Latest News from Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's park board eyes free access to city's most popular gardens for Indigenous visitors
The Vancouver park board will soon decide whether to make two of the city's most iconic green spaces free to visit for all Indigenous people. At its upcoming meeting on June 2, the board will consider a proposed initiative that would grant complimentary daytime admission to VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Bloedel Conservatory. If approved, the change will take effect on June 21 — National Indigenous Peoples Day. 'Any individual who self-identifies as Indigenous, First Nations, Métis or Inuit when they visit VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory during daytime operating hours will be offered complimentary admission,' the park board staff report states. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Rooted in the principles of Truth and Reconciliation, the proposal draws on the park board's 11 reconciliation strategies and aligns with the City of Vancouver's UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) plan. 'For the Vancouver park board, truth and reconciliation is more than a ceremonial acknowledgment of these territories,' the report continues. 'It's an opportunity to learn the true history of Vancouver and acknowledge the unjust treatment of the people whose lands we occupy.' Admission to the 22-hectare VanDusen garden, located in the Shaughnessy neighbourhood, varies between $5.35 and $15.05, based on the season and the visitor's age. For the conservatory, perched atop Little Mountain in Queen Elizabeth Park, prices range from $4.50 to $9, also depending on age. Children under four enter free of charge at both locations. While the free entry would apply only during regular daytime hours and exclude events like the Festival of Lights, staff say the policy's financial impact on admission revenue will be minimal at both sites. A point-of-sale tracking system will be introduced to monitor its use. If adopted, the measure would bring VanDusen and Bloedel in line with a growing list of Canadian institutions offering free admission to Indigenous visitors. In Vancouver, these include Science World, the Museum of Anthropology at U.B.C., the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, the Museum of Vancouver, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Across the country, major institutions such as the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton have implemented similar policies. These efforts are part of a broader movement to uphold Indigenous cultural rights and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. The park board report says the proposal aligns with the park board's mission of decolonization, acknowledging that Vancouver's parks are more than just public amenities; they are shared spaces on unceded Indigenous land. Offering free access, it notes, is one step toward building better relationships with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and Indigenous peoples across the city. sgrochowski@
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Chad Michael Murray pokes fun at his teenage Crush status
Chad Michael Murray's latest project is proof that he can take a joke. Starring in a campaign for the new Crush Zero Sugar beverage, the former teen heartthrob and current Sullivan's Crossing star is branded in the advertisement as, 'Your first crush, all grown up.' 'The tongue-in-cheek aspect of it is so silly,' Murray says. 'And I just appreciate it so much.' Speaking by phone from a car while 'cruising the streets of Toronto' for a busy media day, Murray didn't seem too bothered about the idea of being referred to as one of the millennial generation's beloved poster boys. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Although, he admits he never quite got used to the heightened female fandom that peaked from 2003 through 2012 during his lengthy run on the TV show One Tree Hill. 'It's kind of bizarre,' he says with a laugh. 'I don't know if you can actually get a grasp of it.' While he can look back now at the fan obsession with his younger self with a better perspective — 'Wow, what a crazy time,' he says — Murray recalls feeling uncomfortable with the attention during a point where he wasn't always so easy on himself. 'When you're in it, it's like when you look in the mirror and you see the imperfections right in the reflection? And you're like, 'Oh, well, this isn't right. This isn't right. This isn't right,'' Murray says. 'I think we tend to get, as humans, hyper focused sometimes on the things that aren't necessarily there. And not on the things that are right.' When you search for 'Chad Michael Murray' on Google these days, the addition of the word 'young' is returned as one of the top search results (Murray says he doesn't Google himself). Thanks to streaming, the actor's fanbase continues to grow among younger generations discovering his early films, like Freaky Friday with Lindsay Lohan and The Cinderella Story with Hilary Duff, on their favourite online platforms. 'Honestly, what a blessing. What a blessing in this current world of streaming where One Tree Hill can have another life,' the 43-year-old actor says. 'The fact that (the show) was able to stand the test of time, that is just a wonderful pat on the back that it was a job well done. I feel really blessed to have been a part of it.' Unlike early generations of celebrities, where photos from red carpet appearances may not have become available beyond the entertainment wires, Murray is among the stars whose back catalogue of event images — and outfits — can be found online with the click of a key. Murray cringes at some of his aughts-era fashion picks. 'I just laugh at all the god-awful choices I've made over the years,' he says. 'You know, I had to try it. I had to try to make sure I didn't like it.' As for Murray's first crush — beyond the soda, of course, as the actor says he was a big fan of Crush as a teen — the actor pointed to Dick Tracy-era Madonna as the first to come to mind. 'That was the specific moment I think I realized, like, wait a second, she's pretty,' Murray says of the superstar singer's turn in the 1990 film. While based in Buffalo, New York, the American actor has a special connection to Canada. Throughout his career, Murray has spent a fair amount of time filming in Hollywood North. 'I absolutely love it,' Murray says of the country. 'I feel so at home. I love filming in Nova Scotia. I love filming in Canada in general, but Nova Scotia is like the best hidden gem in North America. The community has really embraced myself and my family, and we've embraced them.' Canadians, Murray adds are 'the best.' Cue: collective swoon.
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
French scientist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, inventor of the abortion pill, dies at 98
ROME — French scientist Etienne-Emile Baulieu, best known as the inventor of the abortion pill, died on Friday aged 98 at his home in Paris, his institute said in a statement. Both a doctor and a researcher, Baulieu was known around the world for the scientific, medical and social significance of his work on steroid hormones. 'His research was guided by his attachment to the progress made possible by science, his commitment to women's freedom, and his desire to enable everyone to live better, longer lives,' the Institut Baulieu said in the statement posted on its website. Born Etienne Blum in Strasbourg on Dec. 12, 1926, he took the name 'Emile Baulieu' when he joined the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation at the age of 15. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. An endocrinologist with a doctorate in medicine completed in 1955 and one in science eight years later, in 1963 Baulieu founded a pioneering research unit working on hormones at INSERM, the French institute for health and medical research. He remained as head of the unit until 1997. He is best known for his development, in 1982, of RU 486, the so-called 'abortion pill' that changed the lives of millions of women throughout the world, offering them the possibility of voluntary medical termination of pregnancy, in physical and psychological safety. The Institut Baulieu said it was 'a non-invasive method, less aggressive and less delayed than surgery,' noting that following his discovery the researcher faced fierce criticism and even threats from opponents of women's abortion rights. 'Even today, access to this method is opposed, banned in some countries, and is currently being challenged in the United States, where it is the most widely used abortion method,' the institute added. Baulieu's research into DHEA, a hormone whose secretion and anti-aging activity he had discovered, led him to work on neurosteroids — or steroids of the nervous system. He also developed an original treatment to combat depression, for which a clinical trial is currently underway in several university hospitals. In 2008, he founded the Institut Baulieu to understand, prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Honored with the grand crosses of the Legion d'honneur (legion of honor) and the Ordre national du Merite (national order of merit), he was elected to the French Academy of Sciences in 1982, which he chaired in 2003 and 2004. He was a member of the national advisory committee on life sciences and health (1996-2002) and received numerous awards, both in France and abroad. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Baulieu in a post on X, calling him 'a beacon of courage' and 'a progressive mind who enabled women to win their freedom.' 'Few French people have changed the world to such an extent,' he added. After the death of his first wife, Yolande Compagnon, he remarried, to Simone Harari Baulieu. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, his institute said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- Science
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. climate news: Evacuation order for wildfire in B.C.'s Peace River Swiss glacier collapse renews focus on risks of climate change as glaciers retreat
Here's the latest news concerning climate change and biodiversity loss in B.C. and around the world, from the steps leaders are taking to address the problems, to all the up-to-date science. Check back every Saturday for more climate and environmental news or sign up for our Climate Connected newsletter HERE. • Evacuation order for wildfire in B.C.'s Peace River • Evacuee describes 'surreal' speed of B.C. wildfire that quadrupled in size • Saskatchewan and Manitoba declare provincial wildfire emergencies • Swiss glacier collapse renews focus on risks of climate change as glaciers retreat around the world Human activities like burning fossil fuels and farming livestock are the main drivers of climate change, according to the UN's intergovernmental panel on climate change. This causes heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere, increasing the planet's surface temperature. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The panel, which is made up of scientists from around the world, has warned for decades that wildfires and severe weather, such as B.C.'s deadly heat dome and catastrophic flooding in 2021, would become more frequent and intense because of the climate emergency. It has issued a code red for humanity and warns the window to limit warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial times is closing. According to NASA climate scientists, human activities have raised the atmosphere's carbon dioxide content by 50 per cent in less than 200 years, and 'there is unequivocal evidence that Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate.' And it continues to rise. As of May 5, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen to 429.64 parts per million, up from 428.15 parts per million last month and 427.09 ppm in March, according to NOAA data measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory, a global atmosphere monitoring lab in Hawaii. The NOAA notes there has been a steady rise in CO2 from under 320 ppm in 1960. • The Earth is now about 1.3 C warmer than it was in the 1800s. • 2024 was hottest year on record globally, beating the record in 2023. • The global average temperature in 2023 reached 1.48 C higher than the pre-industrial average, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. In 2024, it breached the 1.5 C threshold at 1.55 C. • The past 10 years (2015-2024) are the 10 warmest on record. • Human activities have raised atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by nearly 49 per cent above pre-industrial levels starting in 1850. • The world is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement target to keep global temperature from exceeding 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, the upper limit to avoid the worst fallout from climate change including sea level rise, and more intense drought, heat waves and wildfires. • On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, the temperature could increase by as much 3.6 C this century, according to the IPCC. • In April, 2022 greenhouse gas concentrations reached record new highs and show no sign of slowing. • Emissions must drop 7.6 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030 to keep temperatures from exceeding 1.5 C and 2.7 per cent per year to stay below 2 C. • There is global scientific consensus that the climate is warming and that humans are the cause. (Source: United Nations IPCC , World Meteorological Organization , UNEP , NASA , ) The Peace River Regional District in northeastern B.C. has issued an evacuation order for properties threatened by an out-of-control wildfire. The province's emergency information service said Thursday afternoon that the Kiskatinaw River fire south of Dawson Creek, measuring about 1,100 hectares, poses a threat to human life. The evacuation order was issued for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border. The Peace River Regional District said people should evacuate to Dawson Creek. The fire was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press Shelley Calliou of the Kelly Lake Cree Nation said it was 'surreal' how fast a wildfire threatening the community in northeast British Columbia moved. She said she was told by the RCMP at 6 p.m. Thursday that she had a two-hour window to evacuate, with the Kiskatinaw River fire 18 kilometres southwest of the unincorporated community of Kelly Lake. 'Within those two hours, it moved 10 kilometres. It's fast-moving,' said Calliou on Friday from Dawson Creek, B.C., where she said about 70 people had fled, about 80 kilometres north. The fire that prompted the evacuation order for Kelly Lake and nearby areas on Thursday quadrupled in size overnight, as firefighters warned of 'intensifying conditions' in the parched northeast of the province where most fire activity is concentrated. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported that the out-of-control blaze in the Peace River Regional District, near the Alberta boundary, was about 46 square kilometres in size on Friday, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press Thousands of people in Saskatchewan have been forced to leave their homes and flee to nearby cities as massive wildfires have ravaged through communities and campgrounds, and blocked off highways for evacuation routes. Communities under evacuation orders include Pelican Narrows, Hall Lake, Brabant Lake, Canoe Lake, Lower Fishing Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake, Little Bear Lake and Whiteswan Bay. Additional communities facing pre-evacuation orders include Narrow Hills Provincial Park, the Resort division of Trout Lake, Smeaton, Choiceland, Love, Creighton, Sikachu Lake Clam bridge, and Flin Flon, Man. Provincewide, Saskatchewan declared a state of emergency in its fight against the rampaging wildfires. The declaration by Premier Scott Moe came one day after his Manitoba counterpart Wab Kinew did the same. 'It's a very serious situation that we're faced with,' Moe told a news conference in Prince Albert. 'We do need some rainfall. We need that sooner rather than later, and in light of that not being in the forecast, we most certainly are putting in place every measure possible to prepare the province.' Read the full story here. —Saskatoon StarPhoenix There's no rain in the forecast for Flin Flon, Manitoba over the next week as crews there fight a wildfire that's raging nearby. Temperatures throughout the weekend are expected to range from the low to high 20s, before cooling off. Thousands have evacuated the northwestern Manitoba city, including municipal government officials and health-care professionals. Flin Flon mayor George Fontaine said on Friday that unless things changed, the fire was projected to take chunks out of the town. As of now, wildfires in Manitoba have displaced more than 17,000 people. Thousands have also been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with 1,300 people in the community of Swan Hills northwest of Edmonton already forced from their homes. Read the full story here. —The Canadian Press If you were out strolling in Stanley Park over the weekend you may have noticed a thick layer of slimy algae all over Lost Lagoon. Although not unusual, these algae blooms typically appear in late July or August, not in May. Over the years, the lake near the entrance of Stanley Park has become rife with pollution, sediment, eutrophication — run-off from land causing excessive nutrients, depriving the lake of oxygen — and invasive species. Experts say drought and increased heat from human-caused climate change, along with eutrophication, particularly high levels of phosphorus, are contributing to the algae blooms. The Vancouver park board and the Stanley Park Ecological Society have been working on solutions as the lake continues to degrade but so far nothing specific has been planned. Read the full story here. —Tiffany Crawford A huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier thundered down a Swiss mountainside on Wednesday, sending plumes of dust skyward and coating with mud nearly all of an Alpine village that authorities had evacuated earlier this month as a precaution. Video on social media and Swiss TV showed the mudslide near Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, with homes and buildings partially submerged under a mass of brownish sludge. Regional police said a 64-year-old man was reported missing, and search and rescue operations involving a drone with a thermal camera were underway. 'What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90 per cent of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten,' Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the southern Valais region, told local TV channel Canal9. A The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier above the village had broken off, causing the landslide which also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows. 'There's a risk that the situation could get worse,' Ganzer said, alluding to the blocked river. Read the full story here. —The Associated Press The landslide that buried most of a Swiss village this week is focusing renewed attention on the role of global warming in glacier collapses around the world and the increasing dangers. How glaciers collapse — from the Alps and Andes to the Himalayas and Antarctica — can differ, scientists say. But in almost every instance, climate change is playing a role. In Switzerland, the mountainside gave way Wednesday near the village of Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, because the rock face above the Birch Glacier had become unstable when mountain permafrost melted, causing debris to fall and cover the glacier in recent years, said Martin Truffer, a physics professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who studies how glaciers move. While the debris insulated the glacier and slowed melting, its weight caused the ice to begin moving — which accelerated dramatically a few weeks ago. Authorities ordered the evacuation of about 300 people, as well as all livestock, from the village in recent days, 'when it became clear that there's a whole mountainside that's about to collapse,' said Truffer, who is from Switzerland. Lakes that form at the base of glaciers as they melt and retreat also sometimes burst, often with catastrophic results. Water can even lift an entire glacier, allowing it to drain, said Truffer, adding that Alaska's capital of Juneau has flooded in recent years because a lake forms every year on a rapidly retreating glacier and eventually bursts. Read the full story here. —The Associated Press Researchers at the University of B.C. have discovered that millions of seahorses are being traded illegally around the world on hidden routes, putting many species at risk of becoming endangered or extinct. The study, published this week in the scientific journal Conservation Biology, found nearly five million seahorses, worth an estimated $29 million, were seized by authorities in 62 countries over a 10-year span at airports in passenger baggage or shipped in sea cargo. However, researchers believe the number of seahorses on the illegal trade market is significantly higher, as the data show only the shipments that were seized. They also found emerging trade routes for dried seahorses in Europe and Latin America, in addition to already known routes such as Thailand to Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. For example, researchers were surprised to learn there was poaching in European waters and that different species of seahorse are showing up in unusual trade routes, said Sarah Foster, who holds a PhD in resource management and is the program leader with Project Seahorse at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. Foster said of the 46 known species of seahorse, 14 are considered to be threatened with extinction, mostly because of trawling and trade. Read the full story here. —Tiffany Crawford
Vancouver Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Anthony Gismondi: These Italian white wines will entertain you all summer
Last week, several Italian producers visited the city for the annual Tre Bicchieri, or 'Three Glasses,' trade tasting. This prestigious award is the highest rating given by Gambero Rosso, a prominent Italian food and wine media organization that releases an annual list of Italy's best wines. Industry experts blind-taste thousands of wines and score each with one glass for good, two for very good and three glasses, or Tre Bicchieri, for wines deemed the best, often limited to fewer than 500 wines each year. Most winners have a Tre Bicchieri sticker on their label. Given the surge in white-wine interest worldwide and the impending arrival of summer, I used the event to taste mostly white wines. The switch to white from red wine, while slow and steady, is becoming more of a rush each day. We recently reported that the Rhone Valley plans to triple its white wine output by 2030, and Beaujolais producers are talking about similar changes. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Italians have long made interesting whites that were seldom exported until now, but with soaring global travel and a New World market of Chardonnay, Sauvignon and pinot Gris in need of an energy injection, Italy has become a go-to white wine producer, especially for those who enjoy wine with their food. Today, we present a short list of Italian whites to entertain you all summer, but know that some go by a different name than the grape used to make them. Many are available in private wine stores; others are in B.C. Liquor stores. You can do some online sleuthing or ask your retailer for help finding them. • Timorasso — Piedmont: Timorasso is experiencing a renaissance, gaining attention for its complexity, aging potential, and mineral-driven profile. It was among the most awarded white wines in the 2025 Gambero Rosso guide, known for its floral nose, bright acidity and honey/almond flavours. • Vermentino — Tuscany & Sardinia: Vermentino, or Rolle in France, is having a moment as consumers find themselves attracted to its refreshing citrus flavours and palate-cleansing salinity in the finish. It is a superb wine for seafood, pesto pasta and anything with fennel. • Pecorino — Abruzzo & Marche: Pecorino has aromatic intensity and structure, but a similarly high level of acidity always balances its higher sugar content. That combination gives it more volume in the mouth, making it more age-worthy and complex. It's an excellent wine for the dinner table. • Fiano — Campania: Fiano di Avellino continues to impress with its nutty, floral character and richer, almost waxy texture. It is often labelled Fiano di Avellino, whose fans love its primary flavours of Asian pear, hazelnuts, honeydew melon and orange peel. • Soave — Veneto: Soave has slowly but surely overcome its bland reputation thanks to some quality focused producers. The Garganega grape is the key driver of a dry, crisp, fruity profile, pitching a mix of citrus, apple, white peach and pear. Think grilled fish, seafood risotto or chicken Alfredo. It is time for another look. • Lugana — Lombardy/Veneto: The Lugana wines were a big hit at the tasting, but will require a private wine store hunt. The wine is mainly made from the Turbiana grape, which follows the theme with its crisp acidity, nutty, floral and full-bodied profile that pairs wonderfully with lobster or crab. There you have it, and we just scratched the surface. Here in B.C., you can add Roussillon, Albarino, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Trebbiano, Gruner Veltliner, Semillon and more on the way. We only need warmer weather to open the patio and kick off summer. $21.99 I 89/100 UPC: 8033413003063 Forget the cheese, this wine derives its name from the Italian word for sheep, 'Pecora,' which graze on the golden grapes. The wine's intoxicating aromas blend wild honey and citrus with notes of almonds, pears with a stony mineral base and some Mediterranean wild herbs. In B. C, this is a terrific mussel wine, or you could serve it with a piece of aged pecorino cheese or roasted turkey. $21.99 I 90/100 UPC: 8010544110754 This respected estate, located on the island of Sardinia, focuses on native varieties. The vermentino grape comes from cool, hillside vineyards situated 190 metres above the Mediterranean. The nose is a subtle mix of floral aromas with hints of lemon and ginger. It features bitter quince and ripe stone fruit flavours, balanced by a sweet tangerine finish. This wine pairs well with seafood dishes, including squid, crab, clams and mussels. Start the party. $24.00 I 93/100 UPC: 681714160015 I tasted this on the heels of it receiving 96 points, a gold medal and Best in Class at the L.A. International Wine Competition. It opens with a rich aromatic nose and vibrant fruity palate. Notes of tinned pineapple, green apple and spice intermingle with sweeter honeysuckle notes and ripe papaya. The balance is acidity-led in the back end, with crisp orchard fruit and a wisp of Okanagan desert scrub. It is delicious and more than capable of accompanying richly flavoured menu items. Think of Asian dishes, local baked salmon or slow-roasted pork. Impressive. $24.99 I 89/100 UPC: 776545502148 Grown in Willamette Valley and processed in Kelowna at the CedarCreek winery, it has been fermented primarily in stainless steel (90 per cent) to maintain its fresh profile, with a touch of neutral oak (10 per cent) for added depth and a supple mid-palate. It is a very friendly version of pinot Gris with a 7.3 per cent bump of residual sugar that matches the acidity, balancing the wine. It is reminiscent of many Oregon pinot Gris that are always a more fruity than super fresh. $39.99 I 90/100 UPC: 8022888956011 Feudi di San Gregorio Pietra Calda highlights the Fiano di Avellino grape. It gains texture and complexity after four to five months on its lees with frequent bâtonnage. The wine has a floral nose that evolves into guava, mineral, citrus, quince and anise aromas. It offers green apple, mineral, lime and nectarine flavours in a distinct bottle, designed by Italian legend Massimo Vignelli. It makes it a perfect birthday gift. • The B.C. Crab Fishermen's Association and the Chefs' Table Society of B.C. present the False Creek Crab Fest on July 6, from noon to 5 p.m. at False Creek Fishermen's Wharf. This event features a Dungeness Crab boil by local chefs Vish Mayekar and Johnny Bridge, with beverages from local partners. Attendees can connect with regional fishers, while enjoying waterfront views, live music, games and family activities. Early Bird Tickets are $65 per person, plus taxes, until June 8, and include a crab plate, sweet treat and two beverage tastings. For tickets and more information, visit False Creek Crab Fest . All proceeds go to the ongoing programs the society puts on for local chefs. • The music is back at Blasted Church on their sun-drenched patio overlooking peaceful Skaha Lake. The lineup of artists is available on their website and runs every Sunday and a few Saturdays until the end of September. Chef John Burke will also have light bites and tasty treats to pair with winemaker Evan Saunders' wines. Saunders has been flying under the radar, but his wines are impressive and improving in leaps and bounds every season. Regular tasting hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the final tasting is at 4 p.m. Reservations are available online or by calling 250-497-1125. $25.00 I 91/100 UPC: 696852197922 This particular Sauvignon Blanc presents a pronounced lemon aroma permeating its nose and early palate. Although there is a subtle hint of grassiness, this wine resembles Sancerre more closely than New Zealand, contributing to its intellectual and sensory charm. Midpalate offers a juicy, watery note that slides down easily before ending in a clean finish, preparing the palate for its next bite. It is an excellent choice for summer and pairs exceptionally well with any dish that benefits from a squeeze of lemon. Well done, JoieFarm. $16.99 I 87/100 UPC: 3760040432113 It is a rare wine that remains close to the same price year after year while seemingly improving, but that is the story of this humble rosé. Made by Jean Claude Mas, who is serious about wine no matter the price, this litre-bottle of juicy, fruity rosé boasts a pale pink colour with strawberry and raspberry notes that will charm you and your guests, especially on a warm patio. The Grenache, cinsault and Syrah mix has all the elements to deliver what Jean Claude refers to as 'Le Luxe Rural.' It's a terrific value that transforms any patio into a luxurious country setting.
