Henri de Villamont Wine Tasting at Cluny Bistro

On a fine evening in May, I had the pleasure of tasting through the wines of Domaine Henri de Villamont with Pierre Jhean, Winemaker and Director at the winery. This small, intimate tasting was held in a private backroom at Cluny Bistro, in Distillery District, downtown Toronto with only a few wine writers in attendance. Following the tasting, we enjoyed a lovely meal...

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LCBO VINTAGES September 2, 2017: New World Benchmarks + Syrah vs. Shiraz

The upcoming release in LCBO VINTAGES on September 2, 2017 is titled "Reference Library" and features benchmark varietals in new world wine regions as its main theme. Meanwhile, the mini-theme compares Syrah and Shiraz. These new wines will be on shelves this coming Saturday. We'll begin with the feature on new world benchmark varietals, which lists 11 wines across 7 varietals....

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Giveaway - Win a Pair of Winemakers’ Selections Tasting Passes

Here's your chance to win a pair of Winemakers’ Selections Tasting Passes valued at $25 each. This new pass was created by Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and let's you savour 25 carefully selected terroir wines for one convenient price. To taste the Winemaker's Selection at each winery, simply present your printed ticket or show it on your digital device at a participating...

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Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenère 2008 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's delicious wine was purchased back in the Spring of 2014 from the April 12 LCBO VINTAGES Release. Obviously, the 2008 is no longer available at the LCBO, but this wine is always solid year after year, and the latest vintage should will show up in VINTAGES in September. Keep an eye out on this blog as I'm sure it will be a recommended buy. Tasting Note: CONCHA...

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LCBO VINTAGES August 19, 2017: South of France + South Africa

New wines from the upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on August 19 will be on shelves across the province this Saturday and features two wine regions known for producing quality wines at very good prices. The main thematic features the wines from the South of France, while the mini-theme features wines from South Africa. We'll begin with the South of France feature that's titled...

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Le Secret des Capitelles Saint-Chinian 2014 (Languedoc) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a red blend that will be arriving in LCBO VINTAGES on August 19. It is produced by Les Vignerons de Saint Chinian, a cooperative founded in 1937 and now includes 186 winegrowers over 850 hectares of vines across Languedoc-Roussillon. Their vineyards range in altitude from 120 to 300 metres above sea level, and are mostly on schist and calcareous-clay soils,...

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Southbrook Whimsy! The Anniversary (Niagara) - Wine Review

I opened up this delicious Fortified wine tonight to celebrate it's recent Gold Medal at the 2017 National Wine Awards of Canada (NWAC). Looking at the results from this competition, this is the top Fortified wine in Canada! This wine is produced by Southbrook Vineyards, and is one of many Southbrook wines I've tasted from a winery that is Canada's first certified organic...

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