Hats off to Steven Lifford & his team at Lifford Wine Agency for organizing a wine fundraiser on Feb 9 at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The details are still coming together, but it’s promising to be a fabulous evening. The Lifford team has created the web site, Eat, Drink and Give. There’ll be a silent auction that evening for which I’ve thrown in 12 signed copies of Red, White and Drunk All Over and 5 complementary one-year subscriptions to my wine reviews. On Twitter the hash tag is #eatdrinkgive and you can […]
Which Wine to Pair with 24?
The new season of 24 has started with a bang. Wine lovers are wondering not so much how Jack Bauer will get out of his latest predicament, but rather, which wine(s) to drink while watching the series. Until that’s settled, there’s no way we can focus on the plot. So here are some fun suggestions to kick things off from my wine friends on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere online: A tasty, and a challenging pairing! Probably something bianco & indigenous to Italy. Falanghina perhaps? @CityWineJournal I’m also thinking an Oregon Pinot might work… unassuming yet powerful (as in a Bauer […]
New Wine Reviews
Number of Wines Recommended: 56 Review date: January 23, 2010 The highlights in this Vintages release include: – 27 wines under $20 – Best value white: Vibrant, mouth-watering white from Argentina for pork and shellfish $13.95 – Favourite white: Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa with lime zesty goodness for vegetarian pizza, cornish hen, chicken wings 91/100 – Best value red (tied): Berry-ripe red from Chile for steak and hamburgers $14.95 – Best value red: Australian Shiraz with lip-smacking robust flavours of plums and berries for prime rib, beef stroganoff $15.95 – Favorite red: Classic Bordeaux for the cellar at a […]
Two spectacular BC wines in my Globe & Mail column
In my most recent Globe & Mail column, I’ve featured two Okanagan Valley blockbuster blends that are both coveted and collectible. You might open one tonight, but save the other for a few years. The first is … 2006 Burrowing Owl Meritage ($56) With enticing aromas of cassis, black plum, blackberries and coffeed oak, this one’s destined to become a cult classic. The plush layers of dark fruit will easily transform a dreary winter work-night into a celebration. It’s beautifully structured, with a finish that’s as long as the yacht you’re planning to buy. Score: 93/100 2006 Mission […]
New wine reviews for January 6 and 9
I’ve just posted a new batch of 63 wine reviews for January 6 and 9 with some incredibly tasty deals. There are more than 20 wines under $15, many of which taste like $30. Stock your cellar now and have a delicious winter. – Best value white: South African Sauvignon Blanc for a zesty aperitif or with seafood, vegetarian dishes and chicken $11.95 – Favorite white: Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that mind-blowing quality for the price ($12.95): Buy a case! 90/100 – Best value red (tied): Argentine Malbec Syrah with with fleshy plums for grilled lamb, steak $12.95 – Best value […]
Top 5 Bubblies to Celebrate New Years
Can you believe it that we’re already here at the end of 2009?! I’m looking forward to celebrating tonight with some excellent bubbly. Champagne is classic, but many regions around the world make sparkling wine. Here are 5 of my favourites: Poema Cava Brut, DO Penedès, Traditional Method, Spain: Toasty, zesty goodness with bubbles galore! Aromas of green apples, lemon-buttered bread, and limes. 121152 11.50% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 88/100. Santa Margherita Prosecco, D.O.C., Veneto, Italy: VC: Here’s a Prosecco with a surprisingly rich, toasted quality that translates into roasted almond, walnut and yellow fruit flavors. The toasted notes […]
Top 10 Best Value LCBO Wines Under $15
‘Tis the season for count-downs as we approach 2010! Here are my top 10 best value wines for 2009. These are wines that I thought offered amazing taste and quality for the money. I’d love to hear what your favourite value wines were this year. Here are my top 10 best value wines at the LCBO. What are yours? Post a comment here or e-mail me and I’ll add them to this list. You can find more details about each wine along with complementary recipes in my wine reviews. Here’s to a wine-soaked 2010! 2008 Ogio Pinot Grigio, […]
Buying the Best LCBO Wines
How do you buy the best wines at the LCBO? Can you find wines less than $20 that are tasty? Less than $15? How can you pair those wines with great dishes & recipes? Here are my tips to help you get the most from your shopping at the LCBO. It helps to understand the categories of wines at the LCBO: 1. General list: regularly stocked items, often in the store year-round and often moderately priced. This category includes the larger brands that have the production to fill most stores, most of the time. I recommend wines from this […]
Holiday Wines on CBC
Join me on CBC radio Tuesday, December 22 when we’ll be chatting about wines for the holidays with the hosts of the drive-home shows from coast to coast. Here are some more details. I’ll be posting theschedule of interviews as soon as they’re confirmed today, but we’ll be chatting about how to pair wines with holiday dishes and treats, from mince meat pie to chocolate Santas. We’ll also discuss how to choose the perfect wine as a gift for the wine lovers in your life. Join us! 3:00 QUEBEC CITY 3:20 VICTORIA 3:40 REGINA 4:20 WINDSOR 4:40 WINNIPEG 5:30 WHITEHORSE […]
Take the Holiday Wine Quiz and Win 1 of 5 Signed Books
Try your luck with this holiday wine quiz: only 5 questions and you could win 1 of 5 signed copies of my book Red, White and Drunk All Over. I’ll be drawing randomly from those who complete the quiz correctly so there’s still time to enter before December 24 at 5 pm! You don’t have to be a wine expert, pour yourself a glass and have fun with this wine quiz. There are only 5 questions: you can do it! E-mail me your answers at [email protected]. (You need only send me your list of 5 answers as your letter choices so […]
