Vancouver Kosher Wine Cellar

Static But Not Dead

2010-06-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

April 6, 2009 - important date? Maybe, but for the Vancouver Kosher Wine Cellar, it was when we simply stopped blogging. Not that we were very frequent with our blogs before, ha.

In any case, this post is only a way to recognize our lack of blogging and let potential readers know why.

So, why?

No real good reason, I'm lazy
No firm plans for a physical location as of yet
We have been working with some of the local Wine Stores on their Kosher needs when they come up.
I Spent 7 months traveling abroad in 2009 - 2010
I am heading off for another month at least (check out the program I work with: www.africa.sauder.ubc.ca)
I have not been drinking much wine lately (but lots of great beers!)

Needless to say, none of these are really 'good' reasons to not keep up blogging.

That said - - We are open for business, so, if you are coming to Vancouver from out of town (Israel, USA, Europe, Anywhere) please feel free to be in touch and we can help arrange Kosher wine for you.

Things we have helped people with in the past:

Gifts for Kosher friends and Family
Shabbat Wine for your Hotel while in Vancouver
Wine for your BC holiday (Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte's, the Okanagan etc.)
Wine for your Alaskan Cruise
and lots more!

Feel free to email: info@vancouverkosherwinecellar.com

or try me on skype: Leslie.Robertson.10

L'Chiam

2009-04-06T11:15:00.001-07:00

Shalom!

We have received a number of inquiries about where to find Kosher wine for Pesach (Passover) so I thought it would be a good idea to post a short list.** In particular, Galil Mountain, Dalton and Yarden wines can be found in Kosher for Passover varieties at a number of Metro Vancouver wine stores and BC Liquor stores.

As always, please feel free to email us and we will do our best to help you find the right wine for you.

Have a fantastic time at your Sedars!

Vancouver:

39th & Cambie BC Liquor Store : 5555 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Arbutus BC Liquor Store : 158 - 4255 Arbutus Street, Vancouver

Dunbar BC Liquor Store : 3453 Dunbar Street, Vancouver

Firefly Fine Wines & Ales: 2857 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Marpole BC Liquor Store : 8495 Granville Street, Vancouver

Vancouver Downtown:

Thurlow & Alberni BC Liquor Store : 1120 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Richmond:

Brighouse BC Liquor Store : 100 - 8100 Ackroyd Rd, Richmond

Ironwood BC Liquor Store : 3170-11666 Steveston Hwy, Richmond

North/ West Vancouver:

Capilano BC Liquor Store : 24 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Liberty Wine Merchants – Park Royal : M-39 Park Royal South, West Vancouver

Park Royal BC Liquor Store : 570 Park Royal North, West Vancouver

Port Coquitlam:

Westwood Centre BC Liquor Store : 100 - 2748 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam

You can also try visiting www.bcliquorstores.com to find a Store near you with Israeli Wines.

**Thanks to www.yossilinks.com for compiling this list.

Support Israel - Buy Israeli Wines !!

2009-03-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

Dear BC Friend of Israel,
Israel's opponents are once again targeting Israeli wines in BC liquor stores for picketing and boycott.
We are asking you to help send a strong message to Israel's opponents by

BUYING ISRAELI WINE
March 7th

On two previous occasions, you have responded to calls for boycott by buying out Israeli wines in liquor stores targeted for picketing. This time more than ever, we need to send an unequivocal message to those who seek to isolate the Middle East's only democracy that we stand with Israel.
Please note that this action call is in response to an announced anti-Israel picket to take place at 4 p.m. We ask that you not directly engage the anti-Israel demonstrators in any way.
Thank you again for your support.

Dr. Michael Elterman,
Sara-Saber Freedman,
Canada-Israel Committee, Western Region

Support Israel - Buy Israeli Wines!!

2008-06-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

You may or may not know, but there is controversy over some Israeli wines. Not only because they are Israeli, but because some of the wineries are in areas of Israeli held territory that are contested by surrounding nations.

During the recent Israeli wine festival in Vancouver, a small protest was held outside the venue. I was passed information that another protest has been planned. This weekend, the Canadian Palestinian Association-Vancouver, representing a number of pro-Palestinian organizations, will be protesting at the BC Liquor Store on Commercial Drive because it carries Israeli wines.

As it was passed on to us, we pass it on to you - the only way to send a message in support of Israel is with our wallets. Lets get out this weekend and buy an extra bottle or two of BC Liquor store Israeli wines. I recently had the Galil Mountain Merlot and have had the Chardonnay, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sauvignon Blanc and enjoyed them all.

A Call from the East - Quotable Customer

2008-05-13T10:48:00.001-07:00

Our First Cross-Country Inquiry!! - Please feel free to contact us where ever you may be if you have any questions or are looking for Kosher wine in Vancouver.

Les...thank you so very much for your kind and prompt assistance in my search for the Carmel King David Concord, red wine. My name is Gisela D. and I called you from London Ontario because I am visiting my mother and am not allowed liqour in my onboard luggage. We do have this wine in Ontario, but I had a very difficult time locating it in the Vancouver area.

Again, I thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to help me.

Regards

Gisela

2008 Vancouver Israeli Wine Festival

2008-04-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder. If you have not heard, the 2008 Vancouver Israeli Wine Festival is coming.

Sunday, May4, 2008 from 5 - 9pm @ the Four Seasons Hotel.

Tickets Available at Ticketmaster.
Hope to see you there!!
L'Chaim

Domaines Bunan Cotes De Provence 2006 Red

2008-04-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

Cost: $26.99

Where I bought this: Liberty Wine Merchants @West 10th Ave

Feeling rather proud of my first selection, I decided to venture away from the haphazard and found my way to Liberty Wine Merchants. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff were really helpful and directed me to this classic Southern French red blend.

This Kosher for Passover red wine comes from the Bandol appellation, on the edge of the Mediterranean, the Moulin des Costes in the Cadière D'Azur. Domaine Bunan grows a variety of fruit including Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. This vintage red wine also includes Syrah, or Shiraz, and is a more modern take on their traditional wines. The folks at Liberty told me it would pair well with regional French cuisine and specifically mentioned more fresco dining, like olives, salads, fish, and almost anything tomato based. I sampled this wine with a spicy chicken dish and found it paired well.

Overall, I found this wine to be light bodied, but rich and full of flavor. I often dislike the 'alcohol burn' that bites your nose and taste buds, but I was very happy with this bottle and enjoyed every bit of it. I will buy this red again, whether I need a kosher wine or not, and knowing that it's kosher for Passover, I will definitely have to get a couple bottles for my Sedar table.

Galil Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2008-04-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Cost: $17.83
Where I bought this: BC Liquor Store @ 39th and Cambie

After handing my first wine selection to a certified connoisseur friend, he immediately picked out it was a sauvignon blanc. I am no real wine drinker, but I know what I like. My friend has more discernible taste and noted grassy-ness, lemon tones, and mineral content. What does that tell me? Well, it tells me I should keep reading and drinking if I am going to develop any blind tasting skills! While I can't pick a grape varietal off my taste buds, the second opinion confirms what I already suspected, the quality of this kosher wine is half decent. He spit it out, but I'm pretty sure that's what you are supposed to do when tasting.

Wanting to practice my own tasting skills, I had already done my own private sampling of this 2006 Galil Mountain the previous evening. I found it was palletable - not the puckering putrid vino I was used to, or the sweet Concord staple of my Sedar table. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with the sauvignon. Overall, I found it a little mute for my taste, but I typically prefer a Pinot Gris.

All in all, for my first bottle of kosher wine, with little research, rhyme, or reason, I say this wine was enjoyable and refreshing, especially for the warm spring evening on which it was consumed. The fact that it was produced in Israel and Kosher for Passover makes it even more appealing.

L'Chaim

Vancouver Kosher Wine Cellar Begins Blogging

2008-04-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Shalom!

Welcome to Vancouver Kosher Wine Cellar. This blog focuses on Kosher wine in Vancouver, where you can find it, what's good, where and when you can taste it, and any Kosher wine news we can provide for our readers. Our hope is to soon be able to offer exclusive, high quality Kosher wines to Vancouverites.

Please check back often or feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. We would be happy to recommend something for you!

L'Chaim,

Stacey Kettleman