Cabernet Sauvignon hits the spotlight in the March 1 LCBO Vintages Release. This robust red wine is one of the most recognized wine styles and grapes universally, and is grown in many wine producing regions around the world. The LCBO is featuring Cabernet Sauvignon wines from a wide array of regions, including Ontario (both as a stand-alone varietal and in blends with Merlot), California (both reasonably priced Cabernets as well as those in the collector’s pricey range), Chile (always a source of great value), Australia (re-tooling its Cabernets to be less oaky, and often blended with shiraz), and France […]
Best Wines
Benchmark Red Wines France, Spain, California: LCBO Vintages Feb 15
A terrific collection of both red and white wines from most regions of France is featured in this release. There are also terrific, full-bodied reds from several New World regions, such as Australia, California and Ontario. This is just a sampling of wine ratings, the most quoted Canadian source of reviews in the Vintages Magazine. I’ll be posting the rest soon. In the meantime, you can access the 65 wines that I reviewed for February 15 as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores. […]
Wine Bottle and Label Images
Why do I need a bottle image for my wine review? A picture of the bottle for the wine you’re reviewing makes a big difference to how polished and professional your review looks. Compare a review with no image (the default generic bottle — please don’t update it ;) and one that has both the bottle shot and label image (click on the magnifying glass under the bottle to see the label). As well, a bottle shot makes it far easier for readers to find the wine you’ve reviewed when they’re in the liquor store and to remember it afterwards. […]
Australia’s Red Wines: Food Pairings and Styles in LCBO Vintages Feb 1
Australian wines hit the spotlight in the LCBO Vintages Release February 1. We may think of red wines from Australia as being full-bodied, but there’s a wide range of styles now emerging from the various winemaking regions in the country. Try cool, crisp whites and balanced, medium-bodied reds from Australia’s cooler regions. You’ll be surprised at how well these wines pair with various dishes, not just a big steak or hamburger. This just a sampling of wine ratings, the most quoted Canadian source of reviews in the Vintages Magazine. VIP Members can access all 50 wines that I reviewed as […]
Australian Wine Icon Digs into Regional Styles
By Matt Steeves Recently on a cold January afternoon in Ottawa a small group of sommeliers and wine writers had the fortune of spending an afternoon with the legendary Chris Hancock, MW (Hon.), of Robert Oatley Vineyards at the Empire Grill in the Byward Market. Chris led us through a tasting of nine of his wines in the Robert Oatley portfolio of wines. First of all, a bit of background about Chris Hancock. After graduating from his studies in Oneology, and long before joining efforts with Robert Oatley in 1975, Chris worked at Penfolds where he produced six vintages of […]
Raclette with Beer-Braised Red Cabbage Recipe with Pinot Noir
A Post-Ski Meal Ski season is well underway, and there’s nothing more exhilarating than soaring down the slopes on a nice, brisk day. It’s so great to be outside, even if it is quite chilly. But the part I enjoy even more about ski season, is the après-ski unwinding. It’s a great time to sit down and eat a hearty meal with a delicious glass of wine. Lounging in a chalet with warm and comfy clothes and some great food and drinks after a full day on the hills? Sounds like absolute bliss to me. This recipe for Raclette de […]
Toronto Sommelier Masters 4,300 Bottle Wine List
Mark Moffatt, wine director at Bosk restaurant in Toronto’s Shangri-La Hotel. What was your most memorable wine experience? While I was working as a sommelier at The Fairmont Palliser Hotel, we created a display of an entire vertical of Château Mouton Rothschild from 1945 to 1994. Learning about each of these bottles, and the stories behind them, motivated me to learn more about wine. What would you be doing if you weren’t a sommelier? I would be an Extreme Sports athlete in winter skiing. I have always loved skiing, and I haven’t yet met a jump, cliff or ledge that […]
SAQ Wines of the Week – CJAD Morning Show
This morning, during one of our regular chats on Andrew Carter’s CJAD Morning Show in Montreal, we talked about great wines in the SAQ for your weekend. Not only can you create a custom shopping list, but we’re the first wine site and mobile app that allows you to see which of your closest SAQ stores have that wine in stock right now (and how many bottles of it). Enjoy! Natalie CJAD Wines of the Week Kim Crawford Pansy! Rose Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand This Rosé has an almost neon pink hue, and is just as vibrant […]
Best BC Wines Shine in the LCBO Vintages Jan 18
BC wines take the spotlight in the LCBO January 18, and among my best wine reviews and ratings for this release. The range of wineries in British Columbia is astonishing, as is the breadth of their wine styles. Both new and established producers are represented in this release of wine, from sparkling wine to robust reds and ethereal whites. Now’s your chance to try the best BC wines on offer here. This just a sampling of wine ratings, the most quoted Canadian source of reviews in the Vintages Magazine. VIP Members can access all 88 wines that I reviewed […]
Submitting Wine Samples + Updating Bottle Shots
Here are some short videos, each only about 2-3 minutes, to help you update your wines on our site quickly. Please e-mail me if you need help. 1. Agencies & Wineries: Update Bottle/Label Shot for a Wine on the Site: 2. Agencies & Wineries: Add a New Vintage for a Wine Already on the Site: 3. Agencies: Add a New Wine to the Site: 4. Wineries: Add a New Wine to the Site: Here are details on my wine tasting and review process. E-mail me (natdecants at nataliemaclean.com) if you wish to send samples or want gold […]
