Ever since I launched my first wine mobile app last year, my readers have asked me if their smartphones could scan a bar code or label and voila, there’s all the information on the wine? It’s a lovely fantasy that both wine lovers and wine app developers share (what we used to call vapour-ware in the high-tech biz mostly used for demo and PR purposes). It’s just not a reality. However, I owe my readers a quick overview of the options, especially with the launch of my new mobile app a few weeks ago. As a double geek (wine and […]
Best Wines
South Africa’s Stellar Wines
Just back from a fantastic trip to South Africa, where I visited wineries in many of the major regions, including Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Robertson, Franschhoek, Durbanville and Paarl. I’ll be be posting my reviews of the wines I tasted over the next week or two. But in the meantime, here’s the complete list of the 44 wineries I visited/met with during my trip. Got a favourite South African wine? Amani Vineyards Boekenhoutskloof Bon Cap Boschendal Wines De Toren Delheim Bellingham Boschendal Bouchard Finlayson Creation Wines Durbanville Hills Fairview Flagstone Goats do Roam Graham Beck Hamilton Russell Vineyards Haut Espoir Kanonkop Estate […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 43 Review date: February 20, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – Best value white: Lime-fresh white from Portugal for pork and shellfish $13.95 – Favourite white: Voluptuous, mouth-filling Niagara Chardonnay for cornish hen, lobster in butter 93/100 – Best value red (tied): Heart-stopping Australian Merlot prime rib and hamburgers $14.95 (scored 90/100) – Favorite red: Classic Rhone Syrah blend from Gigondas for hearty meat dishes 92/100 – Favourite Rosé: Strawberry fields forever, lovely and refreshing! 88/100 – Favourite Sparkling Wine: A toasty Spanish cava for big parties $17.95 You can see a […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 68 Review date: 2/6/2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include lots of amazing wines rated 90+ points for incredibly low prices. This is a terrific release and it’s reflected in how many wines I’ve recommended. Enjoy! – 14 wines under $20 – Best value white: A stunningly tasty Portuguese white ideal for fried chicken or fish – Favourite white (tied): Hazelnut melted butter goodness in this Aussie Chardonnay to pair with roast chicken 92/100 – Favorite white (tied): A classic Chablis with vibrant lime aromas, drink with shellfish, seafood 92/100 – Best value red (tied): […]
The Pleasures of Austrian Wine
Austria’s whites like Grüner Veltliner, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc have shown their potential in many international blind tastings. Nowhere on earth are great wines more refreshing, so full of character. Enjoy Austria’s new red wine culture, lead by Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Distinctively delicious and refreshingly different – these wines are far away from the uniformity of the international red wine mainstream. The intensive gold hue of Austria’s noble sweet wines glows in the glass like a peaceful sunset over the Neusiedlersee lake. Every sip of these rare velixirs of nature captures the senses. Truly unforgettable. A taste […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 56 Review date: January 23, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 27 wines under $20 – Best value white: Vibrant, mouth-watering white from Argentina for pork and shellfish $13.95 – Favourite white: Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa with lime zesty goodness for vegetarian pizza, cornish hen, chicken wings 91/100 – Best value red (tied): Berry-ripe red from Chile for steak and hamburgers $14.95 – Best value red: Australian Shiraz with lip-smacking robust flavours of plums and berries for prime rib, beef stroganoff $15.95 – Favorite red: Classic Bordeaux for the cellar at a […]
New wine reviews for January 6 and 9
I’ve just posted a new batch of 63 wine reviews for January 6 and 9 with some incredibly tasty deals. There are more than 20 wines under $15, many of which taste like $30. Stock your cellar now and have a delicious winter. – Best value white: South African Sauvignon Blanc for a zesty aperitif or with seafood, vegetarian dishes and chicken $11.95 – Favorite white: Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that mind-blowing quality for the price ($12.95): Buy a case! 90/100 – Best value red (tied): Argentine Malbec Syrah with with fleshy plums for grilled lamb, steak $12.95 – Best value […]
Top 5 Bubblies to Celebrate New Years
Can you believe it that we’re already here at the end of 2009?! I’m looking forward to celebrating tonight with some excellent bubbly. Champagne is classic, but many regions around the world make sparkling wine. Here are 5 of my favourites: Poema Cava Brut, DO Penedès, Traditional Method, Spain: Toasty, zesty goodness with bubbles galore! Aromas of green apples, lemon-buttered bread, and limes. 121152 11.50% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. Santa Margherita Prosecco, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: VC: Here’s a Prosecco with a surprisingly rich, toasted quality that translates into roasted almond, walnut and yellow fruit flavors. The toasted notes […]
Top 10 Best Value LCBO Wines Under $15
‘Tis the season for count-downs as we approach 2010! Here are my top 10 best value wines for 2009. These are wines that I thought offered amazing taste and quality for the money. I’d love to hear what your favourite value wines were this year. Here are my top 10 best value wines at the LCBO. What are yours? Post a comment here or e-mail me and I’ll add them to this list. You can find more details about each wine along with complementary recipes in my wine reviews. Here’s to a wine-soaked 2010! 2008 Ogio Pinot Grigio, […]
Buying the Best LCBO Wines
How do you buy the best wines at the LCBO? Can you find wines less than $20 that are tasty? Less than $15? How can you pair those wines with great dishes & recipes? Here are my tips to help you get the most from your shopping at the LCBO. It helps to understand the categories of wines at the LCBO: 1. General list: regularly stocked items, often in the store year-round and often moderately priced. This category includes the larger brands that have the production to fill most stores, most of the time. I recommend wines from this […]
