Jane Staples

Spring has finally sprung, and nobody appreciates this season more than those of us in Ottawa! There’s lots to enjoy at this time of year, whether you’re a gardener, a cyclist, or a bird-watcher, and it’s a pleasure to simply step outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. It’s also time [...]

The most beautiful word in any language is “mother.” Mothers sing tender lullabies to us, supply Band-Aids to our scraped knees and make the best cookies. We celebrate mothers on Sunday, May 14th. If you’re looking for a wine gift, here’s a curated list of delicious wines that [...]

An interview with the author of one of the most anticipated books of the season Sommelier, award-winning author, supertaster, and wine educator Natalie MacLean is Ottawa’s own wine expert par excellence. I recently chatted with her about her career and her new book, Wine Witch on Fire, which [...]

Chilean wines hit that sweet spot where value and price meet. They offer consistent quality and variety in both red and white wines. Canada is a major wine market for Chile, and we have a great selection of them at the LCBO. Fast Facts: Chile is that long skinny country on the west side of [...]

ABOVE: Ducks in the vineyards help with pest control at award-winning Angove Family Winemakers in Australia. (Photo: Courtesy Angove Winery) Organic wines are a fast-growing sector in today’s wine industry. Reflecting this interest, the LCBO has added an organic wines section in many of its [...]

The Irish have contributed greatly to Canadian society, from joyful fiddle music to the magic of leprechauns, and the pleasures of fine literature and Irish whiskey. These are just some of the ways the Irish have shared their traditions and enhanced our culture. St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th [...]

Have you tried any wines from South Africa? They are not as well known as those from France, Italy, or California, but you will want to get to know them because of their value and variety. The winegrowing region, known as the Cape Winelands, is located mainly in the southwestern tip of South Africa [...]

In recent years the traditional idea of Valentine’s Day has expanded to embrace everyone — there’s Palentine's Day, Galentine's Day, and in some cultures, such as Finland, it’s a day to honour friendship. In Ottawa, by mid-February, we’re all a little weary of cleaning [...]

Sherry is Spain’s most famous wine. It is not well known in Canada, where it is associated with grandmothers sipping it as they nibble on cake. But there’s much more to know and to enjoy about it . . . maybe the grandmothers are onto something! It is made in sunny Andalucia, the hottest, [...]

January means reigning in the spending and paying down those pesky credit cards. That can mean less money to spend on indulgences like wine, too. But if you know where to look, there are affordable wines of great quality. January is also a time to try new things, so it’s a good time to discover [...]