DISCOUNT WINE CELLARS

Functions involving the drinking, purchasing, and/or tasting of wine are held frequently around Salmon Arm and are often associated with fundraising. Running such an event involves many considerations, including licensing.
On the February 13th I will be working at the Chocolate and Diamonds Gala for Mara Station Retreat Centre and I would say that one of the most confusing aspects of arranging this thing is the liquor licensing. It's all worked out, but not without some confusion.
The lady who is serving wine is named Lynn, from Recline Ridge, and you couldn't ask for a better person to work with. Patient? Her name should be in the dictionary under the word. Licensing is different for every event she goes to because some are hosted in places which already serve alcohol or which have licenses for such events. Then there are special events where organizers need to get one-night licenses, try to predict the amount of wine to be sold, find out how much will be on the premises (opened or not, doesn't matter). Lynn has her serve-it-right certification (which says that she knows not to hold your wine glass on the inside or sneeze in it) but was not a member of our organization, which meant that even if she has a liquor license it wouldn't matter. Then we were going to get a license for the Mara Station Retreat Society, until Ginny, the Executive Director, had the fabulous idea of making Lynn a member. Genius. Now all I know is that the matter is 'in hand' as they say.
So, the main thing is that one can still come to our fundraiser, win a diamond pendant to give as a gift to that special someone (or mom), purchase something for the wine cellar knowing your money is spent on good wine for an even better cause, and go home happy. Put it this way: if you plan on running an event involving wine, never assume anything, don't put me in charge, and book Lynn.

Labels: 48 bottle corner wine cellar, Recline Ridge, Valentines Day wine charms, wine charity

Right on a beautiful stretch of river, frequented by swans and many other birds, in the quiet village of Mara is the Mara Station Retreat Centre. Here residential retreats are offered for people living with life-threatening illness and their partners or caregivers. Participants learn pain management techniques, meditation, nutrition and much more. The idea is to live with joy and meaning throughout life, no matter how little time one might have left.
The cost of retreats is high because of the professionals running seminars, the resources, the organic foods etc. The Society is non-profit. That's why they do fundraising, including a Chocolate and Diamonds Gala this Saturday the 13th in Salmon Arm, BC, at our elegant art gallery. There will be chocolate tasting, ballroom dancing, wine sold by the glass or the bottle by Recline Ridge (who are also donating a silent auction basket), a live auction, music, and the chance to win a diamond pendant.
I'm definitely going, but not because of the diamond pendant (worth $500 and donated by Enderby Jewellers), but because I'm on the fundraising committee and will be liasing with the MC, my friend Ron Langridge. I will also be dressing-up which is always fun, even when you're not a kid anymore. In fact, moreso because I hardly ever have cause to dress in anything but jeans and my favourite hoodie. I'll be wearing a low-cut strappy black dress, but don't let that scare you.
The communities of Salmon Arm, Enderby, Mara and others have been very generous in donating items for the silent and live auctions, plus goodies to taste. Most people relate to the Society's purpose since hardly anyone has not been touched by cancer, MS, Alzheimers or some other terrible disease. But even though the topic is serious, that doesn't mean we can't have fun, buy some great wine for our cellars, indulge in chocolate, or win a wonderful Valentine's Day gift for someone (just in the nick of time).
Which timing is usual for Valentine's Day, isn't it?

Labels: 96 bottle instant wine cellar, British Columbia, chocolate, diamonds, Discount Wine Cellars, Valentines Day wine charms, wine cellars, wine charity

Not long ago I began commentary on the race between 'Booze Monkey' of Australia and America's 'Palate Press' who are racing to see who could raise more money for Haiti through their respective wine auctions. Their efforts are going strong, and I am seeing more regular movement in the bidding again. I'm pretty sure that Palate Press is ahead of Booze Monkey; then again, Palate Press started first and Booze Monkey has finite deadlines rather than creating 'hot lots' after an item hasn't had action for 24 hours. Urgency spurs actions, I say, whether physical or financial.
Items that have enjoyed frequent friendly bidding have included the Cakebread Cellars mixed case, valued at $536. This case includes Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfadel. The current bid is $400. Lot 29, Fox Run Vineyards Mixed Case valued at $160, looks like it might go for $150. A Zugibe Vineyards case of 2007 Riesling (yum) could go for it's retail value: $195.
Booze Monkey isn't seeing as much action as Palate Press, but their catalogue has grown from 5 pages to 7. If bidding stopped right now, bidders would get some wonderful deals. Penfold's Grange Shiraz Magnum 2004, signed by winemaker Peter Gago, is worth $2000. Right now the bid has moved from a recent $960 to $1010 (Australian Dollar). A Castagna Mixed Dozen worth $789 might be sold for $370. Dogpoint Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007, 12 bottles worth $500, has seen a bit of action: $230 has gone up to $240.
What I have to remind myself as I see valuable wine and related items graciously donated from the cellars of generous men and women almost being given away is that this money will all go to Haiti. The attitude of organizers and donors is that whatever they get will be thankfully received.
Still, I hope that the value of many of the lots on offer will inspire the public to bid high and from the heart. Wow, that sounds really sappy.
Just hand over your *&%#$ money. No, too Bob Geldof. Not me at all.
Please tell everyone you know about these auctions which combine fun with fundraising in a community that appreciates what is on the block. Or should I say, on the wine rack?

Labels: 6 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, big bottle wine cellars, Chardonnay, Discount Wine Cellars, Haiti relief, Riesling, United States, wine charity, wood wine racks

I don't know why, but New Hampshire wasn't the first place I thought of when considering where there might be a wine festival. Still, in retrospect, the location makes sense when I recall that it is January. Winter wine should be consumed at a wintery location. Their festival started mid-January but continues into mid-February, even encompassing Valentine's Day while they're at it.
If this gets you interested, then take note: the website shows many events sold out, and while Feb. 14th isn't yet, it probably soon will be so take your girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse/grandmother there before space runs out. The title is 'Veuve Clicquot Champagne Grand Vintner's Dinner with Chef Pierre Gignac of 98 Provence'. The reception is at 6pm with a four course dinner beginning at 7pm. A little late for me, but then if I was there, my stomach would still say it was only mid-afternoon, so perfect really. The cost is steep: $129.95 per/person, and although we on the west coast are behind by the clock, we count money the same way. Still, the plan is to create a 'Sweetheart Menu' which, at that price, has to include chocolate in some way. Otherwise what kind of a Valentine's gift would that make?
There are lots of dinners at the wine festival with high prices and gourmet chefs attached. There is also the chance to purchase wine at outlet prices if you arrive on February 7th from 1-4. Fill your wine cellar with the good stuff you can't normally afford. Another cheaper event is the regular 'Flight Night' happening every Tuesday-Thursay from 5-7pm at the Roosevelt's Lounge. Here you can sample free hors d'ouevres and have wine paired with them by guest professionals. The price is from $10-$18 per/night depending on the wines selected.
Then start counting down: spring isn't far away.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Discount Wine Cellars, gifts, gourmet food, Valentine's Day, wine cellars, wine festival, wine pairing

In the movies, characters hold, pour, purchase and drink wine all the time. Bridget Jones gets totally plastered with the stuff in her apartment. Steve Martin is the sarcastic wine waiter to Miss Piggy and Kermit. Hannibal Lecter creeps everyone out with his pairing of human organs and chianti. Thanks to that one scene, I have never kept chianti in my wine cellar (even though the movie came out when I was barely old enough to drink).
Then there are the movies whose plots are wrapped-up in wine. I've talked about Sideways before, but that's only the most well-known. A Good Year, with Russel Crowe and Albert Finney, was adapted for the screen in 2006 from the writings of Peter Mayle, famous for A Year in Provence (a good book by the way). Russel Crowe's character inherits his uncle's estate and vineyard in Provence which he initially plans to sell, until he falls in love with the lifestyle and a woman. I wonder what seeing Russel Crowe in a Provence vineyard did for sales of French wine in the USA?
At Sachem Farm (1998) sees a character played by Rufus Sewell trying to sell-off his family's wine collection to purchase a mining interest, which of course leads to conflict (there wouldn't be a plot otherwise). The cast also includes Minnie Driver.
The 2008 film Bottle Shock goes all the way back to 1976 and a proposed contest between Napa Valley and French wines. Paris Sommelier Steven Spurrier (played by the wonderful Alan Rickman) meets interesting characters including Jim, a vintner going deep into debt as he tries to perfect his chardonnay. You might recognize Chris Pine (Captain James T. Kirk in the new Star Trek franchise) and Bill Pullman (You Kill Me, While You Were Sleeping).
Appealing leading men plus wine: sounds like a good gift to treat yourself with this weekend.

Labels: 48 bottle wine cellar, big bottle wine cellars, chardonnay glasses, chianti, Discount Wine Cellars, movies, napa valley, Sideways

No sooner do I say that the 'Trebbiano' is a must-try on my 2010 list, when I find out that this is supposedly a mediocre grape producing only mediocre, forgettable wine. At least, this is according to most of the articles I have read regarding the grape. Based on percentages, I would say that the trebbiano is not a generally admired Italian grape. Still, this would appear to be the most prolific of all white wine grapes, grown all over Italy but particularly in the central parts, with high yields and a hardy fruit. The French call it the Ugni Blanc (uh, that name again, the one that sounds like Ugly Blank). The Ugni Blanc is the most widely planted white grape in France. Consequently, although I had never heard of the grape, I may have stored some in my wine cellar at one time or another.
Perhaps as brandy. Trebbiano grapes are used as a base for brandy, especially Cognac. Nope, never tried the stuff. Always looks pretty in a decanter, but smells like it might put hairs on my chest. Alright then, what about White Shiraz or White Hermitage, as the grape is sometimes known in Australia? No? My experiences with Australian wine have tended towards the very dry, which has put me off and I am avoiding Australian wine for the time being.
How is it that a wine reviewer, even a relative newbie, has not drunk a glass of the most widely grown white wine grape in Italy, France, perhaps the entire world? Is it possible? I get to say something many of us have only wished:
I don't think I'm drinking enough.

Labels: 192 bottle instant wine cellar, Australia, big bottle wine cellars, bishop decanter, brandy, Discount Wine Cellars, Italy, south of france, Trebbiano, white wine reviews

Though you may not hear the subject of 'wine in the Bible' tackled by your priest or pastor, the pulpit is where only a portion of the talking at church happens. Much is discussed before we move from lobby to sanctuary to hear the worship music. Over the pouring of coffee or the signing-in of children to nursery or Sunday School, a whole week may be reviewed between two parents. Even Monday to Saturday our church is a busy place, where I am often asked by someone 'so you're a writer? And what do you write about?'
Since I'm in church, the answer makes me blush. Not all folks of faith are sanguine about the topic of alcohol consumption, even within the same denomination. For this reason, when I was asked this question recently, my response was mumbled and I made no eye contact.
'Why are you so shy about it, dear? Wine is found throughout the Bible! I mean, it was Jesus's first miracle, turning water to wine!' In fact, this lovely lady told me that wine was among the topics in their most recent Bible Study series. She got very excited about the subject.
Phew. Then maybe she won't mind that I sometimes hand my friend a partially drunk bottle of wine on Sunday mornings before the service, to take home of course, and totally wrapped-up. Not to drink on the spot, we meet at 9:00 am for crying out loud. And, I mean, it's not like I have plans to install a wine cellar in my church basement or sell wine racks in the lobby.
Perhaps I should propose a series of wine tastings in the church library, see what kind of reaction that gets. I wonder if the Deacons have a sense of humor.

Labels: 222 bottle premium glass holder wine rack, 48 bottle wine cellar, big bottle wine cellars, church, Discount Wine Cellars