Stoneleigh New Zealand wine recommends great books for the summer

Admit it.  Book Clubs are really Wine Clubs in disguise.  It’s a great group of friends sharing a great bottle of wine and catching up on everyone’s busy lives.  And maybe talking about the book you’ve been reading, just to maintain the illusion.      For your next “Book Club” meeting, why not try some of these fantastic wine and book pairings.  We also recommend these for when you want a relaxing night at home to catch up on some well deserved “me time”. BEATRICE & VIRGIL By Yann Martel An astonishing and original new novel by the author of […]

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Favorite Wine and Drinking Quotes

I love collecting quotes about wine and drinking … some really delicious wit among these below. Got a favourite one of your own that I can add to this list? E-mail me at [email protected]. You can find round two of quotes here, and round three here … not that I would know about these posts at this point in time since they will be done in the future, but whatever. Cheers, Natalie     I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. – Dorothy Parker I saw a sign that read “Drink Canada Dry” and […]

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A new wine seller for port and sherry

Balderson makes port and sherry even better. Balderson Vintners for White Wine and Balderson Vintners for Red Wine have become very popular with wine lovers who are looking for just the right Cheddar to pair with their favourite wine. Because of that popularity, we’ve just released a new member of the family: Vintners for Port & Sherry. This Cheddar has been aged a full 50 months and is especially graded and selected to complement the richer and sweeter flavours of most ports and sherry. Vintners for Port & Sherry is available at most leading supermarket Delis and cheese shops. If […]

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Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life

The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is Canada’s most important HIV/AIDS annual fundraising and awareness event. This year, the Walk takes place from September 11-19, in over 50 communities across Canada. Approximately 65,000 Canadians live with HIV/AIDS. Another person is infected every two hours. There is no cure or vaccine. That’s why people from coast to coast are walking this September to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and funds. More than half a million Canadians have participated in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. Close to $28 million has been raised. Yet needs persist. Santa Margherita is the Platinum Sponsor of the […]

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New Wine Reviews

  Number of Wines Recommended: 52 Review date: August 7, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include:   – 17 wines under $20 – Best value white (tied): Zesty Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for vegetarian dishes $14.95 – Best value white (tied): Pretty aromatic Italian white for roasta chicken, pasta $11.95 – Favourite white: Gorgeously rich, robust California Chardonnay 92/100 – Best value red: Full-bodied, berry-ripe Australian Shiraz $16.95 – Favourite red wine (tied): Classic Napa Cabernet for prime rib or the cellar 94/100 – Favourite red (tied): Robust Sonoma Cabernet with a literary past 92/100 – Best value rosé: […]

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Two new tasty Greek wines to try

Here are two new wines from Greece to try now available in the LCBO regular stock: Boutari Moschofilero LCBO#172387, $11.95 Boutari Agiorgitiko LCBO#172148, $11.95 The positive perception of Greek wines continues to gain momentum with the LCBO’s recent addition of two New Greek wines. The Kolonaki Group, Canada’s leading supplier of top quality Greek wines, is pleased to announce that The Boutari Company’s Moschofilero from OPAP Mantinia and Agiorgitiko from OPAP Nemea will be sold at the LCBO for $11.95, including bottle deposit. Both appellations are located in the Peloponnese and are produced exclusively from traditional grape varieties. Boutari Moschofilero […]

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New Wine Reviews

  Number of Wines Recommended: 64 Review date: July 24, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – Favourite white: A zesty Australian Riesling for seafood, chicken 92/100 – Best value red: Robust French Syrah for BBQ steak, hamburgers $12.95 – Favourite red: One of Canada’s best Pinot Noir producers, silky and gorgeous 92/100 – Best value rosé: Dry French Rosé with ripe strawberries to drink with grilled chicken $12.95 – Favourite rosé: Fresh field raspberries in this Tavel Rosé for veal, pork , chicken satay  91/100 – Favourite sparkling wine:  Crémant D’alsace Rosé for weddings and large gatherings […]

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Alternative barbecuing with cheese

There’s no better way to combine food with friends and family than a summer barbecue. The simple recipe is: good weather, good company and good food. Barbecues often have a reputation for being basic, no-frills cooking—but, in truth, they provide ample scope for culinary invention. Even traditional favourites like the cheeseburger or hot dog can be reinvigorated or given an innovative spin by adding fresh, summer ingredients and combining with a well-matched Canadian cheese. And a homemade sauce or dressing not only provides a healthy alternative to standard ketchup or mayo, it can also help bring out the flavours of […]

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Take the guesswork out of pairing wine and cheese

If you’d like to take some of the guesswork out of selecting wines that go well with Balderson Cheddars, experiment with applying the concept of “terroir.” The basic idea is that the attributes of agricultural products like wine and cheese are shaped by the landscape that produces them – and that products from the same regions therefore go well together. By this principle, Canadian wines should be your first choice for serving with Balderson Cheddars. For your “terroir” experience, pair our Vintners For Red Wine or our Vintners Cheddar for White Wine with any of the reds or whites from […]

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Chicken & Vegetable Pakoras with Yogurt Mint Chutney

Here’s another great chicken recipe from Chicken Farmers of Canada: Crispy pakoras give way to warm chicken and tangy yogurt, lemon juice and spices inside. Pass me another one please! Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs ½ cup (125 mL) plain yogurt, 1-2% MF 1 jalapeño ½ cup (125 mL) onion, chopped 2 tsp (10 mL) ginger, fresh, chopped 1 clove garlic 2 tsp (10 mL) white vinegar 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice 2 cups (500 mL) chickpea flour (besan) 2 cups (500 mL) cold water ½ tsp (2.5 mL) salt ½ tsp (2.5 mL) chili […]

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