Number of Wines Recommended: 36 Review date: May 1, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 16 wines under $20 – Best value white: A zesty Australian white for salads, chicken $14.95 – Favourite white: A rich, buttery Prince Edward County Chardonnay for roast chicken and corn dishes 90/100 – Best value red: A black plum-rich French Syrah for lamb, sausage, hamburgers $13.95 – Favourite value red (tied): A Spanish Tempranillo for roast leg of lamb $13.95 – Favourite red (tied): A top-notch Rhone Valley red for steak, brisket, lamb 92/100 – Best Value Rosé: Bone-dry French […]
Wine Picks
Life is short. Enjoy it!
While I am sure that some people would consider it enjoyable to admire a beautiful display case full of the best crystal – wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to experience a beautiful wine out of one of those wonderful crystal glasses? Have you ever heard anyone say, “Oh no, not those wine glasses, those are for special occasions only"? Don’t do it! Use that fine crystal, enjoy that fine bottle of wine, celebrate everyday. There is something about swirling wine in a beautiful glass – which is designed to bring out the best of the bouquet – the way it […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 47 Review date: April 17, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 16 wines under $20 – Best value white: Herbal-fresh New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for shellfish and vegetarian dishes $14.95 – Favourite white: California delivers bottled sunshine in this voluptuous Chardonnay 92/100 – Best value red: Chilean Cabernet-Syrah offers tasty dark berry aromas for hamburgers, meat lovers’ pizza $13.95 – Favourite red: A seductive California Cabernet that won’t quit for filet mignon 92/100 – Best Value Rosé: Classic rosé from sunny Provence for salmon and grilled Portabello mushroom $14.95 – Best Value […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 51 Review date: April 3, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 14 wines under $20 – Best value white: A zesty Italian Pinot Grigio for salads, chicken $12.95 – Favourite white: A buttery, balanced Niagara Chardonnay for roast chicken and corn dishes 90/100 – Best value red (tied): A black plum-rich Chilean CarArgentina red for lamb, sausage, hamburgers $13.95 – Best value red (tied): The ultimate tasty red party wine from Spain $13.95 – Favorite red: A top-notch California Cabernet for steak, brisket, lamb 92/100 – Best Value Dessert Wine: Apricot […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 53 Review date: March 20, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 19 wines under $20 – Best value white: Lime-fresh German Riesling for pork and shellfish $13.95 – Favourite white: A spectacular Niagara Chardonnay for cornish hen, lobster in butter 94/100 – Best value red (tied): Australian Shiraz with fleshy plums for prime rib and hamburgers $14.95 – Best value red (tied): Italian Primitivo (Zinfandel) with blackberry goodness and robust supple layers for pepperoni pizza $12.95 – Favourite red: Drop-dead Tuscan beauty with a finish that won’t stop 96/100 – Best Value Rosé: […]
The Holy Grail of Wine Apps: Scan & Ye Shall Find? Nope.
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 […]
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 […]
