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One This Afternoon, One This Evening
People often ask me if there really is such a thing as afternoon wines and evening wines. The simple answer is no, you can drink whatever you like at any time you want, but there are some wines that make better sense at certain times of the day. For instance,
The Two Faces of Grigio
The buzz-grape in the world of wine over the past few years has been Pinot Grigio... but Grigio is a style and one that has been bastardized in favor of the trend. Pinot Grigio is Pinot Gris in an Italian style, which means crisp and citrusy. Pinot Gris is a
Privacy and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario
What started out as a simple privacy commissioner complaint has turned into a constitutional challenge of the validity of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) – and this time the Board has only itself to blame for the brouhaha, proving once again that Ontario’s LCBO is so far out
Another Spanish Kiss
I know I promised you some New Zealand wine this week, and I now promise you that next week I will deliver… but last week I gave you a little kiss from Spain and just a day after I wrote that piece, someone reminded me of an even deeper kiss
A Wickedly Good Rhone Wine
One of my favorite parts of my job is teaching. I like giving seminars and talking to/with people about wine, answering their questions and giving them the straight goods about wine. I don’t believe in couching wine in terms people don’t understand or giving descriptors that only a handful of
Climbing the Ladder of Torres
Torres is a name you should recognize – a very prominent wine producer out of Spain with many parcels of land growing different and sometimes unique varieties – especially for Spain (Pinot Noir anyone?). My parents don't
California’s Last Hurrah
I’ll be quite honest with you here. I’m a little tired of California and her wines at the moment. That’s because, at this time of year, they do a big push at the LCBO leading up to the California Wine Fair held across Canada. The California wine fairs in Ottawa
Through All the Bad-Mouthing, Merlot Still Makes a Great Wine
It’s the grape that takes the brunt of all the bad jokes about wine – culminating in that famous line from Sideways when Miles proclaims: “I’m not drinking any fuckin’ Merlot” … they say that movie single-handedly brought the sale of California Pinot Noir up and tanked those of Merlot.
California Chardonnays: Magic on the Palate!
It’s going to be all California all the time at the LCBO this month. You’ll hear radio ads, see billboards and be confronted by all things California at your local liquor store. It’s a good thing for all you California wine fans, bad if you like drinking your wine from
March Wines for All Weather Conditions!
As we pull into March, it’s time to look at some wines that are good for cool weather and yet are diverse enough to handle what lies ahead. My friend used to say “March is a b*t*h” – he went on to explain that March was the only month where
Looking to Western Canada for Chardonnay
I know we’re in the depths of winter here in Ontario – coming out of one of the worst snowstorms in more than a decade… which is why I thought it best to look ahead to the warm days of spring – or at least talk about wines that’ll put
Valentine’s Day Sparkles for Not a Lot of Bread
For those aware of traditional bubbly, the title of this blog should give them a little chuckle… for those who are unaware, allow me to let you in on the secret: traditional method bubbly (that has its secondary fermentation in the bottle, can often smell like fresh-baked goods, especially bread;
Abbotts & Delaunay Wines Are Worth Seeking Out
There’s a myth in Ontario that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario is the only place to buy imported wines… while it’s true the LCBO owns the monopoly on single-bottle buying, there are these guys (and gals) in flannel suits called agents who also bring booze into the province –
Less Cash . . . Here’s What to Stash
There is a handful of great discoveries to be found among the ruins of LCBO’s leftovers from the pre- Christmas push. Some of these wines should be purchased in bulk (three or more), starting with a lovely German Sekt, Schloss Wachenheim Riesling Trocken Traditionelle Flaschengarung ($16.95 - #301366). It’s unusual
A Taste of Oregon — Sort of . . .
Sadly, we don’t see a lot of Oregon wine here in Ontario. If you go to the LCBO website and type “Oregon” into the search box, you’ll find a grand total of six wines; if you refine this product search with an “advanced search” for “USA – Oregon” you’ll come
A Hidden Chilean Gem Left Over from the Holidays
Ninquen is the second property that was acquired by Montgras between 1998 and 1999, but let’s back up a bit and talk about the main company first, before we find out what Ninquen is about. Montgras was founded by Hernan Gras in 1993… and as it turns out Mr. Gras
Masi’s Flagship Wines: “Some of the Best I’ve Tasted”
I recently had a chance to taste two of Masi’s wines side by each… You’ve probably all heard of Masi or at least seen their bottles on the shelves at the LCBO – and I’ll be honest, I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t had at least one of their wines at one
Bubblies! – Everything you want from a bottle of Champagne
Many of you probably started the year with a glass of bubbly… many even went as far as to blow the usual budget on wine and opted for a French Champagne. As for myself, I opened a bottle of Louis Roederer Brut Premier ($68.95 - #268771). It is everything you
Something “Completely Yummy”: 2011 Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
I’m going back to Chile for the second week in a row and once you put your lips on a glass of this wine, you’ll realize why I am recommending it. You see, just recently in Toronto, the Chileans came to town and held their annual Grand Tasting, which they call Discover
Thirst Impressions: Piedmont or Bust
As usual, we'll look back at a few releases before we sample the newest bottles on Vintages’ shelves. The October 13 release had one for those of you who like sparkling wine but aren't big fans of the price of Champagne. Head a little south of Champagne to Burgundy for
A Very Good Pinot Gets Even Better for a Few Weeks: Chanson 2010 Le Bourgogne
This week, we'll swing on down to France and look at the signature red grape of Burgundy. Pinot Noir is a seemingly love-it or hate-it grape. Some dig the earthy, barnyard, almost musky scents of a good Pinot Noir can give off – others shy away, saying that the wine
Pink Bubbles with a Cause: Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Rosé
It’s October and that means that the colour pink is all the rage… it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and from football players’ shoes to towels, candles and Five Hour Energy drinks, everybody jumps on the “Breast Cancer Awareness” bandwagon by tinting their product pink. I’m a guy. I like wine and I
A Simple Pleasure: Portuguese Red
Portugal is one of those region in the world that is the most misunderstood ... quite simply it's because the average consumer does not recognize the grape varieties on the label, that is if there is a grape variety listed on the label at all. Portugal is known more for
A New Zealand Riesling that Really Packs in the Flavour
When most people think of New Zealand wines they think of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir - in fact New Zealand's second biggest imported wine is Pinot Noir - but you probably don't think of Riesling coming from the little island nation south of Australia, but New Zealand is doing
An Italian Gem from Banfi at Under $16.00
Did you miss the September 1st release of the Castello Banfi 2010 Centine, I sure did, but I'm glad I got a chance to taste it now. I was at a Banfi tasting seminar earlier this week and amongst the 40 and 60-plus dollar bottles of wine was this gem
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