in advance of our trip but we could only get a 7;00 pm reservation proving balcony dining is popular during COVID 

We arrived a few minutes early and had to sit in the lobby of Sonora room until 7:20 before being seated on the deck.  I thought the restaurant could have seated us in the indoor section and offered a small glass of wine, or at least the opportunity to order a glass while we waited. We ended up with a very nice table in the corner.

In these times we do not blame the restaurant for the wait. However, the people who have finished dining and paid their bill should be aware that there is limited seating and should move along so the establishment can attempt to make a profit.

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 We had a limited time to enjoy the view before darkness settled in.  If you look at the photograph at the top, the Sonora Room is located on the left side, second floor. We sat in the corner on the far left.

Our server was proficient, with excellent communication skills. The meal itself was outstanding, beef rib eye with sautéed mushrooms, wilted summer greens, parmesan-truffle polenta croutons, peppercorn sauce and the wine a 2018 Merlot, wonderful. It was a very enjoyable meal topped off by a couple of desserts. Rose and peach “Ile flottante”, soft-baked meringue, Calliope Gewürztraminer poached peaches, nut crumble and chocolate pâté, salted caramel, cocoa crumble, mint ice cream for dessert.

We had a most enjoyable time, a stupendous way to end our Okanagan trip.

 Zias Stonehouse Restaurant

14015 Rosedale Ave, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0

We did not consider our Okanagan Vacation officially started until we were dining at Zias in Summerland. The restaurant exceeded our expectations. We were four very hungry and tired travellers.

Zias provides a varied menu, including pasta, seafood, steak and a very impressive wine list. The prices were lower than expected.

The restaurant was the original home of  Alfredo Biagione built-in 1916. The cosy home style design of the interior was very relaxing and intriguing featuring numerous family photographs. The home was purchased by Shannon and Claude Ferlizza who transferred the home into Zias opening in 1998.

 Our server Val was a bundle of joy. Social distancing protocols all in place (our server removed her mask for the photograph). Val has worked at the restaurant for 20 years!

I began my meal with a glass of Van Westen viognier 2018. It was so good I ordered a second glass.

Among my favourite dishes are French Onion Soup, Beef Dip and Pecan pie. Imagine my delight when I saw all three on the menu.

Check out the portion size. Delicious!!

Yum

Thank you Zias it was a very memorable experience!

Small is Good!

 

Passion and Hardwork

The wonderful world of wine is expanding around the world. Countries that never before produced wine or even thought they could are planting vineyards and growing grapes. In North America the expansion is amazing. Everyone is serving wine.

In Canada, major companies like Arterra Wines Canada and Andrew Peller Ltd are expanding from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. However, it is the small family winery that impresses me the most. Wineries like Niche Wine Company in West Kelowna.

The small family winery is owned by Joanne and James Schlosser, They had a dream, they saw the potential of the land.  With their passion, desire and hard work, they produce wines they can be proud of.

Joanne is the creative director for the winery she is the homemaker and mother of their son Hugh and holds down a third job working at another winery.

James is the winemaker. He received his Master's degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Brock University in Niagara.

James says the hardest thing about owning a small winery is all the multitasking! My responsibilities include everything from winemaking to financial planning to government reporting. The good news is, I’m also responsible for quality control and that is a job I take very seriously.

A must-try wine is their 2018 unfiltered Pinot Noir! Also, look for their 2018 Foch.

The winery is located at 1901 Bartley Road on the west side of Highway 97