If you haven’t had a chance to visit the new LCBO at 49 Spadina I highly recommend it. The vintages session is very well put together and rarely do I leave that store without finding something unique that isn’t available anywhere else in the city. While it would seem that...
Let’s call this post an epilogue on my visit to Oregon last summer. I drove from Oregon to Regina, Saskatchewan to finish off my summer road trip last year. I couldn’t resist making he pit stop in Walla Walla, Washington. Apart from being one of the most fun places to...
It’s January. We are all waiting to open our bills and recoil in horror. Here are some suggestions from local sommelier Krystina Roman to save the day, and the pocketbook. You may know Krystina as The City Wino (twitter:instagram) on social media. I am pleased to welcome her wine recommendations...
2014 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – $18.95 – I always look forward to the Family Tree wines from Henry of Pelham. The blend in this wine is 33% Syrah, 29% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Baco Noir. Syrah is definitely the dominant theme in...
2014 Young Brute – LCBO 434654 – ***1/2 – $18.95 – An easy drinking blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. To say this wine is fruit driven is an understatement. You can almost feel the very ripe aromas of Cherry and Blackberry climbing out of the glass the moment the...
2012 Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red – Vintages 247881 – $18.95 – ****+ – Juicy, ripe and delicious flavours of blackberry, dark plum, currant, and mocha with nice pepper on the finish. I last tasted this wine in 2014 and needless to say this still has a few years...
2012 Red House Wine Co Cabernet Shiraz – LCBO 219030 – $12.95 – This is a very good easy drinking red blend from the very hot 2012 Summer. This is not something you have to worry about cellaring, aging or storing just open and serve. Very fruit dominant with lots...
2013 The Empress Chardonnay – LCBO 346791 – $12.75 – This is sunshine in a bottle. Even though this wine only has 9 g/l sugar (this is very dry) you will share that this is off dry. Fruit flavours are bright and intense with Apple, Peach and Lemon. The finish on...
2013 Flat Rock Good Kharma Chardonnay – Vintages 356873 – $16.95 – This will make a perfect addition to your table for Thanksgiving. A portion of the sale from each bottle goes to help the Ontario Association of Food Banks. Feel good story aside, this wine easily outperforms its price...
At the beginning of Summer I had the opportunity to talk to winemakers from Fleur du Cap and Nederburg, two wineries in South Africa. There were more than a few gems in the wines that I tasted but the standout to me still remains the Fleur du Cap Chardonnay ($12.80,...
2012 Family Tree Red – Vintages 247882 – $18.95 – I have enjoyed every vintage of the Family Tree Red wines from Henry of Pelham, but this is a standout. Great black pepper and spice finish to this wine that is mostly Shiraz and lots of Cherry and Plum flavours...
April 16 is World Malbec Day! You have the opportunity to sample wines from Argentina at Roy Thomson Hall in an event that has been celebrated in over 40 countries. Tickets are $65 a person and can be found here: www.vintages.com/malbecday Why am I talking about Malbec day? Every week...
