Round three of these drinking and wine quotes is here. Dorothy Parker is standing at the open coffin of a writer who has recently passed away. A friend remarks, “Doesn’t he look wonderful?” “Why shouldn’t he?” Parker replied, “He hasn’t had a drink in three days.” “First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald “Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.” ― Frank Sinatra “After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things […]
Wine Writing
Taste Canada Announces Shortlist: Food & Wine Writing Awards
This news arrived this morning … can finally drop my cracker (cabernet) as it was under embargo until 2 pm for press distribution … FOR RELEASE: 1st August, 2012 Taste Canada: The Food Writing Awards 2012 Announcement of Short Lists Taste Canada―The Food Writing Awards drew 73 submissions this year, a brilliant snapshot of the vibrancy and diversity of Canadian culinary publishing. The winners will be announced, together with the names of the jurors, at the Award Ceremony and Gala Reception on Monday, 5 November, at the new Arcadian Court in Toronto. These Awards will recognize and celebrate superior writing […]
Best Food (and Wine) Writing Story Collection
The editor of the annual anthology Best Food Writing got in touch yesterday to say that an excerpt from Unquenchable will be published in this year’s edition. The book collects the best food (and occasionally wine) writing of the year from magazines and books, such as Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential), Ruth Reichl (Gourmet Magazine), Gabrielle Hamilton (Blood, Bones & Butter), Frank Bruni (New York Times), Alan Richman (GQ), Madhur Jaffrey (Indian Cooking), and Colman Andrews (Saveur). It also includes food-related writing from “non-food” writers such as Calvin Trillin (New Yorker), Michael Lewis (Moneyball, Liar’s Poker) and Barbara Kingsolver (Poisonwood Bible). If […]
Talking Wine with CBC’s John Gushue
On the weekend, we met up with Natalie MacLean, the wine writer; I’ve interviewed her in the past, but not in person. It was great to meet, have a chat and talk about a subject she knows inside out and which I wish I knew a good bit better. On Saturday, we’re publishing my interview (which tees up the Chile and Argentina-focused A Taste of Wine show at the Convention Centre) on cbc.ca/nl … have a look for it. The article includes Natalie’s picks for the top five bargain wines available at the NLC. In the meantime, do check out […]
More Magazine Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Four Women Leaders
I’ve been an avid reader of More since it first started publishing its classy, smart magazine five years ago. With the fifth anniversary, they did a complete redesign and I was happy to sign on on the wine columnist. On Thursday, I’ll join four women I admire immensely for a panel discussion that’s part of the celebratory activities: Rosey Edeh, ET Canada Host; Lisa LaFlamme, CTV National News Anchor; Suzanne Timmons, The Hudson’s Bay Company Director; and Bev Thompson, Canada AM Host. (I’ll be chatting with Bev earlier that day on her show about wines for Mother’s Day.)
Summer Wines for the Cottage or Beach – Air Miles Magazine
The summer issue of Air Miles’ Inspired Living Magazine has just arrived in Gold Members’ mailboxes loaded with travel ideas, recipes and warm weather wines for its 2 million readers. Close your eyes, feel the sun on your shoulders and take another sip …
How to Host a Wine Tasting – National Magazine Awards Nominee
Just found out that one of my columns in Saltscapes Magazine has been nominated for the National Magazine Awards. The story is how to host an informal wine tasting with friends at home. Needless to say, I enjoyed the research for this one! Congratulations to all the nominees below. Deena Waisberg How Are You Managing? CAmagazine Christine Langlois Honey, I Sunk the Boat Cottage Life Susan Nerberg Hot Spot How-To Cottage Life Kevin Callan, Ryan Stuart Camping 101 Explore Romana King The Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide MoneySense […]
Wine and Food Book Award Nominees – Taste Canada
This news just arrived in my inbox this morning … nice way to start a Friday! Taste Canada hosts the awards ceremony for Canada’s food and wine Oscars every year. I’m delighted that Unquenchable is among such an august list of nominees — congratulations to all the authors!
Wine Quotes: Funny, Philosophical and Philandering
Round #3 of those wine-soaked sips of wisdom … you’ll find round 1 and round 2 here if you’re thirsting for more. As you can see above, well-dressed, attractive people in a bar somewhere are enjoying them. Cheers, Natalie In beer there’s strength; In wine there’s wisdom; In water there’s bacteria. You haven’t drunk too much wine if you can still lie on the floor without holding on. ~ Dean Martin Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to contemplate it through a glass of Chambertin. ~ Napoleon Gentlemen, in the little moment that remains to us between the […]
Marqués de Murrieta – A Ghost in the Bottle
The longer you spend exploring the subject of fine wine, the more familiar you become with the concept that there are no great wines but only great bottles, and that with every great bottle, comes an even greater story. I have one to share… For my wife Jacquie’s 40th birthday celebration last year, I bought two bottles of the 1970 Marqués de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva. The Spanish claim that 1970 was their vintage of the century and those who are fond of this region also recognize that Castillo Ygay is the flagship of Rioja. I have read […]
