Perfect Pairings for Thanksgiving with Quails’ Gate Wines

  The post is sponsored by Quails’ Gate Winery Nothing says harvest season like giving thanks over a large gathering of friends and family. This Thanksgiving we at Quails’ Gate Winery are thankful for a rich harvest from our vineyard and for you! To celebrate the season, we’ve compiled a list of perfect harvest pairings. These pairings can be your guide as you begin to plan and enjoy gatherings, feasts and being together. Below are 12 harvest-inspired meals and their corresponding wine pairings. Together these perfect food and wine experiences will have you satiated, satisfied and maybe even surprised! Pairing […]

read more …

Read More

6 Great Niagara VQA Wines to Drink + Visit

As we enter fall, there’s never been a better time to explore local wines and wineries. Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers North America’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome Natalie.   First tell us why it’s a great time to explore Niagara wines.   – Delicious and pair well with fall dishes – Fall harvest is beautiful time to visit the region – Support local producers, Every bottle of Canadian wine made from Canadian grapes contributes about $80 to the economy versus $18 for an import. $11.6 billion to the economy with spin […]

read more …

Read More

Wine Paired with Fast Food: CTV’s The Social Video

We had so much fun pairing wine with fast food this past Friday on The Social, CTV’s new national talk show in the video. Think “The View”, but with smarter hosts and a much stronger social media angle. Hosts Melissa Grelo, Lainey Lui, Traci Melchor and Cynthia Loyst all have impressive backgrounds with other successful shows. I’m honoured to be their new wine go-to gal on the show.           Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut Sparkling Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada             You can also watch our second episode where we do […]

read more …

Read More

A Call for Canadian Wines: Let Them Move Coast to Coast Glorious and Free

On Canada Day, many of us raise a glass of local wine to celebrate. But which Canadian wines will make your July 1st memorable? Here, with her picks for you, is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine and food pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com. Hello Natalie. Before we dive into these wines, tell me where the Canadian wine industry stands today and how has it fared during the lockdown? – There are now more than 800 wineries now from coast to coast in Canada. – Great selection of wine from coast to coast, wine is made in every […]

read more …

Read More

Pairing Wine & Creative Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Carolyn, Jeff and I chat about pairing wine and grilled cheese sandwiches for Canada Day on the national edition of Global Television’s Morning Show.   These aren’t your ordinary grilled cheese sammies: step it up on July 1 or 4, and create one of these for yourself and for your guests.     Loblaw’s Executive Chef, Mark Russell, created these terrific grilled cheese sandwich recipes. The accompaniments are part of Loblaw’s From Our Chef line.   Here are my favourite Canadian wines that I’ve tasted recently, plus wines from around the world in the spirit of international peace and diversity through food and drink!     […]

read more …

Read More

Online Courses, Canadian Wine & Weird Pairings with Susie Barrie

Introduction What’s my advice for those considering a wine career? How did my biggest career regret happen before I became a wine writer? How has my father’s alcoholism influenced my relationship with wine? How has the pandemic impacted online wine classes? Can you pair ketchup chips with wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m sharing my interview on the Wine Blast podcast with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights Why does Rhône Syrah hold a special place in my memories? What’s my advice for people considering a wine career? How did […]

read more …

Read More

Instant Spiced Apples Recipe Paired with Icewine

The Apple of my Wine Get ready to bust out the BBQ, because its finally grill season. Mmm, I can practically taste the sizzle of tender steaks and juicy ribs, waiting to be devoured. Nothing says spring is here like a backyard BBQ. Best enjoyed with your friends and family over burgers, sausages and Canadian Cheese. Just don’t forget to leave room for dessert, or a scrumptious snack, like Spiced Apple with Canadian Brie. This light snack is sure to be a hit with its simple ingredients locally sourced from the farm. Slice up some apples with a dash of […]

read more …

Read More

Ontario Icewine: How to Drink It, Pair It and Love It with Karen King

Introduction How is Icewine different from other sweet wines? How does that change the way you drink it and pair with food? Which pairings work beyond dessert? How can you make delicious Icewine Slushies and pair them with chili chips and wasabi peas for an incredible flavour combination? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Karen King, co-owner of the Ice House Winery in Niagara. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights What differences can you see in how different generations think about Icewine? Why shouldn’t you save Icewine only for special […]

read more …

Read More

Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries Adapt to Covid with Andrea Kaiser

Introduction What’s it like harvesting grapes in sub-zero temperatures? Is there really any difference between a vineyard on one side of the road and a vineyard on the other? Is this a good time for you to visit a winery? What’s changed with Covid? How does the Taste the Season at Home initiative allow you to support local wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrea Kaiser, Chair for the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Director of Marketing at Reif Estate Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights What’s it like […]

read more …

Read More

7 Must-Buy Wines for Fall: New This Season (Video)

Today is the first day of fall, burr. I feel a chill in the air already. Just as we start to wear warmer clothes,  we should also change the wines we drink. That’s what we chat about on CTV News. Click the arrow above to watch the segment.       First off, what makes for a great fall wine? – full-bodied enough to pair well with more robust dishes. – extra texture, mouthfeel and weight for richer sauces. – and just for fun, the wine is trendy like fall fashions.   You have a couple of examples there for […]

read more …

Read More