"T"

Thanks for the advice, time to do a bit of research in the local wine shops.

Not yet.

Craig: What are the better wines available in NA from Campania? I was fortunate enough to spend a week on the coast near Positano and some of the local wines we had in restaurants and what was given to us by locals were wonderful. Although it may also have been the Sea, food, sun, hospitality and the fact that I wasn't spending another day in the Vancouver rain. When I asked for wines I meant specific producers and or labels.

Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject Marina. As a student of wine, myself, I am constantly being reminded of the fact that the South of France, principly Languedoc/Rousillon is the up and coming area for quality grapes and the vinification of fine wines. One of the hand in glove aspects of regional wine has always been regional food. My question is what are the main differences between the regions of Languedoc/Rousillon, Andorra, The Basque and what are the main similarities? Also, since many southern wine growers are changing viticulture as well as viniculture practices into what can be termed "new world style",how is this changing the traditional matches of foods with local wines? Thanks.

Ahhhhh yes, the combo platter. You clever and me not so smaaaat.

What? Basenjis? Either you are very clever or me not so smaaat.

It seems odd that a plot of land can be picked for a few hours without anyone noticing or at least a dog barking to alert someone.

Savigny-les- Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Guettes 1999 Mediun garnet at core fading to light red at the rim. Sharp leafy characters initially on the nose giving way to cherry, strawberry and cinnamon. Medium acid and slightly lower tannin on the palate. Smooth and supple mouthfeel. Palate mimics the nose with cherry flavours along with light floral, toasted cinnamon component in the finish. Length that goes on and on and on. Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee AC Aux Reas 1999 Medium to medium dark red at the core fading to red just at the rim. Medium intense to well pronounced aromas of cherries and stewed plums on the nose. Medium + acidity and slightly lower tannin. Palate mimics the fruit but more so. Also floral, spice, earthy components galore. Much more body than the Savigny. Wonderful mouthfeel, jammy fruit and well balanced. A wonderful wine that was fine to drink now but will keep for years still. Progressing well, hope to try again every 18 months until it runs out, which is in another 36 months.

Personally, I love Italian wines, Brunello, Chianti Classico well made S Tuscans but right now I'm all about Burgundy. The subtle complexities and depth of the wines from Vosne Romanee send my palate in so many directions I don't know how to start writing notes. Although, I am sure once I start shopping I'll fall of the Grand Cru, Premier Cru bandwagon and crawl apoligetically back to Tuscany.

Ahhhhhhh..... Makes me proud to say I live in Vancouver. So glad everyone had a good time. Interesting how you said Cioppino's was perferred over Babbo's. When the exchange rate is considered it must of seemed like a bargin.

Great notes. The pairing of the mushroom quiche and the Zind- Humbrecht PG sounds as though they were meant for each other, although, some sweet caramalized onions and smoked bacon makes everything better

One question. Why is a Primitivo grown in Puglia, native to Puglia and bottled in Puglia come under the I.G.T. designation and not DOC or DOCG?

Is this the Red or the Blanc? We currently have the Beaucastel Blanc 1999 on our reserve list and it seems to be drinking well. The slightly higher than ideal temperature storage would be more my concern. I say DRINK IT! I think wine is meant to produce pleasure and not anxiety. When I worked at a specialty wine shop I was always amused by customers that were SO bent out of shape about drinking a bottle at the EXACT NANOSECOND IN THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM that it was at it's "peak". I don't think anyone, even the best trained sommeliers on earth, have ever been able to determine that moment for any given bottle, and I don't think any of us will ever learn a thing about wine unless we occasionally drink something "before" it's prime or "after" it's prime. How do you know the difference if you haven't tasted wine in all stages of evolution? Just my .02, but the anxiety that people have over this never ceases to amaze me. Katie: The Beaucastel Blanc is such a beautifull wine. Full rich flavours of honeydew, cantalope,spice, lemon zest. Yummy. The 2001 are also very good to drink right now but I feel will age for a good 8-10 more years. Good call.

Mamster: Try the wines from Cadillac. On the other side of the river Garonne. They make a sweet wine similar in style to Sauternes and much cheaper.

I am not sure what is meant by this. Do they want a special classification or are they saying that they have figured out how to make a good bottle of CC. Or do they need a reason to start asking for more money? Personally, I love CC and find it gets better and better as the years go by so my question is, what do they want? Strict rules that all must obey so CC has a particular style?

Craig: I was just teasing with the Argiano thing But If DOC and DOCG are all messed up where does that leave IGT? And Is it that the laws are all over the map or is enforcement lacking? And Could it be that only a small percentage of Italians care about DOC/DOCG/IGT, most just want to live a good life and take the family to the beach in August which is why things don't change?

Argiano Barolo?

Great article Craig. Yes, Italian wine laws are not real laws but more loosely written guidelines. On one hand it bothers me because unless I have had a certain wine from a producer or have read vinification techniqes used I don't know what to expect once the bottle is opened. On the other hand I enjoy doing research and reading as much as I can on wine styles of different regions. Until Itailian wine laws become strictly enforced nothing will change. Mind you, if once they decide to take laws seriously I am sure prices will increase dramatically. Good for producers, not so good for consumers. Buyer beware, or at least, buyer be informed.

It seems as though this is just another case of spreading oneself too thin. It is unfortunate but it happens to many companies. Methinks they are thanking their lucky stars the French chased them out of Languedoc otherwise they may have another Luce, Southern France style.

Pixelchef: Grow up. Don't turn this into an East vs West thing. Feenie made the mistake of talking to a member of the media off the record(like that happens), and was quoted. As far as Susur is concerned if a party orders food and wine to go with a meal you would think the server would figure out what wines go with what dish.

Here we go again, stirring up the past. The media will never let Feenie forget an afternoon spent with Ms Gill. Perhaps Ms Gill only enjoys reporting on the dirt side of Vancouvers food scene. Cityfoods wasn't any better. It's hard to build community when the community tears itself down at every opprutunity. It was an unfortunate affair for all three restaurants and Chefs.

La Regalade is a bistro. Great for lunch, especially in the summer on the back patio, but if you want fine dining as an evening meal Le Crocodile is a better choice. The Pear Tree was nice but at the same time it didn't thrill me. My favorite is still Lumiere. I am not a wealthy man so yeah, that wine list still bugs me.

Australian Shiraz are sooooooo tasty they only last at the most 3 years with me. But I'm working on it. Perhaps a 12 step is in order.

To be honest, I enjoy not knowing what grape or grapes are used in a bottle. For me that is the purpose for buying all the different books on wine whether they be about Languedoc, Burgundy, Rhone Valley, or that other place in France......ummmmmmm Bordeaux, yeah that's it. It's all about self education and becoming a better person. I suppose for the passive wine buyer it matters but then maybe not. How would someone who doesn't understand the wine world know what to expect from a grape. Just because they had a right bank Bordeaux doesn't mean they will enjoy a merlot grown in Languedoc. Chablis is very different from Chardonnay grown in the south. But if you like Chablis you will buy Chablis. Oh man, I've had too much to drink. Does this make any sense at all? Chateau de Flaugergues Cuvee la Sommelier Coteaux du Languedoc 1999 TN another time. Good night.

I tried the swirling counter then clockwise. You are mad!!! But then I am drunk. But really, I didn't notice any difference.