The Wine Rack Store

Christmas is a fabulous time to give the gift of Ice Wine. For one thing, if you live in the north, you’re already in the mood. If you live well below the snow-line, the very idea of frozen grapes is novel.

Hosts and hostesses often serve cakes and pies, which ice wine was made for. With this beverage on your wine rack, pairing drinks and desserts is no problem.
Vendors have found many fun ways to sell the stuff, whether in bottles or other forms. For example, ice wine jam would make a unique topping on toast or pancakes. Chocolates have also been filled with this beverage. That sounds like a match made in Heaven.
Many wine and beer stores sell bottles in pretty presentation boxes. They might even gift-wrap them for you. Products are available in various sizes, too, so if a full bottle is out of your price range, opt for a miniature which contains enough to make someone you love (or just like a lot) feel warm on a cold night.

There are a number of Gamay varieties but drinkers may know it best as the famous French Beaujolais.
Wine Lovers Page indicates that Gamay is similar to Pinot Noir, but has the advantage of earlier fruit, meaning it is ideal for places like Niagara and areas of BC too. While the grape becomes Beaujolais across the Atlantic, it is called ‘Gamay Noir’ when Sandhill makes it. Taste Magazine credits their $20 bottle with a ruby red color, notes of ‘sweet smoke, cedar, black cherry, Damson’ and more. The sommeliers at Taste also pair it with a dish consisting of Haricots Vert, Dijon Vinaigrette, and Toasted Hazelnuts. Reif Estate Winery of Niagara makes a beautiful, deep-pink Gamay Rose.

At Cellar Notes, the writer points out that this is not a drink meant to sit on your wine rack for many months. Drink it young. The tannins are soft, acidity is high, and so is the fruitiness. A Crus Beaujolais, says the writer, might last as many as ten years in your cellar, but probably no more than that.

BC Liquor Stores are getting ready for Christmas while our friends in the U.S. are still preparing for Thanksgiving.
Many items on a holiday menu could grace either the December or the November table, such as turkey and cranberry sauce; mulled wine and trifle. Many consumers, however, eschew traditional treats for modern ideas suitable to servea at parties snacks or as family meals.
On November 17th from 6-8:00, the 39th and Cambie Street location will host ‘Cooking for the Holidays’ with chefs Lawren Monetat and Celine Turner. Learn to pair appetizers with particular cocktails that will bring a splash of color to your festive table.
On the 19th, find out which Township 7 wines offer the best complement to a festive feast from 4-7:00 pm.
November 25th is just 4 weeks and 2 days away from Christmas. Bring new life to party platters after Stephen Wong shows you how. This popular chef and author will pair healthy Asian appetizers with items from the Wolf Blass wine rack.
If you like snow, it has already started to fall at higher elevations in BC (i.e. our house). BC is the place to be!