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 […]
Wine Picks
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. […]
Laura Hartwig Carmenere, Caprili Brunello di Montalcino: Best Cellar Wines LCBO January 19
By Gaby Israel This is the release for the Spanish wine lovers (like me). Spain has been one of my favorite wine regions for many years now. They consistently produce great wines for the right price. You can enjoy 8-12 years old wines for $20 to $30, and their quality is absolutely stunning. Here are my top picks from this release: Choice #1 – Spain –2010 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha, Campo de Borja (273748) – $19.95 Last time I was in Spain in 2007, I visited this region – Campo de Borja is a county in Aragon, Spain. It […]
Top 3 Wines for Bad Customer Service: More Magazine
Much as I try, I can’t get stuffy about wine. Anyone can match an expensive Bordeaux with filet mignon, but which wine do you drink when you’ve been on hold with customer service for an hour? There’s the rub. Here are my top wine picks for the most commonly terrible customer service experiences from my column in More Magazine. Got one to suggest? D’arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2007 Mclaren Vale, South Australia Big black bruiser with dark fruit, savoury bacon, dark spices and mint. Full-bodied and smooth. Big “bang” for your buck. 981183 $49.95 Score: 91/100. Rosehall […]
Brookstreet Sommelier Rene Wallis Wine Tips
Rene Wallis, sommelier at the Brookstreet Hotel’s restaurant Perspectives, in Kanata shares, his tips on choosing from a wine list, unusual food pairings and favourite holiday wines. Where did you grow up? My mother raised my older sister, Angela, and I on her own in Ottawa’s French village of Vanier, a bilingual community where everyone knew each other. Wine wasn’t on the dinner table, but my good friend’s Portuguese parents made their own wine. At his tenth birthday party, I bit into a large piece of hot pepper on the pizza, filled my glass from a large pitcher of […]
Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay, L.A. Cetto Cabernet: Best LCBO Wines January 19
Here are my top wine picks from the January 19 Vintages Release. You can also get all 60 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. Jackson-Triggs Proprietor’s Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2011, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario Gorgeous richness with ripe peach […]
Duran Gran Reserva Brut, Langtry Guenoc Petite Sirah: Best Cellar Wines, LCBO January 5
By Gaby Israel The release we’ve been all waiting for – Smart Buys! After the last two expensive releases, January comes and gives us hope for the new year. Here are my top picks: #1 choice – Spain – Ribera del duero – Finca Villacreces Pruno 2010 (312140)-$19.95 2010 was a remarkable vintage in that region in Spain. wine critics have provided very supportive reviews indicating a 10 years cellaring potential, and for $20, this is a very attractive buy. I’d buy 3-12 bottles. About the winery/vineyard from www.DrinkRiberawine.com: “The first vines were planted on this amazing estate in the […]
Wines Available in BC Liquor Stores with Stock Check
Do you live in British Columbia or have wine-loving friends who do? We’ve just added several new features on our web site to make shopping easier in the province: – Check how many bottles of each wine recommended on this site are in stock at each BC Liquor Store including both B.C. wines and those from around the world (click on the number of bottles under the picture of the wine bottle) – See only BC-available wines first, not those that are available in Ontario but not BC – If you add your postal code to your private account page, […]
