Pillitteri Cabernet Franc 2015 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a nice local red wine from Pillitteri Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Having enjoyed the 2012 Pillitteri Cabernet Franc a couple of times in the recent past, I am delighted to try this latest vintage that is currently available for purchase at the winery only (and through their online web store). This red wine is from Pillitteri's Carretto...

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Palatine Hills Riesling 2016 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is the latest vintage of a lovely Niagara Riesling. The 2015 vintage of this white wine came through LCBO VINTAGES in November of last year, so I wouldn't be surprised if this latest vintage also arrives on shelves in the near future. Nevertheless, the wine is available at Palatine Hills Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake and through their website and...

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Niagara Icewine Festival Review 2018 - Day 2 of 2

On Saturday, January 27, I visited Niagara to take in the annual Icewine Festival for the second weekend in a row - read all about my visit on January 20th here. Once again, we visited 4 wineries to enjoy an Icewine and food pairing. We also managed to visit a 5th winery and do some fine wine tasting since it was conveniently located next door to one of the other wineries. Tawse...

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Niagara Icewine Festival Review 2018 - Day 1 of 2

On Saturday, January 20, I visited Niagara to taste a few food & Icewine pairings as part of the Discover Pass Experience that was available at participating wineries throughout Niagara during the annual Icewine Festival. The weather turned out to be great on this day - mostly sunny, albeit a little on the chilly side. In all, we visited four wineries across the region...

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Cantina di Negrar Appassimento 2017 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a red wine that recently arrived to the LCBO and is widely available throughout Ontario. It is produced by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, a winery that was founded in the commune of Negrar in Veneto in the 1930's. The catchy and interesting label of this Appassimento depicts Ulysses' (a.k.a. Odysseus in Greek) 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca....

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Empress 1908 Gin (British Columbia)

The Empress 1908 Gin is produced in British Columbia, Canada, and inspired by the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, where travellers to Victoria have in fallen in love with the hotel's majestic grandeur, picturesque vistas, and incomparable afternoon tea service since 1908. In particular, it was the hotel’s afternoon tea that inspired the creation of Empress 1908 Gin. The...

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Southbrook Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2017 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is an organic and biodynamic Chardonnay from Niagara that is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians. I enjoyed the 2013 Southbrook Estate Grown Small Lot Wild Ferment Chardonnay almost 3 years ago to the date (and still have another bottle in the cellar), so I am curious to see how this latest version will be. This delicious white wine is produced...

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