Terroir

For the continuation of Red Wine 201, Merlot, a smooth, easy-drinking “red fruit festival” of a grape, seems a good choice. It’s popular, delicious, and it’ll help us question the idea of terroir. Chateau Pétrus, from the Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, for example, is mostly crafted from Merlot. Although ordinary … Read More

Calgary’s Hidden Gems: Part One

Dubbed Calgary’s “Village in the City” by the area’s website, find Kensington nestled along the Bow River in the N.W. With three or four main streets lined with all manner of shops, you can easily stroll around the “village” in an afternoon – we suggest a sunny Saturday with a cup … Read More

Calgary’s Best Vietnamese

Navigate your way towards a few steaming bowls of noodles and other dishes full of rich fresh flavour with this second installment of XYYC’s Best Eats series: our top picks for Calgary’s Vietnamese. Pho Minh Chau: While they serve a mean bowl of soup, it’s really all about the number … Read More

Obscure Ethnic Dining in Montreal

Everyone has a favourite sushi bar, Italian pizzeria or French bistro. But what about those ethnic cuisines less represented in our city’s culinary landscape? Where to go to satisfy that craving for Burkina Faso BBQ or Uyghur eats? Sadly, the world’s less- known ethnic groups can tend to be pushed … Read More

White Wine 201

For White Wine 201, a less obvious grape than Chardonnay is called for: Pinot Gris. After all, to begin to cope with the intimidating wall of wine in the average wine shop, with its hundreds and thousands of selections, you need to explore. Even experts find the number of choices … Read More

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