This article was first published June 18, 2013 Ah summer…hot, lazy, long days of endless sunshine! The perfect time to just kick back with a glass of cool, white vino! Not just any wine, though! You’ll want something that’s light, fruity, crisp and clean with little, if any, oak at all. Put aside those big, […]
When it comes to red wine, especially bigger styles like Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz, Malbec, Italian reds, etc., breathing time and aeration is so important. Giving them air opens up the wine allowing oxygen to mix in bringing out the subtleties and nuances. You’ll smell and taste much more. It also helps soften the […]
Where exactly does a wine get its character? Certainly the grape(s) used provide certain flavours, and the winemaker, with his or her personal winemaking style, somewhat dictates what the final wine will be like. However, there is something else that is far more important when it comes to what a finished wine will taste like. […]
Most of us enjoy relaxing with a decent glass of vino while listening to some music or watching a movie. It’s my view that certain wine styles and varietals go better with specific music and movies than others and studies have shown that music can change how wine tastes. Matching wine to music involves structure […]
One of the most intimidating aspects about wine is ordering it in a restaurant. This, by far, creates the most anxiety among diners. Here are some helpful tips to make ordering wine easier and less stressful. First and foremost, decide on what you want to eat. Then you can attack the wine list to see […]
Ah, pinot noir! Thou art so fickle. Aficionados of wine made from this iconic grape are well aware of its elusive and unpredictable nature. Why, you might ask? First and foremost, no two pinots are alike. So inconsistent in quality, it can be a real crapshoot as far as what you get in a bottle. […]
Happy New Year! Here are some interesting drink-related news items from around the world to start off 2016. Hard Root Beer Hold onto your mugs, folks, there’s a new drink on the market that’s taking off big-time. If you like root beer, then you’ll love the new “hard” version out there. It tastes just like […]
It’s a fact of life: some wines simply cost more than others. There are many reasons for this. Let’s start in the vineyard. Certain grapes are harder to grow and require more vineyard management like pruning, canopy control and bacteria/pest prevention. Older vines produce less – but better – fruit, and maintaining them is more […]
Inniskillin Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake has a great reputation and was the first winery started here in Ontario after Prohibition. Its success is mainly due to one of the co-founders, Donald Ziraldo, who is a pioneer not only in the Ontario wine industry, but in Canadian ice wine as well. In 2006, the winery was sold […]
On a recent trip to central Virginia wine country, I was really impressed with the region. It’s hard to believe that there are around 275 wineries in the state. Time spent there in search of vinous delights, culinary wonders, hospitality, and American history will not be disappointing. The central part of the state is a […]
