In our second conversation with Brett Preston and Matt MacPherson, creators of The Little Grape That Could, we talk about the inspiring stories that people have sent in to the web site, including everything from a kind taxi driver and a brave shelter dog to newly weds and a couple married 80 years who celebrated with the wine at their receptions. You discovered some interesting research about how the act of giving can make wine taste better? Why have you had such success with this concept? Let’s taste the wines … what would they pair best with? […]
Which Wine Pairs with Kindness, Idealism & a Big Heart?
Last year, Brett Preston and Matt MacPherson launched The Little Grape That Could. The twist? All profits from the wine sales go to charities, from the Heart & Stroke Association to Toronto Cat Rescue. In the video below, they talk about how they came up with the idea and how wine lovers can do good by drinking well. What was your motivation for this project? Why did you pick wines from Argentina? How much of the wine’s price goes toward charity and what sales have you achieved? How does it work? I buy the wine, then what? How […]
Good Wine & Laughs for Girlfriend Get-Togethers
It’s my pleasure to introduce you to three women who blend friendship and fun in their approach to wine: Lynne Everatt, Deb Mangolt and Julie Smethurst. The three met when they worked at the same multinational company in Canada years ago, and all decided to pursue their passions instead. In the meantime, they’ve written a book together that has lots of ideas for girlfriend get-togethers, always of course, involving wine. You can buy their book in print or the the electronic edition on their web site Drink Wine and Giggle or from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Indigo/Chapters. Here are […]
Wine Scores and Ontario Wines Videos
Which wine at the LCBO today? Do I follow the reviews? vine.co/v/b6wmE1Ag6Z5 — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 20, 2013 I’m having a blast with the hottest new Twitter Video app called Vine. Here’s my tongue-in-cheek shopping trip based on wine scores, and below my favourite Ontario wines. Ontario wines Video of favs in stores now vine.co/v/brVDKYXJw1Q — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 17, 2013 Here are my first videos with the Vine Twitter App, plus video picks for Family Day wines.
Family Day Wine: Video Pick
Which of these 3 wines (all appropriately named) do you think pairs best with Family Day dinner? Video: which of these wines pairs best with Family Day? vine.co/v/b6z3OItKpAi — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 18, 2013 Family Tree White Henry Of Pelham, V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina Famiglia Bianchi Malbec, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina Roux Père & Fils, A.C., Côte De Nuits-Villages, Burgundy, France More picks from shopping at the LCBO Vintages Release for February 16 … Ontario wines Video of favs in stores now vine.co/v/brVDKYXJw1Q — NatalieMacLean (@NatalieMacLean) February 17, […]
Vine App for Wine: Twitter Videos Decant Private Passions
Call it YouTube for Twitter. Vine is the next big thing. (Call me a geek. It’s okay … I got that years ago when I jumped on Twitter and mobile.) Vine creates tiny, moving windows that allow others to look in on your life. Forget Hollywood-like stage sets, lights and stilted dialogue … this is real life: gritty, gripping and great. So? That’s also where wine should be, not on a pedestal in the cold light of analysis, isolated as some mysterious object removed from where it might actually be enjoyed with friends. Pinot noir pairs with salmon & … […]
Halifax restaurant Bicycle Thief Sommelier Steve Adams
Steve Adams, manager and wine guy at The Bicycle Thief restaurant in Halifax talks about matching wine and seafood, the growth of Nova Scotia wines and tips on how to choose a great bottle from a restaurant list. What’s on your wine list? We currently have 144 wines on our list, and it’s always changing. We offer 40 wines by the glass, from Brunello to some new wines from Friuli, Italy, that are exclusive to us. Our menu is Italian with a comfort food edge, so our primary focus is on great Italian wines, with ever-changing selections from around the […]
Free My Canadian Grapes & Wine: MP Dan Albas Part 2
In our second video chat, Member of Parliament, Dan Albas, talks about the law he helped to pass that got rid of federal restrictions on shipping wine across Canada. However, important issues remain. We also taste two terrific B.C. wines together and toast to all barriers coming down so that all Canadians can enjoy all Canadian wines. How would removing all restrictions, including those at the provincial level, affect our wine industry? Do we really want wineries growing bigger with a more open market or is it more about having more investment in better wine for existing wineries, […]
Shipping Wine Across Canada: Bill C-311 and Beyond
In the video chat below, Member of Parliament Dan Albas talks about what Bill C-311 means for Canadian wine lovers and wineries today, and what needs to happen next. Can we call a winery in another province and order wine, or only purchase on site? Is there any limit on how much? Is just Canadian wine or all wine? Ontario produces the majority of wine in this country so do you think the Ontario wine industry has more to lose than the BC wine industry if provincial borders are open? About 90% of BC wine is consumed […]
Hogue Cellars Genesis Riesling, Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino: Best LCBO Wines Feb 16
Here are my top wine picks from the February 16 Vintages Release. You can also get all 91 of my Best Value Wines and Top Rated Wines for red, white, rose, sparkling and dessert wines that encompass many price points, styles and regions. You can add my wine picks to your shopping list by clicking on the little shopping cart icon. You can also create a custom list just for this release that will be saved in your account. Print a text-only version of the reviews. Sols & Sens Laudun Blanc Les Vignerons Des 4 Chemins 2011, A.C., Côtes-Du-Rhônes-Villages, […]
