June 27 VINTAGES Release: Fan Favourites + Pan-Am + Canada Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 27th and has 3 features. The first theme is titled "Back by Popular Demand", while the second and third mini-themes are small and feature wines from the Americas in an ode to the upcoming Pan-Am Games in Toronto, and wines for Canada Day festivities. We'll begin with the biggest of the three themes -...

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Avondale Wine Tasting (South Africa)

Last month, I had the pleasure of tasting the wines of Avondale with proprietor Johnathan Grieve. Avondale is located on a 160-hectare, picturesque farm in the Paarl valley in the southwestern part of South Africa, only 35 minutes from Cape Town, and has been cultivated for more than 300 years. Early records also indicate that this piece of land was one first in Paarl...

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Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010 (France) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine was purchased nearly 2 years ago from the August 3, 2013 LCBO VINTAGES release. At 5 years old, let's see if this unoaked Chardonnay is still any good... DOMAINE CHEVALLIER CHABLIS 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#112227) (XD) - $19.95 Tasting Note: White grapefruit, lemon and mineral aromas from the cork. Honeyed fruit, baked apple, with whiffs of mineral...

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June 13 VINTAGES Release: Sparkling Wine + Italian Whites + Father's Day

The next LCBO VINTAGES release will be on shelves this Saturday, June 13th. The major theme of this release is on Sparkling Wines (I guess to coincide with wedding season?), while the mini-theme is on fine white wines from Italy. There is also a feature on gifts for Father's Day. We'll begin with Sparkling Wines. Of the 20 wines featured, 5 are included among my wine picks...

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Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival - Sugar Beach

The Toronto Wine & Spirit Festival pops the cork for its 7th year and is returning to Toronto’s Sugar Beach for three great days on the water! We are excited to be partnering with the Redpath Waterfront Festival for a second year, and are excited to make this our biggest year yet! Welcome summer the right way with sampling wine, spirit, beer, ciders and coolers right at...

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La Cadierenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2014 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a rosé wine that will be available in the upcoming June 27th VINTAGES release. This rosé comes from the Bandol region in Provence, in the south of France. This area has been producing wine since the Greeks first colonized the region over 2600 years ago. Bandol specializes in producing rosé wine, with over 60% of its entire wine production devoted to producing...

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Greek Wine Party at iYellow Wine Club

On May 5th, I had the pleasure of attending a Greek Wine Tasting Party hosted at the iYellow Wine Cave. The evening was filled with Greek fare such as olives, cheese, dessert, and other traditional Greek foods that were served alongside more than 30 Greek wines. In attendance were principals of the wineries, including winemakers, who made the trek all the way from Greece....

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