Plunkett Fowles Stone Dwellers Shiraz 2008 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious red wine was purchased nearly 4 years ago and was the Wine of the Month from the February 4, 2012 VINTAGES Release. As luck would have it, the 2013 vintage of this wine will be available in the upcoming January 23rd VINTAGES Release. Tasting Note: PLUNKETT FOWLES STONE DWELLERS SHIRAZ 2008 - Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia (#265967)...

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Nals Margreid Pinot Noir 2013 (Italy) - Wine Review

Opened up this yummy Pinot last night ahead of it's release this Saturday as part of the first LCBO VINTAGES release of 2016. Pinot Noir is nowhere near the first grape that comes to mind when thinking of wines from Italy. This red wine from Winery Nals Margreid is from the northernmost region of Italy, in South Tyrol (aka Südtirol), a region also known by its alternative...

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January 9 VINTAGES Release: Smart Buys

The first VINTAGES release of 2016 is on January 9th and is the annual "Smart Buys" release. After seeing many premium-priced wines land on VINTAGES shelves throughout November and December, most of the wines in this release are below the magic $20 line. From the "Smart Buys" thematic, only 4 of the 20 wines featured are included among my wine picks below. First up is an...

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Muskoka Brewery Mad Tom IPA and Cream Ale - Beer Review

After enjoying wine almost exclusively for the past couple of months, it was a nice change of pace to have some beer. Last night I opened the Mad Tom IPA, while tonight I am enjoying Cream Ale. Based in the heart of Muskoka, this brewery handcrafts premium beers that are unique and refreshing. Muskoka Brewery was founded in June 1996 by Gary McMullen and Kirk Evans with...

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Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva Vertical Wine Tasting

Back in October, I was invited to a very nice vertical tasting of Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva wines dating back to 1982. These red wines are produced by Bodegas Franco-Españolas, a winery that was founded in 1890 in Logrono, Spain, in the aftermath of the French wine industry's most devastating incidents - the phylloxera plague. Bordeaux winemakers affected by the plague...

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Lakeview Cellars Syrah 2012 (Niagara) - Wine Review

I first tasted this wine last September when I visited Diamond Estates Winery during the Niagara Wine Festival. Lakeview Cellars was founded in 1991 by Eddy Gurinskas and is now the oldest brand at Diamond Estates. The 2012 vintage was exceptional for red wine grapes in Niagara, pushing quality levels up throughout the region. The grapes for Lakeview Cellars wines are sourced...

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TAG No.5 VODKA

TAG No.5 VODKA is produced by Maverick Distillery, locally in Oakville, Ontario. They are also the maker of CHANTILLY French Cream liqueur that I tasted recently. Maverick Distillery was launched in 2009 as an innovative Canadian distillery with a mission to deliver remarkable spirits at a reasonable price, with an eye towards environmental consciousness. As part of their...

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