By: The Drink Wine and Giggle Gals “To have a second language is to have a second soul.” Charlemagne For some time, it has been the collective goal of the Drink Wine and Giggle Gals to be able to order wine in the native tongues of the top wine-producing countries in the world. In our book Drink Wine and Giggle we have an activity called Learn the Lingo in which we explore a new language and surround ourselves with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of its home culture. Wine is the wellspring of Learn the Lingo because nothing captures […]
Wine Bloggers
L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah: Wine Value from Mexico
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Konzelmann Estate Winery: German pedigree, Niagara flourish
By Susan Desjardins The Konzelmann family delivers consistently good and good-value award-winning wine—10 medals at this year’s Ottawa Wine Challenge and 5 at the Canadian Wine Awards. It’s hardly surprising considering the focus and dedication of 75-year-old Herbert Konzelmann, and his extensive winemaking pedigree. His great grandfather, Friederich, a successful restauranteur and wine connoisseur, created the Konzelmann Estate Winery in Germany in 1893. Friederich was soon producing over 200,000 litres of wine, and the successful business was passed from one generation to the next. Herbert joined the family business in 1958 and continued its growth, almost doubling production. But as […]
Graciano: Unique Red Wine from Rioja, Spain
By Holly Bruns Hidden away in the vineyards of Rioja, amidst fields of the popular Tempranillo and Garnacha are ancient, as well as new vines of the hardly known red grape Graciano. Used as a blending grape for its intense colour and aroma, Graciano has historically played a supporting role in the wines of Spain. A difficult grape to grow – it is prone to disease and is low-yielding – it has been pulled up and abandoned by growers over the years particularly as international markets had demanded more Cabernet and Merlot. Thanks to a recent project in Rioja to […]
Mitolo Cabernet Sauvignon, Pietranera Brunello: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO December 8
By Gaby Israel The December releases are known to be the most expensive releases at the LCBO. Out of the very many great wines that are offered in the Dec 8 release, I have chosen the following top 3 wines for the cellar: Australia – MITOLO SERPICO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 (659599) – $57.95 I remember seeing a TV show in the late 70s called Serpico. Serpico was a famous New York police officer who wasn’t afraid to ‘work against the grain’ and in doing so exposed immense depth of police corruption in the era. With Mitolo Serpico the winemaker aimed […]
Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel Wine Tasting Paired With Wit
By Mari Kane In late October, I attended a winemaker dinner with Joel Peterson, winemaker and “Godfather of Zinfandel” from Ravenswood Vineyards in Sonoma, California. The event was held at the Flying Pig in Vancouver’s Yaletown, and as we tucked into plates of comfort food, Peterson stood up and began telling stories about the wines he brought to pair. The result was a humorous blend of history lesson and standup comedy that made me homesick for Sonoma. My favorite story was about Teldeschi Vineyards since my friend, Bill Wertzberger, makes his wine at the F. Teldeschi winery which I have […]
Coyote’s Run Winery: Two Soils, Two Styles, Many Fans
By Susan Desjardins Coyote is the trickster in much native American mythology, known for inventiveness and creating mischief. This adaptable creature can still be seen through the vineyards of Coyote’s Run Estate Winery, and is a fine namesake for co-owner Jeff Aubry, who has reinvented himself from a soldier to high-tech engineer and now to winery owner, and admits, “Sometimes I’m serious, sometimes I’m a goof!” A tour of Europe with a group of university buddies introduced Jeff to fine wines and activated the dream of someday opening his own winery. Fast forward . . . the intervention of a […]
Okanagan Wineries Offer Great Value and Style
By Susan Desjardins A trip to the Okanagan is always an opportunity to explore familiar and newly established wineries. And that’s exactly what we did in October this year. Tinhorn Creek Vineyards now showcases not only their wonderful wines crafted by winemaker Sandra Oldfield (“She’s been here since the beginning, 16 years ago,” said Jerralynn at the tasting bar) but also the recently ensconced restaurant, Miradoro. The restaurant flies out from the ridge, soaring over the south Okanagan valley like a bird on the wing. And the offerings to be found on the menu don’t disappoint. We enjoyed the rich […]
