 Wine notes and events are featured in the 'Thomson report'. |
Thomson report
by
John Thomson - Story:
42052
Sep 30, 2008 / 5:00 am
Sep 30, 2008 / 5:00 am
I don’t know how this came across my desk but this writer of food and wine had this to say:
It’s no secret that Dimitr Ion is a fan of fine dining accompanied by the nectar from the vine. And we’re obviously not alone, judging by the popularity of wine tourism and on-site gourmet dining.
Ion’s latest Canadian adventures took him on a road trip to the Okanagan Valley, the wine capital of Canada.
Mission Hill is its most famous wine estate, up on the mountain with commanding views from the restaurant.
Further south, in Osoyoos, we found Nk-Mip, “North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery”. The design complimented the natural surroundings, the wine was good, the dining spectacular and the views even more so.
Our favourite, though, was the quaint Red Rooster Winery, with its relaxed atmosphere, delicious wines and great-tasting tapas menu, on-site art gallery and friendly service.
--------------------
Hi John, I've commented on your articles many times in the past...
Up until last year, I was living in Louisiana and I'm now living in
Michigan and am only about a 45-minute drive from Windsor, Ontario.
While living in Louisiana and Michigan my search for wine has been
primarily limited to shopping at big box grocery stores in the U.S. and
the Ontario Liquor Control Board stores in Windsor. I've also stopped at
the occasional liquor store in the U.S.. I have found it virtually
impossible to buy Canadian wines in the U.S. Most sales clerks are amazed when they hear that wine is produced commercially in Canada. Additionally, I've found it difficult to find B.C. wines for sale in Ontario. I think the only B.C. wines I could find at the OLCB store was one or two bottles of Mission Hill. It seems like the B.C. wineries need to do a better job of getting the word out about their product.
--------------------
The seventh annual “Going Once… Going Twice…” Benefit Wine Auction, to be held Saturday, October 4th at the Ramada Inn & Suites, has become one of the most anticipated events of the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival. With its winning combination of fun, superb wines, fine food, plus the chance to bid on rare and unique wine offerings, the auction attracts knowledgeable wine lovers from across Canada and the Pacific Northwest, drawn by the successes of Okanagan wines in international wine competitions and their growing presence on the world stage. The auction presents a unique opportunity to acquire collectible, rare Okanagan wine offerings.
Highlight items on the auction block this year include the only barrel of 2007 Nota Bene from Blackhills Estate Winery that will ever be available. This important wine has established a dedicated following and its entire 2006 release sold out in just 45 minutes.
Equally notable is a barrel of Jackson-Triggs 2006 Sunrock Shiraz, an exclusive single-vineyard release from Block 41 of Sunrock Vineyards that has been catching the attention of noted wine experts, such as John Schreiner.
The auction has items from over 33 of the Okanagan’s most important vineyards. The offerings include:
A 12 Bottle Collection of Award-Winning Wines from Wild Goose Vineyards.
The last 3-litre bottle of Jackson-Triggs’ award-winning 2004 Grand Reserve Shiraz in existence.
Wines signed by some of the Okanagan’s legendary winemakers.
Award-wining collections from renowned Okanagan vineyards such as Hillside Estate, Cedar Creek, Laughing Stock, Burrowing Owl, Domaine Combret and many others.
For a complete list of auction items go to:
Sponsors List of Items
The auction features wines from the sponsoring wineries complemented by tantalizing culinary offerings featuring local fare and exotic delicacies prepared by the Ramada Inn & Suites’ executive chef and his talented staff. Auctioneer Rick Thorpe will be the master of ceremonies and entertainment will be provided by Kyle Anderson and the Rubber Band, Nathalie Lewis’ About Time and harpist Ingrid Schellenberg.
Started in 2001 and one of the Premier Wine Festival Events of the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival, the auction raises funds for viniculture scholarships at Okanagan University College. The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan administers the scholarship fund.
More information and tickets can be obtained by calling the Ramada Inn & Suites, (250) 492-8926 or 1-800-665-4966.
It’s no secret that Dimitr Ion is a fan of fine dining accompanied by the nectar from the vine. And we’re obviously not alone, judging by the popularity of wine tourism and on-site gourmet dining.
Ion’s latest Canadian adventures took him on a road trip to the Okanagan Valley, the wine capital of Canada.
Mission Hill is its most famous wine estate, up on the mountain with commanding views from the restaurant.
Further south, in Osoyoos, we found Nk-Mip, “North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery”. The design complimented the natural surroundings, the wine was good, the dining spectacular and the views even more so.
Our favourite, though, was the quaint Red Rooster Winery, with its relaxed atmosphere, delicious wines and great-tasting tapas menu, on-site art gallery and friendly service.
--------------------
Hi John, I've commented on your articles many times in the past...
Up until last year, I was living in Louisiana and I'm now living in
Michigan and am only about a 45-minute drive from Windsor, Ontario.
While living in Louisiana and Michigan my search for wine has been
primarily limited to shopping at big box grocery stores in the U.S. and
the Ontario Liquor Control Board stores in Windsor. I've also stopped at
the occasional liquor store in the U.S.. I have found it virtually
impossible to buy Canadian wines in the U.S. Most sales clerks are amazed when they hear that wine is produced commercially in Canada. Additionally, I've found it difficult to find B.C. wines for sale in Ontario. I think the only B.C. wines I could find at the OLCB store was one or two bottles of Mission Hill. It seems like the B.C. wineries need to do a better job of getting the word out about their product.
--------------------
The seventh annual “Going Once… Going Twice…” Benefit Wine Auction, to be held Saturday, October 4th at the Ramada Inn & Suites, has become one of the most anticipated events of the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival. With its winning combination of fun, superb wines, fine food, plus the chance to bid on rare and unique wine offerings, the auction attracts knowledgeable wine lovers from across Canada and the Pacific Northwest, drawn by the successes of Okanagan wines in international wine competitions and their growing presence on the world stage. The auction presents a unique opportunity to acquire collectible, rare Okanagan wine offerings.
Highlight items on the auction block this year include the only barrel of 2007 Nota Bene from Blackhills Estate Winery that will ever be available. This important wine has established a dedicated following and its entire 2006 release sold out in just 45 minutes.
Equally notable is a barrel of Jackson-Triggs 2006 Sunrock Shiraz, an exclusive single-vineyard release from Block 41 of Sunrock Vineyards that has been catching the attention of noted wine experts, such as John Schreiner.
The auction has items from over 33 of the Okanagan’s most important vineyards. The offerings include:
For a complete list of auction items go to:
Sponsors List of Items
The auction features wines from the sponsoring wineries complemented by tantalizing culinary offerings featuring local fare and exotic delicacies prepared by the Ramada Inn & Suites’ executive chef and his talented staff. Auctioneer Rick Thorpe will be the master of ceremonies and entertainment will be provided by Kyle Anderson and the Rubber Band, Nathalie Lewis’ About Time and harpist Ingrid Schellenberg.
Started in 2001 and one of the Premier Wine Festival Events of the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival, the auction raises funds for viniculture scholarships at Okanagan University College. The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan administers the scholarship fund.
More information and tickets can be obtained by calling the Ramada Inn & Suites, (250) 492-8926 or 1-800-665-4966.
About The Author...
John Thomson is the Okanagan's pre-eminent business columnist writing his column, Rumours and Things, for over 19 years. Plugged in to the valley's who's who, John keeps his readers coming back for more with his straight talk and optimistic perspective on where we are headed next.
When John is not writing his column, he runs an eleven year old think tank called the Executive Roundtable and holds his popular "Thomson Presents" quarterly business speaker seminars.
Have a comment, question, or tip for John? Email John at:
john.thomson@castanet.net
or send him a fax at 764-8255.
John Thomson is the Okanagan's pre-eminent business columnist writing his column, Rumours and Things, for over 19 years. Plugged in to the valley's who's who, John keeps his readers coming back for more with his straight talk and optimistic perspective on where we are headed next.
When John is not writing his column, he runs an eleven year old think tank called the Executive Roundtable and holds his popular "Thomson Presents" quarterly business speaker seminars.
Have a comment, question, or tip for John? Email John at:
The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet.
Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.
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