Spring + Summer Wine Evening at Pukka with Peter Boyd

Last month, I attended Pukka's first-in-a-series of wine evenings planned for this Spring and Summer. Located in the Bathurst & St. Clair area in Toronto, Pukka is billed as a "Modern Indian Restaurant" and very forward-thinking - both of which were quite evident on this evening. Leading our small group of 14 was Sommelier Peter Boyd, who has 30 years experience teaching...

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Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

This is the 3rd wine sample I'm reviewing from Southbrook Vineyards (here are reviews of their Triomphe Cab Franc Rosé and Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon). All the grapes for this certified organic Chardonnay were sourced from 3 different estate vineyards within Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was released in Vintages last February and there is currently good inventory remaining...

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June 7 LCBO Wine Picks: Authentic Oz + Italian Whites + Father's Day

The next Vintages wine release will be in LCBO outlets across Ontario on Saturday, June 7th. This edition focuses on "authentic" Australian wines, with the emphasis solely on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. The secondary feature is on regional white wines from Italy. Overall, the selection of 14 Aussie wines featured are very good. At the top of the list is...

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Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the second in a series of wines from Southbrook Vineyards (first up was their Triomphe Cab Franc Rosé). This red wine is certfied organic and biodynamic. In fact, the entire Triomphe line of wines has been certified organic since 2010. Furthermore, Southbrook was Canada's first certified biodynamic winery. As this wine is a Vintages Essentials product,...

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Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rosé 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Last night's wine is the first in a series of wines that I'll be reviewing from Southbrook Vineyards. The roots of this winery began as a farm in the 1860s at the head of the Don River by the Patterson family. William Redelmeier, who is the grandfather of current owner Bill Redelmeier, purchased Don Head Farms in 1941. In the 1980s, Bill and partner/co-owner Marilyn evolve...

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Win Discovery Passes to 2014 Niagara New Vintage Wine Festival

Join the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival for the 19th Annual New Vintage Festival this June. I attended this event in both 2012 and 2013 and had a great time each visit! A family wedding followed by some much needed vacation time will prevent me from attending the Niagara Wine festival with the best weather this year. Wine Country in Ontario presents a calendar of year...

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May 24 LCBO Wine Picks: Rhône + Crisp Whites

The next LCBO Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on Saturday, May 24th. This edition's main focus is on wines from Rhône, while the secondary focus is on crisp white wines - as summer is just around the corner. Sixteen wines were featured in the Rhône roundup, and a quarter of them made my wine picks. The Valériane is a blend of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah,...

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