Here are my top two wine picks for Father’s Day in the Ottawa Citizen. Wine writer Natalie recommends two full-bodied wines on her site at www.nataliemaclean.com for Father’s Day. She gives 90 points out of 100 to the Cantina Negrar Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Veneto, Italy (LCBO No: 44784, $34.95). “It’s a juicy, full-bodied red, loaded with black fruit goodness,” she notes. “There are some fleshy black plum notes that dance along the background yielding to supreme satisfaction, especially for dedicated fathers who attend both ballet recitals and basketball games.” MacLean also gives 90 points to the the Quinta […]
Oregon’s Peak Destinations for Food, Wine and Golf
Nestled in a pastoral Oregon valley between the Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range lies some of the best cool-climate wineries in North America. While some would say the terroir of the Willamette Valley rivals that of Burgundy, that claim can only be tested when tasted. There are seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the Willamette Valley and these diverse areas are home to over 800 wineries with the vast majority in the hills of the north. For the most part this region is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals with a growing reputation for Pinot Gris, […]
The Use (and Abuse) of Wine Scores with Vino Mike and Pete on That Wine Pod
Introduction How does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? How can you drink better wines by finding a wine critic whose style you like? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Why is taking an online wine course often better than an in-person course? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m sharing a conversation I originally had with Pete & Vino Mike on their podcast, That Wine Pod. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What’s my take on the best wine? Why should you […]
CTV News: New Online Live Video Wine Course
Leanne and I chat about about my new online wine course . Do you want to feel confident about wine? You can find out more about this very personal and interactive series of live video wine workshops here. Henry of Pelham Winery Cuvee Catharine Rosé Brut Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne Champagne A.C., France Oyster Bay Sparkling Wine Marlborough, New Zealand […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings May 16
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 […]
