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

10 things to do in Ottawa this weekend – November 4-6, 2022

 Ernesto Cervini at the NAC When: Friday, November 4, 2022 Where: National Arts Centre,1 Elgin Street What time: 8 pm Admission: Starting at $34 • Click here to purchase tickets Born from the imagination of JUNO Award-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini and inspired by the incredible village from Louise Penny’s Three

Savvy Company introduces Ottawa’s first Artisan Cheese Festival

 On Saturday September 21, cheesemakers from across Canada will be gathering at the Canada Agriculture & Food Museum located at Ottawa’s beautiful Central Experimental Farm! This unique event, designed and hosted by Savvy Company, centres on sampling artisan cheeses and taking home real treasures that aren’t often found in grocery

It’s time to drink pink

 Enjoy every moment of sunshine this summer on your deck or dock with a glass of rosé wine in hand. Most winemakers around the world dabble with making a rosé wine to quench their thirst with grapes from last year’s harvest. “Grapes are grown throughout the year specifically to make

Putting Kingston on the Wine World Map

 Living in Ottawa, we know that an easy weekend getaway is a roadtrip to Kingston. With its small city vibe, historic limestone buildings along the waterfront, boutique hotels, restaurants featuring local cuisine and talented chefs, I ask you . . .What’s not to love about Kingston! Here’s a yet another

The making of a cidermaker

 Photo credit: Nicole Monkman Have you heard of Apple Falls, County Cider, West Avenue, Farmgate, King’s Mill or FieldBird? Mark my words, you will soon recognize these craft ciders as the cider industry in Ontario is soaring – like a rocket.  “People in the craft cider business are fantastic,” said

Clink & Drink Pink

 When the temperatures are rising, I think the best way to cool down is with a glass of Rosé wine. Crisp, dry & refreshing, with loads of floral aromatics & ripe juicy tastes that makes one glass turn into two…then a few more! Rosé wines are perfect for this time of

Dashing through the LCBO….

 It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Champagne, stunning gift boxes, ice wine, suggestions for “Holiday Gatherings” is what the final Vintages release of the year is all about. There are so many awesome products in this release that I have to remind myself of my meager budget of

The Coolest Canadian Gifts

 Welcome to Day 11 of the 25 Days of Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar. We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. With a year of celebrating Canada’s 150th milestone, there are a number of nifty gifts that would make

Discover what makes The County so cool!

 They’re ba-a-a-a-a-ck!  On Thursday April 20th, the 6th annual County in the Capital will be THE event in Ottawa to meet the makers of wines, spirits, craft beers & ciders all made in Prince Edward County.  And there will be artisan cheese as well as gourmet artisan goodies. Oh…so many bevvies to Try &

Cool Craft Ciders

 There was a buzz this summer that was different. It was the buzz about craft cider. The LCBO stocked shelves wide and high with different styles by local cider makers, and neat new ciders were taking over taps at restaurants. No longer is cider the alternative for those not partial

Clink & Drink Pink! The Rosé Report

 Back-to-school radio ad jingles are ringing in my ears reminding me that summer is winding down. Don’t let it be so! This summer has been absolutely fabulous. I am sure you too want summer to last forever! One way to make summer linger is by drinking Rosé. As we are

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 I’ve got one eye on the Olympics, and the other on my tasting notes. Canada's collection of medals is on the rise. I applaud our Olympic athletes; even volleyball never looked like this when I was in high school! OK…now to focus. This Vintages release at the LCBO is offering

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 This weekend at the LCBO features “Great Values for Summer” on the store shelves at Vintages and a real cool event that takes place in Niagara called “i4C” – the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration.  Years ago my husband and I attended this festival, set on the hills of lovely Tawse Winery in

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 Canada Day is just around the corner and what better excuse to stock up. I just returned from working abroad and when I went to my local LCBO to indulge in a few delights, I was astounded at the selection and choices: from reds to whites to fruity spirits and

Clink & Drink Pink! The Rosé Report

 Anyone else feeling like they’ve had enough of Sprinter (spring + winter) yet? It was a chilly start to the season, but at long last the flowers are in bloom. And we have the best ones picked out just for you: back again for a third year, we are delivering

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 Pop into your closest LCBO Vintages for the release on Saturday April 30 – just in time for Mother’s Day! you’ll find Pacific Northwest Wines, Aussie whites and interesting coloured  Rosés. There is something for every mum! I haven’t made the wine trek to Oregon but whenever wines appear from

Enjoying The County is Even Easier…

 The countdown is on!  County in the Capital Taste & Buy is happening in a few days! Just imagine….100+ wines, craft beers, ciders along with lots of artisan cheese & gourmet goodies – all made by the cool folks from Prince Edward County – will be available for you to try…and buy!

Your LCBO Shopping List for Easter Wines

 Easter is on its way! For me that marks that spring is around the corner. It is interesting to see some of the wines shifting in style while the seasons begin the change. I had the opportunity to sample a number of the wines in this spring-will-soon-be-here release of Vintages

Fan of Ice Cream? You’ll Love COWS Creamery Cheeses

 February is the time to celebrate LOVE – the love of artisan cheese, that is, through Savvy Cool Curds –Canada’s only artisan cheese-of-the-month club. We are udderly in love and absolutely crazy for the craft cow’s milk cheddars you’ll discover, sent with TLC from the hardworking team at COWS Creamery

Making Valentine’s Day Wine Shopping Easy

 The LCBO Vintages release of February 6 is celebrating Valentine’s, southern France and South Africa; talk about something for everyone. February has long been celebrated as a month of romance and there are all kinds of legends about who St. Valentine’s was and what he did but suffice to say

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 For someone who is not a winter person the LCBO Vintages release this Saturday Jan 23 are real perk me ups. This release features the dynamic duo of Argentina and Chilean wines and since Buenos Aires is on my travel list, it’s great timing. Not to mention there are fabulous

Kicking off 2016 with a special event…

 All photos courtesy of Savvy Company. You are in for a treat! Owner Jeff Aubry & winemaker David Sheppard from Coyote’s Run Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake will be showcasing a special selection of Estate and Rare Vintage wines for you to taste…and buy at Ottawa’s Orange Art Gallery. Join us to meet

You Drink It – We’ll Deliver

 On my fridge there is a magnet that reminds me: “so many wines, so little time.” The truth is that we are creatures of habit and despite so many options, it’s often easier to simply reach for a bottle of wine that we know. A friend called me recently and asked me to

Rosé Rules for Thanksgiving

 All photos courtesy of Savvy Company. Which wines will you be serving this Thanksgiving weekend? Harvest moon has certainly changed the weather to cooler autumn temperatures but…did you know rosé wines are considered by many – including our Savvy Sommeliers – the best wines to serve with any Thanksgiving feast.