The “I’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it” Blues We’ve all had days like that! On a day when you can’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, can’t be checking on things, can’t be doing multiple steps, a crock pot can be your best friend. Did you know you can cook a whole chicken in a crock pot? Here’s how I do it. Ingredients: 2 heads of garlic 1 purple onion 1 lemon 3 sprigs of thyme 1 tbsp summer savoury 1/2 tsp paprika 1-2 potatoes per person 1 chicken I like […]
Wine Bloggers
Cabernet Sauvignon from Romania’s Dealu Mare Winemaking Region
By Holly Bruns It’s not nomenclature for exotic breeds of horses, nor is it an exotic card game, Dealu Mare is a winemaking region in Romania known for producing red wines. When thinking of Romania, rows of grape vines might not be the first thing that comes to mind – Transylvania and Count Dracula maybe, Communist rule, or the Romani people perhaps – but Romania happens to be the world’s ninth largest wine producer. With a winemaking tradition that dates back some four thousand years, Romanians were drinking wine when most of Europe was not. This might have something to […]
Monte Del Fra Valpolicella, Arnoux & Fils Vacqueyras, Marziano Abbona Barolo Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release April 28
By Gaby Israel Here are the top 5 wines that would be hard to resist. Most of them have at least 2 of the 3 triple “winning elements” – Price, quality and cellaring potential: 2009 Montebuena – $12.95 This $13, 100% Tempranillo from Rioja received 90 by WS and RP. Natalie MacLean gave it 86. Worth trying and seeing which score better represents your palate. The Tempranillo grapes for this wine were hand harvested. Expect the typical Tempranillo in a flavored concentrated package. Potentially, a great house-wine for day-to-day consumption. Here is something untraditional – try it chilled – I was […]
Catena Chardonnay, Spier Creative Block 3, Rioja Bordón Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release April 14
By Gaby Israel Great Whites under $20 Here are 3 different white wines. Two from France that are more similar in their Old World style and one from Argentina that is more modern. All three are perfect for the spring. 2010 Catena Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina – $19.95 2009 Michel Picard Chardonnay Bourgogne, A.C., Burgundy, France – $17.95 2009 Saget La Perrier Marie de Beauregard Vouvray – $17.95 Great Reds Under $20 From Italy to France and Spain and all the way south to South Africa, some great reds for the spring and summer. All of these wines received very supportive […]
Arneis: White Wine with a Past but Little Known as a Grape Today
Nod To The Odd: Arneis By Holly Bruns A memory can rest, tucked away, until suddenly, in an instant, something unlocks it. It might be a certain song that brings back the high school gym and that first dance, it may be the scene of a particular vista that triggers thoughts of a time and place long gone, or a particular aroma may work to capture a feeling of the past. A few years ago, after a long, leisurely lunch, I tried a sip from a bottle of Arneis. At the time it reminded me of an arboreal landscape, pine […]
Zinfandel: Tasting and Understanding America’s Great Grape and Wine
By Travis Oke When it comes to American wine I think you need to understand Zinfandel. It’s as misunderstood as how Al Gore invented the internet. Zinfandel used to be your Grandmother’s pink sweet wine. In fact, I had somebody at a party recently ask me, “How is this red wine a Zinfandel, I thought it was a pink wine.” I had the owner of a café recently ask me not to select a Zinfandel for their wine list because people wouldn’t buy it. I am here to sing the praises of Zin as the great American grape – which […]
Terre Nere Brunello Di Montalcino, Corte Riva Cabernet Sauvignon, Finca Sobreno Crianza Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release March 31
By Gaby Israel For the cellar France – Chateau Haut-Surget 2009 – $24.95 So much has been said and written about this amazing vintage in Bordeaux especially in terms of comparing its quality to other legendary vintages such as 1990 and 1982. This wine from Lalande-de-Pomerol is a typical Right-bank blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc. An excellent review in WS scored it 90-93 and thought the wine a good value. This wine could probably be cellared for 8-12 years, which makes it a GPCi bargain. So if you like good Bordeaux wines and want to try […]
Spring Lamb Recipe with Don Maximiano Cabernet Sauvignon or Tyrrell’s Semillon
My good friend and chef extraordinaire Tracey Black developed this tender and juicy recipe for Spring Navarin of Lamb. Tracey will be re-opening her fine food store and Ottawa-based catering and gourmet take-away store in early April. Details below along with my wine pairings for this dish. Serves 4 Ingredients 2 pounds boneless lamb leg or shoulder Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 cup red wine 1 cup canned tomatoes with juice, seeded and crushed 3 cups […]
Villa Mt. Eden Zinfandel, Yalumba Shiraz Viognier, Baron De Ley Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release March 17
By Gaby Israel United States 2007 Villa Mt. Eden Zinfandel Antique Vines Grand Reserve, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Amador County, Napa County, California -$19.95. I can’t skip any opportunity to buy a good hefty Zin. This wine is for you John M to try! Great supportive review, fair price. What’s not to like? Australia 2008 Yalumba Shiraz Viognier, Eden Valley, South Australia – $21.95. Although 2008 was far from being a stellar vintage (RP ranked it a relatively low 85 score), this wine received good reviews and I personally love this Northern Rhone blend. I’ve tried this Yalumba version a […]
Yalumba Viognier, Errazuriz Carmenere, Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Among Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release March 3
By Gaby Israel Australia Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011 – $15.95 You cannot go Wrong with Yalumba, even with this entry level Viognier. I like serving it chilled and have it with any type of dish – from grilled fish, to seafood pasta. Chile Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere 2009 2009 – $18.95 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Single Vineyard Cabernet – $19.95 Two great QPR wines from Errazuriz. As I said before, never had less than a great experience from this winery. You get so much value for your money with these ones. Expect lots of fruit and concentrated flavors. A great ‘house […]
