Savouries, Sweets & Sips

Carmen and Nicole are going to be official judges at Savouries, Sweets & Sips ~ A Culinary Safari For Your Tastebuds, a fundraising event for Great Victoria Eldercare Foundation.

More than a dozen of the Island’s top chefs will fuel their creative juices and compete for a variety of prizes, including People’s Choice, Media Choice and Critic’s Choice. All competing chefs are challenged to create a fabulous appetizer paired to a specific South African Wine and/or a sumptuous dessert using Amarula Cream as one of the ingredients. Winegrowing in South Africa celebrates its 350th birthday this year, making its “new world” wines part of a tradition as old as bubbles in champagne.

Come help us choose the winners!

At The Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 7:00pm till 10:00pm
$60.00 per person

Full details and ticket order forms are here.

November Wine Tasting at Mattick's Farm

A relaxing and delicious way to spend a post-Halloween, pre-Christmas-madness afternoon:

Fall Release Tasting at Art Knapp Victoria Garden Centre (next to the Wine Shop)

Fall is here - and with it the new releases from the Cellars of BC's finest
wineries. Join the staff and guest pourer, Wine Educator Dr. Wilf Krutzmann. We will be on hand to answer questions and present an amazing selection of 30- 40 wines from a variety of vineyards. Crisp, fresh whites and luscious reds... The November tasting offers additional special treats - a selection of late harvest and Icewines! You can try them all.

All complimented by a selection of cheeses from Charelli's Delicatessen

Details:
Saturday, November 7th - 7 to 9 pm
Advance tickets only - $30
Contact the Wine Shop for more information 658-3116

Uncork Your Palate!

We've got some great events coming up. Uncork Your Palate is an annual fundraiser for the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Generously hosted at Ambrosia Event Center, this event pairs 70 wines with appetisers from several of Victoria's hottest food spots (including us!) Your ears will be as spoiled as your tastebuds - conservatory musicians provide the perfect audio-backdrop to your gastronomic meanderings.

The Details Are:
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $75
Ticket outlets: Munro’s Books, Ivy’s Book Store, and generous participating restaurants (again, including us!)
(Outlets accept cash or cheques only)

Godfrey-Brownell Vineyards

Sometimes we're not in the cheese shop. This week we paid a visit to Godfrey-Brownell Vineyards, who's grapes are located just before Duncan. Turning off the highway, a lush, tiny, winding road leads to a shady terrace with a view out over the vines and an outdoor tasting bar. The proprietor is knowledgeable and passionate without a hint of pretension, and the wines are really lovely. Our favourites: the 2003 Pinot Noir Reserve which is going to wait for a few years yet, and the 2005 Chardonnay, which was enjoyed within a few hours. The Chardonnay is dominated by juicy, rich apples that would pair beautifully with Quicke's Cheddar, brought to us by Neal's Yard Dairy.