1. Expensive Doesn’t Mean Better: Do you need to pay a lot to get a great wine? Ruffino Prosecco Tuscany, Italy Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy 2. Look for Second Labels Woodbridge Winery Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 California, United States Robert Mondavi Winery Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast, California, United States 3. Quick Pairing Tip: Is the Wine Mouth-Watering or […]
Cabernet Sauvignon
Wakefield Wines: A Vision for Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay (Video)
In this lively interview with Justin Taylor and Neil Hadley from Wakefield Wines, they share some of their most memorable wine stories as well as fascinating insights and visual illustrations into why wines taste they way they do. We also chat about: What makes the Clare Valley different from other regions in Australia for growing wine? How does that express itself in the wines we taste from the Claire? Clare Valley Vineyard How does oak give structure to wine, and what exactly does “structure” mean? How can we think about the taste of wine visually to understand it […]
Bold & Savoury Cheese Plate with Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon
Send out the group text and open a bottle of Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon, this assortment of bold and savory snacks are sure to be a crowd pleaser. A little something for everyone, this Cabernet Sauvignon inspired combo of aged Gouda and sharp white cheddar is balanced with briny olives and sliced salami. Finish the evening with a sweet treat of fresh strawberries and decadent dark chocolate truffles. Prep Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 wedge aged Gouda1 wedge Pecorino sheep’s milk1 block aged white cheddar½ cup Castelvetrano olives¾ lb. thinly sliced salami1 cup roasted walnuts½ cup tomato chutneyfresh strawberriesdark chocolate […]
Stave & Steel Wines Aged in Bourbon and Canadian Whisky Barrels
Steve & Steel Winemaker James Foster was raised on a family farm, the historic Roseland Plantation in Eufaula, Alabama, where they farmed peanuts, hay and cotton. James FosterWinemaker Although James grew up in Alabama, his father worked in the California wine industry, and James began to follow in his footsteps. Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 California, United States Great pairings include grilled burgers, ribs, steak and charcuterie. Curious about the winemaking process and inspired to learn more, he […]
Slow-Basted BBQ Ribeye Recipe Paired with Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon
SLOW-BASTED BBQ RIBEYE Thick-cut boneless ribeyes are seasoned with cocoa, sea salt and ground pepper, then basted in a Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon BBQ sauce for juicy taste and smoky-sweet-savory flavor. PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes PORTIONS: 4 SERVING SIZE: 1 beef ribeye steak INGREDIENTS: ½ cup Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon4 12 oz. boneless ribeye steaks½ cup smoky style BBQ sauce2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper2 tsp. sea salt METHOD: Prepare the Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon BBQ sauce: Place Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon and bbq sauce in a mixing bowl and whisk to […]
Why Cabernet Sauvignon is the King of Red Wines (Video)
On CTV News, Leanne and I chat about the colourful history of the king of red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine and most planted on the planet — it’s the OG (original gangster) of wines, so to speak. In 1997, UC Davis researched revealed its parents: the white grape Sauvignon Blanc and the red grape Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc is thinner skinned and early ripening than Cabernet Sauvignon. Stave & Steel Canadian Whisky Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 California, United States Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, tannic, sauvignon means […]
Label Gazing: How to Read a Wine Label
The hosts of CTV’s The Social and I had lots of fun decoding wine labels to find the secret info you can use to buy better wine. Admit it. You’ve probably bought a wine based on nothing more than a beautiful label. Presentation is a big thing when it comes to wine. When I’m picking out a bottle, I look for a pretty label and pay attention to the name of the wine but that’s about it. Is the aesthetic of the label usually indicative of the taste? Not at all, however, most people do judge a wine […]
Canadian Icewine: Heroic Harvest = Epic Wine
On Global Television yesterday, we discussed the Canadian Icewine harvest. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the wines that we’ll be featuring, along with reports from the field. Fun Facts: The Upside of the Deep Freeze Our deep freeze recently turned out to be bonus for Ontario icewine winemakers. The sustained cold snap and arctic temperatures allowed them to harvest grapes in an unusually short time. Who makes the most Icewine? Ontario produces about 80% of Canadian icewine, with the remainder mostly in British Columbia though some is also made in both Quebec and Nova Scotia. About […]
The 31 Most Difficult Wine and Grapes Names: How to Pronounce Them
On CTV News, Leanne and I chat about the most difficult wine and grape names to pronounce. Click the arrows to watch the videos both above and below. As anglophones, we find many of these names difficult since their origins are often European, with accents and inflections that are new to us. Tip: often e and i are pronounced in the reverse when in the middle of a word, and an e at the end of a name often sounds like a long a. Why bother? We often overlook these terrific wines, and don’t ask for them in liquor stores […]
Pairing Wine and Yoga to Unwined with Morgan Perry
Introduction In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Morgan Perry who pairs wine and yoga in her Vino Vinyasa classes. More than marketing or whimsy, it’s actually rooted in a holistic lifestyle philosophy. Enjoy! Highlights Why did Morgan decide to pair wine and yoga? What is a yoga vinyasa class experience like? What are vinyasa and shavasana? Why does Morgan believe yoga enhances the wine tasting experience? How has Morgan wine-ified some of the yoga poses for her classes? Are Morgan’s classes tailored to the type of wine being tasted? What are Morgan’s thoughts […]