Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical

I saw this (previously On Broadway) Musical the other night and really, really enjoyed it. Fabulous songs we all know (or should) performed by talented actors/singers/musicians. How can anyone not love Carole King?

Unveiling the Tapestry of her life…the good, the bad, the incredible…

There’s comfort in the familiar. This is one of the least pretentious album covers of all time.

“All I needed to do was sing with conviction, speaking my truth from the heart, honestly and straightforwardly, and to offer my words, ideas and music to the audience as if it were one collective friend that I’d known for a very long time.” – Carole King

Kaylee Harwood did a superb job as Carole King. Photo: Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company

Carole King started out her humble beginnings as Carole Klein (she’s claimed it would take her five decades to appreciate her surname and the history that came with it) living in a Brooklyn apartment with her separated piano teacher mother, but ended up living her dream of becoming a master song writer and as we all now know; a music legend.

The pianist/song writer had a strong conviction in her ability to write great songs and enough chutzpah to walk into a music producer’s office in Manhattan with her sheet music and no appointment and ask for an audition. She was lucky. The producer happened to be there and she left getting hired on the spot to write music at the age of 15. Having already skipped two grades, she was a smart cookie and her determination paid off. She signed her first contract with ABC-Paramount that same year.

From there she grew up pretty fast.

Kirk Smith, Kaylee Harwood, Kamyar Pazandeh, and Daniela Fernandez. Photo: Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company.

She met lyricist Gerry Goffin while still a teenager and by the age of 20 she was a married mother of two. Together they co-wrote many singles that made it to top charts for stars like The Shirelles “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” and Aretha Franklin’s (you make me feel like a) “Natural Woman.” Hope they don’t ban that song or change the words – don’t get me started! “You’ve Got a Friend” became a No. 1 hit for James Taylor and he was apparently too nervous to speak to her on the first night they met.

It was these pop standards that led John Lennon to remark that, when he and Paul McCartney first got together, they wanted to be “the Goffin-King of England.” It was those songs that were given to Randy Newman in demo form as examples of perfect writing (he has called King his hero).

“I only wanted to be a songwriter. I never wanted to be a singer. And I never wanted to be famous.” – Carole King

Ivy Charles, Dawn Pemberton, Maria Fernandes, and Ali Watson as “The Shirelles.” Photo: Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company.

For the purpose of this post I prefer to focus on King’s musical accomplishments and not so much on her personal life, however I should point out that she suffered some emotional abuse when Goffin couldn’t stop his cheating heart with women they knew and worked with. King tried to stick it out chalking the infidelities up to the fact that they got married so young. But there was only so much she could take and she ended up moving on.

And move on she did…

The day before Tapestry came out Carole King turned 28, by which time she had been in the music business for more than a decade. The only thing she wasn’t confident about was her own singing voice, but since the album was very personal and she wasn’t sure who she could get to sing it, she decided to do so.

Tapestry was one of my all time favourite albums and of course I’m not alone. like so many others, I knew all the words to every song . Tapestry has been certified 14× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in the US, and has sold an estimated 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Shaquan Lewis, Hal Wesley Rogers, Andrew J. Hampton, and Tenaj Williams Lynch as “The Drifters.” Photo: Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company.

One of her proudest accomplishments was playing Carnegie Hall in 1971.

It was the first time she played in front of a live audience with a roster that formerly included Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland and The Beatles. A music-making honour roll of artists representing the finest of every genre has filled Carnegie Hall throughout the years. Carole King was now among them. It was moving when Goffin showed up and surprised her and said “I’m Sorry.”

King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2021.

I highly recommend this production showcasing unforgettable classics by King and her contemporaries—“The Locomotion,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman,” and many more.

Some cast members. Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company

Where is she now? Inquiring minds want to know

After moving to Los Angeles and living in Laurel Canyon for a spell, she relocated to Idaho after retiring from actively making music in 2012. Although she still attends various events and award shows, in recent years, King has focused on her personal life and philanthropic endeavors. She is a strong advocate for environmental and political causes, and has used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various organizations. She has 4 children and is now 81 years old and still looking good.

You’ve got to get up every morningWith a smile on your faceAnd show the world all the love in your heartThen people gonna treat you betterYou’re gonna find, yes you willThat you’re beautiful, as you feel – lyrics from “Beautiful” by Carole King.

Playing until August 6^th at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage – An Arts Club Production.

https://artsclub.com/shows/2022-2023/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical

It’s a Beautiful show.

Art & Culture

Bard on the Beach: As You Like It

You know when you’re on the fence about going to a Shakespearean play after a long days drive coming back from the Okanagan?

We’re so lucky to be within 5 minutes walking distance. Photo: d. king

But you already have tickets for opening night and you know there’s something different about this show but you’re not completely sure if it will be hit or miss? And you don’t even realize that the Okanagan will play a big part in this production?

Well…don’t miss this presentation of “As You Like It” if you live in Vancouver or you just happen to be visiting. Get thee to the Bard on the Beach to see something unique, uplifting, professionally done and so much fun. I haven’t enjoyed a show this much since I saw Cirque de Soleil’s “Love” in Las Vegas.

If you’re a Beatles fan it will be especially fun because this is a twist on the original. This adaptation features the music of the Beatles – performed by professional musicians who are also actors in the play. And they’re very good.

The Company of As You Like It (2023) – Photo by Tim Matheson

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” – Shakespeare

The Story (taken from the program):

Wrestling for Power

It’s the 1960s in Vancouver. Dame Frances, a powerful business owner, has taken control of the family firm and forced her sister, Dame Senior, to leave town. She permits her sister’s daughter, Rosalind, to stay because of Rosalind’s close friendship with her own daughter Celia.

The action begins at a wrestling match. Oliver de Boys, who manages a champion wrestler named Charles, argues with his younger brother Orlando. Orlando is angry that Oliver has mistreated him and held back his inheritance since their father died. Orlando decides to wrestle for his fortune. At the match, he meets Rosalind and they fall instantly in love.

The Great Escape

Dame Frances orders Rosalind to leave Vancouver, as she no longer trusts her. Rosalind and Celia decide to run away to the Okanagan forest. Rosalind disguises herself as a young man, Ganymede, and Celia becomes Aliena, his sister. Touchstone, a family employee, goes with them. Meanwhile, Adam, a longtime de Boys employee, warns Orlando that Oliver plans to have him killed. They also escape to the Okanagan. In the forest, Ganymede (Rosalind) and Aliena (Celia) meet Silvius and Corin, two local farmers, and arrange to buy a farm. Nearby, Orlando and Adam stumble upon Dame Senior, the exiled sister of Dame Frances, and her companions, who take them in.

Love Blooms in the Woods

Orlando leaves love notes about Rosalind throughout the forest. He meets Ganymede (Rosalind), who proposes that Orlando treat “him” as Rosalind, so he can practice his wooing. Elsewhere, Silvius pines for another farmer, Phoebe, while Touchstone meets Audrey and they pair up. In Vancouver, Dame Frances is furious that the girls and Orlando have disappeared. She demands that Oliver bring his brother back or else she will ruin him. But when Oliver shows up at the young women’s farm, he announces he has reconciled with his brother after Orlando saved him from a mountain lion. Oliver and Aliena fall in love.

Help!

Orlando grows tired of Ganymede’s game and believes his love for Rosalind is hopeless. Other relationships are also complicated: Silvius is still in love with Phoebe, but she’s smitten with Ganymede. Claiming “he” can work magic, Ganymede invites everyone to gather the next morning, when all will be resolved. Could it be true that “all you need is love”?

JUNE until SEPTEMBER 30 · BMO MAINSTAGE

For Tickets:

https://bardonthebeach.org/whats-on/discover-our-2023-season/

Food + Drink

Old World Italian Valpolicella

“In vino veritas” (in wine there is truth) goes all the way back to Roman Times!

In Italy it is simply not possible to drink too much wine, otherwise there would be an Italian equivalent for the English word ‘hangover’ which there is not!

Being a connoisseur of wines takes a lot of patience, repetition and practice. You have to attend many tastings, differentiate between grape varietals from various wine growing regions and distinguish the difference through smell and taste. It’s a lot of work! But hey; who’s complaining!

I’m by no means a connoisseur, however I do consider myself a wine enthusiast. I love drinking wine and I’m keen to dive into ~~a bottle or two~~ trying wines from many regions and learning about what makes them unique although later I might forget.

Yesterday I was invited to attend a walk around tasting of world famous Valpolicella wines open to media and wine critics at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver. Valpolicella is the world-famous wine district in northeastern Italy.

There was also on hand an abundance of Amarone (a personal favourite). I observed the wine critics and writers closely. I confessed to some of the wine reps that it would not be an easy task to rate some of these wines – as each tasting was as exceptional as the last. They agreed that being a critic is based on personal taste as much as the quality and taste of the wine.

So for the purpose of this post I won’t go into too much detail. Here’s an example why:

I really enjoyed a 93 Points (by Gilbert & Gaillard) Amarone Della Valpolicella D.O.C.G 2017 from Cantine Riondo – produced in Veneto, Italy. The wholesale price of this wine is around $30. Here are the tasting notes:

An elegant, full-bodied, complex wine. A flavour of black cherry on the palate, with spicy notes of vanilla and a coffee finish. A complex bouquet of cinnamon, cherry jam, preserved fruit and walnut on the nose.

Now…doesn’t that sound enticing? Who wouldn’t want to try this wine?

The wine critic must evaluate and describe the wine with a numerical rating, a tasting note, or a combination of both. A critic should have a background as a sommelier (course study in wine, spirits, and sake) or palate training through tasting classes at wineries or agricultural institutions. The writer or reviewer has to have a general understanding of the subject at hand.

Personally I like to think I have good taste in figuring out what wines are barely drinkable to the ones that are exceptional.

It was nice to go back to old world wines for a change. Especially since I’ve been focusing on wines from British Columbia when in Vancouver and wines from California when in Palm Springs.

The tasting was conducted by the Consorzio Tutela Vini which was founded in 1924. It’s an association of grapevine growers, wine makers and bottlers of Valpolicella wine production areas, that include 19 municipalities of Verona province. The Consorzio represents more than 80% of the producers using “Valpolicella” appellation. It promotes activities to enhance the value of the whole territory, takes care of promotion, value and general information about Valpolicella wines.

You’ll notice on the bottles: DOC, DOCG & Ripasso. In short:

DOC is the second highest quality level – with Denominazione di Origine Controllata meaning “designation of controlled origin”. In order to achieve this classification, there are still very strict rules which need to be followed regarding quality and authenticity.

DOCG is the highest classification Italian wines can be awarded. DOCG are the best of Italian wines. The classification means that there are controlled production methods (controllata) and guaranteed wine quality (garantita) with each bottle.

Ripasso is a red wine from the Valpolicella zone located north of Verona in the Veneto region of Italy. Ripasso is generally less well known than Valpolicella and Amarone wines, also from this area, even though it shares some features of both wines.

Amarone is a rich, expressive red wine from the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Its full name is Amarone della Valpolicella, and it’s produced from a blend of grapes including Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. The concentrated nature of Amarone wine, coupled with longer fermentation and ageing processes, makes for a luxuriously rich, powerful, and full-bodied wine. Its vibrant, complex flavour and velvety texture make Amarone a decadent wine that deserves your full attention when drinking it. In Italian, the name Amarone literally means “Great Bitter”; originally, this was to distinguish it from the Recioto produced in the same region, which is sweeter in taste.

And finally; the real spirit of Italy is embodied in this sentence: Age and glasses of wine should never be counted.

This might sound like an excuse to drink one more glass of wine but, indeed, it is also an invitation to fully enjoy life. Forget about your age, stay young, and enjoy the company of good friends and good wine.Saluti!

Photos: d. king

Food + Drink

Lemon/Ginger Chickpea Curry

After going to the Planted Expo event here in Vancouver over the weekend I thought it would be a good idea to post my favourite vegetarian recipe.

This is a hand me down family recipe from a woman in India given to a friend of a friend and finally handed down to me. You won’t find this in any Indian Restaurant because it takes too long to cook. I like to keep things fairly simple these days but the extra effort is well worth the end result.

It takes some time to prepare it all, but once everything is in the pot you’ll find it most flavourful. Not only is it super delicious but it’s healthy too. A win-win for those who love Indian curry.

Follow these steps:

Soak 3 cups of organic dried chickpeas in water overnight (some of the water will absorb – the rest you use in the recipe). Put some fresh peeled ginger in with the water for flavour.

Preparing the sliced ginger and carrots (thin + lengthwise)

Two carrots, one mesh packet of ginger, 4 Tbsp of toasted sesame oil, for spices use 1 ½ teaspoons each of dried turmeric + ground cumin.

Sprinkling of cinnamon.

Squeeze 4 organic lemons (including pulp)

You can add fresh green chillies if you wish (fry them with the ginger).

Get the oil hot then fry the spices in the oil first for a few minutes then fry the sliced ginger strips until they get a bit crispy – about 5 minutes. Then add half of the sliced carrots. Cook a few minutes more, then add the chickpeas with soak water.

Cook over a boiling consistency for at least half an hour. The water has to reduce. When the water boils down you add the rest of the carrots until they’re cooked. You have to watch the dish so that the water doesn’t boil down too much so that you’re left with a nice tangy gravy.

When the chickpea curry is thickened but not boiled down all the way you can add the lemon juice. You put it in last because the lemon juice should not over cook. It’s to add flavour.

The end result should have a gravy like consistency.

Serve in bowls and add a sprinkling of pink Himalayan salt. Leftovers (if there’s any left) are always yummy.

Cooking Photos: d. king

Add garnish if you like. Serve with rice if you want but it’s a satisfying dish on its own.

ENJOY!

Health + LifeStyle

Planted Expo – Plant Based Eating

You can also call it mindful eating. Plant based eating has become very popular and even though I’m not really vegan, I prefer to incorporate more veggies and an overall healthful eating regime into my daily life. I have several completely vegan friends though. And let me say that it is more challenging to accommodate them. For instance I love cheese and I’ve had a hard time (until now) finding a cheese that isn’t really cheese as we know it, but tastes like it. Do you know what I’m talking about?

Made on **Planet Earth** – out of this world!

But as of only yesterday I’ve discovered a world of wonderful substitutes that are as tasty as they are non-dairy. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least with all the various vendors and not knowing which way to turn or what to eat first. That’s not to say that I’m going to give up on buying my regular weekly grab bag of French/Swiss/German/Canadian/Worldly cheese from Les Amis de Fromage anytime soon. It’s just that I’m willing to adapt and experiment with plant based types of foods which keep getting better and better as they merge into the mainstream food chain.

The foods we eat have a significant impact on the health of the planet.

**Peak Bakery** is like having a French Baker in your freezer. Your can order at peakbakery.ca

I just attended the second annual Planted Expo here in Vancouver which took place over the past weekend at the Convention Centre West downtown – the place for large events. This event was much larger than I expected. Infact, it’s the largest event of its kind in Canada.

And I tried to take a bath. **delush** is a magic stick to take away your aches and pains. https://www.delush.co/shop/skin-body/the-magic-stick/

The need to talk about the benefits of eating a plant-first diet is at its peak. British Columbia is the province with the highest share of vegetarians and vegans and we know meat and dairy alone account for 14.5 percent of global annual greenhouse gas production—so it’s no surprise that for a while now, Canadians have shown interest in cutting back on meat. Committing to eating less meat however is easier said than done. It’s time-consuming to figure out how to best create a well-balanced, nutritious meal.

A few examples below taken from vendors at the show and from the blog of plantedlife.com

Ready made meals for everyone (not only Vegans):

Marie Grapé is co-founder of Manna Sacred Meals. As a Filipino-Canadian woman, she grew up being used to a heavy animal-based diet. When she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she decided to take a step back to consider how her food habits were affecting her health. “I felt compelled to defy traditional medicine and normalize my disorder so that everyone moving to a plant-based diet for health reasons can do so easily while enjoying the same breadth of variety in flavours and textures as everyone else.”

“The first challenge is that the change seems really daunting when the majority of us have been conditioned to have meat with each meal. A second challenge is a process by which people shift. Often people shift overnight and end up blaming the lack of nutrients on the plant-based lifestyle. This is why we launched Manna, we take the burden away and allow people to fall in love with the benefits and flavour of great plant-first meals!”

Sustainable Snacking:

The team at Kove (Silver Sponsor at Planted Expo) is developing the tastiest, most delicious foods made with Cascadia Seaweed, seaweed grown in the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean in partnership with First Nations. By simply cultivating seaweed in the ocean, Cascadia and Kove are working to solve some of the biggest challenges humanity is facing today; climate change, economic instability and food security. Kove’s first product powered by Cascadia Seaweed is its furikake style signature seaweed seasoning SEA SPICE which is available in retail stores and online. We put the sea in seasoning, so you can put it on EVERYTHING you love to eat. Salty, crunchy, garlicky, sea-weedy, and absolutely yummy. Good for the Planet, Good for the Community, Good for You. The sustainable way to snack.

Guilt Free (and “Free”) Chocolate:

I bought the last bag of Drop Naked Salted Nut Caramel Chocolates.

Not only delicious but hand made with limited ingredients like dates, cocoa butter, Madagascar vanilla, hazelnuts and raw cane sugar. Made by Matan Volach. matan@dropnaked.com

At the time I didn’t realize that I’d be eating a satisfying lunch with dessert there. My friend Lynda accompanied me and she ate just as much.

Met this little charmer named **Boglin** (I’m talking about the dog who spent 4 years in a crate in China before being rescued by this very nice girl). His name comes from a movie called “The Boglins” – a powerful character.

Photos: d. king

https://www.plantedlife.com/

STYLE

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

Karl Otto Lagerfeld’s contribution to fashion is enormous.

The son of a wealthy businessman, he was born on September 10th, 1933, in Hamburg, Germany. Following his family’s emigration to France, he initially was educated at St. Anne’s school. Lagerfeld completed his education at Lycée Montaigne, where he focused on drawing and history. He made history before he died on February 19th, 2019 (aged 85) in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

Making His Story:

The latest Met Gala honoured the late designer, famous for giving re birth to Chanel at a time when fashion fanatics were starting to turn away from the classic brand in favour of more modern looks. Especially when Coco Chanel died in 1971 and the company was heading towards a fate of brands (like Balenciaga) starting to fail once their founders were no longer in place. Lagerfeld was determined to change that.

“I’m very much down to earth. Just not this earth.” – Karl Lagerfeld

He shifted the brand’s focus from fragrance to fashion.He ended up modernizing the classic pieces and making them once again, the most desirable in any woman’s wardrobe.

He also served as lead designer at Fendi for more than fifty years, as well as his eponymous line and a stint at Chloé and Patou.

Among his many talents, he was also a photographer, preferring to shoot his own ad campaigns. He wrote a book “off the record” – with photographs and sequences over the years shot in black and white. Often with models and costumes, his photographs are stylish, sensuous, literate, and full of fantasy and desire.

He was also the first to do a collaboration of 30 pieces with H&M in 2004. The entire line sold out in minutes, and led H&M to collaborate with a variety of other designers including Balmain and Moschino in following years. I was one of those to purchase a few choice fast fashion finds of Isabel Marant at H&M. Thank you Karl for that, and for my real Chanel treasures that I’ll never part with…because you made them desirable and timeless.

And now The Met Costume Institute’s spring 2023 exhibition will examine the work of Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019). Info on A Line of Beauty:

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/a-line-of-beauty

I was just listening to the beautiful playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3XkVtjb9yaB4bEmAnQv0yD?si=5bf7f7af4f244dc7&nd=1

Photos: taken from Pinterest

Header Shot: d. king

FUN

Shania Twain: “Queen of Me” Concert Tour

Let’s go Girls!

This will give you an idea of **the fan base**. Photo: D. King

Can’t beat the energy of a crowd of crowd pleasers at an uplifting concert with an outstanding performer with a story to tell. Such was last night’s gathering of dressed up girls and the dazzling performance by one Shania Twain and company at her “Queen Of Me” Tour.”

It takes a village. Aside from the obvious fact that Shania is beautiful and extremely talented, she is surrounded by world class musicians and a stage production staff who set up what can best be described as a glittery Las Vegas style production. Not surprising, as she had a prior residency in Las Vegas.

Rock, Country, Country Rock and bridging the gap in between:

Twain received the Music Icon award at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards. As the top-selling female country pop artist of all time, Twain was honoured for her record-breaking career which has spanned over four decades. With enormous hits like “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” Twain has expertly bridged the gap between country and pop music, leaving an everlasting impact on the music industry and pop culture.

Shania and Live Nation have announced that $1 of every ticket purchased to Shania’s “Queen Of Me” Tour will be donated to SKC. Established in 2010 by Shania Twain, SKC provides services that promote positive change in children’s lives in times of crises and economic hardship. SKC provides children with one-on-one consultations, academic support and group activities, as well as nutritious snacks and meal programs where needed, all while in the safe, confidence-building environment that is the Shania Kids Can Clubhouse. These children are learning the skills to cope with and overcome family hardships which, in turn, improves their ability to succeed in school. For more information about Shania Kids Can, please visit: www.shaniakidscan.com

Watch her Documentary: Shania was not without family hardship. Her life story and what it took for her to own her power and rise above adversity and despair is as heart breaking as it is compelling. She is so deserving of her fame and fortune. She works hard for the money. And she’s generous.

Photos: D. King

Art, Architecture, Culture

Night at the Opera: The Flying Dutchman

What a privilege it was attending the opening night of the very last show of the 2022-2033 opera season – Richard Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” presented by Vancouver Opera; the largest opera company in Western Canada.

There is only one show left -on May 7th. See link below for tickets.

The performances always take place at the spectacular *Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The theatre is a perfect setting to complement the range of productions that are staged here with an atrium that has sweeping staircases, gorgeous chandeliers and reflective surfaces. Snacks and wine are available to purchase before the show and during intermission.

Sidenote: you guessed it – the theatre was named after its most famous patron, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who attended a concert here when the theatre opened in July 1959.

Turbulence at Sea

The Flying Dutchman is a haunting story based on a European maritime legend about a sailor and his daughter who encounter a ghost during a storm at sea.

The Dutchman, who has been condemned to wander for eternity, is searching for a bride to finally bring him peace. This tragic tale of love and sacrifice is the composer’s first masterpiece and features magnificent orchestration of Wagnerian proportions.

Not to jump ahead but I’m really looking forward to next season’s productions which will begin with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” followed by “Don Pasquale” and finally the towering opera classic “Carmen.”

With my friend Rosa who is an avid opera enthusiast. I can always count on Rosa to be my plus-one for an opera date and we enjoy a glass of wine before the show and a late night snack afterwards – usually at Joey’s on Burrard (fyi: the kitchen there closes at 1:30 am)

*Built in 1959 as part of an international design competition, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre served as a prototype for more than a generation of theatre complexes across Canada and the U.S. The architects’ vision was to create a “strong, unitary building” that gave “maximum delight and spatial excitement”.

Photos: Tim Matheson

Some tickets still left for closing show @ https://www.vancouveropera.ca/

Food + Drink

Wineing: Master Class

Isn’t it nice when a new month begins on Monday? Like another new beginning and a fresh start to the week and month ahead.

Speaking of fresh starts, I’m happy to be back in Vancouver again. This is the time when the weather starts to warm up. Well maybe not right now; but soon. Also, the timing is perfect because the **Vancouver International Wine Festival** (VIWF) is always around the time I return back from Palm Springs I’m sure they plan it that way and it’s all very interesting, educational and cheerful to say the least.

Such a nice location too – Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver; Convention Centre

Aside from the International wine tasting itself and an exceptional wine pairing dinner to celebrate wines from Uruguay (the festival focus this year was on South American wines), this is the first time during VIWF that I attended two master classes to do with wine making. The first was called “Defining the Root of BC Terroir” and the second was “California Wines: An Era in the Making.” Very fitting since I spend my time divided between BC and California and enjoy wines from both places when in each location.

These classes were very educational because no matter how much you enjoy drinking the wines from the Province of British Columbia and the State of California, both areas are very different in the way they make wine because of factors like weather, location and what kinds of grapes are best to grow in each unique location. Congratulations to anyone becoming an actual sommelier. There’s just so much information to take in on every level if you’re so inclined.

The wineries in discussion are focusing on exceptional quality over quantity rather than mass produced wines.

Defining the Root of BC Terroir – a bit about the class

Being grounded is where it all begins. This masterclass featured 11 British Columbia wines from across the province. The professional panelists took a deep dive into the unique growing conditions of each wine growing region’s distinct terroir. The discussion touched on what BC winegrowers are doing in the face of climate change to continue making exciting quality wines with a sense of place; from terroir that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The class was sponsored by Wines of BC. Our panelists were the individual wine makers and our moderators were Maude Renaud-Brisson (Apéro Mode) and Christina Hartigan (Wine Director at AnnaLena. AnnaLena Court of Master Sommeliers.)

Featured wines for tasting and analysis were:

Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan Valley; Vancouver Island): Charme de L’ile Rosé NV

Bench (Naramata, Okanagan) 1775 Viognier 2021

Nk’Mip Cellars (Osoyoos) Pinot Blanc 2021

Ex Nihilo Vineyards (Okanagan Valley) Pinot Noir 2020

Chronos (Okanagan Valley) Cabernet Franc 2020

Osoyoos Larose (Osoyoos) Grand Vin 2012

Lake Breeze (Naramata) Reisling 2018

Moraine Estate Winery (Penticton) Syrah 2020

Laughing Stock Vineyards (Naramata) Syrah 2020

Corcelettes Estate Winery (Keremeos) Syrah 2020

Cedar Creek Estate Winery (Kelowna) Platinum Jagged Rock Syrah 2020

As you can see, we sampled three different syrahs from the exact same year but in different locations to taste the distinction between the three. In another post I’ll talk more about this.

California Wines: An Era in the Making

California’s unique geology, soil and climate combine to create multi faceted and expressive wines. Leading educator Elaine Chukan Brown unearthed secrets behind the region’s complex and distinctive wines. Sharing how California’s wine industry is committed to creating a sustainable future. She spoke about the science behind the soil, climate and geology. Some vines have a harder time searching for water; unlike BC. Fascinating! We tasted what makes California wines unique. As much as I favour Cali Chardonnay, there were none for the tasting. It is well known that California produces award winning chards but they preferred to focus on the lesser known Cali Sauvignon Blancs for our tasting. Which was a good thing because I’m familiar mostly with Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand and these were right up there. In the couple hours we were there I scribbled down so much information that I’ll have to share some of it in another post down the road. Sponsored by California Wines. Featured wines:

RAEN Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2019

*WALT Pinot Noir, Gap’s Crown 2018

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs NV

Spottswoode (Napa) Sauvignon Blanc 2021

**Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Zinfindel 2019

Dry Creek Vineyard (Sonoma) Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Black Stallion Estate Winery Limited Release Zinfindel, Napa 2019

Pahlmeyer Jayson (Napa) by Pahlmeyer Merlot 2017

Chappellet (Napa Valley) Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

***Robert Mondavi Winery to Kalon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

*Gap’s Crown Vineyard is located in the heart of the Petaluma Wind Gap area of the Sonoma Coast Appellation. Gentle slopes, heavy fog, and rocky soils produce these exquisite wines of great depth and richness.

**Geyserville is home to the oldest vines farmed in California. The “Old Patch” section of the vineyard contains vines that are more than 130 years of age.

***Between Highway 29 and the western hills of Oakville, in the heart of Napa Valley, there is a vineyard called To-Kalon, “the place of highest beauty.” Two roadside signs signal arrival, but like all mythic places its exact shape is hard to define. FYI – Mondavi is leading the way with farming electric – already they have six Monarch Tractors.

In closing; I have to say that tasting the wine and loving wine in general is only part of the whole experience. As you can see from the notes above, no two wines are alike. I’m very fortunate to have been all over beautiful British Columbia stopping at wineries along the way in and around the Okanagan Valley, Lake Country, Osoyoos, Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley. Same for California: Napa, Sonoma & Sonoma County, Lodi, Paso Robles, Temecula and Santa Barbara. It’s all very breathtaking. And yes; I’ve sampled plenty.

I highly recommend taking master classes during any wine festival if they’re offering them. It was extremely educational and you get to sample a handful of outstanding wines.

Cheers!

One of the best wine festivals in the world is right here in Vancouver.

Food + Drink

Last night we had a Balasto!

At the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2023 – a world of wine awaits us, with a focus on South America.

It started with a launch at Joey’s and it’s not over yet. A few master classes, the festival tasting itself and about last night…

Up the winding staircase a surprise awaits us

Enologist Mele (l) and Sommelier Jen (r) at Hydra, Vancouver.

If you’re a food/wine lover nothing can beat a wine pairing dinner.

And if you’re the adventurous type, you’ll travel to the ends of the earth to discover a unique wine in a unique location. That’s what we did last night – me and my new friends sitting around a round table at Hydra Estiatorio Mediterranean restaurant downtown Vancouver. And what a magnificent restaurant (more on this later).

Mele & Craig (a wine writer/critic/judge)

Okay, in truth we didn’t travel very far to discover this new finding. However, someone else did so that she could offer around 97 guests an exceptional 7 course dining extravaganza along with award winning wines from what was considered the Southern Hemisphere’s best kept secret – until now. I don’t like to give secrets away but I can’t hold it in any longer: I’m telling you it was the Best of Uruguay: from Bodega Garzón. Who knew? I certainly did not realize how excellent these wines from Uruguay are and in general I was not even aware of what kind of wines they produced, if any. Luckily I’m not alone.

Starter: Seared Diver Scallops with yellow pea puree, picked red onion + capers

Having been to Argentina twice I was familiar with Mendoza wine region and Malbec wine. What a shame that I didn’t travel a little more distance to Uruguay to check this out for myself. I certainly wouldn’t bypass it next time. Not after last night!

Each pairing was thoughtfully curated by Hydra’s Executive Chef Brad Scharien (formerly of Italian Kitchen & Coast) to wow guests. And that he did. It was amazing.

Pistachio Cheesecake with blackberry compote, citrus cream.

Former wine maker and enologist Mele Sosa (born in Uruguay and raised in Uruguay and Chile) was our vivacious, charming, funny and knowledgeable host with the most. She was great with a mic while darting in and around tables explaining about all the fabulous wines we had the privilege of sampling and answering questions.

One of the wines is called Balasto – a 2017 iconic red wine made from Tannat (the national red grape), Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot grapes. This big, beautiful bold wine was paired with braised short rib stifado (which was a tasty dish of short rib with caramelized pearl onion, confit garlic potato puree + pickled mustard seed). As you can guess, it was wonderful. And the whole evening was like one big food and wine fest of its’ very own.

A little more about Mele: Mele’s role entails traveling through the United States and Canada, to champion Tannat (she even sang about it), Albariño and other wines produced by Bodega Garzón through media work, trade and distributor training, winemakers dinners and wine events.

After this evening I can say that my new favourite white is called Albariño and my new favourite reds are called Tannat and Balasto (also I love saying these new to me names). Also I’m quite picky with rosé but I loved their Estate Pinot Noir Rosé de Corte 2021 which was very elegant and expressive – not too sweet, not overly dry – just perfecto!

Here’s a bonus – they’re all available at Legacy liquor store in Olympic Village, Vancouver (link below).

Below is taken from the brochure

About Bodega Garzón; Uruguay:

When Alejandro Bulgheroni and his wife Bettina discovered Garzón, they had a family dream come true: to have the most emblemetic winery of modern viticulture in Uruguay and premium wines with an intense personality and a deep sense of belonging to the land. With the advice of international enologist Alberto Antonini, they apply their philosophy focused on producing wines that are a true expression of their origins. Experts on viticulture, environmental care, gastronomy, hospitality and tourism complete a team committed to this unprecedented project.

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Hydra: a dining experience without parallel.

VANCOUVERS FRESHEST FISH

Named after the beautiful culinary Greek Island in the Aegean Sea, World Class Chef-driven Hydra Estiatorio Mediterranean & Bar is a Greek Seafood restaurant. Hydra applies Greece’s time-honored ingredients with traditional cooking styles, focusing on quality Mediterranean dishes such as vine-ripened tomato salad with flat parsley and feta, alongside exquisitely-tender grilled octopus garnished with lemon juice and olive oil, or lamb chops served straight from the grill with hints of garlic and oregano.

https://hydravancouver.com/

Where to buy Bodega Garzón wines in Vancouver:

https://www.legacyliquorstore.com/

Vancouver International Wine Festival (all weekend long) tickets: