Voodoo Vintners Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers Katherine Cole, who writes wine columns for the FOODday section of The Oregonian newspaper and MIX magazine, has just published her first book entitled Voodoo Vintners: Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers. It’s a terrific read and delves deep into the heart of biodynamic winemaking and farming. It’s also the first of its kind, not just because of its focus on Oregon, but also because of Katherine’s vibrant and insightful style. Her approach is so entertaining that you won’t even realize how much you’re learning about wine, including the more esoteric aspects of biodynamic farming, which […]
Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe Paired with Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007, Australia
Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb Paired with Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007, Australia French cut rack of lamb, encrusted with a blend of pistachio, herbs and Dijon, is the perfect partner for Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007. A blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre, the wine offers lots of intense fruit with a touch of pepper and spice. Fine tannins and good acidity allow the wine to stand up to the richness of this dish giving a full lingering finish. Serve the lamb with a side of herb roasted new potatoes. Serves 4 ( 2 ribs per person) […]
Finding the Best Cellar Wines in the Vintages Releases
Wine Logic for Cellar-Worthy Wines By Gaby Israel “WineLogic – where buying wine makes sense…” With so many incredible wines out there, are you confused as to what to buy? Should these be wines that got 90+? Should these be wines for cellaring? Should these wines have a good Quality to Price Ratio (QPR)? Does your wine budget require planning? If you answered ‘Yes’ to all or most of these questions, then this column is for you. Thinking of having 6 people over for dinner: you want to start with white and continue with red? (1 bottle can serve 5-6 […]
Stunning BC red wines from Cabernet and Merlot plus Robust Carmenere, Syrah, Pinot Noir from Chile in the August 6 Vintages Release of Wines
The August 6 Vintages Release features some terrific wines from Chile: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, carmenere, syrah and pinot noir as well as incredibly rich BC wines made from cabernet and merlot blends. There are also some robust red wines from California and the Rhone Valley, France. You can get all 62 wines that I’ve selected from varying prices, scores, food pairings, regions and styles. Make sure you pick some back-up choices from the full list in case some of these below are sold out. You can also put my Top Wine Picks into your custom shopping list by clicking on the little […]
Pairing Wine and Stages of a Relationship from Heartbreak to Courtship
I had fun recommending these wine pairings with different stages of a relationship for Curve Magazine… Though Natalie MacLean is about as sensitive to her wines as the average parent is to her children, she still manages to tackle this seemingly snobby, daunting and inaccessible subject with a lighthearted sense of humor that other wine writers sorely lack. Poetic but still down-to-earth, MacLean’s writing is as addictive as her subject itself. Her journey in pursuit of great wine began with an introductory wine appreciation course, and has since brought her to vineyards around the world, as well as to the […]
Summer is upon us and it is a great time to visit wine country!
Steven and Chris with winemaker Roberto Steven and Chris stopped by Reif Estate Winery last week to check out the new plantings of Pinot Grigio that are being cultivated for a future bottling of their white wine. The Trend Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio is a wonderful blend as the Chardonnay offers apple, lemon and pineapple notes while the Pinot Grigio provides a fresh acidity and minerality that is most refreshing on a hot summer day. After touring the vineyard Steven and Chris made a stop in the wine sensory garden to enjoy an artisan cheese plate and local charcuterie with our Reif […]
Cheese Charms As The Grill Heats Up and Wines are Served
Nothing beats a barbecue after a day of fun in the sun. But hungry tummies aren’t always patient as the grill gets ready. A tasty Canadian cheese platter paired with some refreshing wine will help keep the wolves at bay. For the main course, I’m going to suggest one of my favourite Mediterranean-inspired meals, Grilled Pork Chops and Zesty Sauce Vierge with Feta. But first, let’s talk about our tasty cheese starter. Serve the cheese one at a time, and pair it with the right wine as you go. For starters go with a semi-soft Victor et Berthold from Québec’s […]
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life September 17-25
The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is Canada’s most important HIV/AIDS annual fundraising and awareness event. This year, the Walk takes place from September 17-25, in over 50 communities across Canada. As many as 68,000 Canadians live with HIV/AIDS. Another person is infected every two hours. There is no cure or vaccine. That’s why people from coast to coast are walking this September to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and funds. More than half a million Canadians have participated in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. Santa Margherita is the Platinum Sponsor of the 2011 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life in Canada. […]
How to Host Your Own Wine Tasting
I find myself slightly envious of those who live downtown, surrounded by an endless supply of restaurants, patios, and other potential dining opportunities. Need a glass of wine? Just text a friend and hook-up in, say 20 minutes at the bistro around the corner. On occasion though, even these folks ask themselves: What would it take to host a wine tasting in my own home? I’ll let you in on a little secret; it’s not that difficult. Let me give you a few pointers, but first, some background: I don’t live downtown. In fact, I’m so far removed from the […]
Plan your food and wine vacation in BC with these tips
Sponsored Post British Columbia is one of the best places to spend a vacation filled with sipping local wines and sampling homegrown food. Check out BC trip ideas, which will tempt you to have a wonderfully indulgent summer. Here’s a snapshot of the trip ideas you’ll find: • Stop and taste award-winning Gewurztraminers along Corkscrew Drive near Penticton. • Try a blackberry port-style wine at a First Nations–owned winery on Vancouver Island. • Go on a chef-led tour through Vancouver’s Granville Island Public Market, where its stalls are filled to the brim with fresh fruit, vegetables, local meats and cheeses. […]
