Privatizing LCBO Could Save Ontario $559 Million Annually: Time for Reform Amid Potential Strike

 The Consumer Choice Center (CCC), an organization representing consumers in over 100 countries and monitoring regulatory trends in key locations such as Ottawa, Washington, Brussels, and Geneva, has stirred the pot in Ontario’s alcohol industry. The Toronto-based CCC office has recently issued a compelling release suggesting that dismantling the Liquor

A little taste of Croatian wine country from the comfort of home

 by Amanda Bernardo If travel plans were part of your 2020, you may be reading this now feeling rather disappointed with how the year played out. No one could have predicted that a pandemic would put the world on hold and force us to live, work, and play right here

Cannabis Across Canada: A province-by-province breakdown

 On October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis will be legalized for adult-use in Canada. While statistics show a promising step towards producing a safer product and a lowering of organized crime and overall drug use, the implementation of provincial legislation has been a difficult process. Provinces and territories are making decisions about

It’s The Greatest Wine Festival On The Planet

 Feature photo credit: Christine McAvoy Article by: Debbie Trenholm, sommelier and founder of Savvy Company In the middle of February, the Ottawa airport is full of people heading south destined for sand and sunshine.  On the other hand, I was heading to Vancouver. I’m trading in thoughts of rum punches and

Surviving March Break…Again!

 March Break, that annual, filled-with-anticipation-can’t-wait-for-a-break-from-that-horrendous-place-called-school that fills all children with hope, and parents with panic at the thought of how to occupy their darling offspring, is almost upon us. If you have not already planned an escape to some place warm for the week, here are a few ideas of

If I only had $100, I would buy at Vintages…

 South Central Italy & Flagship In Store Discoveries (LCBO speak: ISD) as well as California are a prominent features in this LCBO Vintages release.  Where to start? Frankly, the ISD’s are a little rich for my $100 budget for this blog, yet there are some pretty enticing looking wines.  Worth

Buyers Picks at Vintages

 ‘Buyer’s Picks’ are the prominent feature of this weekend’s LCBO Vintages release, not to mention New Zealand and Sake wines. I’m always curious about what ‘Buyers Picks’ really means: more Airmiles offered? Reduced prices on the bottle? or truly great products?  In any case, these are My Picks for you to decide if

Sure sign of spring: Rose wines!

 Fabulous that the latest LCBO Vintages release features varietals from Oregon, Washington and Germany, yet I have chosen to focus on finding the best Rosés to highlight in this blog. Warm weather is pushing the gauge on the thermometer higher every day. Nothing sends a more summer-like message than pulling out a chilled bottle

If I only had $100, I would buy….wines from Argentina!

 This time last year, my husband and I spent a month in Buenos Aires, so when I saw that this release focused on Argentina, I was VERY excited to see what new wines would come into LCBO’s Vintages. Here are 3 wines from Mendoza (Argentina’s largest wine region) since it is the leader

TOP PICKS: 7 wines for under $15

 This Vintages release is guaranteed to  be pick-up for anyone with holiday hangovers & January blahs. The LCBO often kicks off the new year with a “Smart Buys 2017” edition with a fabulous assortment of tried and true wines for every palate and budget with great tastes around the $15 price point. I vowed

Cool Craft Ciders

 There was a buzz this summer that was different. It was the buzz about craft cider. The LCBO stocked shelves wide and high with different styles by local cider makers, and neat new ciders were taking over taps at restaurants. No longer is cider the alternative for those not partial

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 This weekend at the LCBO features “Great Values for Summer” on the store shelves at Vintages and a real cool event that takes place in Niagara called “i4C” – the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration.  Years ago my husband and I attended this festival, set on the hills of lovely Tawse Winery in

Natalie MacLean App Takes the Guessing out of Wine

 Photos courtesy of Natalie MacLean. Staring at the row upon row of wine at pretty much any LCBO you’ll visit, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Sometimes a clever label grabs your attention and you want to try it, but will it be good enough for your next

If I only had $100…I would buy at LCBO Vintages

 For someone who is not a winter person the LCBO Vintages release this Saturday Jan 23 are real perk me ups. This release features the dynamic duo of Argentina and Chilean wines and since Buenos Aires is on my travel list, it’s great timing. Not to mention there are fabulous

You Drink It – We’ll Deliver

 On my fridge there is a magnet that reminds me: “so many wines, so little time.” The truth is that we are creatures of habit and despite so many options, it’s often easier to simply reach for a bottle of wine that we know. A friend called me recently and asked me to

How Casual is Casual Labour?

 Photo courtesy of Katie Sample. An ongoing issue in retail and administrative positions is the classification as casual labour, which trends towards lower pay, reduced or no benefits and zero security. A large part of the casual labour pool is also female, which brings gender parity into the discussion. At the highly profitable Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), some

If I had $100 I would buy these wines at LCBO Vintages…

 All photos courtesy of Savvy Company No surprise that the LCBO Vintages release of Oct. 3 focuses on LINK wines for Thanksgiving. Regardless of whether it’s turkey, ham, fish or pork, the wines I have chosen will accompany them all. Now how’s that for a scoop? I recently read that

Skip the Grocery Lines with SmartKart

 If you’re like me, the worst part of putting together any meal is finding that impossible-to-find ingredient at the grocery store. Whether it’s coconut milk for a curry, tahini for hummus, or an obscure brick of cheese for that French onion soup, digging through piles and getting lost in the

Wine and Art—A Natural Match

 Above: Savvy Company Event - Erin Sue Bolling serving Denise Yaternick Looking to organize an event? Ottawa has come a long way. Gone are the days when hotel ballrooms and restaurant backrooms were the only options. Whether you are looking for somewhere to host an eclectic ‘cinq à sept’ cocktail reception

Let’s Get Crafty

 Patio season is upon us. There’s no better way to enjoy it than with a cold one from a local craft beer maker. The craft beer industry is incredibly trendy right now, and for good reason. Ontario breweries are creating a diverse marketplace of flavours to savour. There are currently

Winter cheer with craft beer

 2015 is the year to drink more locally-made beer. With more than 12 craft breweries in the area where you can drop in and try the latest concoctions, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You’ll find many more beers than at your local pub, on the shelves of the LCBO or even

Have You Had a Glass of this Year’s Beaujolais Nouveau?

 The third Thursday of November is a milestone date in the wine world – wine stores have a special delivery of Beaujolais Nouveau wine. What is all the fuss about? Beaujolais Nouveau or ‘first wine’ is wine made from grapes that were picked in the most recent harvest.  By the

Pass the Wine and Cheese, Please!

 Perusing over a showcase of signature wines from Ontario wineries unavailable at the LCBO sounds like a great night. Join Savvy Company for A Wine and Cheese with a Twist! This taste and buy event will allow you to stock up on your new favourite Ontario wines from Casa Dea

Looking for a Career in the Wine, Craft Beer and Spirits Business?

 Since I began working in the wine industry over 10 years ago, there are two questions I am constantly asked: “I was away on holidays in ‘wherever’ and discovered 'X' wine that isn’t at the LCBO. How can I get it shipped into Ontario?” and “I want to get a job

Changing the Game with Fowles Wine

 Winemaker Matt Fowles traveled from the Strathbogie Ranges in Australia to OLM’s quaint headquarters on April 9 to offer a sample of his game-changing wine. Fowles has created a series of wines that complement wild game meat -- the first of its kind to hit the market. Named by James