Six Common Culprits of Flawed Wines
Tom Firth's advice on understanding wine faults to protect you, as both a wine lover and smart consumer.
Let’s face it – bad wine happens. Sometimes, you just do not like the wine you picked off the restaurant list or liquor store shelf. Is it too dry? Or perhaps it is too earthy? Not what you expected? Did you want the flavour profile of some other brand? That is your fault.
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Tom Firth takes the pulse of Penfolds’ Grange
I recently had a chance to enjoy one of those tastings that sounds absurdly cool to all my wine aficionado friends. Imagine, you get a seat at a vertical tasting of Penfolds’ Grange. This flagship offering from one of Australia’s iconic wine producers typically retails around $400 in Canada, and I was going to be lucky enough to taste the range from 1997-2001 and 2003-2005. To bookend this tasting, we also got to try the much more affordable 2008 Penfolds Bin 389 to start and end with one of my favourites, the 2006 and 2008 RWT.
Cork versus Screwcap: An experiment
A blind taste test to determine whether the Tinhorn Creek 2001 Oldfield Series Merlot is better under cork or screwcap
I recently received a package with two bottles of wine in it. As a wine reviewer, this isn’t too unusual for me. However, this package was unusual because it contained two bottles of Tinhorn Creek 2001 Oldfield Series Merlot — one finished under screwcap, one finished under cork.
Canadian Wine Awards, social media and CRU at Playhouse
Highlights from the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival
For the “hard core” Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival visitor, such as myself, who wants to cram as many wine and wine-related events into a day as possible, this is a very busy week.
A Beginner's Guide to the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival
How to tackle Canada's biggest wine festival
Vancouver’s Playhouse International Wine and Food Festival is the big leagues. It’s “The Show,” the wine festival that everyone wants to attend. There are innumerable bottles of wine, dozens of events, and industry types of all stripes — from importers and media, to winery principals and even the odd film star.
Cutting the Fat: How to pair wines with Super Bowl food
Pairing wines with Super Bowl foods and common sauces
When pairing Super Bowl foods with wine, keep this rule in mind: fat with acidity, salt with sugar.
Don’t be a Hero: How to buy beer for a Super Bowl party
Buying beer that will make everyone happy
I have a motto for buying beer for parties: don’t be a hero.
4 tasting notes for Laphroaig whisky
Tasting the range of Laphroaig Scottish whiskies
I recently spent the evening at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, where I was treated to an evening with the Friends of Laphroaig, a tasting and fan group for the famous Islay distillery, Laphroaig.
Whiskies for Robbie Burns Day
What to drink on the Scottish bard's birthday
What better way to pay homage to the Scottish bard than by coming in to work on Thursday with a scotch hangover? Whether you celebrate with a kilt, haggis and full regalia or just by watching golf on television, the following recommendations should help you celebrate in style.
A tasting of Glenmorangie whisky
Tasting the range of Glenmorangie whiskies, including the limited-release Glenmorangie Pride 1981
Last month I attended a horizontal tasting — a tasting of a selection of products from a single producer — of Glenmorangie single malt scotch whisky at the Fairmont Palliser hotel. Glenmorangie is a classic scotch brand and one of the most drinkable. The whiskies are smooth and enjoyable, and depending on your budget, relatively affordable.
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- International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration: July 21, 22, 23, 2012
07/20/2012 - 17:30 - 07/22/2012 - 22:00
