Thomas Haas Cakes

The only thing I need to say is: They taste as good as they look.

Winzertanz: Gustav Adolf Schmitt

Nica found this German white for me one day in the liquor store. I always lingered around the German whites because honestly, I think they make the best whites in the world. Cheap, cheerful and just the right amount of sweetness. This wine is also sold in the 2 litre format which is even better for under $15!!! (obviously you can see why I like this wine so much). The only place I've found it in the 2 litre format though, it the BC liquor store on 41st and Cambie. I pick up a couple bottles everytime I go visit my parents.

Anyway, solid 9 out of 10 from me on this one. Easy to drink is an understatement. I can finish off a whole 2 litre bottle in one night and I can't even drink that much water in one sitting. Sometimes if you're drunk enough, it only tastes like apple juice. Clean start, clean finish, sweeter wine and great chilled. The price is worth it as an everyday wine.

Calona Vineyards: Sovereign Opal 2007

My friend Julie did it again. She's found another great white! Wine, that is.

This is a VQA wine, and when you first smell it, you fall in love. It has hints of peach and apple and this... I don't know how to explain it, it just SMELLS good. It tastes like it smells too! (Unlike vanilla extract and durian). It's slightly sweet, but not TOO sweet. When it hits the back of your tongue before you swallow, it's pleasant and not cringingly tart.

The bottle is elegant (although honestly it should be what's inside that counts) but overall, nice packaging and a wine that deserves it. It's about $13 and can be found in any BC Liquor store. I've already bought 3 bottles and I'm not sure how long they're going to last. It's a perfect summer wine! 9.5 out of 10.

Renne's Latke's

I love my Food and Wine magazine subscription (I guess I love a lot of food things, don't I?) Anyway, here is a recipe I tried for potato latke's:









3 1/2 pounds baking potatoes; peeled and halved
1 large yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped dill
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Canola oil, for frying
applesauce and sour cream for serving (I only used the sour cream!)

1. shred the potato and onion. Squeeze it dry to try and get all the moisture out.
2. Stir in flour, eggs, dill, salt, and baking powder.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil until simmering. Spoon 2 tablespoons of potato mixture into oil, pressing to slightly flatten. Fry over moderate heat, turning once until the latke's are golden and crisp on both sides (about 7 minutes)
4. Drain the latkes on a paper towel and serve!

Wolf Blass: 2006 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

My friend Naz brought over this bottle of red wine. Can't remember if I liked it or not! I drank it all so I can only figure that I did...I'm giving it an 8 out of 10.