Region vs. Grape
Just to keep us all sufficiently confused, sometimes winemakers label their wine by the region and sometimes by the grape. Generally speaking, many Old World countries (think European countries like France, Italy, and Spain) label their wine based on region, whereas most New World countries (like Australia, Chile, and the United States) label by grape.  Read the rest of the article I wrote for Foodtv.ca.

Ask for Help: If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, ask for help. A good store has staff trained to know about the products they sell and should be able to help you out, and if yours doesn’t, find yourself a new wine store.  Read the rest of this article I wrote for Foodtv.ca.

In bigger restaurants, Sommeliers are often in charge of putting together the wine list, managing the wine cellar, and serving wines to guests in the restaurant. Funny that my title should be Sommelier then, considering I don’t actually work in a restaurant.

In my job, for example, I run wine tastings, teach classes, and write about wine. There are lots of other Sommeliers I know who work as wine agents, at wineries, as wine writers, reporters, and columnists, and even work running wine tours around the world (nice work if you can find it!).   Read my entire article as featured on Foodtv.ca’s food style section.

Wine and food matching is both an art and a science. Keep these tips in mind and let your taste buds do the rest.  

There are so many styles of wine available in stores these days, and when you add that to the fact that today’s food shops and restaurants are filled with flavours from around the world, the possibilities for wine and food matching are endless. But don’t be discouraged by all this variety.

Here are a few basic tips to get you started in putting together your own delicious wine and food pairings. And remember, do what tastes good to you.  Wine and food matching is both an art and a science. Keep these tips in mind and let your taste buds do the rest.

Balance
You don’t want your wine to overpower your food, but you also don’t want the flavours of your food to be too intense for the wine. Complicated? Not really. Consider both the flavours and the textures of your food, as well as the wine when trying to find a balance. For instance, steamed lobster is a rich, buttery meat with a subtle, sweet flavour That’s delicate enough for a white wine, but because the texture is so rich, the white wine should also be rich and full bodied; an oak-aged Chardonnay is the perfect pairing.

Read the entire article by Stacey Metulynsky, on Food Network’s web site.

Another new year is upon us, and what better time than to include in your resolutions a wider wine exploration? We all know Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and Cab, but one of my favourite things about wine is the huge variety in style and flavour that’s available, if you’re not afraid to try something new. Here are some ideas to get you started on your new year’s wine journey.

If you like Chardonnay, try …
VIOGNIER. A grape that originated in France but is now being grown around the globe and is gaining more and more popularity. It’s aromatic and exotic, and has that rich mouthfeel that you know and love from Chardonnay. Some LCBO picks:

Craneford Viognier 2004
Vintages 656652 | $17.95 | Australia

Ironstone Viognier 2004
Vintages 946665 | $16.95 | California

If you like Pinot Grigio, try …
SOAVE. This is another easy-drinking, fruity white from Italy, made from a blend of Garganega and Trebbiano grapes (tip: the more Garganega, the better). Some versions, like Pinot Grigio, are mass produced and uninteresting, but when you find a good one, Soave can be crisp, fruity, and refreshing, with just a hint of complex nuttiness. Look for Classico on the label, including:

Pieropan Soave Classico 2004
Vintages 946848 | $18.95 | Italy

Masi Soave Classico
LCBO 266221 | $12.00 | Italy

If you like Pinot Noir, try …
GAMAY NOIR. This is the grape of Beaujolais in France, and although its image is of a super-light, candy apple flavour, some Gamays can be earthy, spicy, and fruity, very similar to some styles of Pinot Noir. Even better, it does tend to be on the lighter side, making it very food friendly and a great warm weather wine (when spring finally does come, try chilling this red down a bit to make it more refreshing). While many New World Gamays deliver delicious wine, don’t give up on Beaujolais. Ask your liquor store product consultant about the appellations of Beaujolais that offer interesting vinos. Try:

Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir VQA
LCBO 582353 | $15.95 | Ontario

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
Vintages 365924 | $15.95 | France

If you like Merlot, try …
CARMENÈRE. For decades, most of the Carmenère growing in Chile was mistaken for Merlot, but these days you can find excellent examples of Carmenère, with smooth berry flavours and deep, rich colour. There aren’t lots of 100% varietal options, but a couple Chilean choices include:

Casillero del Diablo Carmenère
LCBO 620666 | $12.10 | Chile

Morandé ‘Terrarum’ Reserve Carmenère 2003
Vintages 938720 | $13.95 | Chile

If you like Shiraz, try …
MALBEC. Another gem from France, this wine became famous when Argentina began making full, rich styles of Malbec. This wine delivers inky colour that looks as rich as it tastes – lots of spice, dark fruit, chocolate, and black licorice flavours make this wine a strong contender for the powerful Aussie Shiraz. And just wait til you see the price tags on some of them! A couple ideas include:

Norton Malbec Reserve 2003
Vintages 663138 | $17.95 | Argentina

Marcus James Malbec
LCBO 518431 | $8.75 | Argentina

If you like Port, try …
MADEIRA. Madeira is a fortified wine from the Portuguese island of the same name. Although somewhat similar in style to some Ports, Madeira wine has been heated, creating aromas and flavours similar to sweet sherries. I recently had some Madeira with crispy bacon-wrapped dates and it was delish! A great way to warm up on a cold winter’s night, especially with some of your leftover Christmas fruitcake. A great value Madeira to start with:

Casa dos Vinhos Fino Old Madeira
LCBO 027375 | $18.15 | Portugal

The winter season is here and the holidays are just around the corner. That means lots of shopping, celebrating, and entertaining.
What better way to tackle all of those things than with something that can fit almost any category - personal or more general, expensive or lighter on the
pocket book; good for a big celebration or for an intimate gathering, perfect to kick off a party and also to wind down after a long day of errands. What
could this magical all-purpose thing be? Wine, of course.

Wine can be all of those things, but for many, shopping at the LCBO can be a daunting task. The LCBO offers one of the best wine selections available in the world, but if you don’t know what you’re looking for, that’s not necessarily a good thing. However, if you keep a few basic tips in mind, then buying wine as a gift, for your holiday celebrations, or just as a winter pick-me-up can be fun and exciting.

Tip #1 - Know your budget. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good bottle of wine. There are lots of great products in lower and higher price ranges.

Tip #2 - Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The product consultants at the LCBO are very knowledgeable and can help you pick the perfect bottle.

Tip #3 - Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you know you love big, full-bodied reds from Australia, try something new from another aisle instead - again, you can always ask the store staff to point you in the right direction.

Tip #4 - Don’t forget to buy yourself a gift! Make sure you add a special bottle to your cart to enjoy once you’re done all your holiday errands!

Still in need of a few ideas? Here are some holiday wine picks from the wine-loving sommeliers at Groovy Grapes:

Seaview Sparkling Shiraz ($12.95, LCBO 644054)
All the things you love in a Shiraz, wrapped up in festive bubbly freshness.

Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne ($39.95, Vintages 041889)
For special celebrations, a great value French Champagne.

Reif Estate Chardonnay Reserve ($16.95, LCBO 252163)
Rich and creamy, this full bodied white is perfect for a holiday feast.

d’Arenberg “d’Arry’s Original” Shiraz-Grenache ($19.95, Vintages 942904)
A versatile crowd-pleaser with classic Aussie style.

Lakeview Cellars Vidal Ice Wine ($19.95, Vintages 522672, 200 ml)
Perfect for gift giving or as a holiday indulgence.

And if you don’t get around to trying new wines this holiday season, then Groovy Grapes has the just the thing for you. On Tuesday, January 18^th,
join us at 107 Fourth Avenue Wine Bar for an evening of tasting Wines that Warm the Soul, the perfect way to wind down after the busy holiday season.
For $30, you will try seven different red wines and munch on delicious nibblies as well.

The gloriously hot days of summer here in Canada tend to slip away so quickly, and with only a good dozen or so summer week-ends, you really do have to make the most of each and every sunny afternoon and warm, breezy evening. We at Groovy Grapes think that the best way to do this is to keep your summer entertaining simple. Here are a few tips to get you started, plus a couple of must-try summer wines.

1. Shop local and fresh. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place with a farmer’s market, use it! Sure, it might take a few extra minutes instead of buying all your produce at the supermarket, but it’s worth it to serve your guests local, fresh, and seasonal dishes.

2. Grill it. Grilling has to be THE easiest way to cook, plus you won’t heat up your kitchen, you’ll have less dishes, and we think it’s the best way to let your food’s flavours speak for themselves. If you are interested in a short video clip we put together about bbq and wine and food matching have a look at our video library and select the second clip.

3. Dine al fresco. Buy tons of citronella candles or torches to keep the bugs away, then set up your table outside to enjoy the fresh air. There’s nothing more seasonally celebratory than a simple outdoor party.

4. Drink bubbly. Since we’re sticking with the theme of celebrating, sparkling wine is the perfect drink for your summer parties. It works equally well in the morning, afternoon, or evening, it’s super food-friendly, and it makes a simple yet elegant cocktail when mixed with a bit of puréed fresh fruit like berries or peaches.

5. Call us! Whether you’d like a tip on what wines to serve with your summer menu or if you’d rather leave the entertaining to us, we’d love to hear from you. Email works too.

Must-try Summer Sipping
Just as with food, we like to support local wine producers, especially during the summer months. Try these Canadian wines at your next summer party – you won’t be disappointed!

Reif Estate Vidal (Niagara Peninsula)
LCBO 111781 | 750 ml | $8.35
With just a hint of sweetness, this light and simple wine is the perfect poolside sipper. Fruity aromas and flavours of peach and pear, plus a price that can’t be beat.

Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut (Niagara Peninsula)
VINTAGES 616458 | 750 ml | $29.95
See tip #4 above – drink bubbly! This one has a light pink colour, medium body, and fine, refreshing bubbles. Try it as an apéritif, or with oysters, caviar, or grilled seafood.

Château des Charmes Rosé Cuvée d’Andrée (Niagara Peninsula)
LCBO 333260 | 750 ml | $12.95
A crisp, dry and refreshing rosé, full of fruity and spicy flavours. If rosé makes you think sweet and syrupy, think again! So food friendly, you’ll want to try it with everything!

Mission Hill “Five Vineyards” Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley)
LCBO 118844 | 750 ml | $13.95
A medium-bodied red that can be chilled down a bit for more refreshment. Pinot Noir is a popular style, and this one is quite fruity with a hint of earthiness. A great partner for grilled salmon, trout, tuna, or pork tenderloin.

Rossignol Cranberry Delight (Prince Edward Island)
VINTAGES 535419 | 750 ml | $15.95
A unique fruit wine from P.E.I. that’s an ideal ending to an outdoor meal. Sweet and fresh with flavours of cranberry and strawberry.

By: Stacey Metulynsky
This is my favourite time of year. The snow is gone, everything is greener by the day, and you can’t beat the feeling of that first time you can go outside without a jacket. Yes, spring has sprung, and what better way to toast the promise of even warmer weather to come than with wines from places where the sunshine and warm weather last almost all year through … well, close enough anyways, when you compare them to our measly little summers!

What can you expect from a wine that has been produced in a warm climate region? Well, warm climates have a longer growing season, and therefore they tend to have more sunshine. Both of these factors mean that the grapes harvested will be riper and juicier than those grown in cooler climates. Now that doesn’t mean that the resulting super-ripe grapes will produce flabby wines. Cool evenings and ocean breezes are just a couple of the climatic factors that can maintain refreshing acidity in grapes as they ripen to juicy perfection.

Many wine producing countries of the world have both warm and cool climate growing regions, including France, New Zealand, and the United States, so when shopping for warm climate wines, keep in mind that often you can’t rely solely on the country where it’s produced. Also remember that in the southern hemisphere (think Australia or New Zealand), the more north you go, the warmer the weather gets. Here’s a basic guide to warm climate wine regions, including a few Groovy Grapes picks to get you started (all these wines can be found on the LCBO General List).

Australia - probably the first place that comes to mind when you think of warm climate wines, but its wine regions vary from very cool to very hot. Yarra Valley (Victoria), Margaret River (Western Australia), and Tasmania are among the cooler areas while the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and South Australia tend to be warmer. Either way, you can count on Aussie wines to be full-bodied, tasty and ripe - most of them ready to drink right away without cellaring. Some to try:

Peter Lehmann Clancy’s Red
LCBO 611467 | 750 ml | $17.95
A rich blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, with sweet, ripe flavours of black cherry and vanilla, soft tannins and a long oaky finish. A satisfying BBQ wine.

Penmara Five Families Shiraz
LCBO 565929 | 750 ml | $13.15
A big value Shiraz with spicy and jammy fruit flavours, full body, and the slightest hint of minty eucalyptus. A perfect partner for lamb.

Chile - wines from Chile are HOT and what comes to mind first for me is the amazing value they can offer, with the higher end wines often staying under the $20 price point. Look for full bodied reds and crisp, refreshing whites. Some to try:

Concha Y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc
LCBO 578641 | 750 ml | $10.95
A clean, crisp wine with aromas and flavours of tropical and citrus fruit, grassy notes, and zesty acidity. A natural partner for grilled fish or antipasti.

Errazuriz Don Maximiano Cabernet Sauvignon
LCBO 335174 | 750 ml | $18.05
This wine is a knock-out, with a nice balance of earthiness, ripe fruit, and oak aromas and flavours, a smooth mouthfeel, and a long, rich finish. A great spring evening sipper.

South Africa - another gem whose wines, like Chile, are big in flavour and low in price - my favourite combo! The signature grape is Pinotage, but also be sure to try their Shiraz and Chenin Blanc. Some to try:

KWV Chenin Blanc
LCBO 018689 | 750 ml | $7.45
A huge value, with orchard fruit aromas and flavours (think peach, pear, and apple) and pleasant acidity. Very easy drinking, so great as an apéritif, or with poultry and fish.

Bellingham Shiraz
LCBO 554360 | 750 ml | $13.15
My favourite South African wine on the General List - an easy party pleaser with everything you want in a Shiraz - ripe cherry and plum fruit with hints of chocolate, smoke, and spice.

Portugal - a country whose wonderful table wines stand in the shadow of the famous fortified Port wine. Though you may not recognize the grape varietals used in Portuguese wines, go ahead and experiment - you’ll find some new favourites. Some to try:

Aveleda Vinho Verde
LCBO 005322 | 750 ml | $8.05
This white wine is light and slightly sweet with fruity flavours and a spritzy finish. A tasty match for spicy cuisine or deep fried seafood.

Pedras Do Monte Castelao
LCBO 565762 | 750 ml | $9.35
One of the hidden treasures of the General List, this is a ripe and tasty red wine, with flavours of plum, cherry, raspberry, black currant, spice, and vanilla. Good with grilled ribs or roasted meats.

Spain - there is so much to explore in the Spanish section of the LCBO, including excellent quality sparkling wines, crisp whites, reds ranging from light and fruity to big and bold, and of course Sherry, be it sweet, dry, or somewhere in between. Some to try:

Segura Viudas “Aria” Estate Brut Cava
LCBO 311241 | 750 ml | $16.10
This medium bodied sparkling wine is brimming with aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, green apple, and melon. It’s crisp, refreshing, and perfect with seafood, salads, or as an apéritif.

Martinez Candidato Oro
LCBO 523811 | 750 ml | $8.00
The perfect warm weather red wine - pleasantly fruity and spicy, but also light and refreshing, you can even chill this one down a bit to enhance the freshness. This wine is a blend of Grenache and Tempranillo.

Want to learn more? Join as at Social lounge + restaurant on Friday, May 13th for “Wine & Grill”, a tasting of perfect patio whites and red-hot BBQ reds, paired up with sensational grill ideas from Chef Stephen Mitton. Go to our events page to register and read more.