sunwork’s farm sheila hamilton is a woman of vision, hops producers come together and wines for holiday quaffing

yaay! sheila hamilton is a woman of vision

We applaud Sheila Hamilton of Sunworks Farm who is a 2017 Global Women of Vision. The family produces beautiful organic meats on their farm near Armena. We buy at their Blush Lane store on Whyte Avenue and you can always find them at their stand on Saturdays in the Old Strathcona Market. Watch Sheila’s Global video here.

Sheila Hamilton, Sunworks Farm
Sheila Hamilton, Sunworks Farm

road trip

Listen to this week’s podcast about the Real Bread Alberta road trip to Highwood Crossing, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery and Blindman Brewing, organized by the Ruby Apron’s Kaelin Whittaker, founder of Real Bread Alberta. On itunes and Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/tomatoradio.

pampa for the holidays

Where to take the book club, the office cronies or a group of friends for a holiday lunch or dinner? Pampa is well-suited to large groups and the all-in-one concept makes divvying up the bill easy. Check them out downtown and in south Edmonton. http://pampasteakhouse.com/

Pampa Steakhous dinner

get your off-sales on at rge rd

Don’t miss this month’s off-sale at RGE RD on November 16, 17 and 18. No, not the off-sales of your youth. Rather, some delish items from the RGE Rd kitchen, sausages perhaps, pâté or terrines, bread, those sorts of tasty things. At RGE RD, 10643 123 Street, from 12-4pm.

Rge Rd Logo

Wines of the Week

Parés Baltà Cava Brut
Parés Baltà Cava Brut
It’s the time of year when it’s necessary to have a few affordable bottles around the house for impromptu drinking. Here are some from Spain that fit the bill.

Parés Baltà Cava Brut ($18, at better wine shops)
Joan Cusine of Parés Baltà was in Edmonton recently, tasting through some of the wines his family makes in the hills near Barcelona. I am huge fan of Parés Baltà, especially after visiting the property in Penedes a few years ago. The wines define value, and deliver so much quality. For example, the Cava Brut NV. The traditional Cava grapes, Xarel-o, Macabeu and Parellada that make up the blend are grown in vineyards that are no more than 10 k from the sea and have some altitude. The estate is completely organic and certified biodynamic by Demeter — sheep nibble between the rows, birds and bees flutter through the air. Some of the vineyards are so isolated and so much a part of the natural landscape it’s as if they have always been there. (The site dates to 1790). After a cool fermentation in stainless, the wine has a second fermentation in the bottle for 12 months. It’s a textbook example of Cava (Spain’s sparkling wine), pale yellow, dry, with subtle toasty aromas of pear, apple along with some attractive floral notes and almond. Delicious as an aperitif or, make mimosas for a holiday brunch. Coming soon, the Cava Pink, a rosé made with Garnatxa, Parellada and Macabeu.

Honora Vera Garnacha

Spain continues to delver incredible value and the Honoro Vera wines, made in different regions across the country by the Juan Gill family, are no exception. Try this Garnacha from Calatayud with robust flavours, generous fruit and juicy acidity. This red will warm you up on a nippy winter’s night. Have with tourtière or your favourite Irish stew, The rosado is from Jumilla, and its blend of Tempranillo and Syrah lends elegance and structure to the coral-coloured rosé made by both the saignée and direct pressing methods. The Rueda Blanco (Verdeho) tastes of fresh white flowers, lemon curd, crisp with a long finish, ideal with holiday shellfish dishes or white pizza. These wines are as stylish as they are delicious. Under $20 at better wine shops.

Honora Vera Rosado, Garnacha and Verdeho
Honora Vera Rosado, Garnacha and Verdeho

can’t have great beer without great hops

Join Alberta’s hop producers at Craft Beer Market (10013 101A Avenue) to celebrate the launch of the Alberta Hop Producer’s Association, November 18, 2-5pm. Taste casks from Alley Kat and Situation along with two all-Alberta beers made from hops from Pair o’ Dice Hops and Northern Girl Hops. TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca

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