Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Tasting Video

Cabernet sauvignon is the focus of the short wine tasting video below. Discover why cabernet sauvignon is the world’s best known red wine, what sauvignon means and terrific cabernet sauvignon and food pairings.     Bordeaux is the benchmark for cabernet sauvignon but many regions around the world also make this robust red. Taste along with me and see the difference in style between Old and New World cabernet sauvignon.   Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20 Top Rated Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon and Food Pairings   Mouton Cadet 2010 Bordeaux, France Jackson-Triggs Reserve Series Meritage 2010 Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario     […]

read more …

Read More

Shiraz Syrah Wine Tasting Video

Shiraz and Syrah wines are the focus of the video tasting above. Both come from the same grape clone, but different regions around the world have chosen one name or the other and produce different styles of this robust red wine. The wines tasted in this video include:   Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres, Rhone Valley, France McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz, Australia The Stump Jump D’arenberg Wines, Australia Best Shiraz Under $20 Top Rated Shiraz   What’s the best Shiraz or Syrah that you’ve ever tasted?  

read more …

Read More

Wine + Seafood Pairing Video: Food Network Star Michael Smith

In our second video chat below, Food Network star Michael Smith talks about his take on food and wine pairing, especially with seafood. Michael’s laid-back approach to all things wine and food is part of his success. You’ll note his conversational tone in this video … it’s as though we’re sitting at his kitchen table enjoying a good glass of wine. Find out why Michael is especially keen on wines from B.C.’s Okanagan Valley.     What’s your take on pairing food and wine? Which wines pair best with seafood? Which don’t? What’s one of your most memorable wine and […]

read more …

Read More

Chef Michael Smith’s Passion for Wine: Video

Michael Smith, one of Canada’s best-known chefs, hosts the Food Network show, Chef Michael’s Kitchen, and is author of six bestselling cookbooks. In the video chat below, he joins me from his home in Prince Edward Island to talk about his passion for food and wine.         How did your passion for food and cooking start? What was the first wine you tried? Which wines do you usually drink for pleasure? Why do you buy Canadian wines? Do you have wine with dinner most nights? If you could share a glass of wine with anyone, living or […]

read more …

Read More

Recipe: Homemade Nachos and Cottage Cheese Dip with Chianti

Add some sophistication to your St. Patrick’s Day Celebration St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a Sunday soiree full of good wine and Canadian cheese. When throwing a St.Patty’s Day get-together, I recommend making this fabulous homemade nachos and cottage cheese dip. Made with Canadian Cottage Cheese, guests will swoon over the dip’s soft and creamy texture. Splashes of green chives and cilantro make it perfectly on theme for the occasion. The best part? It only takes about ten minutes to prepare. A great wine to go with the […]

read more …

Read More

Spring Wine Pairings and Lighter Dishes Video

In this CTV News at Noon chat, we chat about pairing wine with the season as often in the spring and summer, we enjoy lighter wines with seafood and salads.   Balthasar Ress Kabinett Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling 2011, Prädikatswein, Rheingau, Germany Love it! Ripe peach and pear edge with lime zest. Medium-bodied and delightful. Pair with just about anything but for starters try seafood, medium curries and spices, Asian dishes. Drink: 2013 – 2019 735241 10% M 750 ml. $17.95 Score: 92/100.   Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 1999, Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany Sweet with ripe apricot and honeysuckle […]

read more …

Read More

Wine, Chips and Snack Pairings Video

  In our second video chat below, sommelier Mike Pierce gets into some specific and fun snack food and wine pairings. There were some surprising insights (really) as I thought all snacks would go best with sweet wines … Skittles proved me wrong, though I loved the Cracker Jacks pairing best. Have you discovered an unusually great pairing? What things do you have to keep in mind for the chemically-enhanced flavors of snack food? Any wines that really don’t work with snack food? Why do more obscure and expensive wines seem to go better with junk food?   You can […]

read more …

Read More

Wine and Junk Food Pairing from Maverick Mike

Our guest this evening is Mike Pierce, Sommelier and Co-Owner of San Francisco’s Maverick Wine Bar and he joins me now live from San Francisco. Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club P.S. Tune in here for our next Live Video Wine Tasting: www.nataliemaclean.com/live Click on the “Follow” and “Like” buttons on this Facebook page to get notified when we go live. We’ll be simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live, YouTube Live Stream and Twitter Live Video via Periscope. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and find out who’s coming up next.       Anyone can pair filet […]

read more …

Read More

Recipe: Aged Gouda Quesadillas and Bacon Paired with Cabernet Sauvignon

By  Christie Pollard At a recent wine and cheese pairing event I tasted an Aged Dutch Gouda from Lancaster, Ontario with several wines and the best match was with Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. The nutty, caramel flavours in the cheese wonderfully compliment the juicy, ripe fruit flavours in the wine. This easy quesadilla appetizer recipe was inspired by the match. Aged Gouda and Caramelized Onion Quesadillas with Bacon and Roasted Red Pepper Recipe Serves 8 Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 2 large Spanish onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1 tbsp brown sugar ½ […]

read more …

Read More

Empanadas with Smoky Tomato Chutney Recipe Paired with Tilia Malbec

These Argentinean pastries are packed full of flavour. The fragrant beef filling features olives, raisins and cumin. Traditionally eaten as street food, empanadas are a perfect snack with a glass of Tilia Malbec.  To save on time, use purchased puff pastry that has been pre-rolled. Join us and sample Tilia wines at the Toronto Gourmet food & Wine Expo Nov 16-18th. Empanadas with Smoky Tomato Chutney Recipe Makes 36 Ingredients: For the empanadas: 2 tsp olive oil ½ cup onion, finely diced 1 clove garlic, minced ½ cup green pepper, finely diced ½ lb. lean ground beef 1 tsp fresh […]

read more …

Read More