We spent a week on the Naramata Bench, sipping, sunning and siesta-ing. Here's the scoop.

eat
Go for breakfast at The Bench Artisan Food Market (and pick up happy hour snacks for later). The scones, cinnamon buns and coffee are all better than what you'd find in the big city. 368 Vancouver Ave., Penticton, B.C., 250-492-2222, www.thebenchmarket.com

sip
Possibly the best value on the Bench is the new Monster diffusion line from Poplar Grove. Take home a mixed case of their strawberry-scented rosé ($18), ManMade red blend ($18) and Merlot ($20): don't be scared now. 1060 Poplar Grove Rd., Penticton, B.C., www.monstervineyards.com

do
Venture up through the hills to Dirty Laundry, whose best-selling Woo Woo Gewurz pairs perfectly with picnic basket lunches on the terrace overlooking Summerland. 7311 Fiske St., Summerland, B.C., 250-494-8815, www.dirtylaundry.ca

sleep
The rustic cabins are wait-listed all summer, but try the central lodge, with the same fantastic beachfront view, plus canoes and rowboats for relaxing morning paddles. www.sandybeachresort.com

For upcoming wine events, see www.naramatabench.com

We’ve got a picnic pick-me-up that won’t incur a $109 fine for drinking in a public place.

Made from varietal grapes from the Napa Valley, Vignette Wine Country Sodas come in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rosé with added bubbles, but none of the alcohol. We tasted all three and deemed them light, refreshing and ideal for those high school reunions and company outings that demand you keep your wits about you.

$3.49/each at Homewerx, 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca

When it comes to big parties or picnics, winos have had two options: elegance at the risk of shattering your fine crystal, or practicality in the form of  ugly plastic cups. We’re tickled rosé to report there’s a third.

The Govino wineglass looks like stemless crystal, but is pharmaceutical-grade plastic that’s unbreakable, reusable and, after a few uses, recyclable. Originally developed for trade wine tastings, there’s even a small thumb indentation to better your grip after a few.

So whether or not we stay classy after one too many, the cup has us covered.

$2.95/glass at Artisan Wine Shop, 119-123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, 604-264-4008, www.artisanwineshop.ca

Buttered popcorn pairs well with Baby Mama, but iconic cinema deserves a glass of the good stuff.

Enter Pacific Cinémathèque’s new Cinebar screenings, where on select evenings the regular price of admission ($9.50) gets you a classic film and a wine from its point of origin. This week, it’s all Italy with Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita paired with Folonari Pinot Grigio.

The sweet life, indeed.

Cinebar screening of La Dolce Vita, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009, Pacific Cinémathèque, 200 - 1131 Howe St., Vancouver, 604-688-8202, www.cinematheque.bc.ca

Build it and they will Comté, Stilton and stay awhile: New resto Au Petit Chavignol has us churning out all kinds of cheesy puns.

And while we know our bad jokes, this place knows its washed rind from its triple cream. From the brains behind Les Amis du Fromage, the wine and cheese bar resides in a 1920s heritage building made modern with a cool concrete bar and chandelier-silhouetted wallpaper.

With the newest of its chain of cheese shops right next door, the wine bar offers a full kitchen that turns out fresh fondues, raclettes, tartiflettes and terrines. We ordered the tiered grand tasting platter ($30) and let the chefs choose charcuterie, cheese and condiments for us, with the intention to return and partake in the cleverly themed tasting flights ($21-$28).

Gouda to the last drop, we’re sure.

Au Petit Chavignol, 845 E. Hastings St., Vancouver, 604-255-4218, www.aupetitchavignol.com

The wine festival may not be until March, but if you’re religious about red and worship white, there’s an oenological event you must snag tickets to now.

A runaway hit at the Okanagan Wine Festival every year, the Blasted Church Midnight Service comes to Vancouver’s vino week for the very first time. Not your average mingler, the evening brings to life the label’s irreverent name by having guests commune at Christ Church Cathedral for soul food from Memphis Blues Barbeque House and soulful music from the Gospel Experience Choir (who are just as apt to belt out “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” as they are a classic hymn).

That and sipping on Chardonnay Musqué all night sounds like heaven to us.

Blasted Church Midnight Service ($89), 10 p.m.-12:45 p.m., Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St., Vancouver, 604-873-3311, tickets can also be purchased online here.

Cleanse-smeanse. We’re back on the bottle with tasty vino from the vineyard formerly known as Golden Mile Cellars.

Now Road 13, the new name comes with a fresh new look and a praise-worthy Varietal Series. On the white side of their wine portfolio, we favour the 2007 Riesling ($18.99) for its crisp, fruity flavour and apricot aroma. And on the red, there are two winners. One for drinking now, the 2007 Pinot Noir ($22.99) which is surprisingly light, yet rich with flavour, and one to cellar for later, the 2006 Merlot ($23.99) full of mellow complexity.

This is the kind of road we don’t mind going down.

Available at www.road13vineyards.com and select wine stores.

Cleansing is for January. Until then, bottom’s up!

Sarah, Editor-in-chief
Don’t panic, it’s organic—the 2007 Soleus Cabernet Sauvignon from Chilé (look for the watering can on the label) is barrel aged and surprisingly refined for $13.99. Drink up!

Athena, Toronto editor
Every time we eat at Terroni (sometimes thrice weekly!) we order a bottle of Biferno Rosso. Nothing washes down a Margherita better. Approx. $21.99.

Malwina, Calgary editor
For white we’ll be pouring the aromatic Kung Fu Girl Riesling ($25) and for red the vivacious Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2008, $16.

Elsa, Montreal editor, French edition
Château Moncontour 2005 Vouvray: A very good French sparkling wine that looks like Champagne, tastes delicious, and is a lot cheaper, $19.95.

Maria, Copy chief
For the pre-dinner cheese plate we uncork a bottle of the rich and fruity Sandhill Pinot Blanc, $18.

Cheers!

French-Chinese fusion? Done. Pan-Asian cuisine? So last summer! What’s really tempting our palette these days is casual and simple Italian fare.

With that in mind we headed to Campagnolo, the newest entry from the boys behind another fave of ours, Fuel.

Located in revitalization-ready Lower Main, the 65-seater is a friendly, minimalist space with brick walls, cork floors and big wood beams—giving the air the fresh scent of fir. We dropped in on opening night for Piedmont-inspired snacks like  citrus-marinated olives and a tasty and fresh Margherita pizza—and left with change from $30. We'll be back to sip Rosso di Toscana at the 25-seat wine bar and nibble on the house-made "The Cure" charcuterie.

Impress the in-laws by planning a holiday dinner at this soon-to-be foodie hot spot—and ply them with wine until they stop asking you for grandkids.

Campagnolo, 1020 Main St., Vancouver, 604-484-6018, www.campagnolorestaurant.ca

This Saturday, October 4th marks the release of the storied 2005 Bordeaux, hailed by critics to be one of the greatest vintages of the past 100 years.

So print these expert recommendations compiled just for Vitamin V by Sommelier James Cluer, and get your cute little tush in line.

If you like Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from the Medoc, try:
Château Clarke, Listrac 2005, $39
Château Belgrave, Haut Medoc 2005, $45
Château Clerc-Milon, Pauillac 2005, $89

If you prefer Merlot-based wines from St. Emilion and Pomerol, try:
Château d'Aiguilhe, Cotes de Castillon 2005, $49
Château Grand Mayne, St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2005, $79
Château la Fleur Petrus, Pomerol 2005, $139

Or go for the big hitters that will cellar for at least 20 years:
Château Angelus, St. Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe 2005, $475
Château Leoville Las Cases, St. Julien 2005, $549 (100 points)

James Cluer Selects is a new monthly wine recommendation list based on Cluer's comprehensive blind tastings in each category. To susbcribe and view podcast, visit www.finevintageltd.com