Monthly Archives: June 2020

No Confusion Here

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To us, this is the best Ortega on the Island.  

Symphony used to lease all the vines at Starling Lane and they had GREAT Ortega.  Gerry and Sherry Mussio (one of the 3 partner owners of Starling) also planted the same vines at their home acreage.

This shows the difference that terroir can make to a wine.  

To us, home acreage Ortega is softer, mellower, and fuller bodied than the Starling vintage.


I helped harvest in 2018 at Mussio’s but not for the 2019 vintage.


Only available at Symphony vineyard or delivery from them.  $21.00


12.1% alcohol


Clear. Bright and Crisp.

You don’t need a pic of supper, because we’ve done a pairing with Vancouver Island Scallops before.  

Real Simple: Salt. Pepper Saffron. Butter only. Takes the same amount of time as the couscous.


Tonight was a slight variation with the salad.  B used watermelon.  Extra refreshing.
Twas a great mix of wine and food.

What’s our hood

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How many mini libraries have popped up in the ‘hood? 

Teale Phelps Bondaroff has mapped 315+ little libraries across Greater Victoria. A tremendous project. Now you can get your reading material when out for a walk.

Little Free Libraries

This is our immediate hood. 

https://qchca.org/our-neighbourhood/neighbourhood-information/

There are a tremendous number of shortcuts and walking paths that interconnect.  I’ve started to map the ones within the Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association area. Once I’ve got them all overlaid on a map we’ll publish them.

You have been laying around all day ..

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not doing anything, so here’s your chance to really redeem yourself. [I’m taking to the wine, not poking at you]


First time in months, there have been mussels in the store, so they got scooped up.

Quick sauté of onion, leek, garlic and red pepper — in butter of course. Half a cup of home made veggie stock brought to a simmer, and in go the mussels.


Yes, there’s Olive bread to go with it … 


Salada is spinach, orange and date.


Now .. are you up for this? (talkin to the wine again)


You sorta did.  Mellow intro and Nice peppery finish.  But.  The Wine Goddess will have many other adventures for us to consider before I’d come back to you again for awhile.

The Andes meet a Middle East Street Market

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BC Liquor Code: 179937


$16.99 Montes Limited Edition  Pinot Noir


Chile’s Aconcagua Valley on the coast is ideal to grow Pinot.


At first sniff, I went and added more lemon juice to the Tzatziki.
At first sample, more cumin and a touch of tarragon went into the kefta mix.


This has been the toughest to evaluate.  It has left me confused – [hold thy tongue!]

It’s not Aussie Style Pinot and definitely not BC Style.  Just Different.


On its own, I can’t recommend it for just sipping.  It was light and enjoyable but doesn’t make it into the outstanding bracket.


By the time it got to be with food, it seemed to wake up and went quite well with dinner, and I did snitch a little extra.

The Tree House pairing tonight was Middle East Street Market style food.  Build your own. Lamb kebabs (baked), thin pita, with tzatziki and veggies and tabouli made with fresh local ingredients.


‘ert was cloved apricots over ice cream

This is the end of the FIRST mystery Case. There will be another!


Know anyone name Gloria?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgd-xjR9LQ


If I turn it up loud enough, maybe she’ll come aknockin’ and bring some wine

Finally, he says

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Andy get represented with a wine from the Hunter Valley.


It could have gone either way – a red or a white. 
Mount Pleasant Semillon

Code: 664862

$25.99

Award Winning vineyard. (One of the top 3 Wineries in Australia).
It has lots of fruit forward and wakes up the taste buds on the way by with a great finish. Second sip is even better, and that continues with each sip. Stonefruit flavours.

Apple Cranberry Turkey Sausages, Fruit and Cheese Orzo and honey glazed Carrots. Turned out to be a great combo with the wine.

She (who shall remain nameless) forgot to put the Lindt bar (Sea Salt) in the crisper, so we had to have our square at room temp.  It IS better chilled – believe me!  You do chill your chocolate don’t you?