Get set to salute sake

The Third Annual Vancouver Sake Fest takes place Sept. 27 at The Imperial on 319 Main St.

Presented by The Sake Association of British Columbia, it is the largest sake-tasting event ever held in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Over 100 sakes of varying styles representing sake makers across Japan, Canada and the United States will be poured. Consumers are invited to an evening tasting from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 at sakebc.ca.

There’s still time to celebrate the Hart House special Throwback Menu that pays homage to some classic dishes from the restaurant’s past.

To Sept. 30, dinner guests can enjoy a menu that salutes the Burnaby Lake landmark lovingly run by Paul and Carol Smolen. Executive chef Mike Genest has updated several of the classic dishes served over that era and guests can choose either a two-course (appetizer and main, or main and dessert) or threecourse (appetizer, main and dessert) option.

For the full menu and pricing go to harthouserestaurant.com. Reservations are recommended at 604-298-4278.

B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK

Volcanic Hills Merlot 2013, Okanagan Valley

$21.69 | 88/100

UPC: 626990199618

The 2013 is just hitting its stride. Expect a pleasant plummy, dark fruit nose with a savoury spicy underbrush note. The palate is juicy with a mix of dark plums and blackberries but all in balance with a fresh finish and light dusty tannins. Ready to drink now and would be a fine accompaniment to a mushroom pasta dish.

WINE FOR THE CELLAR

Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2015, Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France $335.99 | 97/100

UPC: 03105710150155

I’ve been lucky to taste some great bottles of Hermitage La Chapelle over my lifetime including the 1961, 1978, 1990, 2009 and the 2010, but it is clear the 2015 will easily rank among the best 20 years from now. This Syrah comes with all the pedigree of the outstanding hill of Hermitage. The tannins are rich, firm and dense, but with polish suggesting this wine will age gracefully, allowing collectors to open a bottle or two along the way to measure its progress. It’s concentrated but with a streak of acidity/minerality and stones to keep it taut and focused. Floral black fruits, pepper, black olive in a spare manner. Understatement, freshness and length add up to a wine that will be worth the wait a decade or two from now. Try to find a way to put a couple of bottles down today.