By: Susan Desjardins A recent trip to Niagara included yet another fabulous lunch at Nicolette Novak’s Good Earth Food and Wine Companybistro, located on Lincoln Avenue in Beamsville. In this case, it was the Thai Shrimp & Lobster Burger with a tangy Asian slaw and tasty sweet potato fries served, of course, with the fruity medium-dry Riesling. As we sat sipping and sampling, admiring the gardens and vineyards, Nicolette dropped by in her gardening hat, gloves and trowel in hand, to see how we were enjoying the experience. That’s what it’s like here—it feels like visiting a good friend who […]
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Torres Celeste Crianza, Santa Rita Medalla, E. Guigal Gigondas: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release July 7
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print. This time I have arranged my recommendations based on preference. The value-for-money and GPCi are still, as always, my guide. Chile – Maipo Valley – Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – $17.95 One of my favourites in this release. I have had this wine before and have recommended it several times. One of the best Cab Sauv you`ll find for $18. Expect full flavours Cab and enjoy it with a good juicy steak. Wine Enthusiast rewarded […]
Vrede En Lust White Mischief, Valle Andino Syrah, Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release June 23
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print. Intriguing Wines Under $20 Spain – Rias Baixas – 2010 Nessa Albarino – $15.95 Since I tried this grape about 1-2 years ago, I never miss an opportunity to explore more of the fresh and, in this case, fairly priced Albarino. This is my #1 choice for whites for this release. Try it with anything that comes from the sea. Québec – St-Nicolas Brut Crackling Strong Cider – $16.95 This one is for my lovely wife. She loves Cider and […]
Grilled Steak Recipe Paired with Yalumba Shiraz or Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon
By Tracey Black Father’s Day coincides with the start of summer, so a grilled steak is the perfect way to celebrate Dad and enjoy a great bottle of wine with el fresco dining. You can take on the grilling yourself or let Dad take up his rightful place at the BBQ while you whip up this wonderfully easy and delicious dinner. Serve with grilled potatoes, your favourite baguette or forgo the carbs for an extra glass of wine. Be sure to make this recipe a jumping-off point to your summer as it’s easy to put together on the fly post-golf […]
Vinho Verde, Portugal: White Wine for Summer Refreshment
By Holly Bruns Every year, sometime between the moderate temperatures of spring and the humid heat of summer, I begin to develop a crush on the white Vinho Verde wines from the Minho region of Portugal. Their easy-going qualities and low alcohol make them perfect for alleviating the heat on those hazy, lazy afternoons. Vinho Verde means green wine, named thusly not because the wine is green, but because it is made to be enjoyed while young. It’s possible however, that the lush, fertile countryside where the vines grow is inspiration for the colourful moniker. Minho is in the north […]
Sol de Andes Syrah, Chateau Fourcas Dumont, Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release June 9
By Gaby Israel Here are my best cellar wines for this release as a shopping list that you can print and these are my recommendations in order of preference for an up-to $100 release budget: Great wines under $20 Chile – Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 – $19.95 Maycas has a few wines in this release. According to the producer, in the last decade, the Limarí Valley has experienced an explosive growth, from 93 hectares of vineyards planted in 1995 to 1,667 today. The Limari Valley is sitting at a latitude of 30 degrees south at the north […]
La Vieille Ferme Rose, France: there’s no arguing with it
By Travis Oke I argued like a Frenchman this week and I liked it. A friend of mine (Rugby guy) started quizzing me about the “stupid” offside rule in soccer. He started by asking questions, then ran through some scenarios, and ended off with a firm declarative statement that “soccer would be better without an offside.” He looked at me for a response. I drew a small breath, glanced sideways towards him, and in a superior manner said, “No, you’re wrong.” End of argument. The French are like that. They like their rules and they like to keep them. I […]
Lealtanza Reserva, Di Majo Norante Ramitello, Ridge Lytton Springs Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release May 26
By Gaby Israel This is an extremely challenging release – what do you do when most of the wines offered in this release are rated “outstanding to classic” (90+) by wine critics but you’ve already taken a second mortgage? Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and these are my recommendations in order of preference for an up-to $100 release budget: Top recommendation for up to $20: Italy – Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 $15.95 Named after the region’s largest river. Biferno is situated in the small wine region […]
Heredad de Baroja, Bellaria Assunto, Clos de Gat Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release May 12
By Gaby Israel The repeating question is what to do with so many wines and a limited budget. Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and these are my recommendations in order of preference for an up-to $100 release budget: Spain – 2001 Heredad de Baroja Gran Reserva – $21.95 Bodegas Heredad de Barojas (named after a famous Spanish writer) started to produce wines in 1964. For me, nothing beats an 11 year old Gran Reserva wine from the spectacular 2001 vintage for $22.00. With the given budget, if you […]
Tempranillo and Garnacha Red Guitar: Spanish Version of Cotes du Rhone
By Travis Oke I don’t believe that anybody can dispute the fact that France is the King of wines – actually Queen is a better descriptor as it captures the beauty of French wines. Probably the Italians will argue the point, because they like to, but I’m okay with “debating” my Italian friends. However, lost in this is the role that Spain plays in Old World wines. The Spanish lay claim to two great varietals – Garnacha and Monestral – and interestingly, the French lay claim to the same grapes calling them Grenache and Mourvedre. However, it’s the Spanish approach […]
