This past Thursday, we chatted about book and bottle pairings as holiday gifts on Breakfast Television. Words and wine seem like a natural pairing to me … here are my favourites. What are yours? 1. Books are Beautiful The publisher selected 30 classic works of literature and assigned each a beautiful colour. Then the editors organized them in a rainbow of words so spectacular that you’re going to want to line them up on your shelves and just look at them. Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Brut, South East Australia, Australia: Green […]
Wine Type
Gift Wines: Tips on How Not to Send the Wrong Message in a Bottle
Leanne and I chat about how to find the right gift wine for everyone on your list on CTV News. Meanwhile, we’re chatting about the same topic with the Associated Press: Wine Gift-Giving Tips for Novice Vinophiles Trendy, tasty and one-size-fits-all, wine is a versatile holiday gift, whether you’re on your way to a house-warming or looking out for something for the in-laws. But navigating the world of wine can be a trial for the novice vinophile. Enter wine experts, who have a few tips on how not to send the wrong message in a bottle. Recon The […]
How Austria’s Gruner Veltliner Got its Groove Back
Would you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most versatile wines on the planet? That’s exactly what we’re going to learn tonight with our guest who joins me live just north of Vienna. Our guest this evening is in charge of her family’s winery, Weingut R&A Pfaffl, along with her brother, who is the winemaker and vineyard manager. Heidie Fisher Pfaffl takes care of everything else, from business administration to marketing and sales. Pfaffl Winery is one of Austria’s leading wine producers, […]
Blending Humour and Wine in South Africa with Charles Back, Fairview Wine (Video)
Our guest this evening produces some of South Africa’s most coveted premium wines under the labels of Fairview Estate, a third-generation family-owned farm, located on the slopes of the Paarl Mountain in the winelands of the Western Cape with a winemaking heritage that dates back to 1693. He also founded one of the most successful black empowerment labels, Fairvalley. However, you may be more familiar with his more playful line of wines, Goats do Roam and the Goat-Father among others – a brand which went on to become the highest selling South African wine brand in the United States following […]
How the Gruner Stole Christmas: Austria’s White Wine is a Holiday Treat
By Melissa Pulvermacher It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to eat, drink and be merry! When stocking up for those holiday parties, we all have our usual go-to wine selections, but with so many options, it may just be worth your while to venture out and try something new. For this holiday, consider looking to Austria for new selections. Austria is really hitting the world stage with quality wine production and while they may not be producing mass amounts, we are now seeing more and more in our market here in Ontario and the wine is certainly worth […]
Pairing Wine and Tomato Dishes (Video)
In the video clip above, Jeff and I chat about pairing wine with different types of tomatoes and tomato dishes. What’s your favourite pairing? Jeff: Stores and Farmer’s Markets are lush right now with colourful products including tomatoes of every colour ripe off the vine or cooked up in a sauce. Nothing can complement a tasty dish like a great glass of wine. And here with her picks for perfect pairing is wine expert Natalie MacLean, nice to see you. Natalie: It’s great to see you, Jeff. Jeff: Now listen, before we get to the tomato, which, to me, […]
Best Summer Wines for Barbecue + Seafood: CTV News
In part two of our regular wine chat, Leanne and I talk about the best wines for summer, whether it’s zesty whites, such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, for seafood; and robust red wines, such as Shiraz, Cabernet and Malbec, for BBQs. All of my wine picks are under $20, including several that scored 90+ points. Stock up now! Posted with permission of CTV
Is Wine the Source of Civilization? Video Chat with John Mahoney
Our guest this evening is a former university professor of literature with a Ph.D. in linguistical philology, and a respected scholar of Shakespeare and Chaucer. He is also a Certified Wine Educator and has taught wine classes at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, Drexel University, and Rutgers University. He’s also the author of eight books, including his most recent, “Wine: The Source of Civilization” and he joins me live, now, from his home, just south of Atlantic City in New Jersey: Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club John Mahoney! What drew you to this story in the first […]
Video: A Sensory Journey Through Austrian Wines
This spring, I attended a stellar tasting of Austrian wines at Toronto’s Alo, named Canada’s Best New Restaurant by several publications. In the video above, Birgitta Samavarchian of the Austrian Wine Marketing Group, explains why the country’s iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner, is a white wine unlike any other. This is a sampling the wines we tasted, but you can access more than 300 Austrian Wine Reviews here, along with those of our team members at Ottawa-based tastings. The dishes that Alo presented to pair with the wines were simply spectacular. These pictures tell a thousand words (and sensory sensations). […]
Joel Gott Wines Video: California Roots and Gourmet Burgers
In 1996, our guest this evening purchased a few tons of Zinfandel and with the help of his then-girlfriend (now wife)—and winemaker at Joseph Phelps—Sarah, produced his first vintage of wine. It received wide praise from critics, which was all the encouragement he needed to produce additional varietals. And he joins me live now from Napa, Joel Gott, Owner & Winemaker at Joel Gott Wines!. How are the regions of Santa Barbara and Napa Valley different, and what should we look for when buying these wines? Why did this fifth-generation winemaker start a wildly popular gourmet burger restaurant? What are his […]
