Country 107.1

Several times per year wine enthusiasts from across the Fraser Valley gather at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre to expand their wine knowledge….
 Well yes, but that sounds rather stuffy doesn’t it.  What actually takes place is a fun and interactive opportunity to taste an array of new wines, nibble on delicious snacks prepared by the Ramada Plaza’s Culinary Team, and interact with people from different corners of our community who also share an interest in wine.

I figure that old Saint Nick likely needs a hand with gift giving.  Just between you and me (and I haven’t told the kids this so I’d appreciate your keeping it on the down low) I have been helping the Old Fellow almost my entire life with getting gifts underneath Christmas trees and into Christmas stockings.  It’s a big job.  I think that if you asked Santa, he’d say that I am like one of his elves. 

The young things probably won’t know what I’m talking about, but back when I was a young thing just barely old enough to buy a drink I saw a movie that raised the bar for coolness behind the bar.  I’m talking about a young Tom Cruise.  I’m talking about Cocktail.  Okay, the storyline was lame and completely forgettable but I’ll bet no one has forgotten the images of two bartenders flipping bottles back and forth and shaking their hips,

Okay, I know.  I know that not everyone is into wine the way that some people are.  Some people are all about a golden coloured liquid libation.  That’s totally fine with me; we can still be friends because the world of beer is pretty interesting.  There are probably almost as many different styles of beer as there are styles of wine, and with a little bit of knowledge and your imagination you can come up with some truly great food and beer pairings. 

Fall is a favourite season for many people.  Yes, the vibrant colours of the changing leaves are beautiful and the cold bite of the morning air is a reminder that you are indeed alive.  But neither of these things would feature as my favourite when it comes to fall.  No, I clasp my hands in anticipation of the sorts of foods that make their way back onto the table when the weather cools sufficiently to allow for hours of oven time in the kitchen.

Have you ever walked into a wine shop or liquor store to choose a bottle or two of wine and felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of the selection?  That happens to absolutely everyone, it really does, and even my own ten years of Wine Guide experience hasn’t completely eliminated that rushing woozy feeling when faced with a wall of the unknown.

I am a bit of an impulse shopper.  Sometimes I am a little ashamed of myself for having so many pairs of shoes, and clothing in my closet that’s been there for a while and I haven’t worn yet.  My wine rack is another gathering place that causes me some moments of consternation because when I discover a shiny new bottle full of dazzling promise, I have to have it.

Most of the time I do not go out.  I like to cook and believe that I do it well, I also like to know what is going into my meals so that I can keep track of what I am putting into myself.  But sometimes on special occasions, I do go out.

If the wine snobs of the world were to unite in offering a criticism to the masses it would probably be this:  white wines are usually served too cold and red wines are usually served too warm.

Why is this?

Sometimes it’s hard to know if you should keep a wine once it’s been opened, or if it should be poured out.  The most basic of rules is that if it still tastes fine to you then you can drink it, but if it tastes bad then it is time to toss it out.  Regardless, once a bottle of wine has been opened it should be consumed within a reasonably prompt time period.

Food and wine pairing can fill people with all sorts of apprehension, but you don’t need to worry so much about getting it exactly perfect.  Think of it more in terms of matchmaking:  putting together two elements that you think have something in common and would go well with each other.  It feels so much better to relax, experiment, and have some fun with it.

WHATCOM WINE & SPIRITS
36035 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford, B.C.

ph. 604-870-6166     fx. 604-870-6168

Whatcom Wine and Spirits is a full service liquor store located next to the White Spot Restaurant at the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre in Abbotsford.  Whether you stop in for a quick visit to pick up a cold case of beer or get lost for an hour browsing amongst the wine bottles, you are always welcome!

I am the Fraser Valley’s Wine Guide. When I look back on my unimagined journey to this place none of it seems random, yet none of it was especially planned out either. I am still at the core a very ordinary person whose life has moved into some pretty unexpected and extraordinary directions.