Hardys Winemakers Dinner and Wine Walkthrough

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a Winemakers Dinner and Wine Walkthrough hosted at the Edward Day Gallery by Bill Hardy, the great grandson of Hardys founder - Thomas Hardy. I arrived early and had the chance to mingle before the festivities got started. While mingling and waiting for everyone to arrive, we were offered 'The Gamble' Chard Pinot Gris, which ended...

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May 12 VINTAGES Wine Picks: California Legends + Rosés

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be out in stores on May 12, and the main "attraction" in this release are California Legends starring Cab, Zin and Chard. However, as is the par for Cali wines in Ontario, many are over-priced and out of budget. However, the Ravenswood Zin is a "star" in this release and worth checking out. The secondary attraction in this release is...

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Brigaldara Valpolicella 2010 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine just last week from the VINTAGES Veneto release. It's a good one and many are still available in LCBO outlets. BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA 2010 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#917864) (XD) - $14.95 Tasting Note: Made with grape varietals Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Cork was dry. Licorice, black cherry, plum, pepper and hints of smoked meat aromas. Lots...

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Michel Delhommeau Cuvée Harmonie Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine 2010 (Loire) - Wine Review

This white wine was purchased very recently from the April 14th VINTAGES release and can still be found in many stores across the province. MICHEL DELHOMMEAU CUVÉE HARMONIE MUSCADET DE SÈVRE-ET-MAINE 2010 - AC, Loire, France (#164624) (XD) - $12.95 Tasting Note: Made with 100% Melon de Bourgogne. Aromas of lime and citrus from the cork. More fresh lime aromas in the...

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Vinho Verde Wine Tasting

It was a gorgeous spring evening when I recently attended a walk-around tasting of Vinho Verde wines. The weather was perfectly suited for tasting wines from this Portuguese region. Prior to this event, I couldn't recall the last time I tasted a Vinho Verde as it must have been many years ago, so I was excited to be attending this tasting and getting re-acquainted the...

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Mas d'Auzierès les Éclats 2009 (Midi) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine last month from the Spanish Wine and Bubbly Vintages release. This wine contains 70% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. MAS D’AUZIERÈS LES ÉCLATS 2009 - AC Coteaux du Languedoc, Midi, France (#271742) (XD) - $16.95 Tasting Note: Dark berries with hints of lavender from the cork. Kirsch liquer, cedar, and hints of earth aromas in the glass. Full...

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Apr. 28 Wine Picks: Veneto + New Zealand Whites

Here are my picks for the next LCBO Vintages release, which will be in stores on April 28. The main feature in this release are wines from Veneto (Italy), where wines are steeped in tradition and can pair exceptionally well with food. Among the Venetian red wines, the Monte del Frá Tenuta Lena and the Brigaldara made my list and both offer outstanding value at $15.95 and...

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