Diamond Estates + 7 Deadly Zins Wine Tasting

Earlier this week I hosted a small wine tasting. Invited were a few of our neighbours to taste some media samples of local Ontario wines from Diamond Estates Winery, and a red Lodi Zinfandel from Michael David Winery out in California. Paired with these wines were some blueberries, watermelon, the L'Extra Brie, and the Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar. This cheddar from PEI has...

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Apr. 13 LCBO Wine Picks: New Zealand + Portugal

The next Vintages release focuses on wines from 4 "premium" producers in New Zealand, while the secondary feature is on wines from Portugal. In Local Talent, Prince Edward County is featured - probably to coincide with the upcoming PEC in the City tasting - with 4 premium wines. From New Zealand, a trio of Sauvignon Blancs from two producers are worth checking out. Both...

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Dinner & Wine at ORO Restaurant

We recently dined out at ORO Restaurant in downtown Toronto to celebrate a birthday. The service was impeccable right from the get-go and continued to the end of the evening, when we were the last patrons to leave before they closed up. The wine list is quite extensive and focused on wines from Italy. They also had a couple of private label "ORO" wines that are produced...

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Southbrook Triomphe Organic Cabernet Franc Rosé 2011 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I'm not much of a Rosé-in-winter kind of guy, so when I purchased this Rosé wine last December, it was with the idea of opening it when warmer climes eventually arrived. Today's temperature of 10°C is a very good day to open this delightful organic wine. Grapes for this wine were sourced from Southbrook's own organically certified vineyards. SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC...

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Mar. 30 LCBO Wine Picks: Southern France + Easter

The next LCBO Vintages release will be in stores on Saturday, March 30th. Major focus in this release is on wines from Southern France (Languedoc-Roussillon), while the secondary feature is local Ontario wines for Easter. The onslaught of California wines continues with 16 wines listed - that's two more than the number of wines from Languedoc-Rousillon. There are lots of...

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Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2008 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Received this red wine as a gift earlier this year. It's from the LCBO General List and is made using at least 80% Sangiovese, with the balance being Cabernet and Merlot. This wine was first made in 1927. RUFFINO CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DUCALE 2008 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#045195) (D) - $24.95 Tasting Note: Sweet cedar and meaty aromas from cork. Medium intensity violets,...

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Mar. 16 LCBO Wine Picks: California Icons + Classic Euro Whites

The next LCBO Vintages release continues the recent promotion California wines - a trend that looks like it will last the entire month of March go into the beginnng of April with the California Wine Fair. The last release focused on the latest Trends in California, while this edition features wines from some of California's most iconic names. You really can't go wrong with...

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