Here’s my column in the Huffington Post about the winners of The Great Canadian Wine Match. I also profiled the finalists in each category in previous columns. I’ll be featuring the nominees and finalists of the next wine match this fall that will feature both international and Canadian wines under $25. Stay tuned! Posted with permission of the Huffington Post.
Best Wines
Reporting Live from the LCBO: Which Wines are Hot Now?
Here’s a little story about the power and reach of social media … it started with food blogger Anne Waters who was shopping in the LCBO and noticed one of my wine reviews posted on the shelf. Physical world, paper review, glass bottle, liquid wine. That’s where it would have ended three years ago. However, Anne took the Instagram picture above with her smartphone and shared it on Twitter. (The Bila-Haut M. Chapoutier 2011 is a robust red wine that’s perfect for summer barbecues … you can’t beat the price-quality ratio at 91 points for $14.95.) I forwarded Anne’s […]
Wine of the Week: Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
One of my favourite writers, Clifton Fadiman, said that if food is the body of good living, wine is its soul. This robust red comforts both body and soul. There are also still lots of terrific wines in stores from the June 8 LCBO Vintages Release … you’ll find 14 of my reviews in the Catalogue, plus 67 wines reviewed on the site. That should keep you going for a while, don’t you think? Cheers, Natalie Sale Ends: June 23, 2013 Sale Price: $9.95 | Save: $1.50 (Usually $11.45) Natalie’s Score: 88/100 Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Chile Delicious! Full-bodied, savoury, meaty […]
Wine of the Week: Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc, Chile
I guess this week’s bargain bottle will have to celebrate Thirsty Thursday rather than Wine Wednesday. Never too late though for a tasty wine that’s well-priced. Cheers, Natalie Sale Ends: June 23, 2013 Sale Price: $11.45 | Save: $1.50 (Usually $12.95) Natalie’s Score: 89/100 Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc A lovely citrus-infused Sauvignon Blanc that has a rich mouth-filling texture and vibrant, refreshing acidity. Not too grassy, just lime-zesty. Perfect as an aperitif or accompaniment to seafood, vegetarian dishes and salads. Drink: 2010-2013 LCBO Code: 263574 Sugar Code: Extra Dry Find this wine in your closest LCBO stores now. Feel free […]
Best Canadian Wines with Chicken: Zoomer Magazine
Here’s my recent column in Zoomer Magazine about The Great Canadian Wine Match with the finalists for the best Canadian wine with chicken. Just 4 days left to vote! Posted with permission of Zoomer Magazine.
LCBO Ottawa Rideau and SAQ Gatineau Wine Tastings
Here’s a list of wines offered for tasting at the Rideau Street LCBO in Ottawa and the SAQ Selection Store in Gatineau across from the casino. I’ll update this as I get new lists of the wines. You may also want to inquire about the classes held at these stores that provide additional opportunities to taste more wines. Here are the wine tastings in Toronto and Oakville. I find it doesn’t take long to taste the wines and I fit it in when I’m doing errands in the neighbourhood where the store is located. There is a minimum fee […]
LCBO Vintages Wine Tasting Bars Toronto and Oakville
Here’s a list of LCBO stores in Toronto and Oakville that offer regular tastings of premium wines. I’ll update this as I get new lists of the wines on offer. You may also want to inquire about the classes held at these stores that provide additional opportunities to taste more wines. Here are the wine tastings in Ottawa and Gatineau (SAQ). I find it doesn’t take long to taste the wines and I fit it in when I’m doing errands in the neighbourhood where the store is located. There is a minimum fee to taste the wines that varies […]
Best LCBO Wines Vintages Release June 8
These are the reviews the LCBO published in the Vintages Catalogue from my tasting notes, the most quoted Canadian source of wine reviews in this release. You can also see my reviews for the May 25 LCBO Vintages Release. Subscribers to my premium service can access all 67 wines that I reviewed as a text shopping list with my full tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores. They can also add my wine picks to their custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon and access that […]
Best LCBO Wines Vintages Release May 25
These are the reviews the LCBO published in the Vintages Catalogue from my tasting notes, the most quoted Canadian source of wine reviews in this release. You can also see my reviews for the June 8 LCBO Vintages Release. Subscribers to my premium service can access all 64 wines that I reviewed as a text shopping list with my full tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores. They can also add my wine picks to their custom shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon and access that […]
Wine of the Week: Gloria Ferrer Sparkling, California
Shopping tip: you can get shoes for 85 cents at the bowling alley. With the left-over cash, why not splurge on a bottle of bubbly? Cheers, Natalie Sale Ends: May 26, 2013 Sale Price: $25.95 | Save: $1.00 (Usually $26.95) Natalie’s Score: 90/100 Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Cuvee Toasty and robust with lovely green apple and white peach notes. This sparkling wine is a terrific value, even without the buck off. Enjoy it with potato chips, fried chicken or three strikes at the bowling alley. Drink: 2012-2015 LCBO Code: 200790 Sugar Code: Dry Find this wine in your closest LCBO stores […]
