This decidedly tongue-in-cheek video interview below focuses on the new chapter in the paperback edition of Unquenchable, which hits stores October 23. Find out why wine and book pairing is the new food and pairing and the reason I’ve dedicated my life to this field of research. (Many have tried, but no one makes fun of me like I do.) Here’s the link to online booksellers. In addition to paperback, Unquenchable is also available as an e-book for Amazon’s Kindle, Sony e-Reader, Indigo-Chapters Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iPad. Dorothy Parker said it best: “There’s a […]
Wine Quotes and Wit Round 6
Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn’t drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, “It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver.” ~ Jack Handy 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not. ~ Stephen Wright […]
Toronto Symphony Wine Auction November 8
Toronto Symphony Wine Auction Imagine your delight sipping a fine wine, say a 1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc or a 1999 DRC Richebourg, that you acquired at auction for a fraction of its appraised value. This fantasy could become reality by attending the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Fine Wine Auction on Thursday, November 8. Discover the many gems from around the world that will be up for auction this fall. Share the wine list with your friends, colleagues and followers. We are at: http://tsvc.ca/wineauction The complete auction catalogue will be available for download on October 1. This year’s auction will take […]
Open Wines and Suggestions for What to do Tonight
Open Riesling Gewürztraminer Niagara Peninsula, Ontario: This is an incredible wine for the price point! Joyous notes of peach, peach and lychee. The gewurztraminer really comes through in this blend. Pair with: honey glazed BBQ chicken, Asian fusion, fresh salads, and a variety of soft, mild cheeses. Drink: 2012-2014. 988092 11.50% MD 750 mL $11.95 Score: 88/100. Open Sauvignon Blanc Niagara Peninsula, Ontario: A lovely, subtly flavoured Sauvignon Blanc with white melon and lime notes. Not grassy and there’s no aggressive acidity here. Very pleasant aperitif. Top me up! Pair with: grilled seafood, quiche. Drink: 2009-2013. 178681 […]
Celebrity Wines: Dan Aykroyd, Sonja Smits, Arlene Dickinson
The month’s column in More Magazine focuses on wines made by or endorsed by celebrities such as Arlene Dickinson, Sonja Smits and Dan Aykroyd. Surprisingly, these are well-made wines and range widely in price. Pair them with your favourite movie or television series featuring these stars …
Nova Scotia Wines: Top 25 List
Here are my top 25 wines from Nova Scotia, and like my Top 25 BC Wines, this has been in the works for the last few months. Nova Scotia holds a special place in my heart because I grew up just outside of Halifax, spending my summers in Cape Breton. Although I’ve visited most of the wineries several times when I’m home, I’ll be visiting all of them over the next year again as I start the research for my third book, which will be exclusively about Canadian wines from coast to coast. Nova Scotia’s wine industry may be small, […]
BC Wines: Top 25 List from the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
I’ve been tasting through hundreds of wines for the last few months to select my top 25 wines from British Columbia. This isn’t based solely on numbers, but rather on a broader view of a range of styles and grapes. In fact, wine scores taken out of context are meaningless. I hope that this list will provoke debate, even controversy, as that’s what we need to kick-start a national conversation about the great wines that we produce in this country. What’s easy is sniping from the shadows; what’s hard is taking a stand in the public spotlight for your convictions. […]
Canada’s Best Restaurants – Maclean’s Magazine
Just got my copy of the Maclean’s Magazine first-ever Restaurant Guide for dining establishments across Canada. This is going to be my bible for where to eat when I travel. I was honoured to be part of the team of reviewers … pick up a copy to read the reviews. (An aside, here are my favourite restaurants in other cities.) Just a couple of hints … Sidedoor Contemporary Kitchen & Wine Bar Hours: Monday to Saturday Lunch: 11:45-2 pm, 7 Days a Week: 4:30 pm tacos; 5 pm Dinner Address: 20 York Street, Ottawa, ON Phone: 613-562-9331 Play Food and […]
Thanksgiving Wines: Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce
My latest column in Active Adult Magazine has lots of terrific wines for your Thanksgiving dinner, including pairings for roast turkey, stuffing or cranberry sauce. You can also find my tips for pairing Thanksgiving (or Christmas) turkey and wine in Reuters (second story), Kansas City Star, The Vancouver Province, The Star-Ledger, Contra Costa Times and The Star-Gazette. Let’s give thanks for all of these great bottles!
Tyrrell Wines Australia Video: Semillon Magic + Shiraz
Bruce Tyrrell was a pleasant surprise: terrific interview with a great wit and insights into the Australian wine industry in this video chat below. He frames the magic of semillon, old and young… plus there’s his Rufus Stone Shiraz, black liquid enchantment. The Tyrrell family has been producing wines in Australia’s Hunter Valley since 1858. Bruce Tyrell is the fourth generation of his family to run the winery that now produces 500,000 cases per year. In 2006, Bruce was recognized with an Order of Australia medal for his contribution to the Australian wine industry; improving grape quality, research, tourism and […]
