You can access the 86 wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for May 2. These are just some of the benefits of supporting out wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the […]
Wine Girl Reveals the Wine World’s Dark Side and Hope for the Future with Sommelier Victoria James
Introduction What’s it like serving wine to celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus? How is being a sommelier different when you work at a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially when you’re just 21 years old? Why is the wine world still largely an old boys club and how does that impact the wines you drink? Which shocking ingredients might you find in some non-organic wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Victoria James, author, restauranteur and the youngest person in the world to pass the certified sommelier exam with the Court of Master […]
Have You Tried These Niagara-on-the-Lake Wines? (Video)
What a terrific chat we had about Niagara-on-the-Lake wines, simultaneously broadcast on Facebook Live and YouTube LiveStream. The YouTube version is posted above. On Facebook, we had 274 comments and another 64 reactions/shares for a grand total of 346 engagements, plus 4,600 wine lovers have watched the video so far: Niagara-on-the Lake Wine Facebook Live We had so much fun that we went live a second time on pairing food with Niagara-on-the-Lake wines both on Facebook and YouTube. Of course, the conversation continues on both posts, so feel free to comment there or below. All of these wineries are currently […]
Niagara Vine Laureate Klaus Reif: Ontario Wine’s Future
Introduction What profound impact does buying your local wine have on your economy? Why will supporting the “Free My Grapes” campaign improve your choice and access to wine? How have Ontario wines changed since the 80s? What are the biggest challenges facing the Canadian wine industry? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Klaus Reif of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Reif Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How is the younger generation of Ontario winemakers impacting the industry? How has the perception of Ontario wines changed since the 80s? What are the four […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings May 2
You can access the 103 wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for April 18. These are just some of the benefits of supporting out wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the […]
Dr. Laura Catena on Malbec, Wine’s Health Benefits and Winemaking in Argentina
Introduction Have you tasted an Argentine Malbec? Which foods pair best with Malbec? Why is Malbec more like Pinot Noir than Cabernet? What are the health benefits of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician and author. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How does Laura’s scientific approach to winemaking improve the taste of the Malbecs you drink? What is the significance of the pyramid-style of the Catena winery? Why is Malbec the flagship grape of Argentina? What differences can you see […]
Video Interview: “Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America’s Youngest Sommelier” author Victoria James
My guest is Victoria James, the author of two books, her most recent, a gripping memoir called Wine Girl, which has been on the national bestseller list for four weeks. She’s also the youngest person in the world to pass the certified sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers at just 21 and has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants ever since. Today, she’s the partner and beverage director at New York’s Cote Korean Steakhouse restaurant. Her journey to this stellar position, however, was a difficult one as the sub-title of the book alludes: The obstacles, humiliations, and triumphs of a young […]
What Happens to Wine with Salt or Lemon?
One of my students recently told me how much he misses going out to restaurants right now, and asked if there was anything fun and educational that he could try at home with wine. My mind immediately went to the salt and lemon taste test. You can try this too at home to see just how profoundly these two ingredients or garnishes can change the taste of your wine. Doing this tasting will also give you terrific insight on how to better pair your wine with a variety of dishes. These are the kind of tips that I teach in […]
Stave & Steel Wines Aged in Bourbon and Canadian Whisky Barrels
Steve & Steel Winemaker James Foster was raised on a family farm, the historic Roseland Plantation in Eufaula, Alabama, where they farmed peanuts, hay and cotton. James FosterWinemaker Although James grew up in Alabama, his father worked in the California wine industry, and James began to follow in his footsteps. Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 California, United States Great pairings include grilled burgers, ribs, steak and charcuterie. Curious about the winemaking process and inspired to learn more, he […]
Slow-Basted BBQ Ribeye Recipe Paired with Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon
SLOW-BASTED BBQ RIBEYE Thick-cut boneless ribeyes are seasoned with cocoa, sea salt and ground pepper, then basted in a Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon BBQ sauce for juicy taste and smoky-sweet-savory flavor. PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes PORTIONS: 4 SERVING SIZE: 1 beef ribeye steak INGREDIENTS: ½ cup Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon4 12 oz. boneless ribeye steaks½ cup smoky style BBQ sauce2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper2 tsp. sea salt METHOD: Prepare the Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon BBQ sauce: Place Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon and bbq sauce in a mixing bowl and whisk to […]
