By Gaby Israel This is an extremely challenging release – what do you do when most of the wines offered in this release are rated “outstanding to classic” (90+) by wine critics but you’ve already taken a second mortgage? Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and these are my recommendations in order of preference for an up-to $100 release budget: Top recommendation for up to $20: Italy – Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 $15.95 Named after the region’s largest river. Biferno is situated in the small wine region […]
Words and Wine for the Chief Librarian – Ottawa Citizen
As I was reading today’s paper, I discovered that Ottawa’s Chief Librarian and CEO Danielle McDonald is a woman after my own heart. She’s likes a glass of affordable wine too, and almost as important, she likes reading stories about them. What The Chief Librarian is Reading Ottawa’s library chief executive Danielle McDonald says she loves books – she reads the news on a tablet computer, but you can’t beat a book for reassuring heft in your hands. She learned from her grandfather to have three books on the go, “one for pleasure, one for learning and one for advancement,” […]
Pasta Recipe Sagne e Fagioli All’Abbruzzese and Illuminati Riparosso
Zucca Trattoria tweets: “@TrialtoON that’s right! We are so impressed with Illuminati Riparosso ($12.55) we made a pasta especially for it.” Sagne e Fagioli All’Abbruzzese Recipe created by Andrew Milne-Allan, Owner/Chef (Serves 4) Ingredients 250 g all-purpose flour 150 ml warm water salt 250 g romano beans, fresh or frozen garlic, sage 2 good quality Italian pork sausages wild fennel seed, toasted and crushed extra virgin olive oil 28 oz can plum tomatoes, basil, onion pecorino cheese, grated small glass of red wine … Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo would suit the mood In a mixing bowl mix the salt and flour together […]
Wine Pairing Column in Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun
In the new year, I signed on to do a weekly syndicated wine pairing column in the Postmedia newspapers across the country, including the Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Regina Leader-Post and Montreal Gazette. The reader response has been phenomenal, with lots of tweets and comments coming in over the wire. You’ll find the sauvignon blanc below here with wine and recipe pairings. Got a wine to suggest that I feature in an upcoming column? Please e-mail me at [email protected].
Wine and Design Tasting Event at Corner Lot Home Decor – Toronto May 31
Looking for wine and design inspirations? Come to Corner Lots first tweetup. We will be having a great night of sharing wine, nibblies and design in my own store. Looking forward to meeting great new people who live to talk about wine and design. We will have lots of places to sit and hang out. Bring your favorite bottle of wine and some thoughts about room design. We will provide the glasses. We’re happy to announce that Peter Brooks of Bedford Brooks will be our featured designer at the party and starting Monday May 14 Peter Brooks and company will […]
Best Canadian Mobile Apps – Apple iTunes Lifestyle
Our team was thrilled yesterday when Apple got in touch to tell us that our free wine app has been selected as one of the Best Canadian Apps on iTunes. Thanks for all your great feedback and feature suggestions over the past three years. We’re busy working on some new ones that we think you’ll love! You can also find us under Apple’s Essential Apps Collection for Foodies and Pocket Sommelier. Cheers!
Importing Wine for Pleasure and Profit Seminar – Toronto June 16
When you were a kid, did you dream of owning a candy store? Now that you’re a little older perhaps you dream of owning a wine store or a winery or better still, travelling the world looking for great new wines. This is the job of a wine agent. Wine agents represent wine suppliers. Their role in the industry is to convince the Liquor Boards to buy wine from the suppliers they represent. It isn’t always easy; but, it definitely isn’t rocket science either and there are lots of great perks like wine travel and free samples. Thanks to your […]
Heredad de Baroja, Bellaria Assunto, Clos de Gat Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release May 12
By Gaby Israel The repeating question is what to do with so many wines and a limited budget. Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print and these are my recommendations in order of preference for an up-to $100 release budget: Spain – 2001 Heredad de Baroja Gran Reserva – $21.95 Bodegas Heredad de Barojas (named after a famous Spanish writer) started to produce wines in 1964. For me, nothing beats an 11 year old Gran Reserva wine from the spectacular 2001 vintage for $22.00. With the given budget, if you […]
More Magazine Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Four Women Leaders
I’ve been an avid reader of More since it first started publishing its classy, smart magazine five years ago. With the fifth anniversary, they did a complete redesign and I was happy to sign on on the wine columnist. On Thursday, I’ll join four women I admire immensely for a panel discussion that’s part of the celebratory activities: Rosey Edeh, ET Canada Host; Lisa LaFlamme, CTV National News Anchor; Suzanne Timmons, The Hudson’s Bay Company Director; and Bev Thompson, Canada AM Host. (I’ll be chatting with Bev earlier that day on her show about wines for Mother’s Day.)
Tempranillo and Garnacha Red Guitar: Spanish Version of Cotes du Rhone
By Travis Oke I don’t believe that anybody can dispute the fact that France is the King of wines – actually Queen is a better descriptor as it captures the beauty of French wines. Probably the Italians will argue the point, because they like to, but I’m okay with “debating” my Italian friends. However, lost in this is the role that Spain plays in Old World wines. The Spanish lay claim to two great varietals – Garnacha and Monestral – and interestingly, the French lay claim to the same grapes calling them Grenache and Mourvedre. However, it’s the Spanish approach […]
