Aveleda - and the understated wines from Vinho Verde

Michael and André sit down outside on a hot summer day with Aveleda head winemaker Diogo Campilho to explore Vinho Verde — one of the wine world’s last great unsung values. Diogo breaks down the region’s fantastic and easy drinking whites, the rapid rise in red wine quality over the...

The First Wine on Earth: Uncorking Armenia with Diana Khandilyan

Michael and Andre sit down outside in 33°C heat with geophysicist-turned-wine-educator Diana Khandilyan to explore Armenia — home to the world’s oldest known winery (the Areni-1 cave, dated ~6,100 years). Diana breaks down Armenia’s geography (landlocked between the Caspian and Black Seas, bordering Turkey, Georgia, and Iran), the Soviet-era gap...

Chardonnay Redemption, Port Deep Dives & the Trouble with Wine Awards

Michael and André catch up on everything happening in Ontario wine right now — starting with an on-the-record correction: Michael does not hate Chardonnay (an amphora-aged Volta Chardonnay proved it). From there, the guys cover: You can support us on Patreon here – https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine … $5/month members NOW get exclusive...

Sassicaia is the name of the wine not the winery ...

Michael Pinkus and André Proulx record in downtown Toronto with Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido to unpack the history of Sassicaia and Bolgheri. Priscilla explains how Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, inspired by Bordeaux, began planting Cabernet in stony Bolgheri hill sites and originally made Sassicaia privately before...

Is Nikka From the Barrel redefining the global whiskey market?

Michael Pinkus and André Proulx welcome Nikka Global Director Koji and Export Manager Kuma to discuss Japanese whisky and taste Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts plus Nikka From the Barrel and the 40th-anniversary From the Barrel Extra Marriage. They cover founder Masataka Taketsuru’s role as the “father of Japanese...

Going crazy for Crozes-Hermitage

Tasting Together Season 3 Episode 16  – As wine aficionados, Miroki and André are always asked what is their favourite wine? If you don’t know André’s, you may have been sleeping on previous Tasting Together episodes. Miroki, however, has often said her favourite depends on her mood…until you see how...

From Vintage Chardonnay to Chinese Cabernet

Judging 130 Chardonnays, the Canadian Wine Library, and a Surprise Chinese Cabernet Gernischt André and Michael reunite over drinks after time apart, starting with André’s experience judging about 130 Chardonnays for the Experts Tasting alongside winemakers, sommeliers, and an LCBO rep, and his visit to the Canadian Wine Library at...

Did you celebrate Malbec World Day?

Tasting Together Season 3 Episode 15  – Argentinian Malbec is, without a doubt, a cornerstone for Canadian wine drinkers…Canada is Argentina’s 4th largest global export market! With Malbec World Day having recently passed on April 17th, Miroki and André are reminded about the quality that Argentine wines present for the...

Why do we hate the foods we hate?

Tasting Together Season 3 Episode 14  – If you look at all of André’s favourite dishes, you would think that chili would naturally be a part of his regular menu. Surprisingly, it’s not! Not for the combination of ingredients, but from a lingering, unpleasant childhood memory. Meanwhile, why did Miroki...