Hosting made easy? There’s a recipe for that. There’s nothing better than inviting a few friends over for a nice dinner. Unless, of course, you end up spending so much time preparing it that you’re completely drained by the time they show up at your house. With that in mind, I give you this week’s recipe suggestion: Autumn Hash. A new twist on an old classic, this shepherd’s pie 2.0 will not only wow your guests, it’ll actually leave you time to enjoy their company. The recipe calls for all sorts of yummy ingredients, including Canadian Havarti. And if that […]
Best Wines
Three Saints Chardonnay, Louis Bernard Gigondas, Offley 10 Year Old Tawny Port: Top LCBO Wines Vintages Release October 27
Here are my top picks from the October 27 Vintages Release. You can also get all 62 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. Mike Weir Sauvignon Blanc 2010, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada: Grassy fresh, herbal […]
Thalia Sauvignon Blanc: Light White Wine from Greece
By Holly Bruns Greece, you have given us so much: the Olympics, Homer and Socrates, tragedy and comedy, the beginnings of governmental process, and while you didn’t really give us wine, per say, you were definitely instrumental in passing it along to the Romans, who then passed it along to the French, who then passed it along to the New World, kai ta hetera. In a busy world where modern progress can blur our connection to the past it’s easy to forget about Greek wine. We see so little of it on our shelves here in Ontario. And indeed the […]
Game and Wine Pairings: Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Video
Matt Fowles is the man behind the Australian wine called Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch. In the video chat below, he discussed how to pair wine with game meat, especially those you hunt yourself as he does. When did you develop your passion for hunting? How is the taste of game and wild meat different from commercially raised meat? How does that affect the wine you pair with it? How did you come up with the name Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch? Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Plunkett Fowles Shiraz 2009, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia: Smoky […]
Turkey Cutlets, Canadian Swiss Cheese and Riesling
Turkey Cutlets with Squash, Canadian Swiss and Honey Sauce What’s old is new again. And more delicious than ever. As beautiful and timeless as most of the holiday traditions are, in my humble opinion, there’s one that could use a little updating. That’s right. I’m talking about the Christmas turkey. So this week I’m suggesting a recipe that puts a whole new spin on this holiday classic: turkey cutlets with squash, Canadian Swiss (always a favourite) and honey sauce. I’m also suggesting a couple of wines to help you wash it all down with a flourish. Because the dish is […]
An Evening of California Wine Tasting with David Mirassou
By Loukia Zigoumis I’ve always been a wine lover… red, white, I wasn’t picky. I went through a phase where I only drank Chianti, and then I made a switch, and decided to only drink Pinot Grigio. Now, I enjoy it all, and will experiment with different flavours and types of wine depending on where I’m going, whom I’m with, and what I’m eating. I’m learning a lot from reading Natalie’s book Unquenchable, too. If I’m just going out for drinks, I’ll choose my wine carefully. I am learning about the different flavours and tastes, and what goes well with what, […]
Root Vegetable Gratin Paired with Chenin Blanc or Pinot Noir
Root Vegetable Gratin It only tastes like you slaved over it. In an ideal world, your refrigerator is always filled to the point of bursting and you have all the time you need to cook a meal that everyone will love. In reality, however, your refrigerator may be pretty barren, especially towards the end of the week. And having lots of time? Let’s not even go there. Fortunately, I have a wonderful recipe that requires only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of preparation time: Root Vegetable Gratin, featuring Canadian Provolone. What’s especially nice about this recipe, beyond […]
Coudoulet De Beaucastel Blanc, Palacio De Sada Crianza , Paladin Tondo Dry Prosecco: Top LCBO Wines Vintages Release October 13
Here are my top picks from the October 13 Vintages Release. You can also get all 80 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. Cathedral Cellar Kwv Chardonnay 2011, Western Cape, South Africa Terrific price for such a […]
Squash Brulee Paired with Riesling or Gewurztraminer
By: Travis Oke Autumn is my favorite season. Not just because it’s my birthday and I get presents – but also because of the food. Parsnips, squashes of all shapes and sizes, and it’s now cold enough in the afternoon that I want to slow roast various cuts of animals in my oven. Three cheers for slow cooked meat. A trip to the local squash farm is one of my favorite activities. Grey, red, white, stripy – it’s crazy how many there are at the Goode Family Farm near my place in Guelph. My favorite thing to cook is the […]
Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release October 13
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and will show you LCBO stock availability. Top picks $16-$26 #1 choice – Italy – Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 (288530)-$25.95 It’s not that often you see WS rating a wine with 95 and the wine costs $26.00. 2007 (together with 2006) was an outstanding vintage in Tuscany. This Chianti Riserva sounds more than promising. These wines can gracefully age for 8-12 years. I would buy 3-12 bottles. #2 choice – Spain – Arrocal 2009 (067868)-$16.95 This wine […]
