On CityTV’s Breakfast Television, we chat about six wines in three different price ranges, all of which offer terrific value: Dr. L Riesling, Torres Syrah, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Wente Cabernet, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay, Masi Amarone. Insider tip: go south for better bargains, such as Sicily in Italy rather than Tuscany or Provence rather than Bordeaux in France. They taste twice as expensive as they cost! Meanwhile, Canadian Press (CP) published this story below this week in newspapers across the country … Putting a cork in wine myths December 15, 2016 Everyone who really enjoys wine […]
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Balderson Cheddar Cheese and Canadian Wine: A Natural Pairing
Leanne and I chat about pairing Balderson Cheddar Cheeses with Canadian wines on CTV News. You can discover more terrific wine pairings for Balderson. Posted with permission of CTV
Col Solare Winery Takes Wine to the Top of the Mountain in Washington State
Several of Canada’s top wine writers and sommeliers met recently with Darel Allwine, chief winemaker at Col Solare Winery based in Washington state. Jane Staples Wine Columnist, Ottawa Wedding Magazine Sitting down with a winemaker to discuss his winemaking techniques is always a special experience. Winemakers are like artists, who combine both creativity and science with complete focus, to achieve their unique products. They are working with Mother Nature too, so every vintage can vary. I recently had the chance to discuss winemaking with Darel Allwine, winemaker at Col Solare. The name “Col Solare” means “Shining Hill”, […]
Ontario Sparkling Wine for New Year’s and All Year
On CBC’s Metro Morning we chat about terrific Ontario sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve, plus one splurge-worthy Champagne. More sparkling wine chats here. Plus, why is sparkling wine the most food-friendly wine on the planet? Shabby-chic pairings, from potato chips to buttered popcorn. Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site, picks her favourite sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve: Henry Of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Blancs De Blanc Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Zesty, refreshing and balanced Niagara sparkling wine with crisp notes of green apple and baked bread. Superb quality. Great persistence of beaded […]
Find Your Holiday Gift Wine from Our Team Tasting Top Picks
Our last big team tasting for the year had 150 bottles on the tables, along a variety of Balderson Cheddar Cheeses in preparation for our pairing contest. . You can watch the video reviews below of our team’s favourite discoveries. Matt Steeves Wine Expert, CTV Morning Live Jennifer MacDonald Havers Wine Columnist, Ottawa Citizen Rachelle O’Connor Wine Blogger & Judge Photo by Cherie Cole Cherie Cole Restaurant Wine Consultant Sharon […]
Win $500 Wine Pack with Casas del Bosque Wines on Instagram
Enter the #hotandcool Photo Contest to Win a $500 Wine Pack Featuring the wines of Casas del Bosque, Chile Some like their wines from cool regions and others like them hot. From the vibrant tropical and citrus notes of Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc (Cool Casablanca Valley) to the dark fruit, chocolate and cooking spice flavours of the Casas del Bosque Reserva Carmenère (Hot Rapel Valley), these wines suit your every mood. What do I win? The grand prize winner of this contest will receive a $250 gift certificate to the LCBO and matching his and her Casas del Bosque […]
Prosecco Wine Video Reviews for a Sparkling Night
On our Sunday Sipper Club via Facebook Live Video, we tasted a variety of Prosecco Italian sparkling wines. The discussion was lively, insightful, and many times, humourous :) You can read the 50 comments (!) here and even post one yourself. Prosecco wines were also part of our year-end big team tasting. Jennifer MacDonald Havers Wine Columnist, Ottawa Citizen Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy Matt Steeves Wine Expert, CTV Morning Live Tenuta Lovia Conegliano Valdobbiadene Proseco Superiore […]
Recipe: Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue and Wine Pairings
This recipe for Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue is a delicious holiday treat, especially when you pair it with a buttery British Columbia Chardonnay or Ontario Cabernet Franc. The smooth, wood smoke flavour of the Cheddar marries beautifully with oak-aged toastiness of the Chardonnay or Cabernet Franc. The Double Smoked Cheddar is cold smoked twice using a mixture of natural hard woods and aged for twelve months, which makes it ideal for the robust weight and texture of these wines. Balderson Double Smoked Cheddar Fondue Makes 2 Servings Ingredients: 1 garlic clove, cut in half 75 ml dark sweet beer 125 ml […]
South Africa’s Spier Wines Respect What the Vineyard Hands Them
New Life on the Old Werf Life on the Spier farm is textured, diverse, nurturing. Our Fair Trade accredited hotel and modern conference facilities offers peace in the vineyards, riverside rambles, food experiences and encounters with eagles. Our restored historical farmyard, the Werf, is surrounded by the original farm precinct buildings. These feature 21 architecturally noteworthy Cape Dutch gables – the most on any South African wine estate – making Spier a landmark destination in the Cape winelands. At our wine tasting room on the farm, we give visitors an opportunity to experience what we value most at Spier, in […]
Win a Trip to London, England, with a Toast to 19 Crimes Wine
The full-bodied Australian wine “19 Crimes” pays tribute to British criminals who were punished by transportation. The name 19 Crimes comes from a list of 19 violations that, in the 18th-century Britain, would get someone banished from Britain and shipped to what is now Australia. You can win a trip to London, England, and help three convicts get a royal pardon, by entering this contest before November 15: 19Crimes.com/RoyalPardon There are also hundreds of secondary prizes to be won, so enter today! The wine labels feature black and white mug shots of real-life convicts who were handed a sentence in the […]
