Thirst Impressions: Piedmont or Bust

 As usual, we'll look back at a few releases before we sample the newest bottles on Vintages’ shelves. The October 13 release had one for those of you who like sparkling wine but aren't big fans of the price of Champagne. Head a little south of Champagne to Burgundy for

An Amazing Wine Well Worth Its Price: Regali 2008 La Lus Albarossa

 This week, I’m struggling about the wine I am about to recommend, not because I don’t like it, or I’m on the fence about it. Au contraire mon frère, I’m a big fan of this wine.  My struggles are for much more selfish reasons: if I tell you about it,

A Very Good Pinot Gets Even Better for a Few Weeks: Chanson 2010 Le Bourgogne

 This week, we'll swing on down to France and look at the signature red grape of Burgundy. Pinot Noir is a seemingly love-it or hate-it grape. Some dig the earthy, barnyard, almost musky scents of a good Pinot Noir can give off – others shy away, saying that the wine

Thirst impressions: Summer’s Here & the Time is Right for Wine and the BBQ

 I have a few selections for you based on the July 21 release, but there are also a couple that come from previous releases you might want to still search out as they offer great value for the taste buds. Let’s start with a new wine into Vintages from an

Thirst Impressions: You Can’t Go Wrong with the Fizz

 Those looking for their wine fix in March are in luck. The LCBO has got some real winners hitting the shelves this month. The focus is Spain and bubbly. The Spanish wine was run-of-the-mill so the bubbly is where I am going to focus my picks. You just can’t to

Thirst Impressions: Big Wines… Small Prices

 Another year begins and with it comes a bunch of new wines to look forward to enjoying. The LCBO always starts the year off right by giving us its release of “Smart Buys”, inexpensive wines that take the sting out of the post-Christmas blues of having little (or no) money.

Thirst Impressions: To Give and/or Receive

 It's holiday season and I've sipped and slurped on quite a few more (than usual) drinks to give you the low down on good holiday packs, gift ideas and other goodies that help make the holidays joyful. I can definitely tell you that there's not a lot of innovation or

How to Import Wine into Ontario

 Have you ever wondered how one becomes a wine agent - better yet, how one gets wines, that are not available in the LCBO, into the province?  You're not alone.  I get at least an email a week asking me how one goes about acquiring a wine that someone tried

It’s All Just Greek to Me

 Unless you're a fan of Greek wine, then words such as Robola, Roditis, Savatiano, Kotsifali, Liatiko, Mandilara or Xinomavro probably don't mean much.  Many are unfamiliar with the Greek wine selection and there is a reason for that. Greeks make wine from unusual (to us) and unfamiliar grape varieties and many

A Visit to the County

 A few weeks into the summer I found myself, in "The County".  The County refers to Prince Edward County (not to be confused with Prince Edward Island), Ontario's newest wine region which itself is a little island south of Belleville.  I was there to experience one of my favourite winery

Another Promise for Change

 The hot political topic these days is the New Democratic Party.  We saw them sweep through Quebec in the federal election after which their illustrious and charismatic leader passed away, leaving most of the country in mourning.  Despite the recent events, which have raised the popularity of the party, it

Sip & Savour

 I hate to say it but summer is coming to a close. Labour Day has passed, the kids are ensconced in school and we close up the cottage for another season. For wine, it’s shoulder season, a confusing time. Do we begin to stock up on winter warmers or do

Argentina, More than just Malbec

 By now most consumers have seen the signage announcing the LCBO's Argentina promotions - the word Malbec is, after all, displayed all throughout.  The Argentineans have made a name for themselves from this French grape, which can also be found in its traditional home of Cahors, France, and is also

Counting on the Drinkers’ Vote

 A few weeks ago I sat down at my computer and opened an email  that had a link to a special interview with the leader of the Provincial Conservatives, Tim Hudak. With an election only weeks away the rhetoric and the promises are flowing like water. However, in terms of the

Learn to Love Local

 There is nothing more exciting in this world than the opening of a new thing, be it a store, a present, a box of cereal or a bag of cookies or chips.  From the minor (chips) to the major (store) the grand opening is a big deal - that's why

Did You Get the Memo?

 During a recent tasting in my home of a variety of new wines, soon to be appearing at an LCBO near you, I was struck by a certain sameness about these wines.  I don’t mean they all tasted the same, but what I did notice was they all had an

Canadian Wine Laws Stink

 [caption id="" align="alignright" width="125" caption="Symbol of the ACWC"][/caption] Over the past 5 months I have found myself pouring over the results of both the Canadian Wine Awards and the All Canadian Wine Championships - the two major cross-Canada wine awards that pit region against region to find out who's best

The Start of a Tasteful Journey

 Today you and I embark on a new adventure together ... we are going to explore the world of wine (and sometimes other beverage alcohol), together, which in my opinion is the best way TO drink, with friends. My name is Michael Pinkus and I have been a wine writer