PaintedTurtleWine Blog

Dr. Andrew Weaver Keynote Speech Recap

Wednesday morning I headed down to the brand new Creekside Community Centre in False Creek to see the key note speech from Dr. Andrew Weaver. It was only fitting that the event would take place in the new South False Creek community, heralded as one of the greenest neighborhoods in North America.  The home of events for Eco Fashion Week, the morning was abuzz after a sold out runway show just the night before.  I scooped up my complimentary SIGG renewable water bottle and grabbed a seat.

On hand to introduce Dr. Weaver was non other than Vancouver's Deputy City Manager Sadhu Johnson. The environmental czar of the city was quick to point out that Vancouver is leading the charge to reduce carbon emissions having reduced our output to less than 1990 levels, the year Canada signed the famed Kyoto accord.  Mr. Johnson stressed that with Vancouver's economy in strong shape, "going green" doesn't have to come at an economic price tag.

After the warm welcome, Dr. Weaver was soon at the podium and jumping straight into his thesis about the state of climate change and it's current public perception. I wasn't sure if it was positive fact or not that 80% of BC's current population believe that global warming is real. Is it me or does that just seem low? Turns out we're second highest in Canada after Quebec!  Dr. Weaver then when on to discuss the disconnect in the media, between what scientist present as fact and the "balanced" story that journalists end up writing. Along with the dreaded sensationalistic tactics used, it's not completely surprising that people have become skeptics.

In the end, at the very meat of the issue was one underlying question: "Do we as a present generation feel we owe future generations the same living conditions in-which we ourselves inherited?" We have a clear picture how our  future will look, given our current path, but do we want to take the steps needed to change our direction for those generations to come. Do we want to instill taxes on emissions that may be costly in the short run?  As Dr. Weaver repeated, he is a scientist who's roleis to unveil the enigmas of nature. It's up to us to make the big decisions from those facts and effect change on our communities.

To learn about theCanadian government's efforts to combat climate change visit: www.climatechange.gc.ca 

Let it be resolved

Happy 2010 to my fellow wine-lovers! 

If you're like me, January means more than just hanging up the new calendar. It's an exciting time, with fresh goals and stimulating challenges ahead. You probably also set resolutions. So far I am actively working on a number of them:

• Join the gym, check.
• Eat healthy, check.
• Clean out the closet, check.
• Expand horizons...hmmm.

Exand horizons. Better oneself. Be all you can be - wait, I think that's the American Army slogan. Regardless, I was sitting here today contemplating the future, and how exactly I wanted to expand my horizons. That's when I came across the website for the Art Institute of Vancouver and their vast offerings of wine education courses.

Whether you're a wine neophyte or a budding sommelier, there is something for everyone. The courses are certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and upon completion you can hang your shiny new certificate or, if you go all the way, diploma on the wall.

It's an exciting time to be alive, and it's no time to stop learning.

So, what are your New Years resolutions?!

Painted Turtle for the Holidays

Hello everyone!

Believe it or not there are only 6 weeks left until Christmas!

Now, if you're like me you probably won't begin hunting for that perfect gift until around 12noon on December 23rd... However, if you like to get a jump on things, here are a couple of ideas:

1. Donate to Tree Canada in the name of your loved ones. It only cost $4 to plant a tree anywhere in Canada!
2. Join the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Ring those bells!
3. Visit the Artisan Wine Shopand pick up a beautifully prepared gift basket. Either build your own with a selection of wines, preserves, party planning books and holiday treats, or choose one that has already been packed by our Artisan elves.

Until next time, happy shopping!

Save the Turtle & Plant a Tree

Over the holidays we partnered with Tree Canada for habitat preservation. Until the end of February, a tree will be planted in BC for every bottle of Painted Turtle wine sold between December 1 and February 28 in the province.

Painted turtles are unfortunately on BC’s threatened Blue List of species, which are vulnerable to further declines in abundance due primarily to habitat loss.

Tree Canada president Michael Rosen has commented that "it’s with the generous efforts of company’s like Painted Turtle, that we’ve been able to plant 75 million trees across Canada since 1992. We applaud their efforts for stepping forward and helping out."

Enjoy a nice bottle of wine and help out BC's only native freshwater turtles!