Introduction May 25 is National Wine Day and in honour of that, I think it’s worth exploring how wine, as a beverage, has influenced our culture. Wine has been an integral part of human history from ancient civilizations right through to the modern day. It has become deeply associated with culture, power and prestige in a way that no other beverage has. Most of what I’m going to share with you today is based on a magazine piece about wine and civility that I wrote two months after 9/11. However, the search for civility in everyday life has more resonance […]
Cheese Types
Blending Humour and Wine in South Africa with Charles Back, Fairview Wine
Introduction Charles Louis Back is the third generation owner of South African wine and cheese producer Fairview, in Paarl in the Western Cape Province. Charles Back studied winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. He officially joined his family’s company in 1978 and took over full control in 1995 after the death of his father, Cyril. Today, Charles Back is known as one of the great entrepreneurs and innovators of the wine world – an individual who likes nothing more to swim against the stream. From the start, he has done things differently, introducing Mediterranean grapes such as Viognier, Tempranillo, […]
Wine & Cheese Pairing Video: What Is Your Favourite?
Click on the arrow above to watch the video right here. Such a great discussion with lots of favourite pairings and tips! We’ll have a second chat this Wednesday, November 14th at 8 pm eastern – mark your calendar! Please note that while these two feedback sessions about pairing wine and cheese are on Facebook, the course itself will NOT be … so don’t let that stop you from joining me in the course in early December ;) You can also watch the video on Facebook, read the latest comments that keep coming in, read my answers and make a […]
Mrs. Beachley’s Mulled Wine: A Heart-Warming Holiday Drink
Sponsored Post While Mulled Wine is known by many names and enjoyed the world over–the Swedes call it Glogg; the Chileans Candola and the Dutch Bisschopswijn–this heart and tummy-warming beverage is best known for its British heritage. Mrs. Beachley’s Mulled Wine pays homage to the 1861 classic “Beeton’s Book of Household Management“, the go-to manual for how to run a home in Victorian England. In that book and in the 150 years since its publication, a wealth of usage occasions and mulled wine pairing ideas, have emerged. Whether you enjoy Mrs. Beachley’s out of a thermos at the outdoor rink […]
Video: Unusual Wine and Cheese Pairings that Work with Laura Werlin
Our guest this evening is one of the planet’s most authoritative writers on cheese, and cheese and wine pairings. She’s won six James Beard awards, that’s like the Oscars for the Food and Wine world, for her books and she also was a regular instructor at the Cheese School of San Francisco and she joins me live right now from her home in San Francisco Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Laura Werlin. Click on the “Follow” and “Like” buttons on this Facebook page to get notified when we go live. Watch previous episodes and find out who’s coming […]
Travel the Wine World with Kevin Brauch (Video)
What a terrific chat with Kevin Brauch, Food Network TV Celebrity Host! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. Listen to Kevin’s stories about his adventures in the wine world. Discover more juicy tips that will make you wine smart. Cheers, Natalie Click on the Follow and Like buttons on this page to get notified when we go live. We’ll be simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live, YouTube Live Stream and Twitter Live Video via Periscope. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and find out who’s coming up next. Click […]
Pairing Balderson Vintners Cheddars and Wine
Tips for Serving Wine As a rule of thumb, plan on a half bottle of wine per person. White wines should be chilled for two hours (no longer) before being served. Red wines should be opened and allowed to breathe at room temperature for two hours before serving. If you’re serving several wines, start with the lighter whites, move through more robust reds and end with a port or sherry. If possible, use the correct stemware for each of the wines. The right glass does make a difference. You could win one of three Balderson Gift Baskets valued at […]
Recipe: Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue and Wine Pairings
This recipe for Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue is a delicious holiday treat, especially when you pair it with a buttery British Columbia Chardonnay or Ontario Cabernet Franc. The smooth, wood smoke flavour of the Cheddar marries beautifully with oak-aged toastiness of the Chardonnay or Cabernet Franc. The Double Smoked Cheddar is cold smoked twice using a mixture of natural hard woods and aged for twelve months, which makes it ideal for the robust weight and texture of these wines. Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue Makes 2 Servings Ingredients: 1 garlic clove, cut in half 75 ml dark sweet beer 125 ml […]
Tale of Two Niagara Wineries: Reif Winery Makes Big Impression
As a photographer, I capture many wonderful moments in life, with no two moments ever being quite the same. This weekend, I found out in my travels to the Niagara Region, the same can be said for its wonderful abundance of world-class wineries. This is my story about visiting two wineries in the Niagara region at opposite ends of the spectrum, one small and one large, to see just how different they really were with respect to service style, approachability, ambiance and overall experience. In Part One of Tale of Two Wineries, I wrote about my experience visiting Ravine, considered to most as […]
Catelli SuperGreens Spaghetti with Steak & Garlicky Parsley Sauce Recipe Paired with Lindeman’s Bin 50 Shiraz
Although we’re all unique, there are a few similar things that often make us smile – entertaining family and friends, enjoying good food and wine or creating moments of real connection. Whether you are looking for a recipe and wine pairing for a dinner party or simply to share with a special someone, Catelli® and Lindeman’s wines have come together to help you create pairings you’re sure to enjoy. Unexpected guests for dinner? Grill up one great steak; then toss with tender pasta and a zesty no-cook sauce for an effortless, entertaining dish for four. The hint of peppery spice […]
