Calgary Wine Tasting: Mikko Alkio of Clos Alkio at Vine Arts

February 23, 2025April 30, 2026 Hitting the Sauce2 Comments

On Wednesday, Divine Offering and I went to a wine tasting at Vine Arts – Meet the Maker – Mikko Alkio of Clos Alkio. For this post, let’s listen to Caminito a Motel.

We checked out Sound Bar before the tasting. It’s a cozy, dimly lit space reminiscent of a chic basement. I was early and walked up to someone I thought was Divine Offering. After the woman told me she was not Divine Offering, I noticed she wasn’t even of the same ethnicity. This isn’t the first time I’ve made an error like this. Face blindness is a real thing.

Divine Offering texted me and asked me if I was inside. Yes, of course, I responded. Why would I wait outside in -25 weather? It turned out that someone had locked the door, and she couldn’t get in. When I went to open the door, another customer next to her yelled at me for locking him out. I responded indignantly that I didn’t lock him out. I was letting him in! He apologized.

I’m a big fan of the hard iced tea ($7) —it’s bubbly, full of rich black tea notes, and perfectly sweet without overpowering the tea flavour. Divine Offering tried a blood orange beer ($5), and for her second drink, she went for the non-alcoholic Bees Knees cocktail, which she loved. Divine Offering liked that the music was at just the right volume—not too loud. She also mentioned wanting to come back to try their snacks.

Right on time, we walked across the street to Vine Arts. Mikko, the winemaker, is from Finland. We learned that he’s familiar with Calgary. As a youth, he did a homestay in Calgary, where the hosts became like a second family.

His passion for wine became a business when he and his family moved to Barcelona so his three kids could immerse themselves in the city’s tennis scene. As there were no iPhones at the time to distract him, he developed a deep appreciation for Spanish wines. Despite being a partner at a law firm in Finland, he also chose to create a side hustle as the proprietor of a world-class winery in Priorat, Spain.

The first wine we tried in his line-up was Fam de Vida Chenin Blanc 2022 ($60.54). I found this wine fresh and clean, with a non-typical sweetness. Mikko noted that 14% of the wine was produced in high-quality inox tanks, with no oak aging, producing 900 bottles. Mikko said to wait eight to 10 years for the wine to mature. Divine Offering loved this wine so much that she purchased a bottle.

The second wine was a 2021 Fam de Vida Ull de Liebre ($64.50). I marvelled at the pretty purple hue and its smooth flavour. Mikko mentioned he was pleased this wine was well-received at one of Spain’s biggest festivals, which showcased thousands of Spanish wines. He shared that, much like law, the devil’s in the details regarding winemaking. He’s all about precision. His grapes use significantly less water than other wineries and have about five times less sulphur than other winemakers.

The third wine was my favourite – Fam de Vida Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 ($85.70). The fragrance was so lovely, reminding me of something very pretty and floral. It tasted clean and vibrant. I loved it so much that I stopped eating the cheese and charcuterie before me and sipped as slowly as possible. Mikko recommended aging this wine for ten years, but there’s no way I will wait a decade. I liked this one so much I bought two bottles. I asked Mikko what he would pair with this wine. He looked surprised as if the answer was so obvious, and apparently, it was to everyone except me. Cheese! Divine Offering also bought a bottle.

Mikko clearly favoured the fourth tasting – Fam de Vida Syrah 2022 ($88.70). This wine is aged in French oak for 14 months. He recommends tasting the difference after ten hours and then again the next day. I’m an impatient drinker, so this bottle was a no-go for me to purchase.

You can tell by listening to Mikko that he is obsessed with grapes, which is reflected in his wine quality. He’s all about letting his grapes speak for themselves, making wines that authentically reflect the land and the fruit.

The fifth wine was Caminito a Motel 2021 ($36.85). The wine is named after a song his son recommended, Caminito a Motel. Mikko would often listen to this song while searching for property.

Carminito a Motel is a blend of 35% Garnatxa, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Carinyena, with a 15% alcohol content. Aged in French oak for eight months, Mikko recommended opening this wine in five, 10 and 15 years. I bought three bottles for friends of mine who like to age their wines.

The last wine of the evening was Clos Alkio 2021 ($108.24), a top blend Mikko is so proud of he put his name on it. Plucked from aged vines, the grapes blend 30% Garnatxa Negra, 30% Carinyena, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Divine Offering and I had a blast. The wine importer who set up the event was a great host, ensuring we had everything to be comfortable. Thank you, Mikko, for braving the cold Canadian prairie and sharing your wines. Hitting the Sauce gives this wine tasting two phat thumbs up.

Want more wine tastings? I keep a running list of Calgary wine tastings and events.

Kama: A modern Mediterranean restaurant in Calgary

February 1, 2025April 29, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

For my birthday, Bex Oxo took me to see Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, a candlelight musical experience. As her birthday is two days before mine, I took her out for dinner before the concert at Kama. Let’s listen to “Believer” by Imagine Dragon for this post.

I was jonesing for a glass of wine, but since it was dry January, I ordered Benjamin Bridge Piquette Zero Spritzer ($6.50, 250ml). I picked the original flavour, which tasted like a simple, sweet pop. I would not order this again. This beverage ranked pretty low on my list, along with a non-alcoholic Erdinger.

Bex Oxo chose wisely, ordering a Jerry Blackberry Blackberry Ginger Shrub, Honey, Mint, Soda ($11). I took a sip and found her mocktail thick and delicious, with a tart, gingery bite to it. It was so good that I regretted not ordering it myself.

Kama has so many seafood offerings, but Bex Oxo has a shellfish allergy, so we tried the Spanakopita, Bulgarian Cheese, Nigella ($11), Brussels Sprouts, Burnt Honey Yogurt, Coriander, Cashew ($19), Chicken Souvlaki, Greek Garden Salad, Tzatziki, Honey Feta Beignets ($43).

First up was the spanakopita, generously stacked with buttery smooth spinach. The feta and dill made for a fragrant and rich filling. Unlike other spanakopitas I’ve tried, Kama’s version was filled with way more filling than pastry.

The brussels sprouts were phenomenal. Each warm sprout squished a juicy, sweet, burnt honey and yogurt sauce. I loved munching on the crunchy cashews and hits of coriander. Bex Oxo mentioned she enjoyed the charred cabbage leaves, which reminded her of slightly burnt food from a campfire. I’m not a camper, so though I couldn’t relate, I understood her sentiment. Bex Oxo has invited me camping many times, but I know my limits and play within it. This dish is a winner, and I would order it again.

The chicken souvlaki is large enough for three appetites. On the plate were five or six golden brown honey feta beignets. Bex Oxo took a bite and exclaimed that it was like a doughnut met a dinner roll. I liked the crusty, oily exterior and the doughy, dense interior.

The chicken chunks were also large; the meat was fluffy and soft. The best part of the chicken was the tangy lemon flavour and the combination of the sweet, salty, and crunchy flavour of the beignet. The simple side salad of peppers and onions rounded out this feast on a plate. I recommend this dish to anyone who loves a good, carby meal. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed souvlaki so much.

We were so full we didn’t order dessert, and we took a good chunk of the chicken souvlaki home. Bex Oxo and I thought Kama was even better than Ten Foot Henry in terms of ambience and service. Ten Foot Henry has a much bigger wine list with bottles I’m familiar with, but other than that, Kama wins my favour.

As for the concert, I enjoyed it so much that I checked out Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons the following week, and I’m planning to book tickets for Pink Floyd and Bach and the Beatles. Thanks, Bex Oxo, for introducing me to my latest hobby.

Want more recommendations on where to eat in Calgary? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.

Banh Mi · Cheap Eats

Banh Mi Date #19 – Saigon Deli

January 19, 2025April 13, 2026 Hitting the Sauce1 Comment

It’s my birthday weekend! I kicked things off with a banh mi from Saigon Deli, and completed my mission to go on 19 banh mi dates! Let’s listen to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

My nickname should be the Fairy Food Godmother, because whenever I visit Forest Lawn, I bring treats for everyone. It takes us 22 minutes to get to Saigon Deli, so I made it worth it by picking up a cold cut banh mi ($9) for my mother, who now lives in Calgary, and my neighbours. I chose veggie subs ($5) for Bex Oxo and Valentina, thinking it would be the safest option for them. I considered tofu but was unsure, as Bex Oxo was too polite to mention any preferences when I texted her. I found out after she likes tofu, so I’ll get her that next.

This is my third time at Saigon Deli, and the best visit because I ordered like a pro. FoodKarma recommends either a cold cut and extra pâté and butter. I also asked for extra carrots.

It’s a busy spot, but man, those ladies can whip up subs in record time. This isn’t their first rodeo. The staff crafts each sub with an odd mix of generosity, love, and no-nonsense boss lady swiftness. I was hooked. Perhaps even in love.

The bread was soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. I liked that the baguette wasn’t too crumbly, like cheaper, commercially made bread.
No other banh mi spot beats the freshness of the veggies—crunchy carrots, snappy cucumbers, and jalapeños that tasted like it straight from the garden.

Every bite was refreshing and satisfying, an abundance of cold cuts, homemade mayo, pâté, and spanking fresh crudités. The pâté was so intense, so I might stick with the standard amount and ask for extra mayo next time. I loved the pops of saltiness from the Maggi sauce.

Bex Oxo enjoyed her sub, highlighting the sweetness of the buttery mayo and the freshness of the veggies. We both enjoyed the occasional kick from the jalapeños. Even my mother approved, texting me of the deliciousness of her banhi mi.

When I first visited Saigon Deli, the subs were $6 or $7. Now they’re $9, and I’m glad they raised the prices—it’s well worth it. I hope they keep doing what they’ve been doing for decades. Hitting the Sauce gives Saigon Deli two phat thumbs up.

Best bánh mì in Calgary → full list here: Best Banh Mi in Calgary.

French · Restaurants · Special Occasion · Wine tasting

Supper Club Calgary: With Francine’s Chef Garret Martin & Bar Manager Nate Wry

November 22, 2024April 29, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

Town Hospitality organized an event. The lineup included Chef Garret Martin and Bar Manager Nate Wry of Francine’s, Sugar Water Events, and Kyo-Jean Chung from Crush Imports. Garret previously ran Major Tom and later, Francine’s, where I ate one of the best steaks in my life.

Set from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. dinner included five courses paired with cocktails and wine ($243 per person). I asked Divine Offering if she was interested in attending with me. Lucky for me, she’s always up for fun! Let’s listen to “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman for this post.

The dinner was at The Garret Loft, above FinePrint on Stephen Avenue. We climbed the stairs and stepped into a long, lofty room. At one end, the kitchen welcomed us; at the other, a view of downtown’s ever-changing nature unfolded. A table stretched through most of the space, adorned with fresh blue delphinium flowers and burning candles.

This was my first time meeting Garret and Nate in person. I’ve only seen their photos in the Herald and was surprised by how fresh-faced they looked. With their resumes, I expected them to appear older, or at least more weathered.

The welcome drink was a French 75, created by Nate. The macadamia syrup added a nutty element, while the lemon provided an element of tartness. Delicious! We took our drinks, sat by a nook near the piano, and observed the scurry of activity before we sat for dinner.

We sat in the middle of the table, which roughly thirty other guests. The famous cheese monger, Isaac from Say Cheese Fromagerie, sat to my right with his posse. I’ve seen him on Instagram, usually chiseling into a massive wheel of cheese. To my left was a cluster of female friends, one donning a white hat. At the end of the table were couples. I sat across from one of Town Hospitality’s partners, Wyatt Norm.

The first dish was ham and chips with honey butter glaze, Bayonne ham, and aged comte cheese, paired with a glass of Montgermont Blanc De Blancs. Divine Offering took a bite and declared the honey butter glaze far better than the Korean snacks she’d bought. I picked up hints of thyme, while the chips tasted like cornflakes, topped with salty ham and cheese shavings.

The second dish was baby romaine salad with date vinaigrette, bacon, fried rosemary, and Roquefort blue. Paired with Maya Meaker Elgin Riesling, we learned the wine had a hint of residual sugar and high acidity, making it a perfect match for the sweet blue cheese from southern France. Divine Offering declared the cheese the star of the salad, smooth and creamy, without the usual sharpness of blue cheese. I loved how it melted in my mouth.

The salad was hearty yet light, sweet from the honey and salty from the bacon. I loved the combination of ingredients and textures, particularly the satisfying crunch when you cut into the “boat” of lettuce. I would order this again, and salads do not usually wow me.

Divine Offering eats slowly, while I’m usually quick. But I took my time for this meal as I didn’t want to stop tasting the flavours. One of my favourite of the night was the mussels, paired with a Pauet Macon-Villages Nos Cinq Terroirs, a smooth textured chardonnay.

The broth smelled fragrant and oceanic. The mussels were spectacular, plump, silky, and creamy, with a taste like fresh West Coast oysters. I loved how the delicate radish, apple, yuzu, and vanilla broth let the freshness of the mussels shine. She usually avoids shellfish, but these mussels were so soft and free of any fishy aftertaste that she ate every last one. I was disappointed she liked them so much, as I was hoping for her portion.

We were treated to extra cocktails throughout our meal, in addition to the welcome drink and five pairings. The Perfect Lady cocktail was simple and fun. I tasted peach with a hint of something tropical, like lychee. Divine Offering thought the Perfect Lady was a good break before the main course.

I thought nothing could outdo the mussels, but I had forgotten how well Garrett can cook a steak. The slow-roasted “delmonico” style steak was paired with a glass of contra soarda terra veneto rosso, a red wine from northern Italy. The peppercorn sauce was hot and full of flavor. The steak had a perfect chew, deep beefy richness, and a mouthwatering char. The whipped, buttery potatoes were smooth and creamy.

Divine Offering exclaimed the steak the best she’s ever had. We would both order this dish whenever it is on the menu at Francine’s. Garrett explained that all the food prepared was authentically French, buttery, rich, and salty.

Dessert was Divine Offering’s favourite course. The praline was creamy and not too sweet. I liked the salt and cheese, which countered the sweetness of the caramel. She quietly scraped the remaining butterscotch sauce off the plate to get every bit of sauce. She said if she were in the privacy of her own home, she would have licked the plate clean. I believe her. Her focus remained entirely on her dessert throughout the entire course. The wine was like a second dessert, sweet and complemented the parfait.

Divine Offering noted the cocktails made by Sugar Water Bar were expertly timed throughout dinner. The French 75 stimulated her appetite, while the ‘Ti Punch, her favourite cocktail tonight, ended the dinner perfectly. Nate noted that he prefers to use French spirits, such as French rum, and simple garnishes with the cocktails to focus on the taste. The last drink was funky and fun, fragrant and had a real “punch” to it.

The hospitality we received from everyone was an A+. Wyatt explained that these events give chefs a chance to create new dishes, as many grow tired of repeating the same hits night after night. Divine Offering thought the event was well-planned and definitely worth the money. The night was worth every nickel, with outstanding quality and drinks flowing all evening.

I plan to go again. I hear there will be a New Year’s Eve bash, though I might wait for the event following. I highly recommend Town Hospitality events and look forward to Garret and Nate’s upcoming restaurant, Francine’s. Hitting the Sauce gives the whole collaboration two phat thumbs up!

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.

Restaurants · Seafood · Special Occasion

FinePrint Calgary Review (Stephen Avenue): What to Order

October 13, 2024April 27, 2026 Hitting the SauceLeave a comment

The good neighbours reunited! Quebecoise, Betty, Kournikova and I met up for our girls’ night. It’s been a while, as Betty was busy giving birth to a handsome little fellow. We settled on FinePrint, located in Calgary’s prime downtown location on Stephen Avenue. Let’s listen to “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Jimmy Durante.

Quebecoise selected a bottle of Paul Mas Viognier ($56), which she noted was surprisingly affordable, given the Stephen Avenue location. Betty enjoyed this white wine so much that she asked me to send her the picture I had taken so she could search for it at her local liquor store.

I warned the girls that FinePrint wasn’t a sharing sort of place and that we should order our appetizers and mains. Quebecoise countered that we could share appetizers but get our own mains. It turns out we were both right.

I asked Kournikova to take the pictures, but she told me to ask Betty, who she said is a better photographer. I shook my head and said that’s not true, as the last time Betty and Quebecoise took blurry photos. Kournikova grinned and confessed she was hungry and reluctant to take the pictures. I shot back that no one enjoys it, but she never half-asses anything, no matter her mood. She nodded in agreement and took the damn pictures.

Quebecoise ordered the Tempura Green Beans ($10), a trademark dish at Fine Print’s predecessor, Divino. Quebecoise raved about the perfect crunch of the batter and how much she appreciated munching on vegetables. Kournikova pointed out that this was one appetizer she didn’t care for, noting that the beans clashed with the rest of the menu.

I picked the Cured Ora King Salmon & Hamachi Crudo ($26). Oh man, this dish gives my beloved Sukiyaki House a run for its money. The salmon was next level, cool in temperature and buttery in flavour. But it was the hamachi that stole the show. Its sweet, delicate white flesh left us raving. The miso, vinaigrette, and pomelo sauce struck the perfect balance, not too sweet, citrusy, or overpowering, just enough to enhance the fresh taste of the fish. Those little green beans couldn’t compete with the salmon and hamachi crudo. This dish is a winner and a keeper.

Betty is delightfully predictable and ordered the Alberta Bison & Truffle Tartare ($27). According to Kournikova, FinePrint makes one of the best tartares in this city. The pickled mustard seeds packed a spicy kick, while the bison was cut into beefy chunks. Each piece was flavorful with a satisfying chew. Betty remarked on its robust beefiness and couldn’t get enough of the texture. I would get this again.

My healthy and athletic friend Kournikova chose the Grilled Radicchio & Endive Salad ($18). She loved it—and who wouldn’t? The salad was packed with spiced walnuts, mint, pickled grapes, and comté. The tangy kick from the blue cheese vinaigrette was so good and went well with all the ingredients.

Quebecoise, Kournikova, and I ordered the Josper Roasted Sablefish ($48). The fish was phenomenal, flaky and hot, with the mouthwatering essence of charcoal. Quebecoise declared this her type of food and loved every element, especially the sour sauce and the combination of crunchy savoy cabbage, braised fennel, and charred orange.

Betty ordered the Pappardelle ($28) topped with Crispy Duck Confit ($8). The thick, ribbon-like noodles had a delightful chew, coated in a mix of ground nuts, basil, and cheese instead of a traditional sauce. Kournikova wasn’t a fan of the duck confit, finding it dry. I didn’t try the duck, but I thought the pasta was yummy.

We tried the Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake ($12) and Yuzu & Rhubarb Gateaux ($12) for dessert. I’m not much of a dessert person, so I don’t have much to say other than that they were pretty to look at.

I noticed most clientele consisted of ladies or couples on a date. If I were an American tourist, I would hit up FinePrint in a second. The quality is a cut above, and with the dollar in your favour, it makes it a no-brainer to treat yourself to some exceptionally made seafood dishes. Hitting the Sauce gives FinePrint two phat thumbs up.

Want more like this? Check out my running list of Calgary’s best restaurants, date nights, and cheap eats.