les amis visits Neal's Yard Dairy

I attempted to use Window's Movie Maker this week. It wasn't that difficult. Not sure why I never bothered to use it before. I've got plenty of pics that certainly can be utilized.

Here is a short video of some pics from a tour Allison and I took of Neal's Yard Dairy in London back in 2008.

Baby Day At The Farm

Allison and I recently took a road trip, and along the way we stopped in to see Debra and George at the Farmhouse Natural Cheese Co. It was a perfect day, sun shining, all that stuff. It felt like spring, yet it was still February. Go figure.

It turned out to be "Baby Day" at the farm during our visit as many of the goats were giving birth. There were little baby goats everywhere, and they were so soft to touch. It's interesting watching George and the animals. It's as if he is the daddy to all of them. They would come running when they saw him. All of the animals seemed so healthy looking, relaxed and happy. It has that effect on peole too. This is the kind of place that seems to make you forget all your troubles. And it's only an hour from the city.

Best cheese ad ever?

Tastings on Hastings

There are still a few tickets available for our always popular Cheese and Wine tastings with les amis du FROMAGE and Au Petit Chavignol at 843 East hastings.

January 4, 2010 - Cheese & Wine 101 SOLD OUT
January 18, 2010 - Taste of Alsace with the wines of Hugel
February 1, 2010 - Award Winning Wines & Cheeses
March 8, 2010 - Vive la France
March 22, 2010 - Port Tasting with Ty the Wine guy
April 12, 2010 - Think Pink with Daenna van Mulligen

Find out more at http://www.buycheese.com/

Jura Jura Jura

The Vacherin Mont d'or should be here soon. They were ordered months ago. It's funny, I can be standing at the front of the store and i can smell them when they get delivered. It's that woodsy, spruce bark. It always reminds me of green peanuts.

This year we are going to serve them baked whole at our restaurant Au Petit Chavignol. The end result will be reminiscent of a fondue. It's something special you can't have all year round.

We'll have some Vin Jaune, Cremant du Jura and Macvin to wash it down with. Macvin du Jura is great. We wanted in on the wine list when we first opened, but couldn't source any until now. Macvin has been in production since the fourteenth century. It is made from five permitted grape varieties, and can be red or rosé when produced from the Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot noir, or white when produced from Chardonnay or Savagnin. The grapes are harvested late in season when their sugar content is at its highest. The grape must is aged in oak barrels for twelve months without prior fermentation in tanks. Marc du Jura, pomace-based eau-de-vie, is then added in a ratio of one liter marc for every two of must. Fermentation stops, leaving behind residual sugar and a sweet dessert wine. I like it a la "porch climber" in a short glass over ice before dinner.

Allison Spurrell on Local Artisan Cheese

Watch Allison on the Food Network Canada discussing local artisan cheeses.

Vancouver is Awesome

It certainly is. This community-based non-profit organization is dedicated to the study, promotion, and preservation of Vancouver arts and culture, with a positive spin.