As you probably have already heard or even know first-hand, vineyards, wineries, the tourism and the whole hospitality sector have suffered many setbacks in the past few years, and most particularly in 2024. The BC Hospitality Foundation is the last temporary resort for those in the B.C. hospitality sector and offer a maximum of $5,000 per hospitality worker to cover essential items like rent, food and medicine when the beneficiary is faced with financial challenges due to health conditions, and have also exhausted their health benefits, personal resources and support from friends, family, and coworkers. The Foundation is also there to give a hand up to workers returning to the jobs and careers they love.
Naturally, the increase in demand for this assistance meant that the BCHF needed to raise more funds. Their goal was $60,000 in 2024 and, unfortunately, they did not met that goal but did raise just under $45,000 toward it. So in the spirit of the season, I have a big ask of you to help the foundation that helps others. It’s not about meeting their goal of $60,000; it is about making a positive difference in someone’s life and helping them to perhaps cover their rent and transportation during a cancer treatment, or to pay for special mobility aids and equipment while they are recovering from an injury or operation. The industry is really on a financial edge and even assisting a server with a month’s rent while they recover from a sprained ankle is so helpful.
Every little bit counts. In fact, if everyone were to calculate the 5% GST ‘relief’ from participating products, alcohol and food purchased from Christmas to New Years, and then donate that amount to the BCHF, it would not only make a difference, I think it would be very apropos. Here is another idea. Have a wine cellar with some nice bottles of wine? Have a bidding war with your friends (over a great bottle or two of wine 😉 on the ones you feel you can part with and donate that money to the foundation. Crazy about cookies and goodies? Have a ‘friends and family’ raffle on a basket filled with delectable holiday treats (particularly approach the ones who don’t bake 😉 and donate the raffle funds to the BCHF. There are all manner of fun ways to fundraise and it need not be arduous, boring or uncomfortable. Remember that you will be helping someone truly in need.. and isn’t that what the Spirt of the Season is all about? For more information on “How to give to the BCHF” visit: https://www.bchospitalityfoundation.com/ways-to-give
As always, I have a few wines that could help you get into the holiday spirit 😉 or it could be the one you share with friends or to add to your basket of goodies!
On the first day of Christmas, Wine Santa gave to me a cheery bubble, beautifully balanced and with a fine mousse of ripe apple, Meyer lemon, baked goods, deliciously fresh, zesty and long on the palate. From Township 7, Seven Stars Rigel Sparkling Wine 2022 ($40) is as bright as the blue-white, brilliant star in the constellation Orion.
On the second day of Christmas, Wine Santa gave to me two classy Cabernet Francs. Black Market Wine Company Cab Franc ($39) is fresh, elegant, sophisticated but still easy to understand (and enjoy) while Hester Creek Estate Winery’s Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2022 ($30) is a spicy, Lolita-like, full-bodied and enticing Cab Franc that can take on burgers, ribs and just about anything from the BBQ with its rich dark cherry, red berry, pepper and tobacco spice flavours velvety on the palate (drink or hold).
On the third day of Christmas, Wine Santa gave to me three sexy Chardonnays and one of them is not a made in British Columbia wine… but that is a blog for another time. Hester Creek Estate Winery 2023 Chardonnay ($25) is mouth-filling, balanced, fresh and juicy on the palate with ripe yellow apple, pear, Meyer lemon, a hint of garden herbs. So enticing! Fort Berens Estate Winery, Chardonnay Reserve White Gold 2022 ($35) is absolutely their best one yet. Unbelievable balance and made with love from the finest estate grown grapes from the winery’s mature Dry Creek Vineyard. Delicious, pillow smooth with an incredibly, long and creamy mouthfeel of yellow apple, pear, quince, soft citrus zest and a subtle spicy finish, and so good now. Bread and Butter Chardonnay ($25) from Napa Valley, California is a full-bodied, lush and silky Chard with a crazy, full mouthfeel and mouthful of toasted white bread, creamery butter, ripe pear, apple and vanilla so silky on the palate. Enjoyable and addictive!
On the fourth day of Christmas, Wine Santa gave to me a riot of rosés. Ruby Blues Commune Rosé 2023 ($29) is a delish blend of Merlot, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, nicely balanced and fresh with red berry, cherry, soft citrus zest and a brilliant pink in the glass. Just love the “Peace” van label. By contrast, Domaine Artema Rosé 2023 ($30) is a soft pink in the glass, elegant, fresh and silky with red berry, cherry and fine herb flavours, tasty on its own or with creamy cheeses and Iberico ham platter. Love, love, love vinAmité 2023 Rosé produced from 77% Pinot Noir, 14% Gamay and 9% Syrah. It is one of the best rosés I have tasted to date. Fragrant with pink rose petals, pink peony, soft citrus zest luxuriously silky, lifted and lingering on the palate, and you would be hard pressed to find a bottle of it! Celista Estate Winery’s Marg’s rosé 2022 ($18) is so pretty with strawberries, rosehip jam, red berries, fine herbs, earthy and dusty pink roses on the nose, it is so elegant. A blend of Siegerrebe, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc with a splash of Marechal Foch, it is off-dry, medium-bodied and fresh with bright cherry, pink florals, red berry, dried strawberry, a kiss of dried fine herbs and soft citrusy notes. Perfect for roast turkey dinner.
On the fifth day of Christmas, Wine Santa gave me a well-deserved rest with ONES+ (drinkones) non-alcoholic wines (0 carbs, 0 sugar and .5% abv), a master craft wine blend of grapes sourced from the Okanagan Valley. Drink ones non-alcoholic wines have become very popular. I like their light-bodied sparkling rosé with melon, strawberry flavours bright and fresh on the palate. Recently tried was their medium-bodied, juicy, fruity Malbec with dark and red berry flavours. Their sparkling white, produced from Chardonnay grapes, is dry and bright with green apple and lemon zest flavours, and a medium-bodied Sparkling Red, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes, is full-on blackberry and pomegranate on the palate and is a perfect paired with a Margherita pizza. Fifth option is they have sparkling wines in 250 ml cans. Perfect for your designated driver or for your non-alcohol drinking guest to feel included in the celebrations. A 750 ml runs about $20 to $26 per bottle.