You may have thought awards season wraps up with the Oscars, but it’s not over yet! Cuvée 2012 is here — and it’s the biggest celebratory weekend in the Ontario wine industry as it celebrates the best and brightest in local wine making. The weekend kicks off with tonight’s gala awards ceremony at Fallsview Casino,...
Currently in Toronto it’s freezing outside: howling winds, freezing rain alternating with driving snow, sub zero temperatures … in short, the present southern Ontario climes are making venturing outside for tonight’s yoga class very unappealing. What is winning the vote for how to spend this frigid evening, is wine and cheese on the couch while...
13th Street “Essence” Pinot Noir VQA Niagara Peninsula 2009 Available at the winery $45 13th Street only makes its “Essence” lable during exceptional years, with exceptional grapes; that gives them the freedom to pick the grapes that they think are showing really well to make these top tier bottles. It doesn’t always have to be...
Surprisingly, for girls who spend a considerable amount of time under the influence, we are fairly discerning critics. Wine bars — and just about everything else — must jump through some blazing hoops before getting The Wine Sisters Seal of Approval. So, after many, many nights of research carefully noting the atmosphere, service, food and...
There’s a lot more to March Break than sun, surf and sand. If you’re making a run for the border, leave some room in your luggage and get ready for a treasure hunt, because there are some steals, deals, and unique finds in wine shops across America. And this list will get you started in...
It’s always interesting to discuss cellaring wine — and all the pros and cons associated with it. We’ve talked recently about the importance of staying on top of your collection, and how it’s easy to let older bottles slip through the cracks in favour of the newer, shinier toys. You could almost call this blog...
This is how the morning was spent: searching through restaurants’ online reservation systems in vain trying to secure an increasingly elusive Valentine’s Day reservation at a reasonable time. Clicking through the time slots at about 10 different restos, it appears all that’s available are the 5:30 or 9:30 seatings — if anything is available at...
We’ve always wanted to learn how to shuck an oyster. There’s just something about the allure of the mollusk that filled us with the desire to get our hands dirty, but just like school girls chickening out of admitting their feelings to a high school crush, the overall process looked so daunting, we’d sit back...
Chateau des Charmes “Estate Bottled” Brut, VQA Niagara on the Lake NV $22.95 50% Chardonnay & 50% Pinot Noir make up this stylish and classy traditional method sparkling. Enjoy with roast chicken or grilled salmon. Monmousseau Crémant de Loire Brut Rose, Loire, France NV $16.95 A traditional method sparkling that bursts with flavours of ripe summer...
There’s something especially charming about Niagara when it’s covered in snow – things seem quieter, less hurried, and despite the cold, there’s always lots of warm hospitality. Do something good for yourself and use this month’s long weekend — or the wonderfully romantic excuse of Valentine’s Day — to escape to wine country to bring...
