My Favourite Wine: Tammy Gillis

Tammy Gillis was raised on a farm in Manitoba before pursuing a career in modelling, acting, writing and producing. A respected member of the Canadian entertainment industry, Gills will appear in the upcoming thriller "Stealing Paradise." The film stars Rachael Leigh Cook and will premiere in 2011 on The Movie Network, Movie Central and Super Écran.

Gillis has several film and television credits to her name, including the feature films "Shooter" and "White Noise 2," and the critically acclaimed CBC series "jPod," "Reaper," "The L Word," and the final season of "Battlestar Galactica." She recently wrapped up guest starring roles on "Endgame" and "Shattered."

Gillis has served as a producer on a few short films, including "Dealing with Jerks and Din" and has written a feature film and a webisode series titled "Goodnight Tammy."

Gillis is based in Vancouver and travels regularly to Toronto and Los Angeles for projects. When she's not working, Gillis loves to ski and is currently learning ballet.

Q: When it comes to wine, do you have a favourite? Why?

At the moment, I am very much in love with the Mendoza region Malbec's.  I wouldn't really say I have one specific favorite.  A couple I really like are Punto Final, The Show.   I like to be open to trying new wines.  My favorite type of wine to drink is a red, fuller bodied, with a bit of a sweet, berry finish.   I also like a great Chianti like Ruffino with some great pasta or pizza.  Also am a fan of California reds, recently enjoyed Francis Ford Coppola's Cabernet Savignon.   And if it's hot out, a nice, crisp Pinot Grigio.

Q: Tell us about an especially memorable time when you enjoyed your favourite wine.

I was on a first date at a local Italian restaurant, we were having pizza and a nice Chianti.  I was waiting for a phone call which ended up delivering some terrible news.  I didn't want to go on the date as I was expecting this call and was expecting it to not be good news.  But the guy was persistent that we go to get my mind off it.   Thankfully I did.  He was so beautiful and supportive.  Me sitting there sharing that news with him over that wine made it all so much better.  I felt warm and loved and supported and we are still together to this day.  And we have pizza and wine date nights at our house pretty much weekly!!!

Q: If you could share a bottle of wine with anyone in the world, who would it be?

This is a tough one.  I would love to sit down and share a bottle of wine with Meryl Streep.  She has had such an amazing career and an amazing life.  I'm sure she has some incredible stories to share.  Me, Meryl, a great bottle of wine, sitting by a fire = amazing.