It’s my pleasure to introduce you to three women who blend friendship and fun in their approach to wine: Lynne Everatt, Deb Mangolt and Julie Smethurst. The three met when they worked at the same multinational company in Canada years ago, and all decided to pursue their passions instead. In the meantime, they’ve written a book together that has lots of ideas for girlfriend get-togethers, always of course, involving wine. You can buy their book in print or the the electronic edition on their web site Drink Wine and Giggle or from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Indigo/Chapters. Here are […]
Best Wines
Wine Scores and Ontario Wines Videos
Which wine at the LCBO today? Do I follow the reviews? vine.co/v/b6wmE1Ag6Z5 — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 20, 2013 I’m having a blast with the hottest new Twitter Video app called Vine. Here’s my tongue-in-cheek shopping trip based on wine scores, and below my favourite Ontario wines. Ontario wines Video of favs in stores now vine.co/v/brVDKYXJw1Q — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 17, 2013 Here are my first videos with the Vine Twitter App, plus video picks for Family Day wines.
Family Day Wine: Video Pick
Which of these 3 wines (all appropriately named) do you think pairs best with Family Day dinner? Video: which of these wines pairs best with Family Day? vine.co/v/b6z3OItKpAi — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 18, 2013 Family Tree White Henry Of Pelham, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina Famiglia Bianchi Malbec, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina Roux Père & Fils, A.C., Côte De Nuits-Villages, Burgundy, France More picks from shopping at the LCBO Vintages Release for February 16 … Ontario wines Video of favs in stores now vine.co/v/brVDKYXJw1Q — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 17, […]
Hogue Cellars Genesis Riesling, Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino: Best LCBO Wines Feb 16
Here are my top wine picks from the February 16 Vintages Release. You can also get all 91 of my Best Value Wines and Top Rated Wines for red, white, rose, sparkling and dessert wines that encompass many price points, styles and regions. You can add my wine picks to your shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. You can also create a custom list just for this release that will be saved in your account. Print a text-only version of the reviews. Sols & Sens Laudun Blanc Les Vignerons Des 4 Chemins 2011, A.C., Côtes-Du-Rhônes-Villages, […]
Top BC Wines in the LCBO
A number of spectacular wines from British Columbia hit LCBO store shelves recently. Several of them below hosted their own Twitter tasting. They chose the hashtag #ONtastesBC so you can join them. I’ve been reviewing these wines for several years now, and it’s interesting to track their progress to the most recent vintage. As well, you can find my Top 25 BC Wine List as well as all other wines reviewed from the province. You may find this directory of BC wineries helpful in planning your next trip there. It’s a gorgeous region with plenty of activities aside […]
Pairing Wine and Molecular Gastronomy: Steve Robinson
My story about Steve Robinson was originally published in Ottawa Magazine, the sister publication of Toronto Life Magazine. Ottawa sommeliers are proving to be among the best in the province. Steve Robinson placed second in this year’s Ontario’s Best Sommelier Competition, and was named one of the top 30 under 30 in the province’s hospitality industry by the Ontario Hostelry Institute. Robinson studied chemistry at the University of Ottawa, then completed the sommelier fast-track program at Algonquin College and finally became certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2011. The 26-year-old’s passion for science and wine pair perfectly for […]
L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah: Wine Value from Mexico
Frida and Diego, poinsettias and tequila, corn, salsa and home to many a winter vacation, these things may have you thinking of Mexico, but did you know that Mexico is also the birthplace of winemaking in the Americas? In 1597 the first winery of the New World was established in Parras – which is in Central Mexico – with vines brought from Spain. Granted, the sandy soils and scorching temperatures proved to be less than ideal for a large wine industry and soon the focus moved to more conducive climes elsewhere, but today there is still a boutique […]
Simi Chardonnay, Jip Jip Shiraz, Megalomaniac Icewine: Best LCBO Wines Feb 2
Here are my top wine picks from the February 2 Vintages Release. You can also get all 91 of my Best Value Wines and Top Rated Wines for red, white, rose, sparkling and dessert wines that encompass many price points, styles and regions. I’ve also posted my picks for the February 16 Vintages Release. You can add my wine picks to your shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. You can also create a custom list just for this release that will be saved in your account. Print a text-only version of the reviews. Familia […]
How to Buy a Gift Wine (Screwcaps are Fine): CBC Fresh Air
In this chat below with CBC Fresh Air host Mary Ito, we discuss how to choose a great wine as a gift for someone depending on their taste and style preferences, or when you don’t know those details. (Hint: Try wrapping a story around the bottle.)Wine is the ultimate gift: doubles are okay, one size fits all and re-gifting is easy! We also chat about screwcaps, whether you can get a good wine under $20, underrated wines, wine and food pairing, low-alcohol wines, the differences between Ontario’s regions and some of my favourite Ontario wines, including those below. Listen by […]
Holiday Wine and Food Pairings, Active Adult Magazine
Although the holidays have passed, the wines recommended in my column for Active Adult Magazine still serve us well through these chilly winter months. Let me know if you’ve discovered a favourite wine lately that you’d add to the list. Silvano Piacentini Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2009 Veneto, Italy Full-bodied and juicy with dark red fruit; great food wine. Food matches: cocoa-rubbed beef medallions, barbecued ribs, baked pasta dish. Drink: Now 289637 $16.95 Score: 88/100. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2010 Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia Elegant, refined and balanced like Sue herself. Classic cassis and blackberry fruit. […]
