In the Annapolis Valley, you can practically feel everything growing around you. Rich green forests border mile upon mile of farmland, orchards, tangled fields and lush vineyards. It’s the type of beauty that makes people invest heavily in picnic baskets. It’s understood that if you’ve never visited, you should call your travel agent immediately, but failing that, the right cheese and wine pairing can deliver a delicious little piece of this Canadian paradise. In a particularly green corner of the valley, next to a herd of grazing Holsteins you’ll find the Fox Hill Cheese House. Using milk from their own […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 51 Review date: May 15, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 17 wines under $20 – Best value white (tied): Floral Argentine Torrontes for shellfish and vegetarian dishes $13.95 – Best value white (tied): Tasty Chilean Viognier for cashew-chicken stir-fry $13.95 – Favourite white: Stunningly rich Burgundian Chardonnay for pork roast and lobster in butter 93/100 – Best value red: Full-bodied French Syrah for hamburgers, meat lovers’ pizza $11.95 – Favourite red: A silky, fleshy BC Pinot Noir for planked salmon 92/100 – Best Value Rosé: Classic French rosé for grilled Portabello […]
Summer Concerts Amid the Vines
During the spring, summer, and fall Tinhorn Creek Vineyards offers various events from relaxed barbecues to Shakespearean plays in an outdoor amphitheatre set amid the vines. No event is more anticipated by the locals than the Tinhorn Creek Canadian Concert Series. Every year for the past 10 years, we have brought in bands for both locals and visitors to enjoy. On the fourth Saturday of each month from May to August you will find the Tinhorn Creek amphitheatre packed with concert goers enjoying live music while sipping the award-winning wines of Tinhorn Creek. It is one of the best entertainment […]
New Wine App Featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine
Just got my June copy of Canadian House & Home Magazine, and was thrilled to see the new wine mobile app featured in this issue! I love the recipes and home decor ideas in this magazine, so it’s such an honor for the new food and wine mobile app to be included in it. Now I’m off to organize my closets, inspired by the serenity of everything in its place in the magazine! Cheers, Natalie
Star Sommelier Reveals Wine Pairing Secrets
Here’s my second profile of a star Ottawa sommelier from the current issue of Ottawa Magazine, the sister publication of Toronto Life. You can read about the first sommelier, Grayson McDermid here. Janet Fraser Allium Restaurant 87 Holland Avenue 613-792-1313 What made you decide to become a sommelier? I was lucky enough to get a job bartending two nights a week at Beckta Dining and Wine in 2005. I always had a great passion for wine and food. I realized quickly that I was completely out of my comfort zone and how much I wanted and needed to […]
Life is short. Enjoy it! Part 2
Some people collect fine wine. I can certainly appreciate cellaring certain bottles of wine for special occasions – but not everything. Some wines are made with the intent of them continuing to mature and gain complexity while being cellared. Most are not! Most wine is ready to consume as soon as it is bottled. If you want to try cellaring to see how it changes a wines’ complexity – then I suggest you purchase several bottles (or a case) of the same wine. Before you do this, consult with the staff at your local wine store, or do […]
Bubbly & Bruschetta with Soft Eggs and Lobster
For all that she’s done, the mother in your household or in your life deserves a bit of luxury on Sunday morning. A brunch featuring Bruschetta with Eggs and Lobster should fit the bill nicely. It’s a celebratory riff on scrambled eggs on toast, with rich cream cheese, regal lobster, and, if you have it handy, a drizzle of truffle oil on top. (Lobsterphobes could substitute another seafood preference — smoked salmon, shrimp, crab or white fish — or opt for none at all, given that the cream cheese is decadent in itself. ) The Wine: Sumac Ridge Tribute Sparkling […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 36 Review date: May 1, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 16 wines under $20 – Best value white: A zesty Australian white for salads, chicken $14.95 – Favourite white: A rich, buttery Prince Edward County Chardonnay for roast chicken and corn dishes 90/100 – Best value red: A black plum-rich French Syrah for lamb, sausage, hamburgers $13.95 – Favourite value red (tied): A Spanish Tempranillo for roast leg of lamb $13.95 – Favourite red (tied): A top-notch Rhone Valley red for steak, brisket, lamb 92/100 – Best Value Rosé: Bone-dry French […]
Life is short. Enjoy it!
While I am sure that some people would consider it enjoyable to admire a beautiful display case full of the best crystal – wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to experience a beautiful wine out of one of those wonderful crystal glasses? Have you ever heard anyone say, “Oh no, not those wine glasses, those are for special occasions only"? Don’t do it! Use that fine crystal, enjoy that fine bottle of wine, celebrate everyday. There is something about swirling wine in a beautiful glass – which is designed to bring out the best of the bouquet – the way it […]
Austrian Wine Fairs in Toronto and Calgary
Don’t miss the Austrian Wine Fair in Toronto April 28 and Calgary April 29. More than 200 wines will be poured providing an excellent overview of the country’s offerings. Details: Austrian Annual Wine Trade Fair Toronto, April 28 Rosehill Venue Lounge, 12 to 4 p.m. Click here for your invitation. For more information and to register, please call the Austrian Trade Commission at 416-967-3348 or e-mail [email protected]. Featured Producers: Weingut Andert Weingut Angerer Kurt Weingut Gerald und AndreaDiem Weingut Meinhard Forstreiter Weingut Stift Göttweig Weingut Stadt Krems Weingut Gernot und Heike Heinrich Winzer Krems eG Weingut Huber Weingut Huber […]
