Now, the classic stereotype of the Canadian may involve large trees, checked flannel shirts and the Monty Python team finding things to rhyme with OK but Vancouver is a different kettle of poissin.
The Arctic Monkeys were in town yesterday and we caught up with Geoff, the manager, for a beer in the afternoon. Nice to see a friendly, familiar face out of context. The show in the evening was fantastic, I hadn't seen the band since October 2005 at The Plug and they've put on some serious muscle musically. The crowd did what crowds usually seem to do at their shows. Anyway, we popped backstage to say hello with our new chums Geoff and Silvana and left with with some rider gifts including a bottle of Canadian Red Wine from the Tinhorn Creek vineyards. I will just copy the blurb on the back of the bottle and leave you to draw your own conclusions.
"If this wine were human, it would tip-toe up behind friends and give it a start. It would be just as happy barefoot as in Italian leather. It would fill every room in its home with yellow roses - and black and white photographs. At the bookstore it would comb every aisle.
This wine isn't human. But you are. So enjoy it with chicken, turkey or pork. And be sure to fill your home - and your glass - with what you love."