In Vino Veritas!

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Culinary Capers recently held their 20th anniversary party at the Hycroft Mansion in Vancouver. It was interesting from an: all BC, all micro-farmed, all the leaves are orange and it's fall decor inside the ballroom -- food sampling perspective, but the crowd was a bit lame. Not sure if that's just a typical Vancouver party thing or if it was a Tuesday night thing. Although I did see my favourite MAC make-up artist and indie-jeweler connection Chantale Walker there with her sister and half of Holt's. And we met these fun guys that work at EA. But really lame-o! Especially the bartender, who tried to educate me on higher-end wines and how they "taste different." I almost spit my wine into the wine-spitting bucket (.. there must be a name for it). He was a bit rude.

Anyhow, let's talk about the yummy food and the even better wine, which by the way rocked to the moon. I met a very lovely gentleman -- John Clerides who is actually the owner of Marquis Wines on Davie. John -- not only so graciously poured the crimson happiness into my bottomless Riedel-- but he did it with such care that I almost felt guilty drinking it -- but alright, I got over the it and drank. L'Chaim!

What did I love? Tres Ojos..Tempranillo from Spain. Wine description terms: warm and yummy with hints of cherry and oak. I think. The 2004 Le Roc de Anges was filled with spicy licorice scents and had lots of "power and density." There was a BC Cabernet Merlot, Hester I believe, that was lovely and complimented the smoked organic beef tenderloin with Chilliwack corn (not just for the BBQ) and also went awesome with the bite-sized duck crostini. Delicious.

My friend Robyn Newman, who happens to be one of the best singers I've ever worked with was sipping on the Iniskillin Chenin Blanc 2004 --a nice mellow white -- while she nibbled, no actually she gobbled (sorry Robyn -- luv ya!) the Agassiz Farmhouse camembert with organic honey and apples as a side. Equally loved the prosciutto, however the oyster shooter was not a winner. Why the cucumber jelly Culinary Capers? Why? The little shot glasses that they were served in were extremely cute, but I would just rather have my oysters the traditional way.

Moving through the rooms, there are many different themed rooms in the Hycroft, the solarium housed the goods. Gaucho style BBQ that featured roasted lamb and pepper New York striploin served with a tangy red wine rosemary reduction and chimichurri sauce (parsley, olive oil, garlic, salt/pepper and paprika).

To end on a good note, and all good things do/must come to an end (unfortunately and definitely in my experience), the deconstructed s'mores KILLED (that's really good for all you hipsters) the show. Think camping and roasting marshmallows in Pemberton meets the Waldorf Astoria in New York. A shot of chocolate creamy pudding topped with Grand Marnier was the chaser to a bite-sized roasted marshmallow and graham cracker sandwich.

Well, until next time which should be "Spanish Splash" - a charity fundraiser for the Vancouver Dowtown Eastside Women's Centre, stay healthy, happy and in love.