Cabernet Franc is one of the five grapes in Bordeaux blends, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. You’ll find my top 10 Cabernet Franc reviews and ratings here. 5 Surprising Facts about Cabernet Franc: 1. Cabernet Franc is a thin-skinned, early-ripening grape with a lighter body and acidity than the robust Cabernet Sauvignon, but is more susceptible to spring frosts. 2. Cabernet Franc, along with Sauvignon Blanc, is actually one of the genetic parents of Cabernet Sauvignon. 3. In France, which boasts the most vineyard acreage of Cabernet Franc in the world, several regions […]
France Wines
Video: Which Wines for Turkey, Cranberry Sauce and Pumpkin Pie?
CTV’s Your Morning Host Ben Mulroney and chat about which wines to pair with your holiday turkey dinner, from appetizers and the big bird to side dishes and dessert. Happy holidays! Natalie Start with an aperitif As the heady aroma of the turkey wafts through the house, and sounds of Miracle on 34th Street come from the livingroom, offer family and friends an aperitif. This pre-dinner drink will whet their appetites before they sit down to the table. An excellent choice is a chilled dry sherry. Its nutty flavours go well with spiced nuts, olives, cheese and other pre-dinner […]
How to Pair Wine with Chips, Nuts and Snacks?
On Global Television’s Morning Show yesterday, we paired wine and snacks, from fish tacos to Sriracha chips from Loblaws’ President’s Choice Black Label line. Yes, there is a wine for sea salt giant corn nuts ;) . Click the arrow above to play the video. Wine: Yalumba The Strapper GSM Grenache Shiraz Mataro Food: PC 85% Cocoa Solids Extra Dark Chocolate Bar (100g): imported extra dark chocolate. Food: PC 70% Cocoa Solids Dark Chocolate: Irresistibly delectable, imported pure dark chocolate. Excellent for snacking or baking. […]
Pairing Romantic Movies and Wine for Valentine’s Day
On CTV News, Leanne and I chat about pairing wine with romantic movies for Valentine’s Day. Got a favourite that we didn’t include? Pairing Romantic Movies and Wine for Valentine’s Day Michael: As we look ahead to Valentine’s Day you may be interested in some wine pairings. Leanne Cusack and a very special guest aren’t suggesting pairings with food though, very interesting. Leanne: Not the typical at all, Michael. And not just wine and chocolate because Natalie MacLean, wine writer extraordinaire says, “Too ordinary for you right now”. Natalie: Exactly! Been there, done that. It’s time to pair wine with romantic movies […]
Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay Le Villa Loca Cocktail Recipe
Take a trip… from the comfort of your kitchen! Today we’re feeling a little bit Latin and heading for Italy, with a dish and cocktail by Charlotte Chalret and Gaetan Thabourin from the restaurant Agapé in Carcassonne. They have created artichokes in the El Padrino style (Artichauts façon El Padrino) and a cocktail called, “Le Villa Loca” made with Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay. Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2019 La Villa Loca Cocktail Serves 1 Put in a mixing glass: 4 ice cubes 1 oz. Cranberry juice 1 tsp. peach or apricot jam Lemon zest Mix ingredients […]
Beaujolais Nouveau arrives Thursday! Top 10 Food Matches
In our first video chat, Carol Anne and I discuss beaujolais nouveau wines to try this year. However, for those who want to try other easy-drinking red wines this week and during the holidays, we’ve got more suggestions above for you. On the third Thursday of every November, Beaujolais producers in southern Burgundy, France, release wine from the new harvest. More than 60 million bottles make their way around the world to bistros, bars and restaurants. Nouveau is a knock-it-back kind of wine to be enjoyed in the spirit of celebrating the harvest! Here are my top 10 […]
Pairing Wine & Charcuterie with Jennifer McLagan
Introduction In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Jennifer McLagan, an author and expert in charcuterie. Sometimes, I think we’ve become so paranoid about fat in our diets that we forget that not all fats are alike. Jennifer talks about those that are good for us, and together, we discover some terrific wines to pair with them. Enjoy! Highlights When did Jennifer realize she wanted to write about food? What is Jennifer’s favourite failure? How does Jennifer respond to people who are concerned about “healthy eating”? What was the best moment of Jennifer’s career […]
Randall Grahm: A Californian Blend of Wine, Wit and Wisdom
Introduction Randall Grahm was born in Los Angeles in 1953 and attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where he was a permanent Liberal Arts major. Sometime later he found himself working at the Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills sweeping floors. By dint of exceptionally good karma, he was given the opportunity to taste an ungodly number of great French wines and this singular experience turned him into a complete and insufferable wine fanatic. He returned to the University of California at Davis to complete a degree in Plant Sciences in 1979, where owing to his single-minded obsession with […]
Why is the Rosé Wine Revolution Happening Now? Elizabeth Gabay, Master of Wine, Knows (Video)
The tech gods weren’t cooperating with us for this chat as Liz’s audio was cutting in and out so we had a shorter chat than usual. We’ll reschedule Liz in the future. Our guest this evening is Elizabeth Gabay, And she joins me now, live from London, UK; welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Elizabeth Gabay! Want to know who our next guests are? You can find previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and to find out who’s coming up next. . Rosé: Understanding the Pink Wine Revolution With a degree in history and a […]
Organic and Biodynamic Wine with Thomas Bachelder
Introduction Thomas Bachelder is a Canadian winemaking superstar on a mission when it comes to cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After studying in France and having a successful winemaking career in Canada, Thomas started his own label where not only does he make wine in Ontario, but he also has vineyards in Burgundy and Oregon. The Bachelder project started with the 2009 vintage with the three terroirs series: Three regions; Three wines. As he describes it, the hands, techniques and the palates remain the same, only the terroirs change. Highlights When did Thomas realize he wanted to make wine? […]
