In this fascinating video chat, Dr. Antonia Mantonakis reveals the insights from her research on how the fit between a celebrity athlete’s particular sport affects our perception of a wine, including golf, wrestling and speed skating. It’s not what you’d expect … find out why in this video. How does the degree of “match” between a celebrity athlete and “wine” impact our perception of its taste and how much we’re willing to pay? What are the good versus bad matches when it comes to particular sports? Is wine more prone to these extrinsic clues say than other product […]
Wine Picks
Best Wines Under $15: Canada AM Video
In this video clip from Canada AM Monday morning, host Bev Thompson and I chat about terrific wines that cost less than $15 for holiday entertaining and gift giving. You’ll find the list of those wines below. Henry of Pelham Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario: Lovely aromas and flavours of ripe melon rather than the herbal notes in some sauvignon blancs. I like this medium-bodied wine a lot, and the price even better. Bring on refreshment as well as white-fleshed fish, oysters, goats milk cheeses and crisp fall walks. Drink: 2012-2015. Product No: 430546 12.3% […]
Pazo Pondal Leira Albarino, Pierre Amadieu La Grangeliere Vacqueyras, Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape : Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release November 10
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 for under $20: Choice #1 – Spain – Rias Baixas – Pazo Pondal Leira Albariño 2011 (115816)-$15.95 I have mentioned the uniqueness of this grape a few times before – it doesn’t resemble any other white grape, yet it’s absolutely delicious. The Albariño white Spanish wine is a great match with fatty sea food. This 2011 Pazo Pondal Leira Albariño receievd 95 by Decanter (I thought Decanter had a […]
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay, Marziano Abbona Cerviano Barolo, Fonseca Guimarens Vintage Port: Top LCBO Wines Vintages Release November 10
Here are my top picks from the November 10 Vintages Release. You can also get all 72 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. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Awatere Valley, South Island, New Zealand Fantastic sauvignon […]
Duck Pizza Recipe with Smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Butternut Squash and Sauteed Mushrooms Paired with Las Rocas Garnacha
A swanky pizza with smoky, sweet and savoury flavours. Choose a wine with the same bold flavours such as Las Rocas Garnacha 2009. The wine is full of ripe black cherry and raspberry notes supported by supple tannins and some very food friendly acidity. This incredible bargain should not be missed, until November 10th receive 20 Bonus Air Miles with each bottle purchased. Duck Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Butternut Squash and Sautéed Mushrooms Makes four 6-inch or one 12-inch pizza Pizza dough, purchased or homemade (recipe below) Ingredients: 1 whole head garlic 5 tbsp olive oil, divided 1½ cup […]
Chateau Senejac, Antinori Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva, Meandro Do Vale Meao: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release October 27
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. This release is dedicated to the very successful 2009 vintage in Bordeaux. Many of the wines seem interesting and fairly priced, however, I tried to pick the ones that fit my palate and are “cost-effective” to my cellar. Here are my top three 2009 Bordeaux wines from this release: France – Bordeaux – Clos Des Moiselles Le Bord’eaux 2009 (191528) $16.85 This is from Cote De Bourg, which is north-west of Saint Emilion […]
Autumn Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Paired with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
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 […]
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 […]
