Vancouver Magazine, May/June 2021 - Special Edition

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THE WINE ISSUE

How to Drink Like a Pro: Pandemic Edition

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WELCOME ON BOARD Fly to new places safely with Turkish Airlines.

Flight sta ing from 2nd of May.

COVER: PHOTO: LEIL A K WOK /ST YLING: NICOLE SJÖSTEDT/LIVE MODERN AGENCY; WINE ILLUSTRATION: ALYSSA HIROSE; CHALKBOARD ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK /A-DIGIT;

VANCOUVER,

TEHRAN

VA N M AG .C O M

M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1 // VO LU M E 5 4 // N U M B E R 3

Publisher Samantha Legge Editorial Director Anicka Quin Creative Director Catherine Mullaly Food Editor Neal McLennan Associate Art Director Jenny Reed Associate Editor Nathan Caddell Assistant Editor Alyssa Hirose Editor at Large Stacey McLachlan Contributing Editors Frances Bula, Amanda Ross Editorial Intern Mariah Klein Editorial Email mail@vanmag.com

FE ATURE

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Director of Sales Brianne Harper (on leave) Sales Manager Anna Lee Senior Account Executives Johnny Alviar, Charie Ginete-Ilon, Mira Hershcovitch, Jessica McBean, Joan McGrogan, Sheri Stubel Digital Ad Coordinator Kim McLane Senior Production Manager Landon Spenrath Production Coordination/Design Nadine Gieseler Sales Email sales@canadawide.com U.S. Sales Representation, Hayes Media Sales Lesley Hayes Tel 602-432-4868 Email lesley@hayesmediasales.com

The Wine of the Times

COVER: PHOTO: LEIL A K WOK /ST YLING: NICOLE SJÖSTEDT/LIVE MODERN AGENCY; WINE ILLUSTRATION: ALYSSA HIROSE; CHALKBOARD ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK /A-DIGIT; SHIRT: ADEERA; CIT Y INFORMER ILLUSTRATION: BYRON EGGENSCHWILER; IMAGINE VAN GOGH: L AURENCE L ABAT

With pandemicspecific wine pairings, spectacular regions you’ve never heard of and the best bottles for your buck, this is the only wine guide you’ll need this summer.

European Sales Representation S&R Media Sylvie Durlach Tel +33 1 44 18 06 62 Email srmedia@club-internet.fr

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City 8 At Issue Accessible childcare isn’t as easy as 1, 2, 3—so who are we counting on to make it a reality?

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Culture

VANCOUVER MAGAZINE is published six times a year by Canada Wide Media Limited, Suite 230, 4321 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6S7. Phone 604-2997311; fax 604-299-9188. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Not responsible for unsolicited editorial material. Privacy Policy: On occasion, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened organizations whose product or service might interest you. If you prefer that we not share your name and address (postal and/ or email), you can easily remove your name from our mailing lists by reaching us at any of the listed contact points. You can review our complete Privacy Policy at Vanmag.com. Indexed in the Canadian Magazine Index by Micromedia Ltd. and also in the Canadian Periodical Index. International standard serial no. ISSN 0380-9552.

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23 The Ticket An Indigenous singer to watch, an immersive Van Gogh exhibit and more awesome events to fill up your calendar.

26 On the Rise Local slow fashion brand Adeera crafts beautiful, Victorian-inspired clothes made to order.

28 City Informer 17 Why does the VPD’s parking lot get the best view in the city?

Chairman and CEO Peter Legge, OBC, LLD (HON) President Samantha Legge, MBA VP of HR/Admin Joy Ginete-Cockle VP of Finance Sonia Roxburgh, CPA, CGA Executive Creative Director Rick Thibert Director of Circulation Tracy McRitchie Head of Brand Partnerships Johnny Alviar, MCE, SCE Marketing Lead Chris Hinton Accounting Terri Mason, Eileen Gajowski Circulation Katie Gajowski, Kelly Kalirai Office Manager/Sales Coordinator Lori North Executive Assistant to the CEO Charie Ginete-Ilon

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VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1 5

ED NOTE

About a year ago, I read a piece from an author who was feeling triggered, worrying that she was doing the pandemic all wrong. She had thought she was finally off the hook from striving to match The Best Life that everyone else on social media seemed to be living in our pre-pandemic ways—travelling the world, throwing fabulous dinner parties, giving birth to adorable children—but then she watched as friends and influencers on Instagram became artisan bakers, turned their families into the Von Trapps with excellent TikToks, and found inner Zen through their Zoom meditation classes. While she turtled, others looked like they were thriving.

Of course, that’s not true—we’ve all found various ways to get through right now. Yes, sometimes it’s diving into a baking project because it’s a great distraction from the terrifying daily caseload stats, but sometimes it’s deciding that today is just not a day to get out of bed.

Our assistant editor, Alyssa Hirose, also happens to be an excellent comic artist (as well as a terrific improv comedian—the skills this woman has!), and she lent her talents to creating the adorable illustrations in our feature on all things wine this month. She also shares a daily comic on her Instagram (@hialyssacomics), and one of my recent favourites was a pandemic bingo card—that’s not what you might think. This one lets you off the hook for everything you haven’t accomplished—and reward yourself for it. From “Didn’t watch Bridgerton” to “Didn’t cut your own hair”—and, yes, all the way to “Didn’t make sourdough.”

And so for The Wine Issue, our annual reach-out to the city’s top sommeliers for their favourite bottles (including a few beers, too), we’re asking about all the ways we occupied (and continue to occupy) our days in pandemic times: the perfect pairings for favourite binge watches, for sourdough bread and for strolls with friends. But this issue is also all about discovery—about how you are going to choose to pair these bottles, good days and bad; Zooms with loved ones or a book and your favourite takeout.

As for me, I’ve remained grateful that our local parks and greenspaces have stayed open—and, so long as we’re distanced and keeping it low key, that we can find some sense of normalcy in “air-cheersing” with a glass of wine and sharing our hopes and fears for where this is all headed. And I’ll be picking up a pack of Frico Lambrusco cans for the next such occasion.

Coming Up Next Issue The 3rd Annual Made in Vancouver Awards Our celebration of the talented makers shaping our city—stay tuned for the winners of our Food, Drink, Style, Beauty, Fitness, Home and Wildcard categories.

Glorious Food Trucks Outdoor dining is revving up the mobile restaurant scene, and we’re here for it. This summer, we’re mapping out the food trucks worth following and just what makes them awesome.

On the Web The Friday Beer Reco Associate editor Nathan Caddell explores the good, the great and the weird beers in the city—and the best brews for ringing in the weekend.

FOLLOW US ON

Anicka Quin editorial director

anick a . quin @vanmag . com

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PORTRAIT: EVA AN KHERA J; ST YLING BY LUISA RINO, MAKEUP BY MEL ANIE NEUFELD; CLOTHING COURTESY HOLT RENFREW, HOLTRENFREW.COM

Cheers to Getting Through

City

AT ISSUE

Child Services

Everyone is on the same page about childcare in Vancouver: accessibility and affordability are massive problems.

But even with that knowledge, will it change anytime soon? by

Nathan Caddell

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Last September, when the provincial government called a snap election during the COVID-19 pandemic, the opposition parties were in a tough spot.

It was going to be hard to criticize the NDP’s pandemic response plan, which gave the spotlight to Dr. Bonnie Henry and had been more or less universally praised up until that point. So the parties went digging, trying to uncover promises that hadn’t been met in the three-and-a-half years since the NDP formed a minority coalition government with the Green Party.

The digging meant that childcare, which the NDP promised to get to $10 a day by adopting the plan introduced by the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC, was pushed to the forefront of the campaign. All three parties eventually tabled childcare plans that would greatly reduce the current cost for B.C. residents, with the BC Liberals adopting their own slightly altered $10-a-day plan.

That alone was a massive win for childcare advocates across the province. “I think the fact that [Liberal leader] Andrew Wilkinson said repeatedly that we need to get $10-a-day done is a huge victory for parents and grandparents and early education advocates,” says Sharon Gregson, spokesperson for the coalition.

Gregson got involved with the organization (which has been around for more than 35 years) in the late ’80s and helped the coalition develop its $10-a-day plan in 2011. When the NDP committed to the plan in 2017, the coalition recommended a

ISTOCK /A-DIGIT

VA N M AG .C O M/C I T Y

City AT I S S U E They have moved from childcare chaos to childcare progress in this province.” s h a ron g r e g s on , c oa l i t ion of c h i l d c a r e a dvo c at e s of b c

timeline of 10 years to get universal, affordable childcare to all B.C. parents who wanted it. When asked whether the NDP has let anyone down almost four years into that promise, she begs to differ.

“The first real thing the NDP did was in the February 2018 budget, and to commit over a billion new dollars over three years was not letting anyone down,” Gregson argues. “They have moved from childcare chaos to childcare progress in this province, and for the first time in a generation, we’re seeing early childhood educators getting some wage enhancement, we’re seeing parents’ fees start to stabilize or go down. We saw the $10-a-day site launched, and we saw 20,000 new spaces funded.”

And what about in B.C.’s biggest city? “After decades of being on the bottom of the priority list, it’s refreshing to see it being talked about more,” says Mary Clare Zak, managing director of social policy at the City of Vancouver. She points to a memorandum of understanding that was signed between the provincial government and the city as an important move. No such agreement has been forged when it comes to housing, for example.

“That’s really significant as a step in the right direction and for taking the partnership seriously with the city,” she says. “We see that as being an important gesture on behalf of the province to really work with us and invest with us.”

But as much as both Gregson and Zak believe that Vancouver is headed in the right direction, and that a Quebec model of childcare—where families pay an average of $179 a month per child, according to a 2020 study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives— is certainly possible, there are still some challenges on the horizon.

Vancouver families pay a median toddler fee of $1,112 a month per child for childcare, according to the same study. That’s among the highest fees in the country, with only Richmond ($1,200), Iqaluit ($1,213) and a handful of Ontario cities (with Toronto topping out at $1,457) seeing higher rates.

And while Gregson commends the work the gov­ ernment has done in recent years, she also sees some cracks in the armour. “Over the first couple of years, government made the mistake of giving taxpayer funds for the purchase of private assets,” she explains.

“Whereas we know that when you look around the world at good childcare systems, taxpayer dollars have to be spent to purchase public assets, so that those facilities

remain available to the public to use for childcare.”

The current $10-a-day program serves some 36,000 families in one form or another, according to Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen. The prototype, which was built in an agreement with the federal government, was set to expire in April 2021, but Chen assured Vancouver magazine that the deal would be extended.

The Burnaby-Lougheed MLA is motivated to get affordable, accessible childcare to B.C., and not just because her ministry is very much on the hook for it.

“I remember looking at a Conference Board of Canada study that said for every dollar invested in childcare, you get six dollars returned in terms of social economic benefits,” she says. “When you invest in childcare it’s good for the economy.”

At a time when the country is hoping to recover from the crippling economic disaster that is COVID-19, that aspect can’t be overrated. At the onset of the pandemic, women became unemployed at a rate of 60 percent higher than men, according to a recent study published by the BC Women’s Health Foundation. To its credit, the federal government stepped up in its April budget announcement, setting aside $30 billion over the next five years in hopes of getting to $10 a day by 2026.

As a mother to a young child herself, Chen maintains that she is very aware what parents in Vancouver and B.C. have to deal with at the present moment. “It’s challenging; parents cannot wait,” she says. “We’re well on our way to investment, and continuing to grow. Every month as we build the spaces, we have more parents and families utilizing them. I think we just need to keep moving. We can’t slow down.”

For Gregson, who was “absolutely shocked” at the lack of a functional childcare system when she joined the coalition as a young mother some 30 years ago, there’s still a fight to be had, even if the signs are encouraging.

“We have to make sure we hold governments accountable to delivering—in a way based on evidence and research and not just growing the market-based system—a public system,” she says.

“Just like all our kids have publicly funded K-12 education, we have to make sure all our kids have access, if their parents choose it, to a quality affordable childcare program. It’s been a pretty substantial start, but I would say that we have to keep the pressure on.

Politicians act when they know the public wants these programs.”

VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1 9

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The Wine of the Times NOW MORE THAN EVER, IT’S TIME TO STEP UP YOUR VINO GAME by

Neal McLennan

illustrations by

Alyssa Hirose

Two years ago, we reached out to our sommelier community with a series of random, somewhat off-thewall wine questions—and the results were hilarious, helpful and wildly exceeding our expectations. It turned out to be our most popular wine issue ever, and the story we created from their insight won a National Magazine Award for service journalism. So, like Sylvester Stallone making Rocky VIII, we’re going back to the well (and adding some expertise from a few local beer folk while we’re at it)—this time, with a very pandemic-themed set of questions. If ever there was a time to be upping your wine game...

VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1 11

working through all the episodes, and I had started at the beginning of the pandemic. Pair with the 2018 Mac Forbes Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley. It’s a bright, intense and focused pinot noir from one of Australia’s best emerging producers.—Peter Van de Reep, Bar Gobo It took a pandemic for me to watch The Good Wife all the way through. Then I binged hard, wishing I had Julianna Margulies’ eyebrows and sipping Musella Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore.—Jenna Briscoe, Medina Cafe Back-to-back episodes of Ozark, accompanied with a Strange Fellows Blackmail Stout. It’s got a rich, round and slightly sweet character that hides its dark side. Kinda like Marty.—Nigel Pike, Main Street Brewing

*

What’s been your fave TV binge during COVID? And what bottle would you pair with it that sums up all that was good about it?

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

I’ve recently gotten back into Law and Order, which I hadn’t realized is actually just a soap opera for old dudes. It pairs well with multiple bottles of Twin Sails Low Life (“the prosecco of beers”).—Matthew Landry, Stable House Bistro Medici Ermete Quercioli Lambrusco Grasparossa

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, plus Medici Ermete Quercioli Lambrusco Grasparossa.— Shiva Reddy, Barbara I loved The Queen’s Gambit—it was trash, beautiful trash, like Rocky IV with chess and cool clothes. It pairs perfectly with Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel and its appropriately mid-century-modern label.— David Stansfield, Earls

Natte Valleij Cinsault

Peroni Nastro Azzurro

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Ted Lasso seems simple, but it’s really heartwarming. I got more than I expected!

Lasso pairs well with Natte Valleij Cinsault, from South Africa. It’s a quaffable red that’s easy to enjoy without a second thought—but take a little time to decant it, and it opens up to become such an interesting wine.— Christina Hartigan, Bufala/Bells & Whistles I am so obsessed with the Australian reality cooking show My Kitchen Rules. I’m still

I know I’m late to the game, but I watched The Sopranos for the first time. I watch it with a Peroni Nastro Azzurro, which became my favourite summer beer after having it with dinner at Pepino’s. Something about the crisp effervescence and drinking it from the green bottle at home while Tony pins his boat off the New Jersey shore gave me that glimmer of escapism I was craving.—Marissa Mills, Granville Island Brewing

What drink, like Proust’s madeleine, will bring you back to 2020 whenever you taste it again?

Cans of Ferdinand Rosé from California.

Other than being extremely delicious and

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL: AMA ZON RPIME

Twin Sails Low Life

eco-friendly, it’s the perfect beverage to grab on your way to the beach for all those muchneeded distant walks or outdoor catch-ups!— Maude Renaud-Brisson, Apéro Mode

R.I.P. WILDEBEEST

In the beginning we tried to make things positive at home, so we splurged and ordered king crab take-out and opened a nice bottle of 2008 Pol Roger Cuveé Sir Winston Churchill Brut. Then that same wine kept sneaking into blind tastings throughout the rest of the year.

It’s a very memorable wine: plush, lush, fresh baked brioche. It stands out every time.—Van Doren Chan, Ugly Dumpling Kitsch Maria’s Block Riesling nurtured me, made me smile and gave me hope for the future. My friends said, “If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it?” We’ve been married six months now and I’ve never been happier.—Shane Taylor, CinCin

I spent eight years working for Campagnolo.

For me, the wine for Camp has to be the 2018 Medici Ermete Concerto Lambrusco. A little bit different yet classic, and incredible value for your money.—Peter

La Vieille Ferme Rouge. Served cold. From a three-litre box.—David Our Haulin’ Oats Oatmeal Stout—not only is it delicious, it also brought a smile to many faces, in a punny way. Its kiss was on our list.—Nigel

Wildebeest—and the sherry bone luge. So many great times, and some of my best dates.

It was an awesome room and vibe, and will be big-time missed.—Shane

Gai’a Monograph Assyrtiko. I made the move to open Medina After Dark with an entirely Mediterranean wine list, and I was blinded on it twice as a part of my master of wine journey. I got to listen to my husband parody Nickleback’s “Photograph”: “Look at this Monograph, every time I do it makes me laugh.” This wine was a big part of 2020.—Jenna

We lost a few restaurants over the past year. What place was special to you, and what wine sums up

Mac Forbes Pinot Noir

Musella Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore

Strange Fellows Blackmail Stout

10-Year Broadbent Malmsey

Campagnolo Upstairs, with Pietradolce Etna Rosso. Peter always had some unique, energetic, and crunchy reds to discover. I miss sprinting up those creaky stairs to a glass of pale red any time of the year.

—Jason Yamasaki, Joey Even before I worked at Wildebeest, I would bring out-of-town guests there for dinner.

The family-style dishes were delicious, adventurous and showcased incredible local products. Tantalus has had a spot on the wine list there for years, and their Old Vines Riesling is bright, precise, and beautifully made. We are definitely drinking magnums, because this is an experience to be shared.— Christina

*Googles Marcel Proust...* I, uh, went heavy on Madeira just before the pandemic (whoops), and I’ll be drinking 10-year Broadbent Malmsey until I die. It will age better than I will.—Matt

WILDEBEEST

why it was great?

*

You finally mastered sourdough—what bottle do you pair with your loaf to celebrate?

I’ve mastered the art of waiting in line at my neighbourhood hotspot, Livia, for my sourdough. I would pair my queuing experience with Medici Ermete Phermento Lambrusco Metodo Ancestrale.—Jenna

Gai’a Monograph Assyrtiko

Tantalus Old Vines Riesling

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and at 10.5% ABV l it will get me through Zoom meetings numbers nine to 16.—Peter You have so much faith in me to think that I would have made it to Zoom #9 on just coffee! I’d go with a can of Scarpetta Frico Lambrusco. The can looks like kombucha, but it’s a tasty sparkling red from Italy. And the 9% ABV means you can stay focused.— Christina Stoneleigh Lighter Rosé with a few cubes of ice and a splash of sparkling water. They’re onto me and targeting me with Facebook ads.—Jenna

I’d go with Domaine LeFlaive Le Montrachet, the quintessential chardonnay—bountiful fruits oozing with flavour. I’m pretty sure that’s what they serve in Utopia for breakfast: wake up on a cloud with a glass of Le Montrachet and fresh pain au levain.—Van Doren

* Domaine LeFlaive Le Montrachet

Charles Heidsieck Brut

Champagne! Because I will take any excuse to drink champagne. Charles Heidsieck Brut is a favourite—it has bright, refreshing acidity to pair with that perfectly zingy sour bread, and it’s balanced by rich brioche and toasted almond notes.—Christina

You’re on your eighth Zoom meeting of the day and it’s finally noon—what do you drink out of your coffee cup during meeting #9?

I always have chilled vermouth ready to go, currently the Giuseppe Carpano Antica Formula. The 16.5% ABV will cheer you right up and it’s sneakily the perfect colour to pass as coffee.—Maude

Benjamin Bridge Brut

Scarpetta Frico Lambrusco

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This is not a hypothetical question. I am currently drinking Benjamin Bridge Brut, from a boot-shaped glass mug.—David Let’s crack a bottle of the incredible 2020 Lightning Rock Rosé Pet Nat. So delicious

You’re invited to a white-tie dinner on your Joe Fresh budget. What’s the greatest psych-out wine in your personal arsenal that looks more expensive than it is?

On looks? I don’t know. But taste-wise, the 2017 Domaine de la Pépière Clisson Muscadet is like solid white Burgundy at half the price.—Peter The Légende label from Domaines Barons de Rothschild in Bordeaux offers sneaky good value. Look at all those fancy words on the label: Barons, Rothschild, Lafite, red wine!

—David Cava Reserva or Gran Reserva. Most have great packaging and can be easily mistaken for a champagne. And it’s a good-quality wine respected by the wine geeks.—Van Doren If you wish to look fancy and be invited back, choose the cheapest bottle you can find with a wax-dipped top. It won’t even matter that your white tie is just a folded-up piece of paper.—Jason

How about the flipside: you’ve won the lottery but want to keep it real with your pals.

What’s the best low-key wine that looks modest but is really special?

SOURDOUGH: MONIK A GRABKOWSK A/UNSPL ASH

Since we’re talking things that will never happen, let’s dream big. I’m pairing yeast on yeast with a 2006 Krug Vintage Brut.—David

Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Get it for your house. Drink it all the time. A phenomenal woman who’s made a seemingly simple wine extraordinarily special.—Jenna Roulot Meursault Perrières Premier Cru. Looking at the label, you might mistake it for an ordinary table wine. But it’s probably the most modest winemaker making one of the world’s most sought-after wines.—Van Doren Quintarelli Bianco Secco—the handwritten label. It’s the only white wine made by this iconic producer. Phenomenal... and pronounced like it’s four different words.

—Shane We see so many good value Argentinian wines in the market that some might not think a chardonnay from that region would be special. But Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay really is!—Christina

Your investment banker brother-in-law is always railing about how natural wine is an antifa plot. What one bottle would convert him?

I feel like Château Le Puy Emilien would go a decent way to bring the BIL on board.

It’s Bordeaux so it will totally be in his wheelhouse, but it’s very much from the natural world, and it’s absolutely delicious.

—Peter Mathieu and Camille Lapierre Morgon. And screw him if he doesn’t get it.—David Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant.

It’s a good wine to prove that a well-made natural wine is clean, fruitful and magical. Any vintage will make him cry.—Van Doren A 2016 Foradori Dolomiti Teroldego—it’s delicious, clean and has the ability to age.

This wine is powerful and complex and should keep him thinking (and quiet) for a while.

—Christina Depends what you mean by natural. Does it need a watercolour label and a fantasy name like “Blonk Blanc”? If I’m buying, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling. If he’s treating, some Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.—Jenna “Hey Bruce, finally something we agree on.

Cheers! Say, how’s about we celebrate by crackin’ one of your Latours tonight?”—Jason

Stoneleigh Lighter Rosé

Domaine de la Pépière Clisson Muscadet

* Mathieu and Camille Lapierre Morgon

Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Quintarelli Bianco Secco

Catena Zapata White Stones Chardonnay

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What wine region do you love so much that you secretly hope it never gets discovered by the masses? And what single bottle would make that case?

1. Jerez—a region that loves food and wine.

Fino sherry is the hidden gem and it’s highly addictive. It will take you a couple of tries to figure it out, but once you do, you can’t keep your hands off it. Grab a handful of almonds and a glass of Tio Pepe Fino. At $22, a bottle goes along way!—Van Doren 2. The Valle d’Aosta in northwest Italy.

Crunchy reds, subtle whites. Half French, half Italian and all the way delish. The Grosjean Fumin is aces.—Matt 3. You think I’m going to give that secret away? (Psst... it’s Baden, mostly for the 2018 Enderle and Moll Liaison Spätburgunder. Or, really, any of the German regions producing spätburgunder, aka pinot noir—they’re seriously underrated.—Peter 4. Any muscadet—it’s a dry and salty seaside wine. It’s a bit foolish to broadcast a region I hope never gets discovered, but I’m willing to do it because it’s hiding in plain sight. I think back to my early wine studies and how it took me weeks to understand that muscadet is not the same thing as common moscato, so I’m confident it won’t be discovered.—Jason

Tio Pepe Fino

The Grosjean Fumin

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4

5. Loire Valley cabernet franc. Pound for pound. Dollar for dollar. For a bottle, Domaine Guiberteau from Saumur. In our market, you might as well be wearing a balaclava when you purchase it, because you’ve robbed somebody. Please don’t tell.—Shane 6. The Wachau, Austria. Except I want everyone to discover it! It’s an amazing wine for food pairing. Start with a 2019 bottle of Domäne Wachau Terraces.—Christina 7. Wines from Liguria in Italy. The Cantine Lunae Colli di Luni Vermentino is a steal of a deal. Incredible complexity, depth and balance for a wine under $30. I hope it stays at that price!—Jenna

2018 Enderle

1

Moll Liaison Spätburgunder

Domaine Guiberteau from Saumur

Domäne Wachau Terraces

Cantine Lunae Colli di Luni Vermentino

5

6

3 5

2 7

8. The Swartland in South Africa. I can’t seem to shut up about this region, so I think I’d do a poor job of keeping the secret. So many passionate producers there working with gnarly old vines and making exciting wines with so much personality! I dare you to grab a bottle of AA Badenhorst or Natte Valleij Single Vineyard Cinsault and try to prove me wrong.—Maude AA Badenhorst

Natte Valleij Single Vineyard Cinsault

8

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You realize you have a superpower: you can wiggle your nose and one grape variety will disappear from the Okanagan. Wiggle twice and you can replace it with another variety. What are your picks?

Moscato d’Asti

Kerner. Sorry, but I haven’t had one that I’ve enjoyed from the Okanagan. For a replacement: riesling. The world can always use more riesling.—Van Doren I’d replace cabernet sauvignon with cabernet franc. But—and this is a big but—the cab franc can’t be ersatz cab sauv. I demand lean, juicy, Loire-ish B.C. cab franc.—David Marechal foch (please make it disappear from the Island as well). I’d replace it with blaufränkisch—I don’t know if it would be possible to grow and produce high-quality blaufränkisch here, but I love it.—Christina Superflux Easy Tiger

Domaine ded Grachies Côtes de Gascogne Blanc

Let’s wiggle away merlot and replace it with riesling. I’ve tasted many poor merlots. I’ve tasted mostly fantastic rieslings.—Jenna

You’re taking a nice, lawabiding walk on Kits Beach— what’s your vessel and what are you putting in it?

Pick up a chilled can of Ferdinand Cali Rosé at Kits Wine and grab another one for that friend you’ve been missing! Perfect vessel for any adventure and no need to be prepared for it.—Maude

Broc Cellars Love White

Quails’ Gate Rosé

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Double-walled Big Gulp cup of Moscato d’Asti. It’s a soft drink for adults, with a little sweetness and sparkle that makes it a nice wine to sip through a straw.—Van Doren

It’s a can. And the good people at Scarpetta put lambrusco in it.—David More like Wreck Beach, as I’ve got nothing to hide. My mum says, “If you got it, flaunt it.”

I’d bring Superflux Easy Tiger, ice cold and straight from the can.—Shane Compostable coffee cup. Domaine de Grachies Côtes de Gascogne Blanc for a daytime walk, Monte del Fra Bardolino with a chill for the evening.—Jenna I’m drinking a Broc Cellars Love White canned wine I bought from Legacy Liquor.

It’s good, but I keep spilling it as I walk and gesticulate. The date only lasts an hour. She gets an emergency phone call. Her friend is sick. She has to go. I finish all six cans alone on the beach.—Matt I may or may not have used my Stanley vacuum-insulated tumbler with a bottle of 2018 Broc Cellars Happi Chenin Blanc from Solano County in California on just such a walk. Alternatively, Broc makes cans of delicious Rhône varieties that are perfect for the beach.—Peter It’s legally permitted to enjoy a sip of wine at Kits Beach, isn’t it? In that case, I’d get my biggest smash-proof acrylic wine glass and fill it with Quails’ Gate Rosé. I’d slowly pace up and down the beach, swirling, sniffing and sipping. All the people would see—they’d

KING LIP/UNSPL ASH

Ferdinand Cali Rosé

Wiggle once and, bam, there goes all the gewurztraminer (bye, Felicia). Wiggle twice and, bam, we’re fucking with nebbiolo because quality is king and capitalism is the devil. Am I on trend yet?—Matt

want to do it too. We’d get thousands of new people loving wine. Or, I’d get a Spikeball thrown at me for being a douche.—Jason Definitely my trusty old dented travel mug with a fresh-brewed coffee and a splash of Odd Society Mia Amata Amaro.—Nigel Oh, that’s easy: our Not Beer camp coffee mug, ’cause whatever’s in the cup is clearly not beer, officer.—Dan Webster, Container Brewing

whatever, wherever, whenever and just get on with it. Don’t let the bastards get you down.

It’s rich, textured and full bodied—it takes no thought and yet benefits from contemplation.

I eat Kraft Singles while I drink it. Radiohead is playing. Am I depressed?—Matt

Your Robinhood account has been locked—what bottle are you “investing” in for the best returns over the next five years?

I know some bottles are coming to the province again soon, but Cappellano Barolo Chinato would be my pick. It’s a herbal fortified wine akin to vermouth but with even more complexity and finesse. The Cappellano bottling is a life-changing and life-affirming liquid. It’s what we all need right now.—Peter

White Bordeaux! I love it. I want more people to become obsessed and be willing to pay for it. Be a crazy person and splurge for a 2011 or 2012 bottle if you can find it anywhere, or get in on the 2019 vintage and wait awhile.—Jenna

Maison MC Thiriet Volnay Les Grands Champs. Or any red Burgundy in this case!

If I’m sitting and thinking, it’s the perfect moment for Burgundy—a wine that deserves time and attention.—Christina

A premier cru Burgundy, like Les Rugiens or Les Grands Epenots in Pommard. Grand cru quality but with a premier cru price tag.—Van Doren

Substance from Champagne Selosse. It’s a chardonnay-based sparkling made from a solera system. It makes me ponder about life, and wonder how everything I love about wine is in one glass. —Van Doren

Smart money says Barolo is the next Burgundy. You could try GD Vajra’s Bricco Delle Viole Barolo—but I get my investment advice from Reddit, so... Gamestop?— David

*

I want a wine that’s a red typeface on a black background. Bold, distinctive, thought provoking. So, Cornelissen Magma Rosso from Etna, Sicily. A wine made for serious internal conversations.—Shane Odd Society Mia Amata Amaro

Les Rugiens

Les Grands Epenots

Koerner Vermentino

Cornelissen Magma Rosso

Champagne Selosse Substance

What the hell is life all about? You’ve got a night alone to ponder—what bottle do you open to help you reach contentment?

I open a bottle of Koerner Vermentino from Clare Valley in Australia. Why? Because there are no rules: grow

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HERE’S A CASE OF B.C. WINE TO BUY EARLY—THESE BOTTLES WILL SELL OUT. • Lightning Rock Elysia Blanc de Noirs • Bella Mariani Vineyard Sparkling Gamay • Blue Mountain Single Vineyard Pinot • Tantalus Old Vines Riesling • Poplar Grove Lakeview Rosé • Synchromesh Riesling • Rigour and Whimsy Rousanne Pet Nat • A Sunday in August Piquette • Nichol Old Vines Syrah • Sperling Natural Amber Pinot Gris • Terravista Albarino • Stag’s Hollow Sauvignon Blanc

Deep thoughts call for deep wines. I commune with the cosmos while sipping Rippon’s biodynamic Mature Vines Pinot Noir from Central Otago in New Zealand.—David I’d uncork a bottle of Chianti Classico. My pondering mind: “Hmm. Life is probably about connection. With food. With places.

Definitely with people. Dang, this wine is delicious. Reminds me of being in Italy. Dang, I miss Italy. This wine smells like terracotta.

Do I even know what terracotta smells like?

Do I have spaghetti? Yes. Good. Life’s fine.

Got everything I need.”—Jason

The pandemic is over and you can finally have that big bash you’ve been dreaming of... but 2020 has slammed your bank account. What do you buy by the case on a budget?

Lambrusco! We are celebrating with sparkling! Paltrinieri Piria is dry, tart, crushable and affordable.—Christina

THE SOMMELIERS

Always Moosehead, and it has to be in bottles. If I can’t afford Moosehead, there’s no party.—Adam Henderson, Superflux Instead of beer, I’d go for a case of Red Truck’s refreshing Remix Vodka Soda, throw some of my favourite albums on the turntable and take a long breath!—Nigel

Moosehead

33 Acres of Sunshine by the case.—Katie Lush, Container Brewing Red Racer comes to mind, and it’s actually a bit nostalgic for me too, since I worked in enterprise software sales in the Central City tower when Central City was just the brewpub. Drank me a lot of Central City beers in that pub.—Dan

Red Racer

THE BREW CREW

MATTHEW LANDRY Stable House Bistro

MAUDE RENUADBRISSON Apéro Mode

JASON YAMASAKI Joey

DAVID STANSFIELD Earls

NIGEL PIKE Main Street Brewing

MARISSA MILLS Granville Island Brewing

VAN DOREN CHAN Ugly Dumpling

JENNA BRISCOE Medina Cafe

SHIVA REDDY Barbara

CHRISTINA HARTIGAN Bufala/Bells & Whistles

ADAM HENDERSON Superflux

KATIE LUSH Container Brewing

SHANE TAYLOR CinCin

PETER VAN DE REEP Bar Gobo

DAN WEBSTER Container Brewing

KURTIS SHELDON Slow Hand Beer Company

20 VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1

WE’RE CELEBRATING VANCOUVER’S BEST MAKERS! Vancouver magazine’s 2021 Made in Vancouver Awards spotlight the city’s best homegrown goods, from artisanal hot sauces to handcrafted bags o eco-chic outerwear.

Winners featured in the July/August issue!

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ade for the comfortable, earth-friendly consumer or the businessperson who wants branded clothing and masks that shout sustainability, Kasi Bamboo is a dream come true.

The Canadian clothing company based in Vancouver, BC, was founded by Kasia Fryklund who took a sharp turn off the road to law school to follow her passion for clothing and product design.

“Kasi Bamboo is based on the belief that clothing should be sustainable, comfortable, and long lasting,” Fryklund says.

“A large reason why I chose

Bamboo is also naturally hypoallergenic, thermal regulating, moisture wicking, and odour and bacteria resistant.

“Before launching my line, I went through dozens of bamboo fabric samples from all over the world until I found the most comfortable and eco-friendly option, ”Fryklund says. “Our fabric is OEKO-TEX 100 Standard certified and sourced from 100% wild, organic bamboo.”

Kasi Bamboo was set to launch early 2020, but when the pandemic hit, the team shifted

production to face masks to meet the growing demand.

“We were shocked when in a week we sold out of 300 masks, built up a large waitlist, and were in high demand in high-end retail stores,” Fryklund says. “It all happened very quickly!”

That year, Kasi Bamboo sold over 20,000 bamboo face masks locally and internationally, and the product has become a bestseller on Etsy and in retail stores and galleries across North America. Its clothing has reached all over the world and has been spotted in places like Australia, France, and Nigeria.

“We plan to branch out the brand even further to include all ways we can care for our bodies and the planet, such as lotions, candles, soaps, and other natural/earthfriendly products,” Fryklund says.

“The goal is to leave the world a little better than how I found it and, ultimately, to be a good role model for my three-year-old son.”

On May 1, Kasi Bamboo is launching new additions to the line (tees, hoodies, tank tops, and pants) that were put on hold when the pandemic hit. This May also marks one year in business for Kasi Bamboo.

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T H I N G S TO D O / S LOW FA S H I O N S P OT L I G H T / PA R K I N G LOT W I T H A V I E W

VA N M AG .C O M/C I T Y

Culture THE TICK E T

MAKING IT INDIGENOUS

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by

e n.”

EVAN DOHENY

d ay

Alyssa Hirose

Tia Wood grew up in a musical community— she’s from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, home of the famous drum group Northern Cree, and her uncle Randy Wood is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer. She remembers her parents setting her and her siblings up around the drum at pow wows and jam sessions. “It was a way of keeping our heads afloat and putting food on the table; we would do little gigs as a family,” says Wood.

So in September 2020, Wood and her family were already well-known in the Indigenous community. But time was tik-ing (and tok-ing) and internet fame was imminent. You guessed it—a video of the young artist putting her own twist on a viral beat (called “Make It Indigenous”) blew up, garnering over four million views and kicking her music career into high gear. It sparked her move to Vancouver and the recording of her debut album, which integrates Indigenous singing with pop/R&B style. Wood’s sudden launch into the spotlight is a bit overwhelming, she says, but in times of stress, she looks to her roots. “I stay grounded by being around my family and loved ones,” says Wood, “and pow wows as an outlet to sing and express myself have been part of who I am for my whole life... I really hope we can get back to that soon.” @tiamiscihk

VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1 23

11:29 AM

Culture T H E T I C K E T

Essential Events The hippest (online and distanced) happenings of the season. by

Alyssa Hirose

Before Dawn

STORIES THAT ANIMATE US DATE Through September 6 VENUE Vancouver Art Gallery vanartgallery.bc.ca From fairy tales to films to family memories, storytelling lives across all cultures. This art exhibit explores and celebrates the universal nature of narrative through paper works and animations. It encourages audiences to think about which stories have shaped them, and which stories they’ll pass on.

Imagine Van Gogh

SOMEONE LIKE YOU DATE May 19 to January 19 VENUE Online artsclub.com Get some fun in your ears with this new work from the Arts Club’s audio play series.

Someone Like You follows millennials Isabelle and Kristen as they navigate Kristen’s new relationship. It’s a modern comedy about self-love (with some mistaken-identity-fuelled comedy for that traditional theatre flavour).

BEFORE DAWN DATE June 17 to 19 VENUE Online vidf.ca The Vancouver International Dance Festival’s livestreamed shows wrap up with a local favourite: Lamondance, a North Van-based contemporary dance studio led by artistic director Davi Rodrigues. Like with all VIDF performances, tickets are by donation—make sure you give a little extra to help keep them moving.

24 VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1

IMAGINE VAN GOGH DATE Through August 29 VENUE Vancouver Convention Centre imagine-vangogh.com Due to popular demand—and the fact that it’s one of the only indoor activities that wasn’t cancelled recently—Imagine Van Gogh has extended their stay in Vancouver, meaning you now have all summer to immerse yourself in the 360-degree experience. This spectacular exhibit of dancing projections features over 200 of Van Gogh’s paintings. It’s Starry Night like you’ve never seen it before.

VANCOUVER FARMERS MARKETS DATE Through October 2021 VENUE Various markets across the city eatlocal.org Get your weekly groceries and some much-needed sunshine at a local farmers market.

On Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer (check

Tara Cheyenne

TALKING SH*T WITH TARA CHEYENNE DATE Monthly VENUE Online taracheyenne.com Without live shows and packed audiences, what have performing artists been up to? Creating, of course. Award-winning performer, choreographer, director and writer Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg hosts this podcast covering all things artsy (with a big focus on dance). Plug in and listen to her chat with artists and leaders in the creative community.

From the Stories That Animate Us at the VAG: Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo, Naufragio en El Espino, 2020, mixed media (pencil crayon, conté, acrylic ink, watercolour, oil paint, collage) on Mylar, courtesy of the artist

IMAGINE VAN GOGH: L AURENCE L ABAT; L AMONDANCE BEFORE DAWN: MILES CL ARK; TARA CHE YENNE: WENDY D; NAUFRAGIO EN EL ESPINO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

online for your neighbourhood schedule), they’re the go-to spot for fresh fruits, veggies and locally made snacks. The markets are also a great place for community building in these isolating times. Feed your soul!

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Culture O N T H E R I S E

ORDER UP

Adeera brings fashion back to basics by producing only what they need.

Alyssa Hirose

Adeera’s first collection (shown here) is all neutrals, but Shannon Hall (right) and Emma Reynolds (below) are introducing colour in the second—think deep red, champagne and seafoam green.

26 VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1

We wanted to build something that was a solution to the issues that surround the industry, rather than contribute to them.”

Adeera—now a label of its own—launched its first limited-edition capsule collection last year. The 100-percent mulberry silk wares were inspired by the softness (and the power) of Victorian-era fashion. “Even when we are going through difficult times, there is still beauty in everything, and we want our pieces to be a reminder of that,” says Hall. Difficult times in mind, they went for more wearable pieces (pants included) in Adeera’s second collection, and incorporated more casual materials, like wool and cotton. Think pandemic fashion, but elevated.

Just like the first collection, the second is designed

by Hall and made-to-order in East Vancouver, meaning they don’t create unnecessary waste by overproducing their inventory. “We wanted to build something that was a solution to the issues that surround the industry, rather than contribute to them,” says Reynolds.

COURTESY OF ADEERA

by

Recently, a less glamorous side of the fashion industry has come into the spotlight: the horrendous environmental impact of fast fashion. Friends Shannon Hall and Emma Reynolds shared a passion for sustainability, and with Hall’s background in fashion design and Reynolds’s in marketing, they were the ideal founders for local sustainable retailer Adeera in 2018.

But the pair struggled to find earth-friendly brands that fit their personal style. So, they realized: if they wanted it done right, they’d have to design it themselves... and make it to order.

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CELEBRATING THE BEST NEW DESIGN IN WESTERN CANADA, AS JUDGED BY THE WORLD’S FOREMOST DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS. WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE OF WESTERN LIVING.

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Looking to refresh your space?

Subscribe to the Newsletter at westernliving.ca

CIT Y INFORMER

Why Is Prime Waterfront Property Being Used as a Parking Lot? by

Stacey McLachlan Byron Eggenschwiler

illustration by

Judging what is and is not an appropriate use of waterfront property is Vancouver’s Official Civic Sport. (Bad: condos for other people!

Good: condos that I personally live in!) So I’m certain you’ve also noticed the waste of valuable land just southeast of the Cambie Street Bridge. There’s False Creek, then there’s a sliver of seawall, and then there’s the heartwarming sight of row upon row of cop cars, just soaking in the majestic vistas of the glittering downtown skyline.

There are a lot of good arguments for defunding the police in the mix already, from people much smarter than me, but I thought I’d throw one more on the pile—one that I think is really going to sway over the Blue Lives Matter crowd: how come the VPD’s parking lot has the best view in the city? Booo! BOOO!!

No offence to Lightning McQueen and Pixar’s worst trilogy, but I personally feel like that vista should be enjoyed by people, not cars. (That being said, I admit I don’t know much about cars. Do they thrive with daylight? Like how plants grow faster when they listen to music? Is it vehicular cruelty to keep my Hyundai Accent parked underground where it can’t see the light of day?)

I guess it doesn’t really matter

28 VA N M A G . C O M M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 1

How come the VPD’s parking lot has the best view in the city? Booo! BOOO!! what I think, or feel, or if this idea about cars and light could be a winning science fair experiment if the judges would just loosen up and let a 33-year-old woman participate for once, because, ultimately, this upscale parking spot is a placeholder. This is not the city’s end game for that space.

They’ve got a whole vision, outlined in the Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan, with parks and houses and everything! And they’re going to get to it! Eventually!

Just chill! You’re not my mom!

Was this plan first introduced in 2004? Sure. But we’ve all procrastinated. (For example, on writing a column about underbridge zoning!) So who are we to judge?! The important thing is, the City has a dream, and that’s the first step. (“If you can dream it, you can achieve it”—a wall poster.)

Think of the SFCODP as a vision board, and the City as your college roommate who thinks that cutting and pasting a bunch of stuff out of

the pages of Cosmo is all it will take to get Leonardo DiCaprio to marry her. (In this metaphor, “marrying Leonardo DiCaprio” is the equivalent of building an elementary school for the children of Olympic Village.)

Yes, there are some important details to hash out, like rezoning the land from its industrial status and finding somewhere else for the police to park, but we just need to trust that it’s going to happen.

And if The Secret is true, then soon we’ll see a thriving waterfront park here—with ye ole Sawtooth machine shop and Wilkinson Steel building being preserved for historic, um, history—complemented by stacked townhouses and low-rise apartment buildings that look out over False Creek. We’ll even have a beautiful park, perfect for my roommate’s wedding to Leo (details pending). I think another 17 years of dreaming oughta do it.

Got a question for City Informer? stacey.mclachlan@vanmag.com

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