Canada may have been built on beer and whisky, but on National Drink Wine Day, let’s raise a glass to wine. It’s become the drink of choice for many, so we’re going to uncork some fascinating facts about this ancient beverage that dates back more than 8,000 years.
Joining us today is Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.
Welcome, Natalie.
Great to be back with you!
Natalie, you’re going to put me to the test today. For each wine we taste, you’ll share a fact or fiction about wine generally. I’ll guess whether it’s true or false, and then you’ll reveal the correct answer.
You got it! Let’s start with this the alcohol-free Noughty Sparkling Wine with aromas of fresh peach and green apple.
Noughty Sparkling Wine (Alcohol-Free)
Germany
These wines are available from www.softcrush.ca.
Here’s a wine fact or fiction for you to consider as you enjoy it: The ancient Romans used lead-lined vessels to sweeten their wine. True or false?
That is absolutely true! The Romans had a sweet tooth, but they unknowingly poisoned themselves in the process. Thankfully, we have far better winemaking methods today.
What’s next?
I have a beautiful Pelee Pink Rosé from Pelee Island, Ontario. Feel free to smell or taste it.
Pelee Pink Rosé
Pelee Island, Ontario
This Ontario rosé bursts with aromas of wild strawberries and watermelon, with a crisp, dry finish that’s perfect for sipping solo or pairing.
I’d pair this with blush of dawn, a dish of poached salmon with a drizzle of citrus-infused olive oil, served alongside a delicate fennel and grapefruit salad that wakes up the palate with its refreshing brightness.
Here’s your next question: White wine can be made from red grapes. True or false?
That’s true! If you remove the skins early, even red grapes can make a white wine. That’s exactly how blanc de noirs Champagne is made using Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier. For Rosé, you leave the juice in contact with the skins for a little while until you achieve the shade of pink you want.
I see you have another beautiful bottle of rosé. Tell me about it.
Feel free to smell or taste this gorgeous rosé from the Languedoc in southern France. If a summer breeze had a taste, this would be it.
Cotes des Roses Rosé
Languedoc, France
This wine is a summer breeze in a glass, with delicate notes of red berries, citrus zest, and a whisper of floral aromatics. Cote des Roses is what happens when a wine doesn’t just taste good—it feels good. Light, lively, and as effortless as a French scarf toss.
I’d pair this with sunset glow, a dish of grilled shrimp kissed with lemon and garlic, set atop a bed of quinoa and roasted red peppers that add a smoky depth to each bite.
Moving on to a bold red from Ontario.
Feel free to smell or taste this Best in Show Cabernet Sauvignon from Pelee Island, Ontario.
Best in Show
Pelee Island, Ontario
This Cabernet has been getting rave reviews from critics and scores of 95 points. And it’s only $13. It’s in the LCBO now.
It’s rich with notes of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and a hint of cedar spice. I’d pair this with velvet embrace, a dish of herb-crusted lamb chops, oven-roasted to a tender perfection, accompanied by a warm beet and goat cheese salad drizzled with balsamic reduction.
Here’s a tricky one for you: The most expensive bottle ever sold was a 1945 Romanée-Conti, fetching an astounding $58,000 at auction in 2018. Fact or fiction?
I made this extra tricky! That wine did sell at the highest ever price in 2018, but it wasn’t $58,000, it was $558,000. That vintage is legendary, and with only a few bottles in existence, the price skyrocketed. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a fabulous bottle of wine as we’ve just seen with Best in Show.
Do you think the following is true or false: Dutch inventors adapted military bullet-removal tools to create the first corkscrews in the 17th century.
This is true! It’s a reminder that some battles are worth fighting, and some are better resolved over a glass of wine.
What’s next?
Feel free to smell or taste this elegant rosé from Provence. Miraval is fresh and lively, with notes of wild strawberries, white peach, and a touch of saline minerality. It’s made by the famous Perrin family who also make Chateau Beaucastel.
Miraval Rosé
Provence, France
I’d pair this with coastal dream, a dish of seared scallops with a squeeze of Meyer lemon, nestled on a bed of arugula and shaved Parmesan, bringing a harmonious balance of richness and brightness.
The indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle, called a “punt,” was originally designed to trap sediment. Fact or fiction?
Fiction! The punt actually helped strengthen hand-blown glass bottles back in the day. Today, it’s more of a stylistic choice. You’ll note the Miraval has quite a deep punt.
What our final wine?
Etter Marquette
Navan, Ontario
Yes, I have the Etter Marquette from Clos du Vully in Navan, Ontario. It’s a smooth, medium-bodied red with tart cherry notes.
Here’s your last question: Which wine did you like the best?
Natalie, these suggestions are fantastic! Any final words of wisdom for our viewers?
“When it comes to choosing the perfect wine, there are no right or wrong answers, just drink the one you like.”
Thank you, Natalie! Where can we find you and these wines online?
On Instagram, you can find me posting wine reviews and tips at:
Online, my website is nataliemaclean.com.
Posted with permission of CTV Morning Show.
