Snow drops already blooming in Vancouver

Monday, February 5^th: A quiet day, banking and walking Pinot the Wonderdog. For dinner with lamb chops, Tenuta Le Colonne 2015 from Bolgheri – a Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blend ($26.95 – deep ruby colour; cedary, blackberry and vanilla oak nose; medium to full-bodied, dry, creamy blackberry flavour with ripe tannins (90)).

Tuesday, February 6^th: Took the Megabus into Toronto to have lunch with Stephen Pauwels and Colin Halpern at Auberge du Pommier to discuss our Champagne and Burgundy tour in October and the wineries we might visit. Ordered a bottle of Staete Landt Annabel Sauvignon Blanc 2016.

Lunch wine at Auberge du Pommier

Wednesday, February 7^th: Wrote my Lexpert column on the world’s most expensive wines. Deborah drove into Toronto to pick up her sister Suzanne, who will dog-sit Pinot in our absence.

Thursday, February 8^th: Wrote my On The Go column (four wine reviews). Packed for the morning’s flight to Vancouver to see Declan, our grandson, and Annabel and Ian.

Friday, February 9^th: An early morning pick-up by Niagara Airbus and shuttled to Vineland for a larger bus to Pearson airport. Deborah and I have been put in centre seats one row apart. At Vancouver we took a taxi to Ian’s office, where Annabel gave us the keys to her car. We drove to Declan’s daycare and took him out for ice cream.

Ice cream with Declan

Then on to our Airbnb within walking distance of Annabel and Ian’s house. Annabel dropped us at the Pacific Centre, where we did some shopping. Lunch in the food court. I had deep-fried calamari and Deborah a Japanese noodle dish. Wandered around Nordstrom’s and sat down at the bar for a glass of white wine.

Dined with Annabel and Ian at Savio Volpe – had their chef’s menu with a bottle of Pieropan La Rocca Soave 2013 and two bottles of Fontodi Chianti Classico 2014. We began with anchovies on blood oranges, followed by prosciutto and pear with parmesan, kale salad with asiago, faro salad, pasta stuffed with pork and ham, another pasta dish, grilled chicken, filet steak, chocolate tart and chocolate ice cream. Delicious meal.

Sunday, February 11^th: After breakfast at The White Spot (pancakes), Annabel, Declan, Deborah and I went to the Vancouver Aquarium. Very impressed by the jellyfish.

Back at the house, played games with Declan and introduced him to the plastic straw-glasses.

Declan and his plastic eye-glasses drinking straw

Cooked sole with salsa with rice. Opened a bottle of Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2016 and Bonacosta Valpolicella 2016. Tomorrow we fly home.

Reminder: the password for the Reviews page is drinkme