From Articles I have read

If you want to avoid gaining weight, it may be time to ditch the skipping rope and grab a corkscrew instead. Four United States experts have found a compound in red wine that can help control obesity. The substance, piceatannol, delays the generation of young fat cells and prevents them from growing into mature ones. 

It is also thought to protect the body from heart and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as cancer. 

Lead researcher Dr Kee-Hong Kim of Purdue University, in Indiana, said: ‘In the presence of piceatannol you can see delay or complete inhibition of young fat cells. Piceatannol alters the timing of gene expressions, gene functions and insulin action during adipogenesis – the process in which young fat cells become mature fat cells. 

Dr Kim, assistant professor of food science at the university, added: ‘We are now testing our idea using animal model obesity to see if it has the same benefical functions. 

‘We need to work on improving the stability and solubility of piceatannol to create a biological effect.' 

Purdue's research was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. - Daily Mail 

By Shape 

Research shows that drinking one glass of wine four to six nights per week can help you live longer and increase your 'good' (HDL) cholesterol. These perks seem to be attributed to alcohol in general, not specifically to red wine. However, a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals a new benefit of drinking that is specific to the antioxidants found in red wine —digestive health. 

Your digestive tract houses a wide variety of bacteria, some good, some bad. Decreases in good bacteria and/or increases in bad bacteria have been linked to a growing list of health issues, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. Red wine can help shift the types of bacteria in your digestive track so there's more of the good kind, making you healthier and potentially leaner. 

Here's how it works: Red wine's red color comes from antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols can help improve your health in a variety of ways, but one problem with certain polyphenols, especially the ones in red wine, is that your body doesn't absorb them very well. It has been estimated that almost half of the polyphenols consumed are not absorbed during the normal initial phases of digestion. While this sounds like a bad thing, the unabsorbed polyphenols become food for the good bacteria in your digestive track. This is exactly what Spanish researchers found when they examined the digestive tracks of people who drank red wine every day for 20 days. 

In addition to improving the quality of the bacteria in digestive tracts, study participants also saw improvement in several major risk factors for cardiovascular disease , like triglyceride levels. This is likely due to the fact that the good bacteria in your digestive tract can help improve metabolism for a faster rate of burning that fat 

Exercise and wine 

According to a study on the health benefits of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, your body could receive some of the benefits of hitting the gym without sweat-inducing exercise.

According to researchers at Canada’s University of Alberta, the compound might boost heart rate and amp up muscle performance.

Jason Dyck, the lead researcher, writes that the discovery might be helpful for people who just can’t exercise, saying,

I think resveratrol could help patient populations who want to exercise but are physically incapable.

Resveratrol could mimic exercise for them or improve the benefits of the modest amount of exercise that they can do

Sure, we’ve heard a glass of red wine with dinner is “healthy,” but most of us never really wrapped our minds around what that means.

To reap the benefits of resveratrol, you could also munch on some kinds of nuts or fruit that also contain it, like pistachios and grapes.

Unfortunately, this is strictly reserved to red wine, so that $11 Pinot Grigio you have in your fridge doesn’t apply.

And red wine does still count towards your alcohol intake, so be careful not to overindulge

Sparkling wine can it help Brain Disease

Scientists say a compound found in Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier prevents the onset of brain disease. People who drink Sparkling wine regularly could boost their spatial memory. This is based on a study done on rats by Reading University All they required three glasses a week.

One study found that the sparkling wine contained high levels of polyphenols – antioxidants found in red grapes but less intensely in white – that can lower blood pressure and prevent heart problems

 

Dining at Atlas Steak and Seafood restaurant is a full experience for your senses, one must enjoy it. From the sleek and luxurious decor to the amazing selection of dishes to the open-concept kitchen. With a relaxing patio where we and our friends Colleen and John  dined.

We all started with the Cesar salad prepared right at the table. It was fresh and delicious. For the main course, Collen went with the New York Striploin, John and Barbara went with the Prime Rib. I went with the  Tomahawk Pork Chop.

As it was happy hour we went with the Sumac Ridge house wine. Perhaps we could have made a better choice. With her steak,  Collen wanted a nice buttery Chardonnay. A call went in for the sommelier. He met the challenge. 

It was a wonderful evening with good friends. However, there was more to come Baked Alaska!

This is one restaurant you must try!

 

Icewine is a rare gift from the magical Canadian winters. Picked at the coldest moment of a winter's night! Each frozen grape creates just one drop of of Icewine. One smooth luxurious drop!

In their book Icewine Extreme Winemaking Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser refer to making icewine in Canada as extreme winemaking. The story of this remarkable wine began in Germany (Eiswein) but today it is very apparent that Canada and Icewine are synonymous with each other. The regions of Canada most famous for its Icewine the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario and the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Here is where you find the conditions, that must be perfect, to produce the liquid gold know as Icewine. Their unique Climate allows for conditions that ripen the grapes in the summer and freezes them in the extreme winter cold. The unique climate helps maintain high acids in the fruit, necessary for successfully making icewine each year.

Canada is the world's leading exporter of icewine. There are several Wineries in Canada that only produce Icewine for exporting purposes

China and Japan are the leading importers of Icewine. Canadian Icewine is also popular in Europe.

The United States Produces some icewine but there is also a demand for Canada's golden liquid.

The production of icewine requires ten times the grapes to produce the same amount of wine. Icewine is expensive and produced under the stickiest standards

Icewine produced in Canada is required to meet the standard, as determined by a provincial authority that has verified that the product is wine that was made exclusively from grapes naturally frozen on the vine. Four of Canada’s wine producing provinces – Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia – have already established acceptable provincial regimes, which meet the new federal standard and follow international protocols.

Icewine has an extravagant sweetness and intensity. Its magical balance of acidity and sweetness gives it a texture that is surprisingly elegant and sets it apart from other dessert wines. This balance of perfect ripe fruit flavours and aromas with acidity for depth and complexity makes Icewine the least coying of all dessert wines and more likely to marry well with a wider variety of foods. 

Icewines made from Vidal are noted for their affinity with honey's flavours. In addition to aromas of tangerine, apricot and pineapple, when Vidal is aged in oak it takes on rich overtones of vanilla, almonds and fresh baked bread. Vidal Icewine works beautifully in a glaze for caramelized grilled pork roast or as an accompaniment to fresh summer berries with cream, chocolate biscuits, a pear tart or a raspberry mousse. 

Riesling based Icewine is renowned for its acidity and mineral notes. Its vivid orange and citrus tones will combine with a rich range of creamy and decadent food textures and tastes, from foie gras to crème brulée. 

The crimson Icewine crafted from Cabernet Franc yields up the classic aromatics of baked strawberry and rhubarb pie. This wine shines when teamed up with cooked or baked fruit courses featuring cherries or wild strawberries with crème fraîche. Its spicy exotic quality is underlined when contrasted to foods with hazelnut and dark chocolate.

Cheese

Icewines are magnificent with cheese, especially blue cheese such as Roquefort and Gorgonzola, hard and aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Gruyere and some sheep's cheese such as Pecorino. 

Milder cheeses simply fade away against the dominant Icewine flavours. Foods made with Cheese such as Sweet Chevre Scoffle with peace sauce or authentic savoury cheesecake can find no better partner than Icewine .

The major difference between Icewine and other dessert wines is acidity. While all dessert wines are sweet, only the best ones have balanced acidity as well. This crucial element not only adds to the enjoyment of Icewine, but also to its natural compatibility with cheese.

Most of the cheese universe pairs brilliantly with Icewine because each cheese's richness begs for that crucial acidity. Cheeses are inherently savory and sometimes salty and when prepared with the honeyed sweetness of Icewine, it creates a lovely balance that makes for a perfect match. - Laura Werlin. 

Cheese Types and the righ wine 

Cheese is an ideal companion to icewine, so long as you use cheeses with strong flavor. Milder cheeses tend to disappear in the presence of icewine’s sweetness and complex acidity, which is why you can always choose blue cheeses like Roquefort or Gorgonzola. If you don’t like blue cheese, hard, aged cheeses also work well. Go for a Parmigiano Reggiano or a very aged Sharp Cheddar.

Salty hors d'oeuvres -• Toasted salty nuts • Anchovy crackers • Antipasto plate • Black olive tapenade 

Rich Dishes -• Foie Gras • Lobster Terrine • Pâté • Chicken Liver Parfait • Tripe • Duck or Goose with oranges and peaches 

The full-bodied Icewine matches the full flavour of the dish and the high level of acidity cleanses the palate and readies it for more richness.

Spicy Cuisine - Thai and Asian Foods 

Dessert - Vidal Icewine complements fruits such as peach, banana, cantaloupe, apricot, pear, apple, pineapple, mango and papaya. • Riesling Icewine complements citrus, pineapple, apple, honeydew melon, kiwi, quince and star fruit.

.• Cabernet Franc Icewine complements strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, rhubarb and Saskatoon berry.

• Fruits that are poached, baked or caramelized • Fruit flans, cobblers, pies, strudels and tarts

• Cabernet Franc Icewine complements dark chocolate

Resources:

Laura Werlin

Inniskillin Winery

Icewine Extreme Winemaking- Donal Ziraldo an Karl Kaiser -Key Potter Books 

 Peller Estates 

The Amazing Orolo Restaurant 

We had the honour of been invited to Orolo Restaurant at Time Family Winery by General Manager Christa-Lee McWatters. It will be an evening that will forever be a lasting memory.

The celebration began with a bottle of TIME Family of Wines Chronos NV Brut, named best Sparkling Wine at the Northwest Cascadia International Wine Competition. It truly was an outstanding wine! Our server was the very charming Rose and Restaurant Manager Tom Swope opened the bottle for us. Tom used the traditional sword method.

Crispy Cauliflower -Beef Tartare - Trufe Arancini were the select appetizers by Christa -lee. They were all sensational!

Enjoying the meal and the conversation I completely forgot to take notes on the wines. However, It can be truly said Time has an excellent cellar of fine wines all produced by winemaker Lynzee Schatz.

I did have a very delicious Chronos Cabernet Syrah with my steak. Barbara had the Gnocchi Pasta.Which she really enjoyed. Our compliments to chef Damian Cole.

Hazelnut Financier a soft butter cake, hazelnut cream, vanilla bean gelato was our mazing dessert. Along with these outstanding fortified wines. Simply among the best we have ever enjoyed.

McWatters Collection 17 Harry's Apera

McWatters Collection 17 Harry's Ruby

Thank you Orolo, from the Hospitality, truly professional Service and fine  cuisine  we nominate you for the Michelin Restaurant Award.

Time Family of Wines was founded by the late Harry McWatters and today is owned by Ron & Shelley Mayert

Built within a revitalized historic theatre in downtown, the TIME Family of Wines has not grown as a team and as a family, to reflect the quality and attention to retail that is found in our wines and wishes.

361 Martin Street Penticton, BC, Canada V2A 5K6

 

Good Bye Sumac Ridge

Since 1975 the success of the Canadian wine Industry has prospered. They produce wines equal to any of those produced by the old world. 1975 was the year Inniskillian opened under co-owners Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser. 

Not long after in 1979 Harry McWatters and Lloyd Schmidt founded Sumac Ridge. It became a stable among BC wine lovers. Sumac Ridge was the first BC  Okanagan winery produce a Sparkling wine. They also became know for their port -style wines. The winery was sold to Vincor International  in 2000. 

In 2016 Vincor's Canadian interests were bought by the Ontario Teacher's Pension found. They changed the Name to Arterra Wines Canada.

The history of Canada's wineries shows a continuous pattern of opening and closing, bought or sold. Sadly Arterra has decided to close the winery as of April 15th 2023.

Sumac was the first BC winery to produce Meritage and the first to sell wine at $50.00. They were know for their Stellar Jay Sparkling wine. The first to have a restaurant in the Okanagan.

Although the winery is gone the Label will be retained the wines will be produced at Arterra's Oliver facilities.

It is sad to see these wineries go. Us older folks will remember Cartier Wines, T G Brights Wines, Victoria Wine, Jordan Wines, London Winery, Chateau - Gai, Calona Wines and so many others.

It is a changing world.

Noted Winemaker and Consultant made this statement

Until large wine corporations realize they are buying more than a brand, this will happen at property after property. Before being purchased, these places were what connected the wine lover to the brand. Not only the places, but more importantly, the people that welcomed you, gave anecdotes, made travel recommendations, and allowed you some quiet time to sit with a special person.

Please read

Harry McWatters

History of Canada's Wineries

 Whitespot Tsawwassen True Hospitality 

In the past week I have had the pleasure of visiting the Tsawwassen White Spot Twice. Each visit had me impressed with their hospitality, exquisite. breakfast and cleanliness. Here is the story of my second visit. The first visit having encouraged me to return 

It all began with the ease of parking, a handicap spot for my wife, close to the front door and it just got better. 

How many restaurants do you go do that the front door is covered in fingerprints! Cleanliness begins outside the building and continues through. Yes I was impressed. 

Once inside we were greeted by two hosts. They had smiles and a warm greeting. They chatted for a few moments before the young lady showed us to the booth requested by my wife. 

We were just settling in when the manager Randy came by and chatted with us. Recalling how Tsawwassen has changed over the years 

As we chatted our server came by and stood at the ready. I quicklu asked for two coffee extra cream. Moments later a steaming hot coffee was placed before us. 

I ordered the same dish as my previous visit 

Nat's Hearty Breakfast 17.99 

Two eggs any style, with bacon, back bacon OR sausage & your choice of toast OR buttermilk pancakes OR half waffle. Smashbrown potatoes OR shredded hashbrowns. 

Barabara went with Randy's recommendation.

Prawn & Avocado Toast 19.99 

Home-style sourdough with avocado, bacon, Louisiana spiced prawns & charred cherry tomatoes. Two poached eggs, hollandaise & green onion. Endless smashbrown potatoes OR shredded hashbrowns. 

Barbara was in heaven A fantastic dish. Our server was a delightful young lady and greatly contributed to the enjoyment of the meal. Today we did not indulge in any wine. However, the restaurant does have a nice selection of BC Wines. 

Cucumber and Wine The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Other members of the family include squash and different kinds of melon, including bitter melon. Cucumbers provide various nutrients but are low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium. 

 People in India have grown cucumbers a Trusted Source for food and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and they have long been part of the Mediterranean diet. They also contain a plethora of health benefits. You can achieve a balanced and well-rounded diet by consuming a cucumber, and they have nutritional benefits that can improve your health. You may not have known that cucumbers are in fact fruit. They contain almost no calories. Cucumbers have all possible advantages and virtually no downsides.

 Cucumbers have been shown to be able to aid the liver in cleaning up the blood, helping with detoxification of the system. Cucumbers also have a high-water content, which further aids the liver and encourages urination. Cucumber-based beverages are a popular way to make the most of its detoxifying properties. 

 Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 

 Cucumbers contain high levels of bitter-tasting nutrients known as cucurbitacin. According to in the International Journal of Health Services, cucurbitacins may help prevent cancer by stopping cancer cells from reproducing. 

 The American Heart Association (AHA) note that fiber can help manage cholesterol and prevent related cardiovascular problems. Diverticular disease is a painful inflammation of the colon that sometimes requires hospitalization.

 Studies have shown mixed results on the benefits of fiber to prevent flare-ups (called diverticulitis)However, research does support the intake of fiber from fruits and vegetables, like cucumbers, to lower the likelihood of diverticulitis-related hospitalizations. Specifically, getting an additional 8.5 grams per day of fiber from fruits and vegetables was associated with a 30% risk reduction.

 Cucumbers are a non-starchy vegetable, which is one of the best categories of food for managing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends three to five servings of non-starchy vegetables per day,8 but that's just a minimum. Well, it has been stated by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) that moderate consumption of wine by diabetics is safe. Furthermore, it has been studied and confirmed that a limited intake of wine is healthy and can even benefit diabetes patients.

 When hunger strikes, having more non-starchy vegetables can help satisfy appetite without raising blood sugar levels. The fiber and water content of fresh cucumbers makes them an ideal choice for glycemic control. 

 Cucumbers are neutral in flavor with an almost delicate melon character with a hint of bitterness. They work with most wines since they do not compete with flavor.

 The Best Wines with Cucumber: Pinot Gris Pinot Grigo Riesling Albarino Alvarinho These wines go best with a natural Cucumber. Adding vinagar or salad dressing will change the wines. 

In the Cucumber Salad recipe, the strongest flavors are the jalapeno, onion, and lime juice. A wine with a hint of sweetness and good acidity would work best. Gewurztraminer and Riesling are good pairings. Hummus and Cucumbers try a medium bodies rosé wine or an aromatic, fresh white like Albariño or Assyrtiko. prefer reds Pair with herbaceous reds like Sangiovese or Barbera You can of course make numerous cocktails with Cucumbers.