What defines a bargain wine? Is it just a low price or is there something more? What are some tips on finding wines that are affordable but still delicious in the liquor store? Wines mentioned in this video: Segura Viudas Cava, Spain Yum, smells like fresh baked bread just out from the oven! Wonderfully toasty, this bubbly will warm you after a day of sledding or skiing. Love the notes of hazelnuts too. $14.65 Score: 87/100. Freixenet Cava Cordon Rosado, Spain How festive is this pink bubbly? Aromas of ripe field raspberries tickle your note. Float a raspberry on top […]
Month: January 2012
MacLean has a flair for matching food and wine and it’s the stories that make this book so interesting – Tasters Guild Journal
Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World ‘s Best Bargain Wines You’ll remember how Dorothy sighed “lions, and tigers, and bears; oh, my” in the Wizard of Oz . Well, we might be hearing Natalie saying something like “hawks, and sheep, and goats, and turtles, and baboons; oh, boy” in her new book Unquenchable. And you thought this was a book about wine – and it is; but her adventures brings her in contact with all these critters plus a lovable Great Dane and almost too close a contact with a great white shark. All of this MacLean weaves into […]
What factors go into the cost of wine? Does a $30 wine taste three times better than a $10 one? CBC All Points West
What factors contribute to the cost of a wine? Which regions offer great value? Why “go south” in traditional wine producing countries? How do you go into a liquor store and find those bottles? Why are people so fascinating in the wine industry?
Australian Wine, Food and Restaurants
The Wizards of Mod Oz By Natalie MacLean “Daaarling, come in, come in!” says Sophia Loren’s Australian twin, opening the door. Jeannice Kersh—big hair, big make-up and cat’s-eye glasses dangling from 12 strands of metallic pearls around her neck—takes me by the arm into her restaurant. Edna’s Table is the Niagara Falls of Sydney dining: a landmark, a wonder and a little kitsch, but you must go. How else can you regale everyone back home with stories of eating kangaroo and crocodile? “When I was growing up, only the poor people ate ‘roo. The rich people gave it to their […]
The real interest here is the prose: MacLean gives everyday farming issues an interesting plot-line – LA Weekly Magazine
Aspirin, caffeine, blowfish. What really cures a 2012 hangover (Happy, happy by the way)? We’re going with cheap — but good — wine. Sure, ’tis this time of year for New Year’s resolution cliches. But as wine journalist Natalie MacLean is well aware, the key is finding those bargain wines that actually are worth a second sip. In her latest book, Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World’s Best Bargain Wines, MacLean offers up her personal winery tasting experiences followed by tips for seeking out wine bargains in various regions. You know, the typical practical wine advice set up. Only […]
What’s Different in Wine Country Ontario – Toronto Tasting January 16
Toronto Event Monday, January 16, 2012, Reception: 6:00pm, Tasting: 6:30pm The Ontario Wine Society Toronto Presents: “What’s Different in Wine Country Ontario” Some Ontario wineries out there are “pushing the envelope” … “thinking outside the bottle” … “venturing in new directions”. They are making wines from non-mainstream varietals or different styles from mainstream varietals. And, they are doing a great job of this. We thought that you would be interested in trying some. We know that the winemakers would love to have you taste their pioneering efforts. So, we have assembled a collection of some of these interesting wines for […]
La Pieve Barolo, Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino, Domaine De L’arnesque Cuvée Capalane Among Top Wine Picks for LCBO Vintages Release January 7
By Gaby Israel The “Day After Tomorrow” is not only a name of a apocalyptic movie. It’s also a phenomena known at the LCBO as the month of January. After all the December hype with a huge variety of expensive wines a person can find in one single release, there isn’t any money left in the wallet (regardless of how deep your pocket used to be), and it seems as if there is nothing interesting left on the shelves… Or is there? Here are my top 3 picks for ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ release: 2007 La Pieve Barolo – $28.95 […]
Unquenchable Will Make you Feel Warm and Fuzzy; I love her lively writing – Reader’s Digest
This wine book will make you feel warm and fuzzy in its own way, by steering you toward low-priced yet high quality booze. In between cage diving with South African sharks, touring vines with a rosé-guzzling French mule and peeling potatoes with a Canadian special effects producer-turned-organic wine maker, MacLean visits some of the world’s most acclaimed wineries and takes notes on the best deals in everything from Shiraz to Pinot Noir to Port. She highlights one region per chapter, offers excellent “wine cheapskate” tips and suggests dishes crying out to be washed down by the local wares. I love […]
Inniskillin Chardonnay, Perrin & Fils Les Sinards, Kim Crawford Chardonnay, Urban Malbec among the Best Wines in the Vintages Release January 7
You can get all 48 of the top rated wines and smart buys that I’ve recommended from this release of wines as they encompass many price points, styles and regions. It always helps to have some back-up choices in case those below are already sold out. You can also add my Wine Picks to your custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. Stock up for the weekend, then enjoy! [table id=23 /]
