From farm to long table
Scenic Mount Currie and Pemberton’s North Arm Farm are the backdrop for Araxi Restaurant and Oyster Bar’s Eighth Annual Longtable Dinner on Aug. 19.
It’s a full-on farm-to-table dining experience, from a lively barnside cocktail reception to a multi-course dinner served family-style in the field. Il Caminetto’s executive chef James Walt, Araxi’s executive chef Quang Dang, and Bar Oso’s chef Jorge Munoz Santos will craft the menu that features the best picks of the day with tastes from each of their signature restaurants and wine pairings orchestrated by restaurant director Neil Henderson and his stellar team.
Tickets are $250, all taxes and tips included, at araxi.com/ longtable.
On Aug. 22, Liberty Wine Merchants presents its second Annual East Van Cider Fest in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the 25,000 people in need they help each week.
All proceeds from ticket sales, silent auctions and door prizes go directly to support the food bank society. The evening, spotlighting local cider, mead and spirits from across the province, with tasty bites from local businesses, takes place at the Wise Hall at 1882 Adanac St., just off Commercial Drive, 7-9 p.m.
It’s a fun way to spend a summer evening and tickets are a reasonable $29.99, plus a nonperishable food donation. Tickets are available at all Liberty Wine Merchants locations.
B.C. WINE OF THE WEEK
Averill Creek Somenos Series Pinot Noir 2015, Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island
$38 | 91/100
UPC: 626990230182 Cowichan Valley’s Averill Creek is hitting it out of the park with this Pinot, one that was very good last year and even better in 2015. The colour is on the darkish side, leading with a spicy, black-cherry nose lifted with black raspberries and forestfloor notes. The palate is medium weight with silky, refined textures and savoury, red fruit flavours throughout. Long and complex, this will change your thinking about Island wines. Well done, Averill Creek; all we need is a piece of grilled sockeye salmon.
WINE FOR THE CELLAR
LaStella Fortissimo 2016, Okanagan Valley
$29.99 | 92/100
UPC: 808755017126
Fortissimo is a few percentage points short on Merlot content (76) to be considered a solo varietal Merlot offering. But add some Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and you get something special. Plums, spiced fruitcake and savoury, dusty, south Okanagan notes attract. The palate is a controlled riot of black and red fruits the latter adding a juicy aspect to this classy red that wraps up with a drier, nutty umami note in the finish. An impressive red with big food possibilities and aging potential into 2022 and beyond. Bravo Osoyoos.