Blog

A Sip of History - Gambero Rosso

Jun 25, 2018

Ever wonder why pre-20th-century children’s fiction is so strangely gothic and brutal? It’s because it was never intended to entertain them. The stories were largely morality lessons, meant to impress consequence into young minds via easily digestible (and memorizable) literary snacks. The protagonists of those stories invariably paid a price, sometimes the ultimate one, for their transgressions, and the audience of freshly tucked-in kids would presumably drift towards an anxious sleep, punctuated by the twitches of someone who is dreaming about getting deservedly eaten by wolves.

The concept of children’s literature – the kind they would actually enjoy – was foreign to Carlo Collodi when he wrote the first version of Pinocchio in 1883. In the original story, the Fox and Cat take the puppet/boy to dine at the “Red Prawn Inn” before betraying him and leaving him to hang, where he justly dies because of his many faults. Paw Patrol it was not. An enterprising publisher convinced Collodi to change the story so that Pinocchio is saved by the blue fairy, and returns home to become a real boy. The new version was incredibly successful and ushered in a new genre of children’s stories that actually made kids feel good when they were over.

It is strange indeed that the “Red Prawn” (“Gambero Rosso” in Italian) would become the name of a food and wine publication, but that’s what happened in 1986, and it has since become the authoritative critical voice in Italy, carrying more weight with many Italians than Parker or Spectator. The Gambero Rosso is Italians rating Italian wine for Italians, and instead of using the 100 point scale, they award uno, due or tre bicchieri (one, two or three glasses) that roughly translate to Bronze, Silver and Gold. The majority of wines submitted don’t get any bicchieri at all.

Gambero Rosso came through Vancouver a couple weeks ago, showcasing some of its Tre Bicchieri selections, but here are a couple of top-tier wines that they didn’t pour that day:
Montenidoli “Carato” Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010, Tuscany. Although the white grape Vernaccia is found in pockets all over Italy, it’s in the hilltop town on San Gimignano, which looks ripe for a dragon attack, where it truly shines. Grown in sandstone-rich vineyards and coming in oaked or unoaked styles (this “Carato” is aged in neutral oak), Vernaccia di San Gimignano is perhaps the premium Tuscan white wine, and the wines produced by Sergio Muratori, who took over the Montenidoli estate – fallow for 20 years after WW2, are at the top of the heap. Floral, with checked minerality and flashes of tropical fruits, the palate is rich and creamy but pulls together beautifully at the end with an expressive, kinda explosive finish. If you’re a fan of Italian whites, stop reading about this and start drinking it. Seriously. Tre Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso, $53.99 +tax

Castello di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva 2012, Tuscany, Italy. More serious than Latin Class, this Chianti Classico Riserva aims well above its station, cellar-wise. Frame-forward and conservative on the nose, the telltale licorice and red berries emerge with some coaxing (and decanting/shaking), followed by some baking spice and vanilla notes. After a couple of hours open, all of the shy flavours start to dance with each other, but the post-palate structure plays Stairway To Heaven and brings the dance to a close. Impressive and austere now, this old-school Chianti starts to sing in 2019, I reckon. Tre Bicchieri – Gambero Rosso, $38.99 +tax

Spotlight on Everything Wine Vintages Room Expert, Si Man Lee

Jun 15, 2018

If you have ever stepped into an Everything Wine store, you may have noticed our beautiful Vintages Room. This area is home to hundreds of amazing bottles worthy of any wine cellar, special gift, or personal treat for any evening. There are a few things in our beautiful wine dens that you won’t find anywhere else, including hundreds of prized and unique bottles, and our equally as unique Vintages Room Experts. Their passion for wine is unmatched, and each has years of training, experience, and dedication to the craft of wine tasting under their belts.

Get to know these helpful and knowledgeable experts in store, and through our blog, with the first in our series of spotlights. Our first Vintage Room Expert Spotlight begins with the very talented Si Man Lee:

Name: Si Man Lee

Place of Birth: Burnaby, BC

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland, parking cars in the backyard during the PNE (a good East Van kid of the ‘80s). I’m off mixed Chinese and Caucasian descent and my name is pronounced 'Simon' not 'See Man' or 'See.' I’ve got 2 young kids who think all wine smells like stinky grapes and a wife that’s beginning to get into it. I’m trained as a journalist and lived for a brief time working for a music magazine in New Orleans.

How and why did you get into wine?
I was in my mid 20’s and had heaps of student loans and had got a job in a fine dining restaurant. Seeing how much the waiters made, I figured it looked like a pretty good way to make a pretty awesome income early on, and ended up in the restaurant business for almost 20 years. Wine knowledge seemed to be the ticket to getting better jobs in better restaurants and so I did several years of education and the rest, as they say, is history.

What's your favourite wine region or country?
I’m a huge sucker for Spanish wines, particularly bolder expressions from places like Jumilla, Torro, or Priorat. There’s such great value there and the wines a lot of the time can age as well as some premium Italian or French counterparts.

What wine region or country would you like to visit next?
Spain again! I’d love nothing more than to fly into Barcelona, rent a car and make my way through the arid Spanish landscape, weaving from Priorat to Rioja to Valencia and end up in Jerez.

What's the one bottle that blew your mind?
2006 Ovid. For those who don’t know, it’s a bit of a California cult wine and doesn’t make it to BC in very large quantities. I was fortunate enough to attend a Napa Valley Master Class hosted by some very important wine people a couple of years ago and they had brought it up from the winery’s library. Never has a wine to me tasted so powerful, elegant and focused all in the same breath. The best part was that most of the people in attendance had to leave for work but as it was my day off and there were heaps left over, I got to have a full glass afterwards.

Name a wine you wish more people drank?
Sherry. It’s such a diverse wine and pairs so well with so many types of food. It’s also got flavours that are unique to it which makes it stand out even further amongst other wines. Sadly, I think many people associate sherry with Grandma’s drink of choice when she’s not drinking earl grey or something cheap to cook with.

Name your expertise:
Because I sell so much of it, I’d have to say Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon but pretty much the United States as a whole. As a former sommelier, I’m also quite astute when it comes to food and wine pairings and love when people can explain a dish in full detail which then allows me to come up with a perfect wine pairing.

Tell us about a wine misconception you’d like to clear up:
I feel like a lot of people seem to think that when it comes to premium wines, that it’s all a big sham and it’s paying for labels and marketing. Although in some rare cases that can be true, a lot of times when it comes to more expensive bottles, there are so many factors that go into it. For example, if the grapes were harvested by hand or machine, was the wine aged in oak barrels, how low the yields are in the vineyards, are all factors that affect the final price. Then, of course, there’s shipping costs, import taxes, duty etc., which as a retailer, I can not control.

Top 3 Wine Apps for Your Smartphone

Jun 8, 2018

Smartphone apps help us solve some of life’s most difficult challenges; where to find a good restaurant, how to do the perfect squat or lunge, or even where to find a date—but what about apps that show us how to find that perfect bottle of wine? The good news is there are lots of them, and we've compiled a list that will help you do everything from finding the perfect bottle of red to finding the best reviews from top-rated connoisseurs.

Test out these apps at any one of our 5 locations across BC, and talk to any of our friendly staff members for extra insight into any of your delicious finds. We're sure you'll end up with a bottle that will suit your budget and wow your taste buds.

App #1 Vivino

This helpful app is not only free and available for iPhones and Androids, but also gives you a plethora of information on any bottle. Simply scan the wine label with your smartphone camera and the app will give you tons of wine information, such as where the wine is from, how much it costs, similar bottles and brief tasting notes.

App #2 Wine Enthusiast

Once you've scanned the label and found great info on your bottle, why not see what others have to say about it? Wine Enthusiast is a free app available for iPhone and Android and features ratings from wine connoisseurs, tasting notes and detailed insight into every bottle. Use this app to get all the information you need to be confident in your wine purchase.

App # 3 Pocket Wine Pairing

Alright, so now you've found your bottle, learned about its crisp or earthy tasting notes, and have read what others have said about it. Now it's time to find out what types of food will pair perfectly with your chosen bottle. Pocket Wine Pairing is free and available for iPhones and assists with finding the perfect fare to go with your bottle of wine, whether it's fine, ripe cheese for a dry white, or a deep, rich red for a juicy steak.

Have a favourite wine app of your own? We want to hear about it. Let us know what apps you use in the comments below!

People are finally getting over what Paul Giamatti said about Merlot

May 25, 2018

When Paul Giamatti’s Sideways character Miles said “we are not drinking any <bleep> Merlot”, the wine industry watched helplessly as sales of this noble grape plummeted. It was as if James Bond walked up to the casino bartender in a movie and said “you know what? Vodka’s actually kinda gross, got any Fanta?”

That quote crystallized what people were already feeling: that Merlot had become passé. After a heyday in the 90s, where the opening of Chile’s markets coincided with a general preference shift from white to red (because of newly reported health reasons) and everyone discovered the great new, affordable “it” grape called Merlot, the pendulum swung the other way. Following a decade of producers undercutting each other in price and quality, the race to the bottom led to the inevitable: a market full of weak, cheap Merlot that tasted like a dilution of plum jam and sadness. New wine drinkers trying Merlot wondered what the hype was about. By the time Sideways came out, that quip was just the nail in the coffin.

And totally unfair. Merlot is one of the great red grapes of the world: in Bordeaux it is the flesh to Cabernet’s bones, in Tuscany it betrays the dusty soils faithfully and beautifully, in California it provides comfort-food-like body (the influential Wine Spectator crowned a Cali Merlot Wine of the Year 2017), and in Washington it creates powerhouses that are often bolder than that state’s Cabernets. Along with Syrah, Merlot is one of the best ways forward for BC’s wine journey, as it ripens well here and can achieve an almost Old World structure with the right oak aging. Merlot is a world citizen, and the postcards that it sends us from all points are unique and often amazing. Here are some powerful examples:

Thorn 2014, Napa Valley. Predominantly Merlot with a garnish of Malbec from Napa Valley floor and Carneros, made by the folks who make The Prisoner, Thorn is the Hulk of Merlot. Strong, weighty, uber-thick, not particularly delicate or even articulate – jury’s out on whether it can understand basic commands – but it can find all of the corners of your mouth and beat them up. You don’t pour this wine from the bottle, you parole it. All the naysayers who told you that Merlot made weak wine aren’t saying that anymore because Thorn ate them. In any tasting line-up, Thorn must be served last, because – and this is very important – Thorn can’t know about the other wines. $63.49 +tax

Tenuta Sette Ponti Orma 2014, Tuscany. There is just something that Merlot can draw out of Tuscan soil that’s so idiosyncratic: change the grape or the dirt and you don’t have it. It’s a minerality that you don’t find anywhere else, and here Merlot leads the dance with Cabs Sauv and Franc following suit. Cherry, leather, dried fruit and dried tobacco surround a firm body that screams “loud” more than “big”. Less tannic than you’d expect on the finish, given the powerful front-of-mouth delivery. $94.99 +tax

Little Engine “Silver” Merlot 2015, Naramata Bench, B.C. I visited the French family’s winery in September, and although the whole lineup impressed, it was actually the entry-level “Silver” Merlot that turned heads, mostly because of the great value, there’s a lot packed into here. This is a nicely balanced BC red, with black fruit and vanillin over stones and dried spice. Nicely built, this can go a few years lying down and emerge better for it, but not too long – I don’t want to lose the friendly fruit on the nose. $35.99 +tax

5 Rules of Wine Pairing!

Apr 27, 2018

One of the best things about wine is pairing it with even better food. Although there are many versatile wines out there, one wine does not necessarily suit every dish, and when you find the wine that compliments your food, you are left with a taste sensation, amplifying the flavors in both the wine your're sipping and the food you're eating - it's a beautiful thing. Do your taste buds a favour (or should we say, a flavour...) and try out these rules for food and wine pairing!

blog

Rule #1: Intensely Flavoured Foods
Match intensity with intensity – Bold wines with bold foods, delicate wines with delicate foods. For example, a lighter wine, like Espiral Vinho Verde, with a light green salad or a full-bodied red, like Mathilde Chapoutier Languedoc Red Blend, with mouth-watering steak. Wine can be easily overwhelmed by the food flavours, and we certainly don’t want that to happen!

Rule #2: Fatty Foods
If chicken strips and fries or a succulent poutine are on the menu tonight reach for a wine that has high levels of acidity, such as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, like Bay and Barnes Block! Choosing this wine will help to cut out the fatty flavours and the wine will seem to offer a lesser intense acidic flavour.

Rule #3: Spicy Foods
It's the age old dynamic duo... sweet and spicy. If you're someone who enjoys hot sauce on everything, reach for a wine with a sweet flavour. For example, try pairing the delicious Bookends Page Turner White from BC with a spicy Pad Thai! The food and wine will compliment each other as the pairing creates balance from the contrasting tastes and flavours.

Rule #4: Sweetness
Moscato, Viognier and Gewürztraminer are wines that may pack a sweet punch, especially when paired with the right dish. Next time you're reaching for one of these varietals or choosing one on a menu, choose a meal that offers sweetness in the dish as well. For example, pairing an aromatic white, like Carmela Sparkling Muscat, with a salad with candied pecans and apples. This is a great example of a congruent pairing, which creates balance between the flavours by amplifying the shared flavour compounds in the wine and food!

Rule #5: Don't be ruled by these rules!
One rule of thumb: Don't be ruled by these rules. We all have different palates and taste and our personal preference matters!

These rules merely scratch the surface on how to create the ultimate food and wine pairing. Want to know more? Check out our events page and find a wine class nearest you to learn more about various varietals and their food companions!

Light Meals and Bright Wines to kick off 2018

Jan 12, 2018

Happy 2018 wine fans! It's a new year of wine exploration and what would that be without pairing some varietals with some fantastic new recipes? Let's face it, after a busy December filled with multiple dinners and parties, the last thing you want is a heavy meal like a burger and fries (for a few days at least). If you're like most people and still feel full from your multiple holiday dinners, fear not - we have three light meal recipes and wine pairings that will help you keep those New Years resolutions while still enjoying that nice glass of vino.

#1 Lean and green!

salmon salad

Although salad is something not everyone wants to reach for when they're hungry, this salad is packed with salmon, capers and cheese - what's not to love? If you have a salty craving, give this recipe a try; with these tasty ingredients, you may even forget its healthy. Our pairing recommendation is the Telegraph Pinot Noir. This medium-bodied pinot is a classic pairing to salmon, and will be a great compliment to the Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups baby arugula

4 oz cooked sockeye wild salmon, skin removed

1 tsp capers, drained

2 tsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp (.25 oz) shaved parmesan

salt and fresh pepper to taste

Directions:

Take the raw salmon and simply season it with a little salt and pepper and cook it for about 10 minutes, either on the grill, broiled, or in a pan lightly sprayed with oil.

Place arugula on a dish, sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper and top with salmon and capers. Drizzle a little oil and vinegar on top and finish off with fresh shaved Parmesan.

#2 Greek out with this rice bowl

med salad

If eating green isn't your idea of dinner (we get it), try this Mediterranean Chicken rice bowl. With so many different flavours and textures you'll get all the satisfaction of eating a hearty meal without all the calories. Try this dish with the Bay and Barnes Sauvignon Blanc! The herbal notes in this light white will be a great match to the savoury Greek salad.

Ingredients

For the Rice:

2 cups long grain rice

3.5 cups water

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons salt

For the Chicken:4 (1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breast halves

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

3 garlic clove, crushed in garlic press or finely chopped

1 teaspoon paprika

1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

For the Hummus:

1 cup canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved

2 garlic cloves

½ teaspoons kosher salt

¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)

Juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)

1 tablespoon water or liquid from the chickpeas

For the Greek Salad:

1 medium head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces, washed, and dried

2 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded, and large dice

1 medium English cucumber, large dice

1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved

½ medium red onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon), plus more as needed

1½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano leaves or ½ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

To make the rice:Wash rice in a large bowl under cold water for 2-5 minutes until the water runs clear. Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes. Boil 3.5 cups of water in a large sauce pan, pour rice and let simmer on low heat for 10 minutes or until the water has dried into the rice and the rice is soft. Place 2 tablespoons of butter on the rice to melt with the heat off, Cover and set aside.

To Make the Chicken:

Combine lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, garlic, paprika, and oregano in large plastic food storage bag.Pierce chicken with fork several times and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add to bag and coat with dressing, marinate 20 minutes or up to two days in the fridge.Remove chicken from bag. Grill or broil for about 5-6 minutes per side. Or, cook in a grill pan over medium-high heat, 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

To make the hummus: Turn on the food processor fitted with the steel blade and drop the garlic down the feed tube; process until it's minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed. Set aside in fridge until ready to serve.

To make the salad:Place the lettuce in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and onion; set aside. Place the oil, measured lemon juice, oregano, measured salt, and pepper to taste in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Pour over the salad and toss to combine. Sprinkle with the feta and serve.

#3 Feel a little chilli?

veg chili

Not all hearty meals need to be heavy. The last recipe is for all the comfort-food lovers (aren't we all?). Packed with wholesome ingredients like beans, corn and peppers this meal is definitely worthy of a cozy night in paired with fuzzy socks and a bottle of La Piuma Chianti. The fresh acidity in the Italian wine with balance out the acidity of the tomatoes in the chili.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves of garlic, finely minced

1-3 tablespoons chili powder (more will be spicier)

2 tablespoons of cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1/4 – 2 teaspoons of chili flakes (the more chili flakes the spicier it will be)

2 peppers, diced (I used 1 red and 1 yellow pepper)

2 carrots, diced

3 stalks of celery, diced

2 – 28oz cans of whole tomatoes and their juice (use your hands to roughly crush the tomatoes)

2 can of beans, drained and rinsed (I used kidney and white beans)

2 cup of frozen corn (you could use fresh but frozen is easy and works great)

Salt to taste (you'll need quite a lot)

Non-veg option: 1/4 cup prawn stock (you won't taste it specifically but it will add richness to the dish)

Optional toppings: sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, diced avocados or green onion.

Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add spices and cook stirring for about 30 seconds.

Add peppers, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they just start to soften. Add tomatoes and their juice and bring to a simmer. Once the chili begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. You want the chili to be at a low simmer with the lid off.

Continue to cook the chili, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add beans and corn and let the chili return to a simmer. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the corn and beans have heated through.

Generously salt to taste.

Serve on its own or topped with one (or all!) of the delicious toppings.

Enjoy!

If you make any of these delicious and healthy meals, tag us!
@EwineBC or @EverythingWineInc

Recipe credits:
Salmon Arugula Salad
Greek Bowl
Chili

Holiday Calorie-Conscious Wine Cocktails!

Dec 22, 2017

Heading into the holiday season means an abundance of festive parties are in your near future. With the schmoozing and socializing of your work holiday party, a friend's holiday party, your aunt's holiday party, etc. most of us have a busy December ahead. Although these holiday parties are a great way to catch up with your colleagues or the special people in your life, we know what comes with these festivities - drinking. The indulgence of sipping on rum and eggnog or mulled wine is certainly something to look forward to every year, but at the same time, those fun and festive cocktails quickly add up. This year we wanted to bring you four delicious specialty wine cocktails that will please your guests or your host, and won't hurt the waistline... too much - this is the holiday season after all. We may be cutting out some calories, but we're keeping all the flavour and festive flare.

Capture

Cocktail 1: Grapefruit Basil Martini
2 basil leaves
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1 ounce sugar-free sweetener syrup
1 3/4 ounces gin
O ne ounce of Riondo Prosecco

In a shaker, muddle basil and syrup. Add syrup and gin and shake hard with ice for 20 seconds. Strain ingredients into a martini glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Cocktail 2: Mimosa
2 ounces Minute Maid Light Orange Tangerine Juice
4 ounces Monte Rosso Brut Sparkling
Juice of 1/2 medium-size orange, or 1 to 2 ounces

Add several ice cubes to a tall glass. Squeeze the juice of the orange into the glass. Pour in orange tangerine juice, followed by champagne. Stir. Garnish with fresh orange rinds, curled.

Cocktail 3: Blueberry Lemon Breeze
10 blueberries
3/4 ounce light agave nectar, available at Whole Foods or other natural foods stores
1 1/2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce of Veuve D'argent Brut Sparkling

In a shaker, muddle together blueberries and agave. Add the gin and lemon juice, then shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain contents of shaker into a martini glass and then top with champagne. Garnish with 3 blueberries on a cocktail stick.

Cocktail 4: Pinot Grigio Melon Ball Spritzer
3 ounces of Il Pardino Pinot Grigio
1 ounce of Sparkling water
Frozen balls of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon
Dash of aromatic lemon bitters
Slice of lemon
Sprig of mint

Scoop out pieces of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew lemon with the melon baller. Freeze them on a baking tray until solid. In a tall, slender glass, add 3 ounces of pinot grigio white wine. It has the fruity flavor of grapefruit and pineapple and a lively finish. Add one ounce of sparkling water Add a dash of aromatic lemon bitters Throw in a few colorful frozen balls of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew lemon. Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint as garnish. Serve and enjoy.

If you create one (or all) of these delicious and festive cocktails this holiday season, we would love to see them! Tag us on instagram or twitter @ewineBC or on Facebook @EverythingWineInc! Happy Holidays!

Wine cocktail recipe Credit:
Fitness Magazine
Cosmopolitan

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Dec 15, 2017

Holi-yay; noun; a warming festive feeling had mostly around the month of December; a feeling one has after the feeling of holiday-panic; verb; feeling suddenly overwhelmed to get all your holiday shopping started and finished in a short period of time. An escalated feeling holiday-panic will occur for holiday-shopping procrastinators.
Although many of us would love to skip over this verb of holiday-panic and straight to the festive feeling of sipping on mulled wine and hanging out under the mistletoe, it is truly a journey to get there. Not only are the pressures of putting on a delicious and festive holiday meal including everyone's dietary restrictions (knowing that someone picks up a new dietary preference every year), there's also the pressure of participating in holly and jolly events, and on top of all of that, finding the perfect presents to show that you truly care about that special someone, family member, etc. Let's be honest, the malls during the holidays are scary and you have a lot on your plate as it is. Luckily, there are always last minute gifts. If you're racking your brain to find the ultimate present for that wine-loving-someone, you've come to the right place. Here are our top 3 gifts for wine lovers...for when you're on a tight schedule.

#1 Everything Wine Gift Baskets
The perfect gift when you just aren't sure what to buy someone, or when you forgot you needed a gift for your holiday party tomorrow. Filled with amazing and delicious festive treats like chocolate truffles, antipasto, biscuits and of course wine, this is definitely a "you should't have" worthy gift. In three different sizes and prices, you'll have the perfect gift for anyone.

christmas baskets

#2 Everything Wine Wine Club
For a wine newbie to a wine expert this gift is perfect for anyone wanting to expand their cellar or try some new varietals. The Wine Club is a fantastic gift offering hand-picked expertly chosen wine as well as tasting notes, and exclusive member promotions. Did we mention it will even be delivered to their door? With a present this nice, you may need to get one for yourself too.

Capture

#3 No host says no to wine!
We all know that a great dinner guest doesn't come empty-handed. With sales on til the end of December, and our knowledgeable staff ready to find the perfect wine to suit any festive holiday party you'll have the bottle (or two) to WOW even the pickiest of hosts. For more details on all of the wine on sale, check out our sales page!

Wine and Doritos Anyone? The Perfect Wine Pairings for your Football Snacks.

Nov 23, 2017

We know what you're thinking, wine and Doritos... it's the pairing you've always been dreaming of but were too scared to admit. Gone are the days where wine is seen as a beverage only to match the food of sophistication and class (although poutine-flavoured chips does sound like a delicacy to us). With the epic football game of the Eagles VS. the Patriots coming this Sunday, we wanted to give you our favourite game-worthy snack and wine combinations! Sit back and let us do the work while you think about what snack to eat first. Stand aside, beer; we have a new perfect combo in town.

Nothing kicks off a Football party quite like the classic appetizer of buffalo wings (or buffalo cauliflower for our veggie-friendly snack fanatics). With a classic appetizer like this, we need a classic pairing of sweet and spicy. Try this with a sweet and ripe Riesling such as our Hogue Riesling - an exclusive to Everything wine!

Next up, we have a guilty pleasure sure to excite any crowd. How about a true companion to any sporting game - a chili cheese hot dog. This is an iconic dish that pairs perfect with watching football and yelling at the TV. It also pairs perfectly with a the McGuigan Private Bin Shiraz. This full bodied red will be a great match as the ripe fruitiness will cut through the fat and balance out any spiciness from the chili.

What would a party be without everyone's go-to dish... pizza! Nothing makes our mouths water quite like the look of bubbling melted cheese. Although great on its own, it's even better with an Italian partner! Try it with our La Piuma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo - a fruit filled red with flavours of black fruits and Asian spices that will create an enjoyable balance to the acidity of the tomato sauce.

Although pizza is always a reliable dish, nothing crowds a kitchen at a party like the old and faithful appetizer of a seven layer dip! With so many flavours its important to find a versatile wine with recognizable flavour such as the Hidden Crush Cabernet Sauvignon. The high acidity in this full bodied red is perfect to cut through fats such as cream and cheese.

Now, it's time to talk about a true party food staple... nachos! Loaded with cheese and an abundance of toppings, you may think this is a tricky snack to find a pairing with so many flavours. We think an all-star pairing to this dish would be the Baron d'Arignac Red. This french blend is fruit-forward with hints of spice, and pairs beautifully with a variety of cheeses, making it the perfect companion to nachos!

Finally, the pairing we've all been waiting for... what wine pairs perfectly with Doritos? The fine and satisfying crunch, the addictive salty taste with the perfect amount of cheesy goodness truly makes it the ultimate snack food on any occasion. To compliment these irresistible flavours, try pairing it with the Telegraph Station Pinot Noir. This lighter red with bright fruit flavours will be a brilliant side-kick to the salty nacho cheese flavour.

For more of these ultimate flavour pairings, check out these articles:
Business Insider
Vine Pair
Food and Wine

Mom's Night In with Everything Wine

Nov 8, 2017

As a parent of two young children, gone are the days (or should I say nights) out on the town until two in the morning, dancing and drinking with friends. These have been replaced with family movie nights, playing card games and earlier bedtimes, as we all know kids don’t grasp sleeping in the morning after mom and dad have had a night out.

I recently celebrated turning another year older and decided a night out wasn’t really on my wish list. However, marking the occasion with a couple mom friends was. So I put together what I called “Mom’s Night In” and hosted a blind wine tasting.

If you haven’t done a blind wine tasting before, let me tell you, you are missing out. They are very easy to execute and extremely fun to partake in. In the past, I have done them for my dad’s 60^th birthday and my best friend’s bachelorette party. I usually choose a region known for it’s wine and get 4 – 6 bottles that vary in price point (usually from around $10 to $35). Pair the wine up with an assortment of meat, cheeses and fruit and you are set up for a pretty fabulous evening.

In prepping for this little tasting party, I decided to try out Everything Wine, as I had heard great things about them from a friend. They are one of BC’s wine leaders, with four stores, including a new beautiful location in Vancouver at the River District. Their spaces are welcoming, well organized and staffed with wine experts that can help you find exactly that you are looking for.

Capture

More importantly, if you can’t make it to the store, Everything Wine offers online ordering. Yes, you heard me right…you can order wine on their website and it can be delivered straight to your door! As a busy mom of two, anything that can make my life more efficient is right up my alley. Especially if it involves wine.

Capture

I tried out their online ordering system and I was highly impressed by it’s ease of use. The Everything Wine website was straightforward and easy to navigate. While I love to drink wine, it is usually gifted to me or I go with my usual favorites. What I liked about the site was the search function. I could enter a price point, region and wine type and it would generate a list of wines I could choose from to add to my cart. It also offered up suggestions about other brands I may like based on my choices.

Capture

For my Mom’s Night In, I placed an order for 4 bottles of red wine from around British Columbia. I tried to keep the flavoring similar, selecting a couple Cabernets and a couple blends, yet ensured they were different price points. It is always fun to see which wine guests rate highest without knowing the price or brand. Once the wine arrived (again right to my front door within a day of ordering), I gave each bottle a number and covered them with labels I created from brown craft paper (you can print your own labels using my printable below).

Capture

I did a simple table setup with a bit of greenery and seasonal décor. Once my friends were settled, they were each given a tasting card I created (see the free printable below), where throughout the night they could take notes and rate the wines they were enjoying. Of course, if they thought the wines were top notch, they could fill in 5 out of the 5 bottles on their card. If they felt otherwise, they could rate them lower.

Capture

It was a wonderful evening full of delicious wine and food paired with great conversations. Between the four of us, it was hard to determine what we felt was the best wine of the night. Nonetheless, as mothers, we sure did enjoy some of the names. Because after a long day, who doesn’t want to indulge and just say “Screw It”.

Capture

So with the holidays coming up, I urge you to do you own wine tasting and more importantly, check out Everything Wine for all your needs. Just think how easy hosting guests come Thanksgiving and Christmas becomes when you can select your wine online and have it delivered! Cheers to simplicity!

You can enter to win a $50 gift card for Everything Wine and get a head start on your holiday entertaining list. Simply check out the ways to enter below. Several easy ways to enter!

Please note that this contest is now closed.

FREE PRINTABLES

Wine Tasting Notes Card

Wine Label 1

Wine Label 2

Wine Label 3

Wine Label 4

Blog

A Sip of History - Gambero Rosso

Spotlight on Everything Wine Vintages Room Expert, Si Man Lee

Top 3 Wine Apps for Your Smartphone

People are finally getting over what Paul Giamatti said about Merlot

5 Rules of Wine Pairing!

Light Meals and Bright Wines to kick off 2018

Ingredients

Instructions

Holiday Calorie-Conscious Wine Cocktails!

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Wine and Doritos Anyone? The Perfect Wine Pairings for your Football Snacks.

Mom's Night In with Everything Wine

List of stores

About

Help

Contact Us