I know a couple of biodynamic/organic farmers whose vines often turn into snacks for deer. Here’s a tip from biodynamic farmer, Claus Preisinger, to keep your vines safe. 

Us too. But there is a solution. Lettie Teague’s article in the August issue of Food & Wine is stirring up discussion in the wine world, but the only argument worth discussing is this, "Wine drinkers who really care about how a wine is made need to get to know its producer. After all, it’s the integrity of the winemaker that matters more than any certification process. And when you find a winemaker with both talent and integrity, you’ll probably find the best wines, natural or otherwise."

The Food and Wine piece is guaranteed to be confusing, as is any attempt to simplify agricultural practices into a one word prescription. Michael Pollan devotes thousands of pages to a similiar issue and his conclusion is the same one that Alice and Lettie agree upon. "The handshake test-" if you want to find good wine, quality meat, or delicious vegetables, the best method is to know the people growing or raising them.

For example, Silvio Pistone  raises heritage sheep, a breed native to the Langhe Hills. They forage naturally on his hilly farm. He tends the flock, milks the sheep and makes the cheese. The list of ingredients is notable for its brevity- raw milk and salt. The secret ingredient? Patience aka time aka natural aging. If you are ever going to Piedmont, Italy comment below or drop us a line and we’d be happy to introduce you. 

It would certainly be easier to just buy things labelled organic, biodynamic, sustainable, etc, but those words shed little light on the realities of the complex interaction between farming, business and politics.

  We are teaming up with Parkside Restaurant for the second in a series of handcrafted wines paired with handcrafted foods dinners. The dinner will be outside on the lovely courtyard patio and the wines will all be white. If you made it to our first dinner at Parkside, rest assured, no wines will be repeats and they will all be delicious.

The menu with wine pairings is below. 

Tickets for the Farmstead Wines dinner are $150 inclusive of tax and gratuity, and are available for pick up at Parkside, or by calling the restaurant at 604-683-6912 to charge by
phone. Seating is limited.

Summer Dinner
Tuesday, July 22nd
Reception 6:00 pm
Dinner 7:00 pm sharp

Menu and accompanying wines:
Reception
Agricola Marrone Moscato d’Asti “Sole d’Oro” 2007
–
Charantais melon salad, green pea tips, salt cured foie gras, duck prosciutto, Pineau des
Charentes
Martin Arndorfer 2006 Gruner Veltliner Strasser Weinberge
–
Zucchini flowers filled with ricotta di bufala; puree of fava beans, fresh mint, Tuscan olive oil
Sutor Burja 2006
–
Dungeness crab tortellini, sweet corn jus, summer truffles
Domaine Gauby Cotes Catalanes Blanc Les Calcinaires 2006
–
Fillet of halibut, heirloom carrots, crushed hazelnuts, fried sage, lime butter
Martin Arndorfer ChNb Die Leidenschaft 2005
–
A selection of Petits Fours
Marc Tempe Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives 2005

Someone asked me yesterday what restaurants are helping us support small family farms. As I began to list them, she stopped me short and said, "Just the best ones." I’m sure that there are a few good ones left, and if one of your favorites is missing, please encourage them to order Farmstead Wines for their list.

At any of the following restaurants, please ask the sommelier to point out the Farmstead Wines selections for you. Happy eating and drinking on the cutting edge of eco-gastronomy.

Blue Water Cafe   (coming soon)1095 Hamilton Street
Vancouver, BC
tel: 604.688.8078

Boneta
1 Cordova Street West
Vancouver, BC V6B 1C8
tel: 604.684.1844

Chill Winston 
3 Alexander Street                                                                         Vancouver, BC                                                                                                tel: 604.288.9575

Cibo and Uva Wine Bar (coming soon)
900 Seymour Street                                                                      Vancouver, BC
tel: 604-683-4251

CinCin
1154 Robson
Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5
tel: 604.688.7338

Chow
3121 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3K1
tel: 604.608.2469

 La Buca
4025 MacDonald Street
Vancouver, BC V6L 2N8
tel: 604.730.6988

Figmint
500 W 12th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M2
tel: 604.875.3312

Parkside Restaurant 
1906 Haro Street
Vancouver, BC V6G 1H7
tel: 604.683.6912

Salt Tasting Room
45 Blood Alley ,  Gastown
Vancouver, BC , V6B1C7                                                                              tel: 604.633.1912

Sooke Harbour House
1528 Whiffen Spit
Sooke, BC V0S 1N0
tel: 250.642.3421

Vij’s
1480 11 Avenue West                                                                                    Vancouver, BC                                                                                                tel: 604.736.6664

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Animal, Vegetable, Miracle on the shelves a few months ago. Shortly before moving to Vancouver in 2006 I was driving around Germany with my soon to be wife and brother law. They suggested we play this game called Animal, Vegetable, Mineral. I wasn’t familiar with the game, but it sounded simple enough, sort of a 20 questions Pirates of Penzance style.  I was confident enough in my understanding that I went first. They guessed and guessed, but couldn’t come up with anything close in 40 or so questions. I was feeling proud that I had stumped them and when I told them the answer they laughed at me. Not with me, at me. You see, I took the game a bit too literally and my clue was basalt, which I was sure they would get because of the rock formations here off of Stanley Park. They still let me join their family, I think in particular because they realized I needed help. (maybe even a miracle)

Barbara Kingsolver similarly brings you into her family in a journey back to the land. Many of you might enjoy the social storytelling elements of the book, but I’m still happily focused on geeky stuff like food politics.  Join me for an evening of wine and food cooking and pairing tips at Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks, on Friday, June 20. We will sip some naturally farmed, handcrafted wines, cook some seasonal treats inspired by the book and each guest will get their own copy of the book to take home.

 Contact Books to Cooks to reserve your spot today- 

Barbara-Jo’s BOOKS TO COOKS
Main Shop
1740 West 2nd Avenue (half a block east of Burrard)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
V6J 1H6

Telephone  604-688-6755