Celebrate Ontario Wine: Discover the Latest Releases from the Grange of Prince Edward Winery

 Ottawa wine lovers know that Prince Edward County is close enough to provide an ideal weekend getaway or a leisurely vacation destination. The region offers numerous wineries, great restaurants and spectacular views of Lake Ontario. I recently zeroed in on wines from The Grange of Prince Edward Winery and was

Four Wines for Cozy November Nights

 Chilly November, with its skittish weather, calls for some self-indulgence on the home front. I’ve curated a list of wine suggestions so you can try something new in your glass this month. Grab your favourite blanket and curl up by the fireplace or watch your favourite re-runs. The weather outside

Fall Fun for Foodies – Wine, Cider, Liqueur and Lots of Pie!

 Fall is definitely here, and with it, our meals become heartier, with more roast meats and stews. Here’s a list of wines that will add pizazz to your fall cuisine, plus a new twist on preparing Veal Marsala and a suggestion for a great day trip for foodies. TRIVENTO PRIVATE

Greek Wines are Eternally Modern!

 Greek wines until recently have been relatively unknown in Canada. But happily for wine lovers, that is changing and we see more of them at the LCBO. They are well worth checking out! I was recently privileged to attend an exclusive Wines of Greece Masterclass, hosted at Buyers + Cellars

What’s a Lobster Roll? and Other Delicious Discoveries in New Brunswick

 A recent holiday in New Brunswick turned into a delightfully delicious culinary excursion. What started as a leisurely trip to my home province after several years away provided us with one happy discovery after another of seafood, craft beer and more smiling friendly faces than I could count! New Brunswickers

4 Wines to Grab for Your Labour Day Fun!

 The last long weekend of summer is coming up shortly. I’ve curated a list of wines to enjoy, whether you’re sitting on the patio during our next heat wave or having a cozy supper indoors during a rainstorm. These wines all represent excellent value, with most under $20.   ALBINO

Hot Tips for Summer Sips

 Summer is in full swing, and nothing is sweeter on a summer evening than sitting on the patio and watching the stars come out. Sharing a glass of wine with a friend is one of life’s great pleasures, too. Wine lovers know that wine is about hospitality. Here are my

Try Something New During the LCBO Strike

 The LCBO may be on strike, but happily, there are still lots of opportunities to buy wine. This is an ideal time to explore Canadian wines. Canada is blessed with many world-class wineries, from B.C. to Nova Scotia, and many will deliver right to your door. The Canadian wine industry

Wines to Celebrate Summertime!

 Summer’s here and we can finally enjoy all the fun the outdoor life offers. I’ve picked out a selection of wines that pair beautifully with a wide range of summery foods, from lighter fare like shrimp salads to barbeque favourites such as ribs. With Canada Day just around the corner,

Fantastic Wines for Fantastic Fathers!

 June 16th is Father’s Day, when we celebrate fathers and the many things they do for us. A meal shared with the family is a popular way to celebrate, whether that’s a barbeque at home, a picnic, a visit to the cottage or maybe brunch on the patio. Here’s a

Summer and Cider Make a Perfect Pairing

 It’s that happy time of year again, when we can fire up the barbecue, visit outdoor cafés or head to the cottage. With warmer temperatures and casual cuisine, ice-cold beer or cider really hits the spot. Today’s column looks at cider, which is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in
High Commission of India Flavours of India May 2024 event

A Festival of Flavours With the Indian High Commission

 THE EVENT! Recently, Ottawa food lovers were treated to an evening of tasting the flavours of India’s diverse regions at an Indian Culinary Festival hosted by the High Commission of India. Flavours of Bharat offered a unique opportunity to experience the many stunning styles of Indian cuisine, with a menu

Traditional Medicinals are More Than Just a Cup of Tea

 Enjoy Self-Care With Delicious Herbal Teas The beginning of March is an excellent time for self-care, a good time to renew our resolution to get in better shape, follow better eating habits and be more conscious about alcohol consumption. We’re somewhere between winter and spring in Ottawa for a few

Love and Chocolate to Melt Your Heart

 Chocolate. It’s the world’s favourite flavour! There are speciality chocolates for every occasion, and Valentine’s Day is one of them. Whether you celebrate romantic love on Valentine’s Day or you’re having a passionate affair with chocolate, I’ve got you covered, with sweet suggestions and dessert wines to melt your heart.

Argentina’s Mouthwatering Malbec!

 Rich, flavourful Malbec wines play a key part in Argentina’s vibrant wine and food culture. Earlier this winter, the Embassy of Argentina hosted a Malbec evening, which gave Ottawa wine lovers the opportunity for a deep dive into the world of winemaking in Argentina. The evening kicked off with a

A Whole Lot of Fun and it’s Edible Too!

 Did you ever make a gingerbread house as a child? Now, there’s a grownup version: a charcuterie house. This has to be the most fun and creative charcuterie board ever! It could be a log cabin — or a ski chalet — let your imagination run wild and have fun

Wines Under $20 for the Holiday Season From the Sunny South of France

 A recent sampling of France's Pays d'Oc wines provided me with a wonderful introduction to this winemaking area and I am happy to share what I learned. The great news is that these wines hit the sweet spot for your wine dollars. Just in time for the holiday season, they

Holiday Magic With Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Wines

 It’s not too early to think about gift wines for the holiday season. At my house, hints have been dropped about Alsace Grand Cru Riesling! These absolutely exquisite wines are perfect to share with family and friends or to give as gifts. Riesling is my favourite type of white wine;

Fireplace Wines for Chilly November Nights

 November is never a popular month. However, you can make it better by curling up by the fireplace on a chilly evening with a cozy blanket and treating yourself to a glass of good wine. Or you can plan a small dinner party with a couple of close friends before

Wicked Good Spirits for Hallowe’en

 Hallowe’en gives us all an excuse to indulge our sweet tooth. It’s not just for kids, either! Stores and bakeries are full of every sort of sinfully decadent candy and pumpkin-inspired dessert, so the temptation is just too much to resist. Perhaps there’s some leftover candy at your house, or

Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Sustainability at Santa Margherita Wines

 Sustainability. Carbon footprint.  These are terms that we hear often these days. But what do they mean when it comes to making wine? Italy’s Santa Margherita Wines is a pioneer and world leader in the field of sustainable wine production. They recently hosted their first Sustainable Retreat at the Drake

Wines to Put The Happy in Your Thanksgiving Dinner

 Many of us celebrate the harvest season with a special dinner in October. It’s relatively easy to choose the main course and fall vegetables to accompany it, but questions often arise about which wine or wines to serve. Here are several options to assist your planning and help you enjoy

Fall in Love With These Fantastic Canned Wines!

 It used to be that we looked down our noses at wine in boxes or cans. But that has all changed. Wines in cans and boxes are more environmentally friendly because they leave a smaller carbon footprint. They’re lighter than glass, making them easier and less costly to transport. They’re

Summer Wines for the Dog Days of August

 Patio season is in full swing, and we still have several weeks of fine summery weather to enjoy life outdoors. It’s so easy at this mellow time of year to get together with friends for a casual meal al fresco, and there are endless wine choices to pair with your

Red and White Wines for Canada Day Eh!

 On July 1st, we’re celebrating Canada’s 156th birthday!  It’s a national holiday and a perfect time to relax and enjoy the summer weather with friends and family, whether you’re at the cottage or at home, firing up the barbeque. Canada Day is an ideal time to pour a glass of