AI may think otherwise but the Okanagan is not losing its identity

AI view of region is not OK

Photo: Castanet

The Okanagan is known for the fruit and food it produces, as well as its grapes and wines.

On occasion, especially when I have a mild case of writer’s block, I’ll pull up an artificial intelligence writing tool and ask it what I should write about.

Usually, the suggestions are not super surprising but can give me a slight creative poke in one direction or another.

This exercise can also tease my technical interests, as I ponder what algorithms are picking up out there on the vast interwebs.

So, when this AI idea came up, I was a bit taken aback. The suggested title was, "Is the Okanagan losing its food identity?"

The suggested opening paragraph (written by AI) was “Not long ago, the Okanagan’s food culture was synonymous with orchards, farm stands, backyard bounty, and family-owned restaurants that knew their farmers by name. But as glass towers rise, vineyards flip hands and chain restaurants find footholds in once-sleepy towns, I’ve started to wonder: Are we losing what made our food scene feel truly local?”

My first thought was, “Wait a second. Are we?’

My second thought was, why was this the top suggestion and what is it that AI is picking up on there?

I asked ChatGPT to explain itself, which brought on strong mix of curiosity and anxiety. The response included statements about rapid development, the sale or repurposing of farmland, food producers struggling with climate and affordability pressures and tourism leaning towards “homogenized” offerings instead of the authentic.

First of all, I don’t think the region is losing its identity. Certainly, though, it’s evolving. An example is Penticton was once known as the “City of peaches and beaches.” The beaches are here but there were no peaches last season.

As a teenager, I remember Kelowna was where everyone wanted to go for waterslides, mini-golf, and go-carting. Now, it’s food and wine. But that may simply be a sign of my age.

If this is what’s out there in this age of Google searches and AI seeping into many corners of our daily lives, do we collectively need to change our tune?

That’s a tough task. We post and discuss what’s top of mind and in recent years that has been dealing with agricultural challenges, a wine industry grappling with how to handle a vintage that incorporates grapes from other regions thanks to last year’s crop loss, rising costs and shifting travel habits.

I’m not sure what the answer is but I think it might come from some real life conversations and collaborations. Around 15 years ago, a collective group of associations, businesses and individuals created an enormous swell of online chatter, in part to win a bid for the 2013 Wine Bloggers’ Conference.

In 2012, The Huffington Post named Penticton as one of the top 10 world travel destinations based on a survey that analyzed millions of travel-related online comments.

We can do something positive like this again, right?

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

The growing desire for low-alcohol wines and ciders

Low- and no-alcohol drinks

Photo: Contributed

There a move to low- and no-alcohol wines and ciders by some drinkers.

Many studies and surveys have been tabulated in recent years that track changing consumer habits when it comes to alcohol consumption.

To sum things up in very general terms, most of us are drinking less booze.

Some studies indicate millennials and generation Z are leading this sober-curious trend due to several factors—the cost, possible health impacts, various lifestyle choices and an overall desire to understand an individual’s motivation to drink alcohol.

Personally, I don’t think what’s behind this trend is critically important, a trend is not something an individual can really control, no matter what it is but rather, what’s ahead.

What do I see on the horizon? There will be two future trends, in my opinion. First, the obvious one, is improved quality of, and access to, no-alcohol, low-alcohol or de-alcoholized sips.

On the wine (and cider) front, The Opera Room joins the District Wine Village as B.C.’s the first tasting room dedicated exclusively to no- and low-alcohol wines and ciders. Often, non-alcohol options at a beverage producer can become an afterthought when you go for a tasting. Winemaker Michal Mosny of Winemaker’s CUT puts a portfolio of Piquettes, a low alcohol spritzer, two low-alcohol ciders, plus de-alcoholized wines front and centre.

Others to consider are Piquettes in a can from Bartier Bros near Oliver or Ruby Blues sparklers in cans on the way to Naramata, plus the Wine Umbrella’s de-alcoholized rosé in Kaleden, a small hamlet just south of Penticton that’s quickly becoming a micro-region to watch.

On the beer front, Tin Whistle Brewing Co. in Penticton’s Cannery Trade Centre has come out with its four percent ABV Real Good Light Beer to add to its eclectic portfolio. Perhaps the name says it all.

And on the spirit front, I’ve become a fan of products from Lumette.

As for the second trend, it’s the continued growth of experiential culinary education, and by that, I mean the ongoing development of activities, events, festivals, and classes that provide elevated experiences.

Some ideas:

• Exploring an herb garden, then choosing herbs to use at a make-your own bread class.

• Heading out to nature for a foraging walk with an expert guide to learn about the history of Indigenous agriculture.

• Attending a pickling, canning, or jamming demonstration at a farm or orchard, then sitting down to an alfresco lunch or dinner.

And yes, you can pair all of these activities with a newly discovered alcohol-free beverage.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Explore and savour events this long weekend

Easter events this weekend

Photo: Contributed

There are plenty of Easter egg hunts planned throughout the Okanagan this coming long weekend.

The unofficial kick-off to the Okanagan’s annual season of signature events and stepping out for a day of savouring local sips is here—the spring (Easter) long weekend.

With three or four days to enjoy, there is plenty to do. However, a bit of planning might be helpful. On top of a number of events, advancing polls for the upcoming federal election will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 18 to 21 and some familiar facilities in your area may be in use by Elections Canada.

The weekend also invites you to explore Easter brunches, such as:

• Easter brunch buffet (or Easter dinner) at the Gulfstream at the Four Points Sheraton in Kelowna

• An Easter brunch buffet at the RANGE restaurant, bar + patio at Predator Ridge Resort near Vernon

• A two-course brunch at The Garden Bistro at Peak Cellars in Lake Country

• An Easter brunch buffet at the Penticton Lakeside Resort

• An Easter brunch at the Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna

For a little more extensive exploring, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive is celebrating the opening of the season with a visit to its Spring preview weekend. Visitors can enjoy Easter egg hunts, exclusive tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and more as they navigate any of the three distinct touring routes around the area.

Naramata has already been in the swing of spring with Naramata Blooms happening now until June 20, featuring events, special culinary events, plus staycation options. This weekend, take in the Great Golden Egg Hunt at Aikins Loop wineries.

Further south in Kaleden, Okanagan Warriors Adventure, and outdoor adventure course, kids (and their parents) can take part in Easter Adventure: The Chocolate Compass Quest! which begins with learning the basics of map and compass navigation before heading out to the course to finding hidden chocolates at each checkpoint.

The Grist Mill in Keremeos will host a family-friendly Easter egg hunt across its picturesque gardens and historic buildings. In Oliver, Riding 4 Life and Sagebrush Pony Parties will have an Eggscellent Easter Egg Hunt with pony rides, games, prizes, crafts, a photo booth, and more. In Osoyoos, the Osoyoos Festival Society invites you to its Easter Extravaganza in Gyro Park which begins with a pancake breakfast before a bike and trike parade, followed by an Easter bonnet parade.

And finally, stop by Vin Amité Cellars in Oliver on Sunday for its first Easter market. Sip a complimentary sample of Chardonnay while browsing local vendors. Bonus: Lewis Cardinal, will be playing a selection of covers and original songs as you sip and shop.

For specific times, reservations if required, and other info, visit the links above.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Remembering the heyday of the department store

Demise of department stores

Photo: Alistair Waters

If you are of a certain age, the following may evoke feelings of nostalgia.

If your shopping experiences have mostly ranged from big box to bargain outlets and online, you’ve probably missed out on a few iconic experiences.

Full disclosure, I recently grabbed an HBC Stripes scarf online before all of the HBC Stripes merchandise was gone. I picked it up in person in Penticton where the staff was jovial, albeit somewhat downcast at the same time.

As a kid, a trip to a shopping centre anchored by Eaton’s, Sears or Hudson’s Bay was a big deal – no pun intended – as it usually meant a short road trip, lunch at The Skillet in Zeller’s or The Bay’s food court and maybe a visit to an arcade in the mall.

One of my first jobs was at Woolco, in the electronics department. A teenager selling boom boxes, cameras, VCRs and cassette tapes, until for some reason I was moved to the automotive counter for the evening shifts. A few Woolcos still had the Red Grille, where you could get cheap milk shakes.

We now use apps to pick up our groceries in the parking lot but who else remembers that Woodward’s pioneered this? At the checkout, if you wanted car service, you’d be given a laminated number. The matching number would be attached to the front of your buggy with a big, black binder clip. Once the family car was retrieved, you’d simply drive through and hand over your tag.

If you weren’t on a grocery run, though, you might have been on a quest to discover the latest fashions on display at the top of the elevator. I think of the elevator in the former downtown Penticton Zeller’s more often than I care to admit and the anticipation of what might be on display as you crested the top.

The holiday season began in December when the Sears catalogue arrived and the window displays at ground level came alive at the flagship department stores in the nearest city. On Boxing Day in my family had all of the women piling into the biggest vehicle available to go stock up on wrapping paper and bows.

I learned to drive in a department store parking lot. I remember how cool it was to go visit my mom at work at a Calgary department store counter. Conversely, how my dad embarrassed my brother by pretending to worship a display of department store mannequins in Vancouver.

It wasn’t simply shopping at those stores. It was a social outing. And while I fully admit that my own consumer habits have changed, I can take some of the blame for the death of department stores while still missing them.

My silverware is from Sears. My Royal Albert China set was collected piece by piece from wherever it happened to be sale. My vintage kitchen hutch is from Eaton’s.

Now is a very good time to take out these special occasion dishes and put them to good use.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.