Wine Book and Bottle Pairings for the Holidays: CTV News at Noon

In the first of our two-part conversation, Leanne Cusack, host of CTV News at Noon, and I chat about six terrific book and bottle pairings that you can give as a gift set this holiday … don’t forget to treat yourself too! Here’s part two of our conversation, with more pairings, later today.   Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage Champagne Champagne, France A.C. Notes of green apples, orange zest and white peach on the nose with toasty goodness through the core and finish. Try the ultra-shabby chic combo here between French Champagne and a bucket of KFC chicken. Why wait for New […]

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Video: Penfolds Wine Tasting of Grange, RWT, Magill, Bin 707

Penfolds’ DLynn Proctor Captivates the Audience   What a spectacular evening writer Rachelle O’Connor and I had with DLynn Proctor, Brand Ambassador Penfolds Americas, as he guided us through a fascinating and entertaining tasting of Penfolds’ most iconic wines and vintages, including the 2002 flagship vintage of Grange.     We broadcast 7 Facebook Live Stream videos in real time to capture the entire event at the Cordon Bleu’s Signatures Restaurant, and to include people coast to coast via social media who could not attend in person. Don’t miss DLynn’s answer to a final question in the this video … […]

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What Makes You Smile? Win 1 of 100 Prizes with Lindeman’s Wines

What makes you smile? Time with family, getting together with friends, moments of real connection. Enter this Lindeman’s Wines Contest, and you could win one of 100 prizes that will make you smile.     You can also watch videos of smile moments. Lindeman’s Wines are part of those smiles in 100 countries around the world, 80 million times a year. #WhatMakesYouSmile Lindeman’s Bin Series It was in the 1980s that Lindeman’s most well-known wine was created. Lindeman’s iconic Bin 65 Chardonnay was launched in Canada in 1985 in response to the popularity of Lindeman’s approachable and fruit-driven style of […]

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Wolf Blass Wines: Here’s to the Chase Video

Sponsored by Wolf Blass Wines Triumph doesn’t just happen. It comes about because we, as humans, boldly chase it. A chase we proudly celebrate. So here’s to it. Here’s to the chase. Follow more videos and wine tips on Twitter at the hashtag: #HeresToTheChase Share this post on social media with the hashtag above and copy @WolfBlassWines. Enter the Contest You can also enter to win one of 100 Wink Home Hub Systems, retail value of $100. You can enter this contest here on CBC’s site for the Next Generation Dragon’s Den television show. Fill out the form and submit […]

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Eat, Drink and be Wary: The Prose & Cons of Wine Shows

The Ottawa Wine and Food Show is the opposite of the Betty Ford Center: lots of booze and free advice, but no beds. (Why isn’t there a napping booth?) It arrives just in time to launch my fall re-toxification program: I come from a long line of hard drinkers, and a summer of sound sleep, diet and exercise has made me irritable. In the exhibit hall, gastronomic gusts waft up and over me from different corners — some carrying alcohol laced with spicy meatballs, others sweat and cheese, new leather and yeasty crackers, perfume and vanilla waffle cones. Sounds, too, […]

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Cheddar Onion Butter on Steak and Corn Recipe Paired with Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheddar-Onion Butter on Steak and Corn on the Cob Imagine this: a grill stacked high with juicy burgers, sizzling steaks, and corn on the cob. Sounds delicious right? But I’ve got a recipe that will take your grill skills to the next level, Cheddar-Onion Butter on Steak and Corn on the Cob. The sharpness of Aged Canadian Cheddar gives this dish the kick it needs. Just throw together some butter, chopped kale, onion, pecans, and of course some delicious Aged Canadian Cheddar, then refrigerate. Once finished I like to spread it on corn, steak, and even toasted bread. Mature cheddars […]

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Jane’s Gems: 90 Point Wines in LCBO Vintages August 8

By Jane Staples The LCBO Vintages August 8 Release offers an exciting collection of wines from the Pacific Northwest, namely British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. All three regions have undergone dramatic changes over the past five years, making great stride in both quality and diversity of the wines they produce. Yet the three regions are also vastly different, despite the fact they’re often grouped together geographically in the wine world. Oregon winemaking has its roots in the 1970s, and has since taken the silky, medium-bodied red wine, Pinot Noir, to great heights. Now it also produces a zesty white wine […]

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LCBO Wines on Sale: Bargains and Best Buys May 2015

Sponsored Post by Philippe Dandurand Wine Agency You can get the complete shopping list of these wines in your closest liquor stores here.   [yellow tail] Big Bold Red 2014 New South Wales, Australia Regular Price: $13.95 Sale Price: $11.95 May 1 to May 25           Georges Duboeuf Gamay 2013 Beaujolais-Villages, France Regular Price: $13.95  Sale Price: $12.95  May 1 to May 25         Frescobaldi Remole 2013 Tuscany, Italy Regular Price: $12.95  Sale Price: $10.95  May 1 to May 25         Roodeberg 2013 Western Cape W.O., South Africa Regular Price: […]

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Wolf Blass Yellow Label Wines Go Regional

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Brut Sparkling White South East Australia Green apple fresh with zesty lime. Terrific bubbly for this price. Perfect for any large festive gathering. Alcohol: 11% Sweetness: Extra Dry Drink: 2015-2017 Score: 88 Price: $17.95 LCBO #: 708290   Smoked Chicken, Pancetta and Roasted Pear Pizza Recipe Makes:  2 pizzas Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 2 brown pears (Beurre  Bosc) ½ cup Wolf Blass Yellow Label Padthaway Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 1 tablespoon brown sugar 50g butter 2 large par-baked plain pizza bases 250g grated mozzarella cheese 8 thin slices pancetta 1 smoked […]

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New LCBO Wines and Limited Time Offer Sale: April 2015

Sponsored Post by Delegat Canada Wine Agency You can get the complete shopping list of these wines in your closest liquor stores here.     Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough, New Zealand Regular Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $16.95 March 30 to April 26       Oyster Bay Merlot 2013 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand Vintage Release April 4  In stores while stock lasts     Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2013 Marlborough, New Zealand Vintage Release April 18 In stores while stock lasts       Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2012 Barossa Valley, Australia New Vintage Release April 18 In […]

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