By Joseph Temple

Earlier this month, all of the teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference could breath a little easier when it was announced that LeBron James had signed a lucrative four-year, $154-million-dollar contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.  A three-time NBA champion as part of both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, ‘King James’ proved to be a fine wine this year as the future Hall of Famer carried his team to the finals against the Golden State Warriors.  And despite leaving the wine and gold of Cleveland for sunny California, he certainly won’t be giving up the wine part as LeBron is now less than seven hours away from America’s most prestigious vineyards.

For those who follow James on social media, it’s no secret that he LOVES wine. Confessing that he wasn’t much of a wine guy until he turned 30, LeBron has since gone on to be a passionate oenophile, posting numerous pictures on his Instagram under the hashtag #VinoChronicles.  Over the past three years, the newly signed Laker has tried many bottles including Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2013, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 1990, and 2010 Colgin “IX Estate” Napa Valley Syrah. With a preference for California reds, he has also warned his followers online, “Don’t talk to me about wine like u know it if you really don’t know what you’re talking about. Seriously! Thank you!”

Judging by that statement, it shows that LeBron is truly passionate about wine, spending his hard-earned money on bottles that easily cost anywhere from $300-$500 and more. According to DLynn Proctor who was featured in the 2012 film Somm, “LeBron’s got somebody really good in his corner telling what to drink.”  Indeed, as can be seen in a story reported back in 2015 when after losing a bet with Warriors’ forward Draymond Green over who would win between Ohio and Michigan in football, James sent him two cases of 2010 Silver Oak Cabernet. “He knows a young guy like me can’t afford it yet, so he took care of me,” said Green.

“I wanted to learn about it,” said James in one courtside interview. “Everybody was telling me how great it is and the different regions not only here in America but also in Italy, in France, in so many different places.”

And it appears that while playing for the Cavaliers, he spread his cumulative knowledge to his fellow teammates. According to a fascinating article on ESPN.com highlighting NBA players growing interest in wine, Cleveland center Kevin Love said James is like “a supercomputer” when it comes to grapes while Dwyane Wade noted, “when we go out, it’s Bron, what wine we getting? You ask most of the guys on the team who orders the wine, we leave it to him to order.”

So if you live in Northern California wine country, be on the lookout as the 2018-19 season kicks off in October—especially whenever Los Angeles plays either the Warriors or the Kings! LeBron has been known to tour many wineries in Napa so you might just see the Laker (and future member of the International Wine and Food Society?) at a tasting near you.  After all, as he told the press during the 2017 NBA Finals: “I just need some food and some wine and I’ll be alright.”

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Question: Starting a wine cellar and want to add some bottles of a quality Piedmont wine at good value. Would appreciate your wise tip on what I should buy.

Answer: Good idea. Big fan of the nebbiolo grape from the Langhe and especially Barolo & Barbaresco for long aging. So many quality producers to study and collect some of their wine to get to know better the complex Piedmont terroir. One top choice is the Produttori Del Barbaresco co-op where managing director Aldo Vacca has some 50 growers producing 9 specific crus as special Riservas in only the best vintages. Right now they have released them from the classic 2013 year and all their 9 crus are most worthy of cellaring. Most of them are available at the BC LDB for $64 plus 15% tax (like the structured Montestefano) but my favourite is the fresh vibrant Paje as the best value at $59. Just bought some. Check your own local market. Highly recommend adding some bottles of the 2013 for your exciting new wine cellar.

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Fresh wild Pacific salmon has arrived here on the West Coast. Even though controversial farmed or wild frozen (preferable at sea) can sometimes serve a purpose they are not the same in overall taste and enjoyment as using fresh wild salmon. The variety of salmon makes a big difference too and your scribe has a leaning towards the complex unique special oils of the one called King, Spring or Chinook. However the one most often available in the marketplace is Sockeye. It has the best red colour but tends to be firm and drier in texture so requires careful monitored cooking. Here several chain stores including IGA Marketplace, Thrifty Foods, and Canada Safeway are supporting the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise sustainable program with early season promotion prices the lowest being at Safeway at $20/kg for steaks and more for fillets. These past two weeks has been a wonderful indulgence in trying different methods of cooking but most important comparing Sockeye boneless fillets to Sockeye Steaks on the bone. In my humble opinion the results are clear. The salmon steaks cooked on the bone always show a better more flavourful result. Highly recommend them. Have you noticed this difference?

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By Joseph Temple

Sun and surf! Summer is great, but some days it’s just too hot to cook. And besides, there are a lot more fun things to get back to outside! Here are some quick and easy summer dishes to help fuel those hot hot days.

1. Simple boiled egg, tomatoes, basil, and fresh cheese.
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2. Watermelon juice is refreshing and made even better with a splash of sparkling wine.
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3. Kumquat slushy pops are a great way to cool off by the pool.
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4. Raspberry quinoa yogurt smoothie is an energizing start for any day.
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5. BBQ anything outside is always better than slaving away in a hot kitchen on any summer day.
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6. A seasonal berry and Chantilly tart is the prefect end to a summer picnic.
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7. Hot, but need a hearty breakfast? Pair a fried egg with avocado and whole grain toast – serve with a light salad.
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8. For a quick and casual lunch, BBQ tomatoes and toss with boccaccini and pesto.
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9. Add some extra veggies to any antipasto skewer for an instant lunchbox favourite and quick appetizer.
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10. Looking for something more than just a regular BBQ? Try a traditional crawfish or crab boil, complete with lots of melted butter!

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Question: Sid what is happening on social media for the release of the new IWFS Monograph – The Essential Guide to English Wine?

Answer: Very topical question. Andrea Warren of the International Secretariat in London came up with the clever idea for members to post on Twitter when they receive their individual copy by post. She is hoping IWFS members around the world will start a tweeting buzz for our wonderful Society and this latest Monograph. I received my copy yesterday and indeed it is an interesting “snapshot of a fast-moving young industry” very well done by this married couple of Susie Barrie MW & Peter Richards MW. Many thanks and it does “invite you to explore” even more. Help get the word out yourself on Twitter by using @IWFSGlobal #EssentialEnglishWine and #EGEL

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