Latest news with #Evolve
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Anthony Gismondi: These B.C. sparkling wines are among Canada's best
After posting 20 consecutive years of growth, the sparkling wine category took a step back in 2023 and 2024 in the U.S. and Canada. However, at least north of the border, it can hardly be taken as bad news, given that sales were up more than 25 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. It seems that just about every winery in Canada now makes a sparkling wine, which brings us to the first results of the 2025 Wine Align National Wine Awards, completed late last month in Penticton. The sparkling wine category leads off 15 days of announcements that will culminate in the naming of Canada's two top-performing wineries, under and over 10,000 cases, on July 31 and Aug. 1. B.C. producers earned nearly half the gold medals for wines scoring 91 points or higher, especially in the Blanc de Blanc category, which refers to white sparkling wine made from white grapes — some aged up to 60 months for added complexity. Below is a list of B.C. winners, ranked by their score to two decimal points, including their national ranking and my tasting comments, where applicable. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 2017 Township 7 Seven Stars Sirius, at $80, was No. 2 in the country and a gold-medal winner, scoring 91 points. It turns out that winemaker Mary McDermott's impressive Seven Stars sparkling wine program is as serious as it gets in a non-Champagne context. No. 4 in Canada was the Evolve Cellars 2018 Brut Nature, priced at $58. Bone dry and very impressive, it leads a strong lineup of sparklers that will soon be available at an all-sparkling wine facility the owners of Evolve will open on the Naramata Bench this fall. The following gold medals, ranked 8th, 11th and 12th nationally, demonstrate the breadth of suitable B.C. sparkling terroir, with stops in Kelowna, Langley and Lillooet: Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Blanc de Noir ($42), Fort Berens 2022 Blanc de Blanc ($35), and Township 7 Seven Stars 2020 Rosé Nebula ($50). The diversity continues among B.C.'s best bubbles, which were only a decade ago nowhere near their current standard of quality. As traditional European producers face ever-increasing warming trends and falling acid levels, B.C. sparkling wine remains as fresh and crisp. Case in point are the No. 13 and No. 15 bottles: Lightning Rock Winery's 2022 Blanc de Noirs, Canyonview Vineyard ($40), and Road 13's 2019 Select Harvest Old Vine Sparkling Chenin Blanc ($52). The latter is made with some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in Canada, planted as early as 1968. B.C. bottles also finished in 16th, 18th and 21st place: a new release, the Laughing Stock 2020 Market Bubbles ($40); an old favourite that over delivers for the price every year, the Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Rosé Brut ($32); and another offering from the highly successful Township sparkling wine program, the Township 7 2021 Seven Stars Polaris ($40). There are fewer and fewer wine competitions and, frankly, none attract the numbers that the WineAlign National Wine Awards do. In the case of sparkling wines, there were 98 entries from across the country, lending any medal winner considerable gravitas. Next time, we'll look at some of the top-scoring B.C. wines from various categories as the results roll out. For a complete listing of all the medal winners and ongoing analysis, you can visit or . $40.00 I 91/100 UPC: 063657045596 The first bubble we have seen from Laughing Stock is off to a good start. Expect a classic Brut style with a punch of Okanagan energy, courtesy of its upfront acidity and brightness. The nose and palate are all about apples, with a hint of other orchard fruits and some welcomed toasted notes from aging. Its finish is soft with hints of caramel and bakery scents. Ready to drink. $36.50 I 91/100 UPC: 626990189909 Pouring a barely there pink/orange tint, this brisk, dry and structured sparkler streams wild cherry, creamy raspberry, and crab apple, giving it both depth and freshness. It has proven to be very food-friendly over the years, and this addition will be no exception. The Blanc de Noirs is produced from a single block of Pinot Noir clone 93 vines, planted in 1985, and is now blended with a small amount of estate Meunier. It is the real thing. $42.00 I 92/100 UPC: 778913801655 This certified organic sparkler is crafted from the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in the valley. The fruit used to be part of the Road 13 program but is now heading up the sparkling wines at CedarCreek. It has the seriousness you would expect from 50+ year old vines, but also offers a level of purity and freshness that grabs your attention. Finally, it is the flavours that grab you, combining honey, pie crust and fresh-cut red and green apples. The finish is long and distinguished with bright acidity. It is ready to drink, but will age with ease through 2028. $26.90 I 88/100 UPC: 626990156208 The Stoneboat Méthode Cuvée Close is whole cluster pressed. The free-run juice is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel with a secondary fermentation inside closed tanks. It is bottled 30 days after fermentation, meaning it lacks the bread dough or biscuit notes found in sparklers aged much longer. A Prosecco-style B.C. sparkler with cleaner and more intense fruit creates an attractive, peachy, mandarin and apple-driven effervescence that goes down easily. $29.99 I 88/100 UPC: 00696852117357 The Blue Grouse Charme de l'île Blanc is the Cowichan Valley version of a mid-tier Prosecco. Made in the Charmat style, in which a large tank is injected with carbon dioxide to create soft bubbles, the BG version is a fresh blend of Island grapes, led by 50 per cent Schonberger, mixed with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Ortega. It is a vibrant sparkler with engaging citrus, floral and green notes, and a hint of salinity within its creamy texture — definitely a fun late-afternoon, happy-hour sipper. • Quails' Gate Winery's Old Vines Restaurant, one of B.C.'s first winery restaurants, turns 25 this year. From the start, it has championed local farmers, foragers and producers, building menus around what can be grown or gathered in the surrounding area. To commemorate the milestone, Old Vines is celebrating with a collection of seasonal offerings and anniversary highlights throughout the year. A Culinary Reunion will bring together a distinguished lineup of alumni chefs who have shaped the restaurant's storied legacy. Other seasonal releases, such as Wildflower Honey, quince paste at harvest and fermented cherries for the holidays, underscore the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and circular culinary practices. There will also be a rotating dish from past menus each month, such as the current offering, Roasted Spring Salmon, accompanied by pommes Anna, Armstrong asparagus, Okanagan morel mushrooms, and garden sorrel cream. For reservations and more information, visit . • An unnamed couple were found dead in their wine cellar on July 4 after being overcome by a 'chemical reaction' caused by dry ice. The couple, who lived in River Oaks, Houston, had been preparing to entertain guests at an Independence Day party when the incident occurred. Police reported that dry ice was being stored in the wine cellar, but when it melts, it turns into carbon dioxide gas. Unfortunately, it appears the gas overcame the couple as they entered the cellar. $26.99 I 89/100 UPC: 793588413293 A Provençal-inspired ashen pink hue characterizes this wine. It delivers approachable freshness and understated stone fruit and watermelon flavours, making it an enjoyable and refreshing choice. Slightly sweeter in quality, this enhances its drinkability and charm. Crafted from Oregon Pinot Noir, this replacement wine maintains an elegant standard. Serve throughout the summer — your guests will appreciate your generosity in sharing it with them. Restaurants should stock up. $19.99 I 88/100 UPC: 183103000013 Ernie Loosen is a driven winemaker and Riesling is his passion. This label has always been of great value as an introduction to Mosel Riesling. Juicy and ripe, it's a mix of pear juice, yellow apples and an intoxicating Mosel perfume with a hint of spice. You get all that and more at only 8.5 per cent alcohol. It is easy to like and even easier to drink. Stock up.
The Market Online
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Market Online
A new Bitcoin stock with high-conviction management
Since its founding in 2009, Bitcoin has surpassed a market capitalization of C$3.2 trillion, according to Coin Market Cap, attracting more than 400 million users worldwide thanks to its monumental returns – over 27,000 per cent since 2016 – as well as softening regulation and a growing role as a reserve asset and portfolio diversifier uncorrelated with both stocks and fiat currency. This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with Bitcoin Treasury Corp., and is intended for informational purposes only. That said, cryptocurrency remains a nascent asset class subject to wide swings, with numerous bull and bear markets having increased investors' heart rates over the past decade, and more likely to come as use-cases experience the normal cycle of creation and destruction every new technology must endure before becoming a permanent feature of human life. Crypto's risk of high volatility is why investors interested in the space are best served by gathering experts in their corner, allocating into management teams whose pedigrees speak for themselves when it comes to harnessing innovation into stakeholder value. A new stock worth evaluating under this thesis is Bitcoin Treasury (TSXV:BTCT), market capitalization C$89.7 million, a Canadian provider of institutional-grade Bitcoin services, including lending, liquidity and collateral, in conjunction with a treasury mandate that has accumulated 771.37 Bitcoins to date following a C$70 million purchase announced on June 27. The company's management team, composed of crypto industry veterans, brings a wealth of experience with strategic decision making aligned with value creation that goes a long way towards de-risking a retail investment. Let's meet them now: Elliot Johnson, Bitcoin Treasury's chief executive officer and chief compliance officer, previously served as chief investment officer and chief operating officer at Evolve, where he helped the asset manager launch some of Canada's first crypto investment vehicles, including a spot Bitcoin ETF (EBIT) and Ether ETF (ETHR), gaining a thorough understanding of how to build the infrastructure behind physically settled crypto products. Prior to Evolve, Johnson was senior vice president (VP) of retail markets at Fiera Capital, a top Canadian firm with more than C$100 billion under management, preceded by a technology management leader for numerous business lines at National Bank of Canada. Kaitlin Thompson, chief operating officer, currently serves as VP of product strategy at Evolve, which manages nearly C$300 million across six crypto ETFs. Her expertise spans product development and research for both traditional and digital assets. Thompson built her career over numerous years at Mackenzie Investments, where she progressed from the company's Business Management Rotational Program into a business development manager role overseeing advisors across the country. Heather Sim, chief financial officer (CFO), is a Chartered Professional Accountant with public company experience in Canada and the United States focused on crypto and traditional financial compliance. Sim has been president of Treewalk, an accounting solutions provider, since 2019, CFO of DMG Blockchain Solutions (TSXV:DMGI), an end-to-end blockchain technology developer, since 2021, and held the role of CFO at software company VSBLTY Groupe Technologies (CSE:VSBY) from 2020 to 2021. Finally, Keith Crone, chief marketing officer (CMO), has built a more than 25-year track record in investing sales and marketing, currently serving as CMO of Evolve. Career highlights include tenures as VP of retail markets at Fiera Capital, VP and partner of Propel Capital – which raised approximately C$1 billion in structured products within five years of operation – and senior VP of sales at JovFunds, the specialty investment arm under Jovian Capital, a financial holding company catering to the private wealth management market. Protected by a management team well-versed in monetizing crypto market demand, the Bitcoin stock offers a strong qualitative green flag towards a potential investment, earning considerable conviction in what the company is capable of delivering on in the quantitative category as service offerings hit the market and the growing treasury purifies its exposure to its target asset. To this end, Bitcoin Treasury has filed a preliminary short-form base-shelf prospectus in Canada that would allow it to distribute up to C$300 million in any combination of common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, subscription receipts and warrants over a 25-month period, granting it flexibility to respond to market volatility from a position of strength. See Johnson's interview with Stockhouse's Lyndsay Malchuk for further context. With the stock currently trading at a market capitalization well below the more than C$124 million its treasury would fetch on the open market, and Bitcoin's analyst consensus trending higher over the near-term and long-term – thanks to U.S. government enthusiasm, de-dollarization across the rest of the world, not to forget crypto's legitimate use-cases beyond the capabilities of traditional finance – it feels like a propitious time to open a risk-adjusted position in Bitcoin Treasury and build it as a greater allocation is earned through positive news flow, taking advantage of any dips along the way, allowing the company's highly-customized management team to deploy capital in line with shareholder value. Thanks for reading! I'll see you next week for a new edition of Weekly Market Movers, where I delve into companies that sat down with Stockhouse for an interview over the past week. Here's the most recent article, in case you missed it. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this Bitcoin stock on the Bitcoin Treasury Corp. Bullboard and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Superstar Makes Shocking Return From Hiatus
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A WWE star has made his return to programming after being away from television for over a month. Brooks Jensen, who was violently kicked out of his faction in June, reemerged last night with a new brand and a new target. Instead of returning to NXT, Jensen made his surprise debut on the new WWE Evolve brand, which airs every Wednesday night on Tubi. He made an immediate and violent impact in the show's main event. A Shocking Debut On 'Evolve' The main event of the July 16th episode of Evolve saw Jackson Drake retain the WWE Evolve Championship against the veteran Lince Dorado. After the match, as Drake was celebrating, he was attacked from behind by a returning Brooks Jensen. The attack established Jensen as a new threat on the brand and made it clear he is coming for the Evolve Championship. The move to Evolve gives Jensen a fresh start. He joins other former NXT TV regulars like Ridge Holland, Dante Chen, and Wendy Choo, who have also moved to the new brand to reinvent themselves. WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation BROOKS JENSEN just attacked WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake Jensen has been off NXT TV for weeks after being kicked out of The — WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) July 17, 2025 Kicked Out Of The Culling Jensen's last appearance was on NXT in early June. At the time, he was a member of the dark, gothic faction known as The Culling. In a shocking segment, the group's matriarch, Izzi Dame, ordered the other members to hold Jensen as she blasted him from behind with a steel chair. Dame declared that Jensen was being removed from the group because he was not fully committed to their cause. This turn came after Jensen had previously abandoned his longtime tag team partner, Josh Briggs, to join the heel faction. Now, he finds himself on his own on a new brand. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Crowds cheer at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. The Evolve brand has a rich history in professional wrestling. Before being purchased by WWE in 2020, Evolve Wrestling was one of the most respected independent promotions in the world, known for its athletic, hard-hitting style. It served as a launching pad for dozens of future WWE stars, including Drew McIntyre, Johnny Gargano, and Matt Riddle. WWE has revived the name for its new show on Tubi, creating a brand with a grittier, more "super-indie" feel than the main NXT product. It provides a platform for talent who may not be in a primary storyline on NXT to develop their characters and get consistent in-ring time. For Brooks Jensen, the son of former WWE star Bull Buchanan, it's a new opportunity to make a name for himself. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Times
3 days ago
- Times
Mason & Fifth Westbourne Park review: London's first urban resort
Built on the site of the former London Taxi Drivers' Association HQ, the latest offering from Mason & Fifth is a stylish, admirably ambitious venture. Not quite a city hotel and not quite an apartment complex, M&F Westbourne Park is something in between, a viable option for longer-term guests as much as transient tourists. Much bigger than its Bermondsey and Primrose Hill outposts, this west London site, overlooking the Grand Union Canal, has more than 320 rooms that can be rented by the night or the month, as well as various studio and office spaces that it leases to artists and small businesses. The vibe is young, fresh and creative, with the lobby more laptop and kombucha than comfy shoes and afternoon tea. This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Score 7/10This is a vast complex and it can take a while to work out how you get from one part of the hotel to another. When you do locate your room, you'll find a continuation of the modern, muted aesthetic that runs through the building. It's all very calm, with a gentle embrace of earth tones, original art on the walls, the odd industrial flourish and simple, high-quality furnishings. The Hypnos beds are supremely comfortable (with quality linen), but tend to be squashed up against the window at the end of long, tube-like rooms. Bathrooms are small, with excellent showers and bespoke products from Evolve, and all but the smaller Out and About rooms come with kitchen facilities. There are no phones in the rooms, so you'll need to download an app to ask how the TV works. Score 8/10The very good Canal restaurant is a bright, open affair, with a mix of long communal and private tables as well as terrace seating next to the water. This stretch of the Grand Union is not especially scenic (no offence to the back of Westbourne Park bus garage), but it's still a pleasant spot in which to enjoy a preprandial cocktail — try the gentle, slightly sweet old fashioned, made with brown butter-infused bourbon. The food is punchy modern European, with the chef Adrian Hernandez bringing plenty of energy and love to plates of charred courgettes with rich, creamy stracciatella; hefty beef tartare served with pickled walnuts and homemade crisps; and cracking little doughnuts stuffed with Brixham crab. There are no cooked breakfasts, but you can buy outstanding pastries and good coffee in the lobby lounge. Score 9/10There's a lot going on at M&F, as you might expect at a place of this size, with open, communal spaces scattered throughout. A listening lounge is stocked with records and a snazzy cinema room shows films chosen by guest curators. The hotel's wellness suite, the Grounding, includes a nice pool, sauna and steam room, and a small, functional treatment room where you can get physio or a massage (treatments from £55 for 30 minutes). There is also a reasonably sized gym with Technogym equipment and a studio for yoga and movement classes. Changing rooms are unisex but bafflingly devoid of private spots to change, beyond the shower cubicles, so make sure your towel game is on point. There are also bicycles to borrow (bring your own helmet). Score 8/10With Portobello Road ten minutes' stroll one way and Little Venice about 20 minutes the other, M&F is in many ways at the heart of the gentrified capital. However, should you tire of the rhubarb gimlets at Canal, there's a belting Irish pub, Angie's, selling good Guinness for less than a fiver down the street. Westbourne Park Tube station is just round the corner, giving quick access to central London. Price Room-only doubles from £170Restaurant Mains from £16Family-friendly YAccessible YDog-friendly Y Mike Atkins was a guest of Mason & Fifth (
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Micromobility Report: Education, Regulation and Data Are Keys to Success
BURNABY, BC, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - A Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) study commissioned by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) notes the rapid growth of e-bike and e-scooter adoption across Canada, and highlights opportunities for a continued focus on safety regulations and public awareness. Among key findings for BC are that the province is a leader in establishing important safety regulations, and that shared micromobility programs like Evolve contribute to safety standards at the municipal level. Nationally, with the relative newness of micromobility and its rapid adoption, the report notes that there is some catch up to do. Many governments have yet to put in place laws or policies for e-bikes or e-scooters. It also calls for continued focus on consumer education and highlights a lack of consistent safety incident data as an area for development. "It's encouraging to see that BC is a leader in responsible micromobility and that shared programs like ours can contribute to the adoption of safety standards while actively providing more accessible and affordable transportation choices," says Leanne Buhler, Head of BCAA's Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share. "BCAA's commitment to road safety extends to all forms of transportation, and shared micromobility is no exception." "For years, Evolve has worked closely with BC communities to proactively address what's highlighted in the CAA report – from regulating speed and road access, to ensuring device integrity and empowering riders with essential safety education. Our commitment to safety with our community partners has helped make shared services like Evolve a positive force for urban mobility." The CAA study thoughtfully examines the landscape of micromobility and recognizes the strengths of shared micromobility services in addressing safety concerns. The report identifies several key findings, each of which is met with a strong, positive response from the shared micromobility sector, and actively supported in the province by BCAA's programs. Regulatory leadership: The report describes a patchwork of laws and policies across the country. In BC, province wide and municipality-led regulations include speed governors and other safety rules that shared mobility programs adopt and champion. Data-driven safety: The report notes data gaps leading to limited and inconsistent recording of safety-related incidents. Shared micromobility fleets are able to contribute to data driven insights by analyzing data on speed, road conditions, and riding patterns to better inform new and evolving safety policies. Device integrity: The report identifies inconsistent battery quality and safety as potential risks amongst personally owned e-bikes and e-scooters. High operating standards mitigate these potential risks for shared fleets. Structured and stricter operations: Shared micromobility's structured operations – including geofencing, designated parking, and enforced speed controls – are vital safety components that contribute to responsible use. Empowering Through Education: The report found a need for more consumer education to support the rapid growth of micromobility. In BC, Evolve empowers riders with safety education through in-app tutorials, community outreach, and clear guidelines – equipping riders for safe, confident journeys, and significantly boosting overall road safety awareness. "E-bike and e-scooter share are not just convenient options but are quickly becoming relied on as a way to get around town without a personal vehicle," adds Buhler. "By working hand-in-hand with communities, regulators, and our members, we are demonstrating that micromobility can be used responsibly and safely." Evolve offers the following tips for safe e-bike and e-scooter use: Conduct a pre-ride check: Check the tires, brakes and battery before you start your trip. Wear a helmet: Each Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter comes with a helmet. Be visible: Wear bright, reflective clothing – especially at night. For additional visibility, Evolve E-Bikes and E-Scooters have reflectors and head/taillights. Avoid distractions: To focus on your surroundings, put your phone away while riding. Never ride impaired: It's dangerous for riders and other road users. Riding while impaired is against the law in BC and could result in penalties. Obey the rules of the road: Always ride solo and watch for other road users. Follow road rules including stop signs, red lights, and yield to pedestrians. About Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share Evolve is a turnkey micromobility share program that offers e-bike and e-scooter share services in British Columbia. Created by BCAA and operating alongside Evo Car Share, Evolve operates public and private e-bike and e-scooter share programs in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver's North Shore, Whistler, Squamish and on Vancouver Island. Businesses, organizations, or municipalities interested in learning more about Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share can reach out at About BCAA Driven by its purpose to move British Columbians forward, BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association) is a long-standing BC Top Employer (Mediacorp) and serves more than one in three B.C. households with industry leading mobility and protection services, including Membership, Insurance, Evo Car Share, Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share, BCAA Auto Marketplace and Auto Service. BCAA invests in programs and initiatives to make a positive impact by protecting the people and the Province of BC, recognizing that the place we call home is all of ours to protect. BCAA holds itself accountable to its purpose by setting goals related to its impact on People, the Planet and Prosperity, and sharing results in its annual Impact Report.
