Dashing through the LCBO….

 It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Champagne, stunning gift boxes, ice wine, suggestions for “Holiday Gatherings” is what the final Vintages release of the year is all about. There are so many awesome products in this release that I have to remind myself of my meager budget of

The Coolest Canadian Gifts

 Welcome to Day 11 of the 25 Days of Ottawa Life Christmas Calendar. We’ll be updating with a new treat daily so be sure to keep checking under the OLM Tree to see what’s new. With a year of celebrating Canada’s 150th milestone, there are a number of nifty gifts that would make

Let’s Clink & Drink Pink!

 The weather forecast is…it is time to put away gardening tools & get your corkscrew out…Rose wine season is here!  Wineries all across Ontario are now releasing their delicious Rosé wines to quench your thirst this summer.  While it might be raining this week, get ready for when the heat wave

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

Discover what makes The County so cool!

 They’re ba-a-a-a-a-ck!  On Thursday April 20th, the 6th annual County in the Capital will be THE event in Ottawa to meet the makers of wines, spirits, craft beers & ciders all made in Prince Edward County.  And there will be artisan cheese as well as gourmet artisan goodies. Oh…so many bevvies to Try &

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

Clink & Drink Pink! The Rosé Report

 Back-to-school radio ad jingles are ringing in my ears reminding me that summer is winding down. Don’t let it be so! This summer has been absolutely fabulous. I am sure you too want summer to last forever! One way to make summer linger is by drinking Rosé. As we are

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

 I’ve got one eye on the Olympics, and the other on my tasting notes. Canada's collection of medals is on the rise. I applaud our Olympic athletes; even volleyball never looked like this when I was in high school! OK…now to focus. This Vintages release at the LCBO is offering

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

Celebrate Canada Day with Award Winning Canadian Cheeses!

 This month’s Savvy Cool Curds selection pays tribute to the Canadian Cheese Awards, and the best artisan cheeses in Canada. Launched in 2014 by Georgs Kolesnikovs, founder of The Great Canadian Cheese Festival, and staunch supporter of the Canadian artisan cheese industry, the Canadian Cheese Awards are the first of

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

 Canada Day is just around the corner and what better excuse to stock up. I just returned from working abroad and when I went to my local LCBO to indulge in a few delights, I was astounded at the selection and choices: from reds to whites to fruity spirits and

Clink & Drink Pink! The Rosé Report

 Anyone else feeling like they’ve had enough of Sprinter (spring + winter) yet? It was a chilly start to the season, but at long last the flowers are in bloom. And we have the best ones picked out just for you: back again for a third year, we are delivering

Enjoying The County is Even Easier…

 The countdown is on!  County in the Capital Taste & Buy is happening in a few days! Just imagine….100+ wines, craft beers, ciders along with lots of artisan cheese & gourmet goodies – all made by the cool folks from Prince Edward County – will be available for you to try…and buy!

Fan of Ice Cream? You’ll Love COWS Creamery Cheeses

 February is the time to celebrate LOVE – the love of artisan cheese, that is, through Savvy Cool Curds –Canada’s only artisan cheese-of-the-month club. We are udderly in love and absolutely crazy for the craft cow’s milk cheddars you’ll discover, sent with TLC from the hardworking team at COWS Creamery

Last Chance for Romance! Date Night 75′ Underground

 Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons.  Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you still haven’t found that perfect gift, then we can offer you something really different. We’re hosting our 2nd annual Wine, Craft Beer & Artisan Cheese Tasting at the Diefenbunker.  It’s a date night like no other! Book your tickets

Rosé Rules for Thanksgiving

 All photos courtesy of Savvy Company. Which wines will you be serving this Thanksgiving weekend? Harvest moon has certainly changed the weather to cooler autumn temperatures but…did you know rosé wines are considered by many – including our Savvy Sommeliers – the best wines to serve with any Thanksgiving feast.

Fancy a Trip to the County?

 It is harvest time in wine country! The Savvy Bus is heading to Prince Edward County on Saturday September 26 and our Savvy Sommeliers will be your tour guides. There is always a great buzz at this time of year, so why not join us to experience it first hand? Hop on

What will you be sipping this Labour Day weekend?

 In the mood for wine this long weekend?  The days may be getting just a little shorter so we are finding ways to help you enjoy the last of the summer sunshine by making indoor tasks like shopping for wine at the LCBO even easier…get wine delivered with our Wines

Stocking up on wines for Canada Day!

 This LCBO Vintages release for Saturday June 27 focuses on Flagship ISD (in store discoveries), Canada Day, and the Pan Am Toronto Games games. I was wondering what the term “flagship” meant and still do not have a definitive answer. However, having just returned from working in the UAE, I think of “flagship” similarly

If I had $100…I would buy these wines at vintages

 By Julie Stock Heritage Canada recently put out a pamphlet called “This is why I love Winter”, but they failed to mention the new wines in Vintages. For folks like myself this was a miss since indoor activities can offer up wonderful new tantalizing adventures. The LCBO Vintages release for