By Lucie Trépanier

To highlight Earth Day, celebrated every April 22nd in Canada, LCBO’s Vintages released some delicious, eco-friendly wines at an event named Green Evolution.

Before providing a summary of featured wineries, here is an overview of the 3 major buzzwords relating to eco-friendly farming, which were well explained by Vintages at the tasting.

Sustainable:
Sustainable relates to viticulture and winemaking. It is a way of life in the vineyard and in the winery, where a long-term vision aims to integrate people, soil, plants and fauna. Sustainable agriculture adheres to 3 fundamental principles:
• environmental health
• economic profitability
• social and economic equity

Major green solutions linked to sustainability include water conservation, waste reduction and liveable wages and benefits for workers. Sustainable producers today tend to adhere to such principles on a voluntary basis, monitored by self-regulating bodies rather than official government-run certifying bodies.

Organic:
A return to natural farming methods. Organic practices take sustainable farming one step further as they encompass jurisdiction, which varies per country. Main rules of organic viticulture include the ban of chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides in the vineyard. Certification is granted only after a winery adheres to organic methods for three years.

Biodynamic:
The most radical agricultural system in terms of eco-friendliness. Developed in the early 1900’s by Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolph Steiner, biodynamic agriculture was the first modern ecological farming system. In relation to winegrowing, it is a holistic approach, where a vineyard is treated as a single, harmonious organism. As with organic viticulture, it forbids the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides but includes further steps towards natural farming. Methods may include unique practices such as using compost and field sprays crafted from fermented herbal and mineral preparations, the use of astronomical sowing and a planting calendar which follows the lunar cycle.
Certification is required for wineries wishing to become biodynamic. Although biodynamic viticulture is not new to the wine world, Southbrook Vineyards is the very first Canadian winery to be certified biodynamic since 2008.

Wineries featured at Green Evolution included:

Southbrook Vineyards

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

This year, on Earth Day, Southbrook Vineyards released two new certified biodynamic wines. The 2008 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2009 “Fresh” White joined their Cabernet Rosé, already biodynamic since 2008. These wines are all certified by Pro-Cert Organics and Demeter.

www.southbrook.com

Domaine Weinbach
Alsace, France

This winery was a pioneer in eco-friendly winegrowing and winemaking and has been cultivating its grapes according to organic and biodynamic principles since 2005. Official certification is anticipated for 2010.

Domaine Weinbach products available at Lifford Wine Agency

www.liffordwine.com

www.domaineweinbach.com

Pommery

Champagne, France

Pommery’s NV Champagne Pop Earth was released this Earth Day. This predominantly Pinot Noir-based bubbly is made according to sustainable practises and bottled in a lightweight glass bottle (1.85 lbs versus the standard 2 lbs Champagne bottle) which will considerably reduce pollution and energy costs during shipping. The new Pop Earth also features recycled labels printed with water soluble inks.

www.pommery.com

Viña Arboleda

Valle de Aconcagua, Chile

Another direct project of Chile’s Eduardo Chadwick (owner and president of Viña Errázuriz, and founder of Viñedo Chadwick, Seña and Caliterra brands), Viña Arboleda is a boutique winery featuring sustainable handcrafted wines from the Aconcagua Valley.

A thorough detailed conversation with winemaker Soledad Meneses shed light on the term sustainability and provided concrete examples of everyday actions it entails. Key points adopted by sustainable viticulture include:

• Precision farming: Farm management at a level that allows inputs to be tailored to variable conditions across short distances in a single field.

• Integrated pest management: An integrated, ecological approach of crop management to solve ecological problems when applied in agriculture. It’s main goal is to significantly reduce or eliminate use of pesticides in the vineyard through prevention, observation and intervention.

• Water waste reduction: the rational use of water resources by developing and improving irrigation strategies to maximize the efficient use of water and reduce unnecessary energy use.

• Ongoing staff education and improved conditions for vineyard workers

www.arboledawines.com

www.sena.cl/Eng/default.asp

Benziger Family Winery

Lake and Sonoma Counties, California 

Sonoma’s Benziger family has been leaving its trace—or working at reducing it—for thirty years. All its wines are certified organic, sustainable or biodynamic and all of their estate vineyards are certified biodynamic by Demeter. With the increasing effects of water shortage being felt in California, viticulturists will need to innovate and find solutions to survive. At Benziger, initiatives to reduce land, air and water waste are not simply seen as the most concrete action in favour of Mother Earth, but has also become a company trademark as it is the best way to make distinctive, quality wines for today’s competitive market.

www.benziger.com

View a complete list of Vintages Eco-Friendly Releases.

The Wines of Ontario Winter WineFest is part of the Taste of Winterlude Fine Dining Experiences programming.  It’s a casual cocktail style tasting with a serious list of wines and 23 confirmed Ontario wineries. 

Hosted at the National Arts Centre in the Panorama room with views of the Rideau Canal it promises to be one of the highlights of the Taste of Winterlude Program. 

Grab a ticket before they are gone by visiting http://ontario-wine-fair-2010-ggblog.eventbrite.com

** groovy grapes clients and friends we’ve arranged for a couple of special benefits for you.  Email sean at groovygrapes.com and ask about Your Personal Restaurant Conceirge (we’ll recommend restaurants for you to check out during Taste of Winterlude) as well as a special rate on the Feb 17/10 Winter WineFest.

Great recipe and wine pairing from Stacey appeared in Ottawa Citizen Oct 17, 2009 http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Matched+Food+Drink/2114264/story.html

Listen in as I chat with Katfish and the rest of the morning crew over at LIVE 88.5 - we’re talking La Vendemmia, but keep on listening through the out-of-date event info (sorry about that!) for some great ideas for simple Italian nibbles you can pick up, throw on a platter, and serve with Italian wines to match. Click here for the audio clip.

 

 Stacey talks about Italian wines and Preston Street with Live 88.5FM [10:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Wine selections:

TOMMASI CHIARETTO 2008
VINTAGES 685057 | $12.95 | Veneto, Italy
(paired with homemade bruschetta from Luciano’s Fine Foods, 106 Preston Street)

VILLA RUBINI SCHIOPPETTINO
Consignment only - $19.95 (contact us if you’re interested in ordering)
(paired with Pingue Prosciutto, available at fine food shops including La Bottega, Nicastro shops, and The Piggy Market)

SANTERO BRACHETTO D’ACQUI
VINTAGES 119495 | $16.20 | Piedmont, Italy
(paired with “Turtles” - chocolate pots de crème with caramel and nuts, homemade at Pasticerria Gelateria Italiana, 200 Preston Street)

 

 Stacey talks about Italian wines and Preston Street with Live 88.5FM [10:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As much as I hate to say good-bye to the summer, I have to admit that autumn always seduces me with cozy evenings in, cool, crisp fall walks, warming comfort food, and bigger, bolder wines.  And as flavours on the plate as well as in the glass get heartier, we often are asked by clients about how to choose wines to pair with some of the more unusual ingredients available to us, including game meats and fowl.

So just in time for the season, I’m happy to share with you an article that was recently published in Alberta Outdoorsmen Magazine.  I hope it contains some tips and ideas that you can use in your kitchen this autumn.

Click here for the PDF!

(article © Duane Radford)

Last year I was approached to participate in a fundraiser for a charity called Grapes for Humanity and I’m excited to announce that the end result is ready and waiting for you! 

“Women & Wine” is a collection of beautiful, sexy photography by acclaimed photographer Steven Elphick, who teamed up with a dozen young ladies representing the future of the Ontario wine industry to create each piece.  A limited edition 2010 calendar featuring the photos has now been released, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Grapes for Humanity Foundation.

If you live in Toronto or Ottawa, you may have already caught a glimpse of this collection, as the prints have been on tour and displayed in locations including Cava Restaurant in Toronto and Restaurant 18 in Ottawa.  Calendars are now on sale and will shortly be available for purchase here at www.groovygrapes.com.  The calendars cost $29.95 each (plus shipping) and as I mentioned already, 100% of the proceeds go to the charity. 

These stunning black and white calendars are the perfect holiday gift for the wine-lover on your list too, for those of you who are organized enough to be starting your Christmas shopping!  Get yours today to support this worthy cause and see if you can figure out who’s who in each month.  Ottawa’s very own Caroline Gosselin (owner of Restaurant 18) and me, Stacey Metulynsky of Groovy Grapes, are featured in the calendar, among many other lovely ladies from the Toronto and Niagara regions.  For more information, contact us at contact@groovygrapes.com.

Check out Geoffrey’s segment on Summer wine and beer selections with A TV Ottawa.

La Vendemmia is Ottawa’s annual celebration of Italian wine and food.  We’re thrilled to be working on this series of events once again this year and we’ve just released the 2009 calendar which you can view online here.  Here are some of this year’s highlights:

Guest Chef Mario Pingue joins us for our headlining event, a cooking demonstration and dinner. Known best for his artisan charcuterie products, including melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto produced right here in Ontario, we think it rivals some of the best we’ve tasted from Italy and we invite you to taste for yourself.  Mario is also a talented chef, who will be preparing a delectable menu using some of his Niagara Specialties products on Thursday September 17th at Divino Wine Studio.

Atelier Restaurant, one of Ottawa’s most talked-about and our only “tasting menu only” restaurants, is hosting a special tasting menu inspired by classic Italian Flavours.  To make things even more interesting, each of the 12 courses will be paired with a variety of Italian sparkling wines.  Join us for this tasty Vendemmia kick-off on Monday September 14th.

The Signature Grape Stomp relay is your chance to stomp grapes and raise money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation 11am-2pm Sunday September 20th.  Round up a team of 4 people and enter online.

Taste Little Italy is our signature closing event and offers your best opportunity to taste the wide range of delicious treats available on Preston Street.  Set up wine and food show style, we can’t imagine a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Taste Little Italy takes place on Sunday September 20th at Sala San Marco and features restaurants from Preston Street, Italian wine samples, and your ticket also includes admission to the Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Showcase that takes place simultaneously next door at Divino Wine Studio.

For more information visit www.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia/,  email lavendemmia at prestonstreet.com or call 613-715-9399 x 101.

Listen in to our discussion on hot summertime wines on CBC’s All in a Day. Host Adrian Harewood chatted with me and Rod Phillips about summertime trends and some great values. 

 

 CBC Radio Interview With Stacey Metulynsky Summer 2009 [13:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Read on for our wine picks.

Stacey’s picks:
Cono Sur Viognier ($9.95, LCBO 64287, Chile)
A medium to full bodied white with juicy, ripe tropical fruit flavours and a mouth-filling texture.  Pair it up with grilled scallops topped with Niagara peach salsa.

Freixenet Brut de Noirs Cava Brut ($12.95, LCBO 352369, Spain)
A rosé bubbly that’s crisp, refreshing and food friendly.  Perfect for welcoming guests, or pair it up with chorizo sausage or other simple tapas and charcuterie.

Candidato Oro ($7.95, LCBO 523811, Spain)
A blend of Tempranillo and Grenache creates an easy-drinking, spicy-fruity red wine that’s medium in body and a great match for grilled burgers, sausages, or spiced chicken or pork.

Rod’s picks:
Marques de Riscal Rueda Blanco ($12.35, LCBO 36822, Spain)
Made from Verdejo grapes, this white is fresh but full of ripe fruit flavour - a great choice for summertime.  Pair it with seafood paella, light tapas, or grilled chicken with lemon and herbs.

Remy Pannier Rosé d’Anjou ($11.95, LCBO 12641, France)
Intense strawberry flavour, refreshing acidity, and light body combine in this rosé from the Loire Valley in France that is delicious on its own as well as with any manner of grilled fare - Rod even enjoys it with steak!

Montalto Nero d’Avola/Cabernet Sauvignon ($9.95, LCBO 621151, Sicily)
Big body, big flavour, and perfect for your grilled red meats this summer.  Nero d’Avola is a grape native to Sicily that creates spicy, full-bodied reds that are often priced to provide incredible value.

 

 CBC Radio Interview With Stacey Metulynsky Summer 2009 [13:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download