18 www.pgcitizen.ca | Friday, April 24, 2009 local Alsace wine A blend of French and German cultures One region in France that is often overlooked is Alsace. Located in northeastern France near the German border, the Alsace region is less intimidating than other French appellations. Unlike regions like Burgundy and Bordeaux, Alsatian wines simplify things for their fans by including the grape variety Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Muscat and Pinot Gris - right on the bottle. Armed with this information, you know what you are buying and what to expect. Alsatian white wines are also easily recognizable because they are bottled in a tall, flute-shaped bottle. Throughout history, the Alsace region has bounced back and forth between French and German possession. As a result, the region offers a blend of both cultures that has left its citizens with their own dialect and cuisine. Like the unique Alsatian culture and cuisine, the wine is also a blend of both the French and German culture. This cool, sunny and dry region is well suited for growing the noble white grapes Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Muscat and Pinot Gris. There is much to be said about these clean, crisp and flavourful white wines. I have enjoyed them all whether that was with a meal or simply on their own. Lucien Albrecht 2006 Gewürztraminer - France (269712) Slightly off-dry, this 2006 Gewürztraminer provides classic rose petal and lychee aromas in a crisp and refreshing style. It is often said that the best Gewürztraminer comes from Alsace. This wine is certainly a classic Gewürztraminer and one to try at $26.29. Enjoy this on its own or with any spicy dish that you might cook up for your next backyard barbeque. Hugel 2005 Pinot Blanc - France (86264) At $19.99, Hugel has created another classic white wine from the Alsace region. It has a creamy texture with tree fruit flavours like pear and apple and a slight mineral quality to it. Pinot Blanc is always a success. Try serving it with a creamy pasta or with light seafood dishes. I also like it served well chilled, all on its own when I'm looking for something to rejuvenate me. Pfaffenheim 2006 Riesling France (612127) One Riesling well worth trying is pro- duced by Pfaffenheim and sells for $17.99. This Riesling is full of flavour and offers a mouthwatering freshness. You can expect citrus notes like lemon and grapefruit with peaches and some floral notes on both the palate as well as in its bouquet. This Alsatian Riesling would be terrific paired with ham, fish, salad or grilled bratwurst. Pierre Sparr 2006Pinot Gris France (31724) The first time I tasted the Pierre Sparr Pinot Gris I was awed by its flavour and steely crispness. On our sweetness scale it is rated at 2 but it has enough acidity that it is in perfect balance. This wine has aromas of a light musky perfume, rich ripe melons, peach and apricot. On the palate, the melon flavour surfaces again along with ripe tree fruit and the mouthwatering tang of grapefruit. This wine would be a great companion to cedarplanked salmon, pork, veal cutlets or a summery fruit salad. A winner at $20.01. Hugel 2005 Gentil France (367284) Another wine from Hugel is the 2005 Gentil for $19.99. The Gentil on the label tells you that it is a blended white wine and that at least 50 per cent of the blend has to come from the Noble grape varieties. The remaining 50 per cent of this blend can include a selection of different grapes that the winemaker choses to round out the blend. A true blend of local regional grapes, this wine offers a little spiciness from Gewürztraminer; apple and pear from Riesling; full-body from Pinot Gris; and some grapiness from Muscat. All in all, this white wine is a delicious dry wine for any occasion. Al Spoklie is a product consultant at the B.C. Signature Liquor Store, Pine Centre. All kinds of products · All kinds of paper 00657632 April 24, 2009 YOUR CITY MATTERS COUNCIL MEETINGS The next regular meetings of Council will be held at 7:00 pm on Mondays, April 27 and May 11, 2009. Monday meetings are broadcast live on Shaw Cable 10. Council meeting calendars and agendas are available at www.city.pg.bc.ca City Manager's Office, 561-7602 PRINCE GEORGE COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT GRANTS The Communities in Bloom Committee is pleased to offer an opportunity for community groups to improve street appeal of properties, enhance landscapes and activities, foster civic pride and grow a proud, confident and healthy community through a matching grant program. Funds are available to community groups looking to take on a project that focus on one of the eight categories in the Communities in Bloom competition including Tidiness, Environmental Awareness, Community Involvement, Heritage, Landscaped Areas, Urban Forestry, Floral Displays, and Turf and Groundcover areas. Check out our website for more information or for a grant application form at www.city.pg.bc.ca and click on the CIB logo. Application Deadline: May 1st, 2009. CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE HIGHWAYS LOAD RESTRICTIONS FOR CITY ROADS NOTICE #1 Pursuant to Section 7 of the City of Prince George "Highway Bylaw No. 8065, 2008" and regulations pursuant to the Commercial Transport Act, notice is hereby given that restrictions are imposed on city roads, effective 12:01 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2009. To find out more information, please call the City of Prince George at 5617600 or see the notice on the City website at www.city.pg.bc.ca. DATED April 2, 2009 AT PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. Ed Shearer Supervisor, Streets Operations (250) 561-7525 Join us Sunday, June 7 at Masich Place Stadium for the YMCA's YMCA ROAD RACE! PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provisions of Section 26(3) of the Community Charter that the City of Prince George intends to lease 1406 ­ 2nd Avenue, Prince George, BC to Cara Brinsky and Ontonio Tayamomi dba Indulge the Baby Bulge for a term of 3 years at a rent of $1,350.00 per month, with 1 twoyear renewal option. Ian Wells, Real Estate Services 2009 SPRING CLEAN UP PRINCE GEORGE SUNDAY APRIL 26TH, 10AM ­ 4PM It Starts with You! On Sunday, April 26th, from 10am until 4pm Prince George residents will be taking part in the annual Spring Clean Up. Pick up litter from neighbourhood parks, school yards, boulevards, along trails and streets. It's easy to participate! Just get together with your neighbours, your favorite club, your church or a group from work and help pick up litter on April 26th. For more information please contact the Service Centre at 561-7600. Thank you for supporting a cleaner more beautiful Prince George! Annual Road Race & Healthy Kids Day Pre-Register before April 30 & receive a free t-shirt & a reduced entry fee To register online www.strideandglide.ca INVITATION TO BID INVITATION TO TENDER T09-12 Connaught Youth Center Exterior Upgrade Closing Date: May 4, 2009 For information concerning other Prince George regional public sector bidding opportunities, visit our Northern BC Regional Marketplace at www.marketplacenorth.ca Supply Services, 561-7510 CLEAN AIR BYLAW REVIEW PUBLIC INPUT The City is seeking input on options to revise the Clean Air Bylaw #7721. An online survey is available until May 1st. To fill out the survey or find out more information about the bylaw review, please go to the City website at www.city.pg.bc.ca or call 250561-7600. 657659 1/2 Marathon · 10 KM · 5 KM Healthy Kids Marathon Corporate and Individual Challenges Road Race starts at 8am Healthy Kids Marathon starts at 10am Healthy Kids Park open between 10:00am - 3:00pm JOB POSTINGS Manager, Communication & Citizen Engagement Competition #09/32 Closing Date: May 1, 2009 Visit our website at: www.city.pg.bc.ca Fax 561-7719 or Email: careers@city.pg.bc.ca 00657658 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 Tel. (250) 561-7600 · Fax (250) 612-5605 www.city.pg.bc.ca · ServiceCentre@city.pg.bc.ca For a complete list of events for the YMCA Road Race & Healthy Kids Day go to www.pgymca.bc.ca