On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from - Jarvis Church & Erik Peacock at Chateau des Charmes ... August 22, 2010

25 Aug 2010

To look at the title you'd think Erik Peacock (one of Niagara's celebrated chefs) had strapped on a guitar and joined The Philosopher Kings frontman, Jarvis Church, on stage for a jam session.  That was not the case, the only think that Erik does with jam is cook with it, but both men did create an aural/oral sensation this afternoon.

The afternoon was a continuation of the morning, gloomy, and although the call was for sunny skies by the afternoon they never materialized, instead the skies opened up and the rains fell.  But under the tent we all stayed warm and dry.  The concert was a fundraiser for the St. Catharines General Hospital - the new one is scheduled to open in 2013.
We started with Erik's delightful lunch, so simple in its execution yet so tasty in its delivery.  Served buffet style you picked form Panzanella Tuscan bread salad, zucchini and feta white bean salad, and/or regular salad (which was topped with a delicious dressing. Orecchiette pasta with yellow tomatoes, olives and chiles.  BBQ braised short rib sandwich with peppers and fresh husked corn.  And finally, peach yoghurt cupcakes, complete with fresh peach slice on top.  A lunch fit for afternoon delight.
The concert kicked off with a performance by Grenvill Pinto, who played violin just like he's ringing a bell (go-go, go Grenville go).  I'm sure that doesn't sound very exciting, but Grenville had a twist to his violin playing - he played popular music: think Karaoke backing with the violin as the vocal; quite ingenious and quite entertaining.  He played everything from Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'" to That's Amore; the Eagles 'Hotel California' to Guns n' Roses 'Sweet Child O' Mine'.  He performed an audience check with 'If you're happy and you know it', if we clapped he knew we were all still awake - we were.  He announce a "hard core Italian tune" then broke into the theme from the Godfather, and finally, he did a Michael Jackson medley dressed as the King of Pop himself.

After a short intermission, Jarvis Church's band took the stage and so did Mr. Church.  He started with three songs from his new solo album then dug deep into his Philosopher Kings past, much to the delight of the crowd.  When he performed his audience participation segment (where he invites a young lady on stage to "sing his heart out to"), Sara was more than willing to oblige (he kept her onstage for a playful 3 cover song medley) .

The Wine I Drank ...

The 2008 Gamay Noir 'Droit' is out and continues a line of delicious wines using this grape.

Funniest Moment - Out of the mouths of babes ... (to read what happened and see pictures, click here)

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

Report from - German Wine Tasting ... August 17, 2010

25 Aug 2010

Report from - German Wine Tasting ... August 17, 2010

Every time I taste, or write, about German wine I think of Steve Martin, in the movie "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" when he mumbles the word "Gemerman" before passing out because someone has slipped him a mickey.  Thankfully most Gemerman wines don't make you fall over, drunk or otherwise, because they have fairly low alcohol (10.5% or less) especially those lovely, racy, Rieslings we've all come to know and love.

Today, at the George Brown College Culinary Academy, we sampled 10 Rieslings, a Silvaner, a Pinot Noir and a Huxelrebe (14 wines in total), and by the end of the tasting I knew why Riesling was Germany's number one grape: they just do it so well on so many levels and in so many ways.  I had also tried some of the best coconut shrimp I have ever tasted - and it went so well with the dry Riesling ... imagine that.

Today's top 5 were ... (find out my top 5 wines of the day)

 

 To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

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