James Kendal

That's a very strange video experience.

You would think that the prices have come down considering the exchange rate but I have yet to see it really happen here.

Alderlea make some fine wines. I agree with your description of their Pinot Noir. However, at close to $40 a bottle - double it if you're in a restaurant - I won't be buying their product with any frequency (when I can choose from a world of great wines for half the price). Memo - dreaming of the day the BCL will bring in a $12.00 Bierzo ← The regular 2003 Pinot was released from the winery for $22 and the Reserve 2003 Pinot was $35. Worth the price, IMHO, when you start looking at what Pinot Noirs cost from Oregon, New Zealand and Burgundy. The regular Alderlea Pinot is an excellent buy.

And just what kind of grass are you talking about....LOL

Interesting thread so far. If one is looking for inexpensive wines to drink daily (let's say under $17) then it is probably best to look at imports from Spain, Argentina, Chile etc. They way I look at B.C. wines is for quality at or around the $20 price point and up and I assess the wines relative to price and typicality of the varietal. I then consider the style of the wine maker. Cedar Creek, for example, makes extracted wines, lots of wood and lots of stuffing, but the prices are somewhat of a premium $30-40, but they are worth it. What can you get from California for under $40 that has any kind of pedigree. Lately, Golden Mile (Merlot, Pinot), Herder (Twin Bench Chard, Pinot Gris), Laughing Stock (meritage), Inniskillin (discovery series), Black Hills, Burrowing Owl (Cab Sauv), Blue Mountain Stripe wines and bubbles are all exceptional wines, well made and well justified in price. I will admit that the greenness can be found in immature vines, poor vineyard management decisions, and or, overall lack of ripe fruit but usually we get the opportunity to taste these wines before we buy them (i.e. trade tastings etc). I also feel that some of our B.C. wineries should focus more on a handful of wines and stop trying to make so many different selections. Determine what works best in the vineyard and focus on that varietal. As for pricing... well I guess it comes down to supply and demand although a more liberal liquor board could probably help bring down the prices but with the BCLDB current expansion of VQA selections and their willingness to now cover the cost of shipping of B.C. wines, will not happen any time soon. One last point, I have a lot of respect for Blue Mountain and Black Hills for maintaining their pricing after many years on the market. Don't tell them that though.

Interestingly, my neighbor uses a water condensor and makes his own water every day.

Considering how much it is raining outside why not put some buckets outdoors and collect some free water

BC wineries give up more % to sell to the Board. I can't fathom why Quails Gate et al would sell their reserve wines to the board. The Liquor Board is going to continue to expand the BC selections and will fight for more allocation as this is one of the biggest areas for growth. Thank God the smaller concerns don't play with the big boy i.e. Kettle Valley, Blue Mountain, Laughing Stock etc. It's really only the wineries producing large amounts (more than 10,000 cases) that are giving in. Just my opinion. P.S. still recovering from a recent trip to Maui where I was buying wines on restaurant lists that were on par with board prices : ( Further thought: if the BCLDB is not going to privatize then they should consider modifying the distribution system to allow for consignment like the LCBO. At a minimum we would see more interesting wines in the system and less corporate wines.

One thing that would help along the privatization battle would be for BC wineries to boycott the Liquor Board. BC wineries can sell direct, to your local PRIVATE store and to the VQA stores.

I think NU would also fit the bill. I had dinner and drinks there last week and the whole room seems geared towards small plates and cocktails etc.

I would like to chime in on this discussion as there are changes afoot at CCRA regarding tips and they are gearing up to go after employer source deductions on tips and if CCRA audits you for previous years they will seek those deductions. We have just gone through an audit as well as a number of other hotels on the Island. Restaurants are low on the radar at this point as CCRA is not prepared to go full tilt (yet) as they could create a liability for Employment Insurance. Where you (the owner) needs to be careful is how you handle the tips. If you are withholding any cash for more than 24 hours CRA assumes that you are controlling tips. As well, if you the owner, are dictating the way tips are paid out to the house that could also be deemed as control so you should be careful about this. If you have an autograts on groups or large parties then these tips are contracted and you have to pay GST and T4 these tips. Several years ago Sooke Harbour House fought an assessment in court and lost, which is public information. This has created a precedent in the courts which the CRA is using. However, there is still no definitive legislation at this time. My only advice is to be careful with: 1. Tip out to the house 2. Group tips and auto tips which can be assessed for GST and source deductions. 3. Withholding tips for any period of time. We are currently appealing an assessment and I will let you know the outcome. Cheers,

Brian, I think you may also be successful touring the Sannich, Metchosin, and the Cowichan Valley. You will find many more farms than the Okanagan.

OUCH! Just picked up a liquor order for the Aerie today and the Macallan 18 Year just went from $135 to $252 per bottle since the last time I bought a bottle. Did a price check on the web and found it in the states for $112. One day we will have a free market : )

For seekers of tea-drinking trivia, Canada officially ceased to be a British colony with the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931. Para los buscadores del trivia te'-que bebi'a, Canadá dejó oficialmente de ser una colonia británica con el paso del estatuto de Westminster en 1931. Memo, from the land of trivial pursuits ← And for those who may be confused by the non-official language bilingual noticia (que beuno), please note that it is British Columbia, not British Colombia... ← Deborah, Love the play on New Order's "Power, Corruption and Lies" Album.

THis is a really funny thread. In my opinion, Tourism Victoria should do everything they can to get away from the Englishness of Victoria and the stiff upper lip of longstockings that settled here and turned us in to a nimbie paradise with a tweed curtain. The Terrace at the Empress is far more enjoyable than the tea service. As for afternoon Tea, try the Grand Pacific Hotel. Awesome selection of rare teas and great tea pots (note: my wife is the restaurant manager so there is some bias). White Heather is good and for a great introduction to Tea and a very cool spot check out Silk Road Tea on Gov't Street, kitty corner to China Town. If your coming up Island, stop at the Aerie and ask for James and I will buy you an afternoon tea. We have a great selection of Tea from "T" and we serve French Madelaines (sic).