his is not the time of year to go on a cleanse, vow to quit drinking, or swear you’ll save some money from your bi-weekly pay cheques. That's yet to come. So give up and give in to indulgence. After all, there’s the whole of 2008 to redeem yourself.

Although many complain that BC government liquor stores are overpriced and the staff could use a few lessons on both wine knowledge and customer service, there’s one thing I do head there for - the signature stores’ free tastings. And many times they’ll throw a local chef into the equation, conveniently on hand to explain the rules of food pairing. This week head to Cambie and 39th on Friday, November 30 from 4:30-6:30 pm and sample Bordeaux wines with cheese from Les Amis du Fromage. A trip down to the store on Saturday and you can go Argentinean. Sip Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo wines paired with Beef Chimichurra prepared by Chef and Sommelier Tim Ellison. He knows both wine and his food! You’ll be tempted to ask for Tim for Christmas.

If you’d rather just stick to BC Wines, Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie is where you should be on Saturday, December 1 at 11 am sharp. Pick up your yearly allotment of the new Joie Passetoutgrains or Reserve Chardonnay, the 2005 Osoyoos Larose, and hard to find wines from Poplar Grove, Cedar Creek, Tantalus, Sumac Ridge, Inniskillin and Jackson-Triggs. My wine of the week – 2006 Tantalus Old Vines Riesling. This zippy wine has citrus aromas and lots of lime, minerality, and acidity on the palate. It’s a crisp one. Great to sip along an afternoon charcuterie plate.