A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

’13 “One Ball” Chardonnay From Australia’s BK Wines

IMG_0492-(1)

January 26th is Australia Day. While one could predictably celebrate our Commonwealth cousins by breakfasting with vegemite, knocking mates for six on the pitch, or cracking a Coopers Pale Ale, I recommend instead a toast with this stunning chardonnay – a right reminder of how ripper New Oz wines are.

BK Wines 2013 One Ball Chardonnay | Adelaide Hills, Australia | $35

Named in honour of the vineyard owner (yup), this striking, higher altitude, organically farmed chardonnay from One Ball Vineyard will cement Adelaide Hills in your mind for cool climate, concentrated and complex Aussie wines. Of course, a big part of that is Brendon Keys, founder and winemaker of BK Wines, and a leading proponent of hand-crafted, site-specific wines from this exciting region.

“Made with love, not money”, this concentrated chardy carries one year in ten percent new French and the remainder in two and three-year-old barriques/puncheons allowing the fruit to strike through the wood with a laser beam of citrus and mineral acidity. Whole bunch pressing and wild yeast (no additives) amps up the complexity, with heady orchard pear and apple, lemon, subtle meadow honey, broken stones, roasted nuts and a herbal, earthy cushion of lees to support.

With a couple of years under its belt and a nutty, brioche maturity, this wine is drinking beautifully now but will continue to mature and deepen with 5+ years.

The Timely ‘Campfire’ Cocktail At Nomad On Main Street

This is a deliciously spicy little number of Eagle Rare bourbon, dry gin and dry vermouth complicated by ginger syrup, Angostura bitters and charred citrus. The potent, aromatic mix is then poured into a smoke filled rocks glass for the win.

South Africa’s Blankbottle 2015 ‘Moment Of Silence’

Seek and taste now, because there’s every assurance this exact wine will never be again. For the better. Crazy good value for this level of everything.

Brilliant, Food Friendly ‘Red Pilsner’ From Steel & Oak

Despite all the hop bombs, delectably balanced pale ales, and brett-conditioned saisons the organizers had secured, many of the bearded beer geek set in attendance preferred the nuanced charms of Occidental's perfectly executed Bohemian-style lager...

‘Sons Of Vancouver’ Coffee Liqueur — Launches Today

Without naming names, I can tell you this is NOTHING like that coffee liqueur that Mom spikes her morning cup of coffee with over the holidays...