Wines Under $20 for the Holiday Season From the Sunny South of France

 A recent sampling of France's Pays d'Oc wines provided me with a wonderful introduction to this winemaking area and I am happy to share what I learned. The great news is that these wines hit the sweet spot for your wine dollars. Just in time for the holiday season, they

Holiday Magic With Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Wines

 It’s not too early to think about gift wines for the holiday season. At my house, hints have been dropped about Alsace Grand Cru Riesling! These absolutely exquisite wines are perfect to share with family and friends or to give as gifts. Riesling is my favourite type of white wine;

Fireplace Wines for Chilly November Nights

 November is never a popular month. However, you can make it better by curling up by the fireplace on a chilly evening with a cozy blanket and treating yourself to a glass of good wine. Or you can plan a small dinner party with a couple of close friends before

Wicked Good Spirits for Hallowe’en

 Hallowe’en gives us all an excuse to indulge our sweet tooth. It’s not just for kids, either! Stores and bakeries are full of every sort of sinfully decadent candy and pumpkin-inspired dessert, so the temptation is just too much to resist. Perhaps there’s some leftover candy at your house, or

Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Sustainability at Santa Margherita Wines

 Sustainability. Carbon footprint.  These are terms that we hear often these days. But what do they mean when it comes to making wine? Italy’s Santa Margherita Wines is a pioneer and world leader in the field of sustainable wine production. They recently hosted their first Sustainable Retreat at the Drake

Wines to Put The Happy in Your Thanksgiving Dinner

 Many of us celebrate the harvest season with a special dinner in October. It’s relatively easy to choose the main course and fall vegetables to accompany it, but questions often arise about which wine or wines to serve. Here are several options to assist your planning and help you enjoy

Fall in Love With These Fantastic Canned Wines!

 It used to be that we looked down our noses at wine in boxes or cans. But that has all changed. Wines in cans and boxes are more environmentally friendly because they leave a smaller carbon footprint. They’re lighter than glass, making them easier and less costly to transport. They’re

Summer Wines for the Dog Days of August

 Patio season is in full swing, and we still have several weeks of fine summery weather to enjoy life outdoors. It’s so easy at this mellow time of year to get together with friends for a casual meal al fresco, and there are endless wine choices to pair with your

Red and White Wines for Canada Day Eh!

 On July 1st, we’re celebrating Canada’s 156th birthday!  It’s a national holiday and a perfect time to relax and enjoy the summer weather with friends and family, whether you’re at the cottage or at home, firing up the barbeque. Canada Day is an ideal time to pour a glass of

Spooky good wines for Hallowe’en

 Hallowe’en is an occasion when we all indulge our sweet tooth. It’s not just for kids, either! With stores and bakeries filled to the brim with every sort of sinfully decadent candy and pumpkin-inspired dessert, the temptation is just too much to resist!  If you’re handing out treats at the door,

Wines to make that turkey sing and a few fall favourites!

 Fall cuisine means a return to heartier dishes, with casseroles, stews, roast red meats, and fall vegetables predominating on the menu. With those dishes, we turn to more full-bodied red wines and richer whites. Meanwhile, it’s still barbeque season, too.  Fall Favourites to Remember Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste the Mediterranean at Bistro Ristoro

 A recent wine dinner at Bistro Ristoro provided an ideal opportunity to learn about Croatian wines. I travelled in Croatia a few years ago and already had a few favourites, so I was delighted at the chance to taste Croatian wines again, paired with Mediterranean cuisine. Our hosts, Lydia and