Monthly Archives: April 2022

You’ll pay attention to this one

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If you like ‘em big and bold … this is the valley for you. It’s sandwiched between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain Range, with an arid climate which is too much for the delicate skin of white grapes – but is perfect to slowly ripen red grapes, intensifying the flavours.


This is an earthy, bold, well structured modern red. Intense, but subtle.


Our version of a burger night – Mediterranean kefta (meatballs), raw veggies, and thin pita with tzatziki 


MERLOT – OLD MERELO COLCHAGUA 2019

$16.99 regularly $21.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC 07804426008090

The nearness

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It brings back memories of Sandra Oldfield at Tinhorn Creek (the first carbon neutral winery in Canada) introducing us to Cab Franc. It was a wild and wolly visit, but the wine tasting was calming.  

Since then, the vines has matured and so has the acceptance of BC Cab Franc viticulture.


Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery from Osoyoos presents its flagship red wine. This Cabernet Franc has dark berry flavours, dark spice and herbal notes. 


This is an ideal barbecue wine!  It’s well balanced and Bright.

BORDERTOWN – CABERNET FRANC 2019

$25.99

14.9% alcohol

UPC: 00626990282433

A piece of Andy’s Mind

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Not Up Island Andy, Andy Rooney.


This is a wonderful collections of ramblings and inner thoughts of a person with a wonderful perspective on the every day life of a normal person.  He asks questions that we should all ask.  Entertaining wit that turns simple subjects into introspective essays.


I wonder if he would have the same reflections today as he did back in the 80s?

Don’t keep saying “I don’t know where the time goes” .. It goes to the same place it’s always gone and no one has ever known where that is!


Pieces of my Mind – Andrew A Rooney – ISBN 0-689-22492-3

Parental Trivulations

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I do not want to be on the computer … I want to be an elderly Mediterranean man who spends all day sitting outside a cafe and complaining with his friends.


School just sent a picture of all the kids playing dress up and my toddler under his blanket pretending to be asleep and I was like yep yep that is ABSOLUTELY my kid.


“Open This!” A game show where CEOs try to open the packaging that they sell.


Today my 5 year-old asked me which solar system Planet Fitness was in, and I had to leave the room.


My favourite thing is when I stay up too late and my dog passive aggressively puts herself to bed without me, like “YOU do what you want but SOME us have work in the morning.”


My toddler insisted he had to take off all his clothes to go into the “dressing” room. Solid logic, really.


Tried to type “neurodivergence” but of course my phone remembers that ONE time I typed NEURODEEZNUTS.


Was telling my kids how Netflix use to come in the mail and they didn’t get it “they emailed you the movie?” These people are our future, lord help us all.


I hate restaurants that won’t seat you unless your whole party is here!!! what r u gonna gain from making me stand awkwardly in the corner like why am I being punished for being on time.


Welcome to motherhood, where you wish the kids will want dad for once when they are upset so you can get a little break, and then when they want dad, your feelings get hurt and you don’t understand why they don’t want you.


Is your kid normal or did they climb out of their crib for the 1st time at 18mos, hide in a closet, wait silently for you to enter their room, and then let out a tiny giggle just moments before you had a heart attack?

All good things come to an end

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But, fortunately, they are repeatable!


Another Mystery Case from the Goddess came to a close over the weekend as an Up Island Friend was stopping over on his way home from a 5 week sojourn. Of course, there was wine with dinner.  Pasta, not traditional Lamb.


As it turned out, we enjoyed two reds (Spain and Chile) and they were from two ends of the spectrum.


Spain First – 33 year old vines in the La Montesa vineyard – 95% Granacha and a 5% assortment of traditional varieties including Tempranillo and Mazuelo..  Ecological vinticulture produces a very juicy, balanced, bright and lively to go-with-the pasta-and-conversation.


The second was a lovely medium to light bodied red blend,  soft tannins.  75% Cinsault, 25% Pais brought out a lovely freshness. Old vines both, and from different parts of the Valley.  


Maule is one of Chile’s most extensive valleys and has the largest production of wine grapes, but the Secano Interior sector merits special note for the large number of old País and Carignan vineyards still managed using the same techniques inherited from the Spanish Conquistadors—head-trained, low density, and dry farmed to adapt to this area with hot, dry summers and granitic, red clay soils.


País is a variety introduced in Chile by the Spanish conquerors during the 16th century. Cinsault was introduced in Chile during the 1940s to compensate the lack of color and structure of País. When both varieties are blended together, they give life to fresh and light wines.

Both had a gentleness to them that we really enjoyed.

Don’t worry. We have more reviews to catch up on, and we will soon be seeing the Goddess for another Mystery Case!


Finca La Montesa Monte Verga

$33.95

14% Alcohol


CINSAULT PAIS- MORANDE VALLE DEL MAULE 2019

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 07804449013125

Island Fare

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Distinctly Vancouver Island terroir. It was whole cluster pressed and fermented in 90% stainless steel and 10% neutral barriques. 


This was a great match for grilled garlic/lemon shrimp on skewers with orange/date salad.  Nice and dry.  Bright on the palate and a lovely finish with lots of staying power.


They do an Auxerrois that I’ll look for next time we see the Goddess.

UNSWORTH VINEYARDS – PINOT GRIS 2020

$21.99

13.1% Alcohol

UPC: 00626990258957

The randomness of the mind

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Are you telling me there are people who return home from a trip and unpack their suitcase that day instead of slowly across weeks or months as they remember they need something out of it?


We have plumbers working in our house. I just heard one of them say “Lefty loosey, righty tighty.” I know we’re in good hands.


It’s called paid time off because anytime you get time off you end up paying for it when you get back.


Being a mom must be wild. you go thru pregnancy and labor and years of raising a vulnerable helpless child and then they become an adult just to call you every day with questions “hi should I put apples in the fridge??”


Welcome back from vacation, you’ll be caught up on laundry again in 46 months.


The year was 2011. I was 18. I had practiced asking my dad if I can go on holiday with my friends for weeks now. I finally get the courage and ask. My heart is pounding!!!! He looks at me and then goes “I want you to watch a film called Taken”


Difference between being on vacation and being back home: Last night I had a 10-oz filet mignon for dinner. Tonight I had Fruity Pebbles.


In case you’ve ever doubted the brilliance of a toddler, mine just told me that a kid in her class is allergic to peanut butter so I have to send her chocolate instead.


*takes phone off airplane mode for first time in a week* *sees 16 new messages* *turns around, goes back on vacation*


I’m at my most hypocritical when I’m telling my kid that she’s responsible for her school things as I’m frantically searching for my keys.


“Now that we’re back from vacation we don’t have to eat restaurant food for every meal!” *Sees empty fridge & pantry “Who wants pizza?”


The parenting books didn’t prepare me for how many stuffed animals I’d have to put to bed.


After taking a week of vacation, I like to slowly ease back into my workload. This process typically takes 51 weeks.


There has never been a more pure show of unbridled optimism than my wife believing she could work on her grad school paper in the same room as our twin six year old boys.


So glad to finally be back from vacation so I can spend more time on the internet.


5 year old: Mommy, did you get that kind of turkey I like at the store? Me: Ham? Yes


My dog accidentally swallowed a whole bag of Scrabble tiles. We took him to the vet to get him checked out. No word yet…