Yes, I know that I’m supposed to be forward-looking to spring with a chirpy article about zesty white wines to pair with fresh vegetables, but it’s so cold outside … and I’m tired of writing seasonally-appropriate editorial content. So let’s make wallowing fun, and turn to comfort wines paired with comfort food. In our continuing video series with Canadian Press, we look at quick tips on pairing those old favourites, from braised meat to pasta in cream sauce with wine. It’ll make you (almost) care what time of year it is when you have bottled sunshine. Here are my favourite […]
Dessert Wines
Wine and Principled Persuasion with Dragon’s Den Arlene Dickinson
Introduction What would it look like for you to pitch a winery on Dragon’s Den versus The Big Decision? What are the creative similarities between writing a book and making a wine? What’s the difference between being financially versus creatively invested in a company? What are the three pillars of principled persuasion in business and life? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Arlene Dickinson, one of Canada’s top entrepreneurs who has had phenomenal success in many fields, from television to books and consultancy to consumer products. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How […]
Pairing Wine and Cheese Pairings Like a Pro with Laura Werlin
Introduction What should you consider when pairing wine and cheese? Why is sparkling wine the perfect pairing for many cheeses? Are there red-flag flavours that signal a bad wine and cheese match? How can you develop your wine and cheese pairing palate? What can you do to make the most of your cheese and wine course when entertaining? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with James Beard award-winning author, Laura Werlin, one of the planet’s most authoritative writers on cheese and cheese and wine pairings. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights […]
Father’s Day Gift Wines: Red Wine or Port?
Here are my top two wine picks for Father’s Day in the Ottawa Citizen. Wine writer Natalie recommends two full-bodied wines on her site at www.nataliemaclean.com for Father’s Day. She gives 90 points out of 100 to the Cantina Negrar Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Veneto, Italy (LCBO No: 44784, $34.95). “It’s a juicy, full-bodied red, loaded with black fruit goodness,” she notes. “There are some fleshy black plum notes that dance along the background yielding to supreme satisfaction, especially for dedicated fathers who attend both ballet recitals and basketball games.” MacLean also gives 90 points to the the Quinta […]
Aphrodisiac Wine Pairings for Valentine’s Day
Introduction Do you need to follow a food and wine pairing rulebook? What wine-worthy aphrodisiacs should you add to your menu this Valentine’s Day? Does the classic romantic food, chocolate, have a perfect wine match you should try? Where does salinity in wine come from? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with you about aphrodisiac wine pairings and salt in wine. You can find the wines I discussed here. Enjoy! Highlights What is the most important rule you should remember when choosing wine? Do you need to follow a food and wine pairing rulebook? What can history teach you about […]
Canadian Icewine: Heroic Harvest = Epic Wine
On Global Television yesterday, we discussed the Canadian Icewine harvest. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the wines that we’ll be featuring, along with reports from the field. Fun Facts: The Upside of the Deep Freeze Our deep freeze recently turned out to be bonus for Ontario icewine winemakers. The sustained cold snap and arctic temperatures allowed them to harvest grapes in an unusually short time. Who makes the most Icewine? Ontario produces about 80% of Canadian icewine, with the remainder mostly in British Columbia though some is also made in both Quebec and Nova Scotia. About […]
Thanksgiving Wines, Mouse Wine Defect, Trends to Ignore
Introduction For those of us in Canada, Thanksgiving is this weekend. In my opinion, there is no other holiday that celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. Wine is a taste of the harvest, along with all the delicious dishes on the table. But actually choosing a bottle can feel like a thankless task, especially with so many flavours to match. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving, perhaps in November if you’re American? On today’s episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I’ll be chatting with you about how to pair wine with Thanksgiving turkey and all the side dishes, as well as the […]
5 Romantic Wine & Chocolate Matches for Valentine’s Day
Bev and I chat about 5 to-die-for wine and chocolate pairings on Canada AM. Bev: Valentine’s Day is famous for flowers and romance and decadence. Mix in a little vino and a sweet treat and you’ve got quite a celebration. Natalie MacLean is the author of Unquenchable. She’s an expert when it comes to wine pairings, and this morning she’s in our studio to help us choose fine wine and chocolate combinations. Which is so perfect. Does it get any better than that? Natalie: No, especially if you like to layer your vices. So, don’t just have wine […]
Getting Clearer on Glera, the Grape of Prosecco Sparkling Wine
By Greg Hughes Prosecco has become, possibly, the most sought after sparkling wine after Champagne. It showcases wonderful aromatics and freshness, as well as value. As one might imagine, there is still a fairly broad range of styles that this tiny northeastern appellation in Italy can offer. What makes Prosecco distinct from other sparkling wines are the well-preserved aromatics and the perceived “creaminess” the gentle carbonation creates on the palate. This distinctiveness is partially due to the obscure family of grape varietals used, but these flavours can only be harnessed so effectively because of the innovative production method behind Prosecco. […]
Prosecco with Lemon Sponge Cake, Lemon Curd and Raspberry Ice Cream
Bottles & Bites by Shari Goodman Natalie’s Challenge: Find a bottle. Pair with bites. My Goals: Bottle must be under $25. Bites must be delicious. Lemon Sponge Cake, Lemon Curd and Raspberry Ice Cream Sun meets bubbles in this pairing of bottle and bites. With a light but refreshing drink and dessert combination, this is sure to cool you off in the middle of a heat wave. I love bubbles in the summer. And Prosecco was made for summertime sipping. This Italian sparkling wine (Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, $18.95) is a light, refreshing and affordable alternative to French […]
