Miss604 and The Wine Syndicate are pleased to present a new bi-weekly series to help you gear up for the weekend in style. Weekend Wine will showcase new-to-you wineries, familiar favourites, and perfect pairings that you can pick up at your local purveyor.
Weekend Wine Selection
- 2015 Protea Chenin Blanc
- $12.99 retail at BC Liquor Stores
- 91 Points James Suckling
- Rupert Wines, Western Cape, South Africa
Tasting & Pairing Notes
Green apricot, pear drop and tangerine fruit aromas vie for prominence on a somewhat shy nose. Appealing in its refreshing vibrancy, the mouth has ample tangy, crisp and lively nectarine and apricot flavours. The mid-palate is fleshed out by a gentle leesy fullness that adds an extra dimension as well as length.
It’s always helpful to know which foods will go well with a tasty wine, and Protea has provided some great suggestions. When I took my first sip I thought of green apple, so their suggestion of gruyère cheese sounds divine.
Something hearty and creamy, but not too heavy would be good too, like Thai green curry or seared scallops. They have also shared thoughts from British wine writer Fiona Beckett who suggests “cooked egg dishes like quiches, frittatas and omelettes,” in addition to an onion tart.
Where to Buy
You won’t miss the crisp green bottles in the aisle. Rupert Wines’ designer Mark Eisen notes that the design is inspired by the Cape, celebrating glass, art, wine and light.
The Protea Chenin Blanc is available exclusively, and widely, at over 100 BC Liquor Stores for just $12.99.
Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 19+.
Have you done the Crunch? No, not the ab exercise, but the fitness trail in Coquitlam that involves climbing 473 stairs followed by an uphill hike that gains 250 metres in 2.2 kilometres. It’s a physical challenge that you just might want to add to your September bucket list!
Climb the Coquitlam Crunch
While the Coquitlam Crunch is sometimes referred to as a smaller, urban version of the Grouse Grind, this trail is not as long or as pain-inducing, unless you opt to do stair repeats (it’s a thing).
The route follows the power lines up the hill to Westwood Plateau, with the entire loop back down to the base taking 1-1.5 hours to complete. You’ll see everyone from gym buffs to preschoolers en route, with even some speedsters racing up the stairs. You’ll work up a sweat and be rewarded with pretty great views from the top.
Unlike the Grind’s forested setting, the Crunch cuts through largely open terrain that’s surrounded by residential homes. The trail is easily accessed by road (free parking on Lansdowne Drive) or transit (by bus from Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station).
This is just one of the many options to take your workout outdoors this month. From hiking challenges to a colour run, September is all about fun activities we can do in the fresh air. Here are a few to try: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
The weekend is here and this Saturday is one of the busiest event days of the entire month in Metro Vancouver. The Vancouver Fringe Festival begins, as do fall markets and fairs, along with pop-ups and concerts. There are also ongoing attractions and events like corn mazes and family fun at local farms. All of these events and more are listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Hopcott Farms Presents Harvest Longtable Dinner
Fused, Epic Improv Team-Up: The Radical x Hocus Focus
Say It Bigger – Stand For Love in Peace
Opening: 10th Annual Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show
Vancouver Fringe Festival: Just Not That Woman
Illumination Summer Night Market, Richmond
Richmond Night Market
Shipyards Night Market North Vancouver
Queer as Funk and Body Party
Dish & DUER Warehouse Sale
Vancouver Fringe Festival: Naturally
Vancouver Fringe Festival: Figmentally
Vancouver Fringe Festival: Alternate Endings
Vancouver Fringe Festival: How I Lost One Pound, The Musical
Vancouver Facade Festival
The Arts Club Presents: Angels in America, Perestroika Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Art of the Cocktail, the cocktail event of the year, returns to one of Canada’s mixology capitals for sampling and sipping, masterclasses, and one very grand tasting.
Art of the Cocktail
When: Saturday, October 14th 2017
Where: Crystal Garden (713 Douglas St, Victoria)
Tickets: Available online for individual events or VIP passes. Tickets this year include all food and drinks (no token purchase necessary)
Grand Tasting
Along with the big players, the Grand Tasting will also highlight artisan, small, and regional distillers. While on your cocktail journey, savour delicious complimentary appetizers from some of the most innovative chefs in Victoria. VIP access allows you to beat the crowds (and the lines) and enter the Grand Tasting an hour before the general public, giving you more one-on-one time with distillers and Brand Ambassadors.
Cocktails Up Close
Get up close & personal with cocktails and spirits, with guided tastings & Masterclasses by industry leaders as you enjoy various drinks and learn the tips and tricks of the trade.
Parties that Pack a Punch
Join highly decorated mixologist and Botanist Gin ambassador Gez McAlpine, as we explore the fundamentals of creating cocktails for large groups. From punches to Sangria, bottled cocktails and everything in between. Learn how serving quality drinks can be the easiest part of entertaining your guests.
Dress to impress in your fabulous after five attire, because this year the Best Dressed at the Grand Tasting will win 4 tickets to the 2018 Victoria Film Festival Opening Gala.
Win a VIP Getaway
The Art of the Cocktail wants to bring one lucky Miss604 reader and a guest to Victoria for this amazing weekend. This VIP prize package includes a round trip with Harbour Air to get to Victoria from Vancouver, a one night stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton, blow-outs from Copper & Ash Collective to get ready for the Grand Tasting, and of course VIP Grand Tasting tickets.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Leave a comment tagging a friend on this Facebook post (1 entry)
- Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @ArtofCocktail @HarbourAirLtd @doubletreevic Victoria getaway http://ow.ly/JBUK30eZmpS” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow the Art of the Cocktail on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, September 15, 2017. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Airfare and hotel stay prizes are only valid during this specific event and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash value.
Update The winner is Dara Fontein!
It’s a Harvest FESTival at UBC with cocktails, conversations, and a bounty to be enjoyed from the UBC Farm. Meet new friends and old for a night of food, art, and culture.
Harvest Feastival at UBC
Where: University Commons (outside the Nest)
When: Thursday, September 28, 2017 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Tickets: Register online now. Ticket price includes a generous family-style dinner and all the after dinner festivities.
UBC’s world-class Arts and Culture District will host a series of after-dinner events, including performances from UBC’s Symphony Orchestra, and Vancouver TheatreSports League.
Dinner Menu
Autumn Harvest Salad, Caramelized Local Pear & Gorgonzola Flatbread, Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Fraser Valley Free Range Chicken, Roasted Butternut Squash & Wild Mushroom Rigatoni, Cinnamon Roasted Honeycrisp Apple, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Torte.
After-Dinner Entertainment
- Still Here Exhibition 7:30 to 10:00pm at Hatch Gallery at the AMS Nest
- The Beautiful Brain & Curiosity Collider 8:00pm to 9:00pm at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
- UBC Symphony Orchestra – Up-close & Personal 8:00pm to 9:00pm at The Chan Centre, Chan Shun Concert Hall
- Harvest Improv 8:00pm to 9:00pm at the Royal Bank Cinema in the Chan Centre
- Soul Night Live DJ Dance Party 8:00pm to 10:00pm at the Museum of Anthropology Great Hall
For more information about the menu (including ingredients & dietary restrictions) along with entertainment and ticket info, visit UBC Planning online.
