By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print. This time I have arranged my recommendations based on preference. The value-for-money and GPCi are still, as always, my guide. Chile – Maipo Valley – Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – $17.95 One of my favourites in this release. I have had this wine before and have recommended it several times. One of the best Cab Sauv you`ll find for $18. Expect full flavours Cab and enjoy it with a good juicy steak. Wine Enthusiast rewarded […]
Wynns Riesling, Thomas George Pinot Noir, Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir Rose: Best LCBO Wines Vintages Release July 7
Here are my top picks from the July 7 Vintages Release. You can also get all 67 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. I’ve also posted my picks for everyday good value wines from the regular list of wines as well as the July 7 Vintages Release. 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 […]
Wine Marketing Brand Launch: Henry of Pelham Sibling Rivalry
In the video below, Daniel Speck shares a behind-the-scenes look at the incredibly successful launch of the wine brand Sibling Rivalry. How can you use consumer package goods marketing to such a fragmented, quirky and artisanal category like wine? In 1984, many people thought that the Speck family in Niagara was crazy when they ripped out their Concord grapes at their own expense and instead planted Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, they’re considered prescient for having been one of the first wineries in the region to make the leap to premium grapes and wine. Three […]
Tasting Pinot Noir, Tips for Writers Wine and Otherwise with Sideways Author
We continue our conversation with the author of the mega-hit wine book and movie Sideways, Rex Pickett, in the video below. Rex shares tips for aspiring writers who want to get published and we taste the famous Hitching Post Pinot Noir from the movie together. You’ll find part one of our conversion on the Sideways Wine Book and Movie here. You may also enjoy these video chats: Biodynamic and organic wines: do they taste better? Healthier? We chat with winemaker Ann Sperling, Southbrook Vineyards Social Media & Wine: Part 1 of Vintank’s Paul Mabray […]
Best Food (and Wine) Writing Story Collection
The editor of the annual anthology Best Food Writing got in touch yesterday to say that an excerpt from Unquenchable will be published in this year’s edition. The book collects the best food (and occasionally wine) writing of the year from magazines and books, such as Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential), Ruth Reichl (Gourmet Magazine), Gabrielle Hamilton (Blood, Bones & Butter), Frank Bruni (New York Times), Alan Richman (GQ), Madhur Jaffrey (Indian Cooking), and Colman Andrews (Saveur). It also includes food-related writing from “non-food” writers such as Calvin Trillin (New Yorker), Michael Lewis (Moneyball, Liar’s Poker) and Barbara Kingsolver (Poisonwood Bible). If […]
Sideways Wine Book and Movie: Pinot Noir, Rex Pickett and Yes Merlot
In this exclusive video interview below with Rex Pickett, author of the mega-hit wine book Sideways that was made into an Oscar-award-winning movie, we chat about his journey to publishing the book, how he learned about wine and why he loves pinot noir (not f****** merlot, as his character Miles would shout). Sideways is more than just a buddy road trip through California wine country with Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church. It touches on themes of love, friendship, career disappointment, loyalty, loss and of course, pinot noir. But before the movie, there was the book. A bestseller, Sideways […]
Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich Recipe with Gorgonzola, Roasted Red Pepper Paired with Liberty School Cabernet
This isn’t your average steak sandwich. Pair this recipe with a wine that offers lots of ripe red fruit flavours and firm, but silky tannins. A great choice would be Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 from the California’s Paso Robles region.
Vrede En Lust White Mischief, Valle Andino Syrah, Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon: Best Cellar Wines in LCBO Vintages Release June 23
By Gaby Israel Here’s my best cellar wines list for this release as a shopping list that you can print. Intriguing Wines Under $20 Spain – Rias Baixas – 2010 Nessa Albarino – $15.95 Since I tried this grape about 1-2 years ago, I never miss an opportunity to explore more of the fresh and, in this case, fairly priced Albarino. This is my #1 choice for whites for this release. Try it with anything that comes from the sea. Québec – St-Nicolas Brut Crackling Strong Cider – $16.95 This one is for my lovely wife. She loves Cider and […]
How are Wine Prices Set? Is Expensive Wine Better? Video Chat: Painted Rock, John Skinner
In this video above, we chat with Painted Rock Winery owner John Skinner about how wine prices are set, if expensive wines taste better than cheaper wines. Also: – can you buy a good wine for under $15? – can big wine producers make good wine? – how much government tax is in the price of each bottle of wine we buy? – what does the B.C. wine industry need to do better? Click on the arrow above to play the video (we’ve since fixed the microphone): John Skinner John Skinner had always dreamed of owning a winery, […]
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, Gemma Barolo, Quails’ Gate Rose: Best LCBO Wines Vintages Release June 23
Here are my top picks from the June 23 Vintages Release. You can also get all 77 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. I’ve also posted my picks for everyday good value wines from the regular list of wines as well as the July 7 Vintages Release. 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 […]
