Wine Wednesday - Vernon Vintners

A couple of weeks ago, we finally got the chance to bottle the wine that we had ordered from this wine place called Vernon Vintners.  What was exciting about all this process is that we have never done it and it was a very special time as we are doing it ourselves.  We were very fortunate to have a son in law who was amazingly creative who designed our label for our very own house wine.  This time we remembered to take some photos of the process and that is what I will be sharing with you today.  The manager Cheryl was very helpful, professional but so much fun.  We were able to taste the wine before we bottled them.  One of our friends asked if we had tasted it prior to ordering.  Of course my answer was no because I just trusted my choice of wine.  Since it was a Chilean blend I knew that it would be great.  And I was right.  Since then we were invited to join 4 others to go into another order.  We will have to wait eight more weeks and we will get 6 bottles of each of the following, Italian Viognier, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon,  White Trio, Red Trio, and finally a Chilean Malbec.  By the time our next guests arrive, we will be able to offer a variety of one to taste. 

First the bottles are washed.

Then it is filled with the wine.

Then the cork goes in using a special machine.

 

The red foil goes on top using a special machine.

Jeff placing the foil and I place it on the machine that heats it and seals.

Once the foil is heated and sealed, the last process is placing the label.

Our very own house wine - Chilean Cabarnet Malbec Carmenere

Tasting Thursday - Local BX Cidery

After two years and two months, we finally ventured out to this local cidery called BX CIDERY.  While my friend from Vancouver was visiting for the weekend, he asked if we had been to this local cidery.  And of course we said no and he suggested we checked it out.  Apparently during their last visit last August 2018, they were there for the cider tasting and it was great.  It was a beautiful Saturday morning so there was no question about heading out there.  When we arrive, we saw a couple of workers picking apples while there were a few people picking apples from three different bins.  They were beautiful apples and the price per pound was good.  The three variety was Honey Crisp, Gala and Macintosh.  My hubby got his favorite honey crisp while I opted for the Macintosh for baking purposes.  Then we ordered a flight of ciders for the tasting part.  Out of four, I prefer the last two and my friend preferred the first two and of course hubby chose the two in the middle. LOL.  While they were tasting I decided to check out the two workers picking apples. I asked if I can pick one and they said, go ahead.  It took me a few minutes to pick the perfect one and I even took a video which I hope I can share.  Anyway the following weekend, we headed back there to buy more honey crisp for the taste and the price.  If you are ever in Vernon or the Okanagan, please stop by the BX cidery.  They tasting is reasonably priced, the staff is very friendly and helpful and of course the ambiance for the tasting is just perfect.

This was the perfect apple I picked.

This is my friend J favorite.

They also sell their own sour dough bread. Yummy!

My home made apple (macintosh) strudel.

Smooth Saturday - Hot Beverages

Winter time is the best time to try some new hot beverages to keep your body warm.  Although I think using an electric blanket will definitely get you warm and toasty.  But sometimes after dinner you might want to just let your stomach settle and so you have a hot tea.  But have you ever tried hot tea with Sambuca?  It's very easy, you boil water, add your tea bag and add half a shot of Sambuca.  Just use regular tea, not herbal or flavored ones.  Another one that we love is the Spiced Apple Cider Drink which comes in a powder form.  The first one we tried at my friend's home and we found out they bought it at Costco, so we got a box.  Unfortunately the next time we went to buy it, it was not available.  Last but not least is the adult version of hot chocolate.  So far my favorite is the one with Peppermint Schnapps with mini marshmallows and whipped cream. Last month during our neighborhood caroling, one host offered a crock pot version and it was amazingly yummy. What is your favorite hot beverage during the winter months?  

Thirsty Thursday - Something new and refreshing

Summertime is a perfect time to try something cool and refreshing.  Last April when my friend from Vancouver came to visit, he was only drinking the Lone Tree Cider.  There's a few variety and I did like one but the others tasted a little too much like white wine.  As I prefer red wine to white, it really did not excite me.  This past week when my cousin and her hubby visited from Yellowknife the brought a six pack of peach growers cider.  It was tasty and a couple of days later we tried the strawberry rhubarb.  After they left, we stopped by another liquor store close to home and I saw two very interesting flavors.  We bought the raspberry ginger and the green apple and lime flavors.  So far I only have tried the raspberry ginger and it was not as sweet at the peach nor the strawberry rhubarb.  During the party that we hosted this past weekend, I tried the green apple and lime.  It was a bit tarty and not as sweet. I guess I would just rate is as just OK.  When I checked online, there was a new flavor called Clementine Pineapple, I already know that I will love this.  Just in case you like ciders and have not tried them, here's the variety of flavors available.  Although online it seems like there's a few available in West and some are just in the East.  Wherever you reside, I am sure you fill find at least one that will quench your thirsty today at four thirsty.

As you can see the bold flavors would have to be my favorites, even though I have not tried all. 

• Clementine Pineapple
• Raspberry Ginger
• Harvest Stone Fruit
• Extra Dry Apple
• Summer Peach
• Bartlett Pear
• Wild Blackberry
• Orchard Berry
• Strawberry Rhubarb
• Field Raspberry
• Green Apple & Lime
• Granny Smith Apple
• Honey Crisp Apple
• Cranberry Pomegranate
• Ruby Red Grapefruit
• Bing Cherry

Mix Mix Monday - Only one drink

Do you remember those days when you could drink a lot more before you declared yourself drunk?  As we grow old and lack of practice the amount of alcohol that we can tolerate seems getting smaller and smaller.  Not that I want to be able to consume a lot, but now that I am getting really old (LOL), I don't even need a drink to have a great time.  Actually I never did.  But I am sure some of my friends recall some of my birthday parties, where I end up going home early before some of my out of town guests arrive.  At the same time, at my 50th party, I only drank diet coke the whole evening.  It was not funny the next day where I felt a hangover from drink too much of the fake sugar in the soda.  Now when there is an occasion and I am going to have the one and only drink, I have to make sure it is the one that I crave and that I am truly going to enjoy.  Here are some of the drinks that have made my list as my favorites.  Of course being a diabetic, I have to be truly careful to ensure that my blood sugar does not go too high or too low.  

My new favorite Moscow Mule - I even got my own special mug.

AMF - ingredients very similar to the Long Island Ice Tea.

Raspberry Beer

The best Spicy Caesar I have ever seen.

Special Saturday - Favorite beverages

Sometimes one needs to accept the reality of getting older.  During the recent visit of my BFF's, I realized that I cannot have more than one drink.  So the best way to deal with this is pick the best drink on the list or just have your favorite drink.  It does not have to be an expensive one, it could be as simple as a special beer or specific one or a one of a kind tequila.  Here's a few of my favorites and a new one that I recently tasted at a friends house.

Spicy Caesar - Rose made her own version at home - it was awesome. No comparison to Bloody Mary.

It's not exactly the same tequila as the one from Mexico - hopefully this one taste better.

One of this was enough to get me happy and hammered.  I did not realized the bartender made it double.