What I particularly enjoy about this event is the opportunity to sample some of the world’s best cuisine, by some of the most talented individuals, and this often for a fraction of the price of what it would cost if I patronized their restaurants. Not to mention that the wine pairings are a great opportunity to try new combinations and varietals one might otherwise shy away from. We often speak of restaurants as being an experience; this is about as amazing of an experience as you can get.

For the full schedule, click on the following link: http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/documents/2009/FML_guide_plaisirs_2009.pdf

The Street Food series travels the world and uncovers the foods common to various cultures, all while discussing the politics behind them, be they religious like in Jerusalem or language-based like in Montreal.

We don’t have “street food” in Montreal like in most cities (thankfully because I can’t say that a hot dog from a cart ever appealed to me), however we do have a particular approach to food, especially in our quest for the authentic. So rather than Street Food in Montreal, I like to think we are defined more as “Word on the Street About Food”. Who makes the best gelato, where do they have the most bona fide falafel, and which cheese monger takes the best care of his products? These are the questions that pepper a Montrealer’s discussions regarding their culture at the table and in the markets.

So take a few months to view these two clips. Perhaps they will confirm what you already think about our epicurean ethos or spark desire to debate the truths (or not) proffered by the participants of the documentary. In the least, you’ll get some great views of our beautiful city and especially the markets.

Street Food Montreal: Part 1

Street Food Montreal: Part 2

If you have been to their restaurant then you have been privy to this product, but in case you haven’t for some odd reason made it there yet, there will be an opportunity for you to taste it in town. On November 29th as of 9am at the Jean-Talon Market, François will be on the second floor with some journalists, ready to answer your questions and hand you a sample. Be warned however, after a taste, you’ll certainly want to make some extra room in your Saturday market shopping bag for this treat.

For any inquiries, please contact François at (450) 588.5125 or email him at info@jardinssauvages.com. And please check out the web site as well: www.jardinssauvages.com

http://vin-no-va-tion.blogspot.com

And don't hesitate to send him an email in order to be included on his mailing list and discover what other gems he has unearthed for us to taste and enjoy: info@vinnovation.ca

From time to time, I plan to write pieces about the research that I do, come across, or just find interesting. The topics will be a bit more academically infused than those found on my personal site but they remain steeped with the same curiosity. On a personal note, it's nice to be able to fuse my two passions, and hope you find it relevant as well.

The first intallment discusses Canadian grocery shoppers, their profiles, and some considerations when it comes to marketing in this retail space. Happy reading!

Understanding the Canadian Grocery Shopper

Click here to access it: Nathalie's Fall Survey

As always, your contribution to my studies and the realm of consumer behaviour research is much appreciated.

Having only opened just a few weeks ago, this wine bar is located on the 4^th floor of the Time Warner Centre. The space is modern and almost set up like an island in the mezzanine. Once inside the separating walls, you’ll notice that each wall actually encases groupings of wine bottles. None are labeled. Instead, make your way to the table in the center and use your hand to peruse the virtual catalogue of notes and information regarding the options available. Once ready (it took me about a nanosecond), you purchase a card and this allows you to go to the displays, insert the card, select your wine, and receive a half-glass worth to sample. The hardest part of the whole experience at Clo is to balance pacing yourself with the desire to sample all the options.

Prices for the wines range for $3 to $40 – it all depends on what you want to drink. What I found particularly interesting was the variety of options. Not just in terms of regions and vintages but in terms of grapes. As a sucker for weird grapes, I was thrilled to find a few that I had never heard about as they allowed me to continue my quest for my title of Wine Centurion (click here). I sampled a Rotgipfler from Austria which was like Gruner Veltliner but classier, a Kidonitsa from Greece which was like drinking lemony limestone, and a Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley.

Not only was this interactive experience an uber cool way to spend an hour, but it certainly makes wine tasting a more modern experience. It focuses your attention on what’s in the glass as well as allowing you to be a little adventurous without a full bottle commitment or social pressures. Highly recommended, especially before or after a lunch at the Bouchon Bakery on the same floor.

www.clowines.com  

Recently, I learned about the Wine Century Club. This outfit is based in New York and was founded by the husband and wife team of Steven and Deborah De Long. The idea is basically the adult version of the Century Club you played in College. However, instead of downing shots of beer in 100 minutes, you get to see how many distinct grape varietals you've tasted in your lifetime.

Membership requires you to have tasted a minimum of 100 and since most of us probably can't name 20 off the top of our heads, here is a downloadable list to help you enumerate those you are familiar with: http://www.winecentury.com/membership.php. Once you've hit to magic number, simply submit your form to the coordinates provided and voila – something else to add to your epicurean CV.

So far, I'm close but still missing a few. And while I still love my Rhone Syrah, being able to reach that magic number certainly motivates me to keep an eye open for new and diverse products. And in consequence, my palate is not just awakened by so have the pairing possibilities. A total win-win situation.

On the 29th and 30th of August, the folks in Drummondville will pay hommage to their native dish. While the origins of who made it first are still somewhat up for debate, this town takes poutine seriously enough to organize a music festival and all sorts of other activties around it. There will even be a make-you-own poutine bar.

For more information, check out: www.festivaldelapoutine.com. Attendance costs $17 for one day or $23 for the whole weekend.

Indiana University is now offering a PhD program in the anthropology of food and while the appeal of Bloomington might not be tremendous, the contents of the program are. Here is a preliminary list of courses offered, all of which I would be likely to sign up for, thus prolonging my stay in the program indefinately:

• Food and Famine
• Food, History and Culture
• Ethnobotany
• Land Use and Food Production
• Prehistoric Diet and Nutrition
• Faunal Osteology
• American Indian Subsistence
• Coffee Culture, Labor and Markets
• Paleonutrition
• Food in the Ancient World

The truth is, we are because we eat, so the idea of being able to understand that so thoroughly is inspiring. I grant you that it might be because I'm a super nerd that the idea of doing another graduate degree seems like fun, but that's what a passion will do to you! The approach of the program is to integrate all aspects of food, ranging from academic perspectives to market tours and the politics behind what's on our plates and in our fields. Partnering with some exceptional journals and movements, such as Slow Food, this program will surely become the base requirement for any self-respecting foodie. Let's hope they start to offer correspondence classes.

For more information, here is the web site: http://www.indiana.edu/~anthro/food_flash.html