Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma County Is a Magnificent Zinfandel Blend
My Dad is one of the reasons I fell in love with wine. Not only is it his pure and earnest enjoyment of a good glass or his devotion to St- Emilions, but it’s the fact that every once in a while he’ll get a…
Santa Rita Wine Tour: Vineyard Biking and Vino Sipping in Chile
One of my favourite things to do when travelling is find a nearby wine region and explore it a bit. So far my partner Christine and I have been to Sonoma and Napa in California, and Prince Edward County right at home in Ontario. So…
A Portrait of the Modern Sommelier: An Interview With Kat Woods from Winebox Valparaiso
In February, my partner and I went on the trip of a lifetime to Chile for food, hiking and — of course — wine. While trips to vineyards and many bottles of vino stood out, no wine experience was more profound than our guided tasting…
Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco: A Beautiful Bubbly
Every New Years Eve I like to treat myself to a nice bottle of sparkling wine. Many years it has taken the form of champagne (delicious when vintage and even when not.) But unfortunately I live in a bizarre reality where my partner Christine DOESN’T…
Blu Giovello Prosecco is a Crowd Pleasing Bubbly
If my family’s reading this they’re probably thinking “Huh. He hasn’t written about OUR prosecco before?” Full disclosure — I thought I had. Blu Giovello Prosecco has been a staple in our household for the better part of a decade, from toasting to the warmer weather to…
Margaux du Chateau Margaux 2010: Another Face on My Alcohol Mount Rushmore
I’ve had a few alcohol milestones that I’m pretty proud of. It was a truly unique experience to drop hundreds on a single bottle of Tactical Nuclear Penguin beer. Most recently, I tasted the bourbon unicorn Pappy Van Winkle 23. And just last month, I…
Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon
I remember the first time I tried Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon vividly. It was nearly a decade ago on a ski trip with family friends to Maine. My mom and I were browsing the ill-stocked general store in town for a wine that might be passable…
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon is a Great Winter Wine
When a non-wine drinker recommends me a bottle, I always view it with a bit of skepticism. It’s only natural — they don’t even necessarily know what wine they like let alone what wine I like. So when my buddy recommended me Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon on…
Autumn Visits to Prince Edward County Wineries
There’s few places more charming in Ontario than Prince Edward County. Its rustic country appeal is augmented by the upscale-appeal of thriving vineyards and the money brought in by tourists visiting. This fall, I got to be one of those tourists, and I have rarely…
The Complete Introduction to Wine Tasting
Even if you’re a regular wine drinker, the process of wine tasting might seem a bit strange (or downright silly) to you. Is it even possible to eke out those vague nuances real wine tasters claim? Could the whole process be bullshit? Regardless of your…