We wrapped up Savour the Tulips wine and food show this past Saturday at the Mirror Tent on the Tulip Festival grounds.  My camera ran out of battery but I just saw a great overview of the event on the All Things Edible Blog.  Thanks to Robin Duetta of FOODmode Magazine, Tulip Festival for hosting, as well as all the restaurants and beverage suppliers for making it a great afternoon.

We just saw this article by Jennifer Campbell of the Ottawa Citizen regarding Savour the Tulips this Saturday.  There’s a great recipe attached.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario (April 17, 2009) - Southbrook Vineyards toasts Earth Day® with the release of its 2008 Cabernet Rosé, the first biodynamic wine produced in Canada. Twenty-five restaurants across Ontario, from Ottawa, Toronto, Prince Edward County, Muskoka, western Ontario and Niagara, will celebrate with a simultaneous launch of the wine on April 22nd – Earth Day®. Chefs and sommeliers in these restaurants are featuring the Cabernet Rosé on their wine-by-the-glass list or with a specially created dish or food match. Read the rest of the news release (PDF). 

Wine lovers are invited to drop by Play food & wine, 1 York Street in Ottawa on Earth Day® from 6 pm to 8 pm when Southbrook Vineyards representative Aaron Shaw will be on hand to pour samples of the Cabernet Rosé. The dish at Play that Michael Moffat put together to pair with the rose is Hand-rolled Gnocchi with White Asparagus, Oyster Mushrooms and Sorrel Vinaigrette (I’ll take two of those!).

Click here for the second installment:
 

We taste and talk about Southbrook Cabernet Rosé (Canada’s first certified biodynamic wine - you can read more about that below) and Rosehall Run Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County.  You can tune in to the LiVE 88.5 Start-Up to hear more installments through the spring!

 

Spring is a time of new beginnings. As all the tiny plants begin to poke their heads from the ground, many of us are filled with a renewed sense of hope and excitement for the warmer months ahead. I always love spring for the pending local produce we’re about to enjoy. And although we’re still a little ways away from enjoying fiddleheads and asparagus, it doesn’t feel too soon to start cracking the cap on whites and rosés more often than not.

Since spring is all about new beginnings, it’s also the perfect time to try something new. Take a break from the regular Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs and whet your palate with some of the many more unusual white wines out there. Here are a few picks that are currently available in the Vintages section of the LCBO. And if that’s not enough inspiration for you, check our event listings for an upcoming class at the Urban Element on May 9^th that features unusual white wines from around the world.

LAURENZ UND SOPHIE SINGING GRÜNER VELTLINER 2007 (VINTAGES 87627 | $18.95 | Austria)

Grüner is one of my all-time favourite wines, because it has such a perfect balance between ripe fruit, savoury spice, and nutty minerality. It’s incredibly food friendly, and this one, as the name implies, truly sings on your palate. If you can’t find this particular Grüner, try another one – they are only made in Austria.

DOMAINE DU PETIT COTEAU LES GRENOUILLES SEC VOUVRAY 2007 (VINTAGES 106815 | $17.95 | Loire, France)

Vouvray is an appellation in the Loire Valley in France and is made with the Chenin Blanc grape. It’s crisp and refreshing with a balance between fruity and minerally flavours. This one is organic and lovely paired up with simply prepared freshwater fish.

DOMAINE DE GOURGAZAUD VIOGNIER 2007 (VINTAGES 734533 | $15.95 | Midi, France)

Viognier is one of my favourite white grapes – it makes luscious, full-bodied wines with sweet, honeyed aromatics and juicy tropical fruit flavours. Try this one on its own for a lovely patio wine, or pair it up with seared scallops or crab cakes with mango salsa.

IRONSTONE VINEYARDS OBSESSION SYMPHONY 2007 (VINTAGES 355784 | $14.95 | California, United States)

Symphony is a grape that was created by crossing Grenache Gris with Muscat. The result is a floral, fruity, off-dry white that screams summertime. Because it’s got a touch of sweetness it’s great paired up with spicy foods (think spicy seafood off the grill) and it’s also perfect for Sunday brunch on the back deck.

I want to let you in on a secret … most of our clients think that our main focus and inspiration has always been wine.  But did you know that we also specialize in hosting beer and scotch tastings?  It’s just that groovy barley or groovy malt just doesn’t have the same ring to it!

Members of the groovy grapes team have long been known for their approachable and entertaining approach towards hosting wine events, and we provide the exact same services for those of you who’d like to learn a little bit more about beer or scotch.  And with St. Patrick’s Day and warm spring evenings on the patio quickly approaching, what better time to consider beer as the focus of your next event?  To get your wheels turning, here are some beer health facts that just might make your mouth water …

• beer contains a similar amount of ‘polyphenols’ (antioxidants that have important health benefits) as red wine and 4-5 times as many polyphenols as white wine
• besides being fat-free and cholesterol-free, beer provides a 30% increase in vitamin B6 into your blood, something that neither wine nor any other liquor can do
• recent studies have shown that light to moderate beer drinkers (1 or 2 beers a day for men or 1 beer for women) can decrease their chances of suffering a stroke by 20%
• beer made from barley and wheat contains loads of vitamins and minerals (including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins B, B2, and B6) that survive the fermentation and filtering process, and even the vitamin value in the yeast is conserved in unfiltered beer

Ready to chug?? Our tastings can be customized to suit your interests and event format.  Some of our most popular beer themes include:

• around the world in beer
• a study of beer styles: ales, stouts, porters, lagers
• beer and cheese matching
• beer and food matching

Sample our beer expertise …
Coming up on March 17th, 2009, join us at the Urban Element for a St. Paddy’s Day Beer Tasting:

Looking for a better way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day than going out for a pint or two down at the pub? Try a tutored tasting of 8 different beers from around the world – perfect for the beer lover who doesn’t feel like fighting the bar crowds on this festive date. Geoffrey Skeggs, Groovy Grapes beer expert, will lead you through an educational and fun tasting of beer, including some beer-friendly food pairings.

When: Tuesday, March 17, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Urban Element, 424 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa
Cost: $75 plus tax
Register: call the Urban Element at 613.722.0885 or email bookings@theurbanelement.ca to reserve your place

If you happened to miss the Ontario wine fair, here’s your chance to take in some of the highlights!  I was lucky enough to hang out with radio hosts Katfish Morgan and Dave Schellenberg of the LiVE 88.5 Start-Up and we tasted our way around the wine fair, microphone in hand.  So thanks to LiVE 88.5, you can listen in on our tasting!  Click here for the first installment…

…during which we taste and talk about Wildass White from Stratus Winery and Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve.  You can tune in to the LiVE 88.5 Start-Up to hear more installments through the spring!

Listen to the Podcast!

We just completed three walking and dining tours of the Byward Market as part of Taste of Winterlude and have to say it’s THE most interesting and fun way to dine we’ve experienced.  Feb. 10th we did a loop including Courtyard Restaurant, Luxe Bistro, Empire Grill, Murray Street and Restaurant 18; Feb. 11th we did the same loop substituting Domus and Sweetgrass and last night had the pleasure of taking a corporate group from Toronto around to Arc Lounge + Restaurant, Courtyard Restaurant, Social, Empire Grill and Zoe’s Lounge (Chateau Laurier). 

The walking between courses is energizing and it’s such a great way to get out and explore the local culinary scene.  Ron Eade just posted a great overview of his experience Feb. 11th on his blog.  If you are interested in the next walkabout feast or moveable feast drop us an email events at groovygrapes.com or plan to take in La Vendemmia this year Sep. 2009 on Preston Street!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009

 

Winemaker Table at Atelier Restaurant featuring Cave Spring Cellars

Tuesday, February 17, 6 pm (540 Rochester Street)

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to dine alongside Thomas Pennachetti, owner of Cave Spring Cellars, at one of Ottawa’s newest, most exciting restaurants - Atelier.  This dining experience includes a memorable 12-course blind tasting menu paired with some of Niagara’s finest wines from Cave Spring, plus the chance to interact with Thomas as he introduces each wine throughout the evening.

$120 for tasting menu with wine pairings, registration is required, as space is limited:  please call 613-321-3537.

 

Wildass@Play 

Tuesday February 17 (1 York Street)

The wines of Wildass Country come to Play in Ottawa. Play is the new creation of Steve Beckta and embodies the philosophy of small-plates, high-quality, casual dining with a diverse selection of wines. Play is located in the heart of Ottawa.  Play Chef Michael Moffatt, Play Sommelier Grayson McDiarmid, and Charles Baker of Stratus Vineyards present three ‘playful’ pairings highlighting the acclaimed, great-value wines from Wildass (2007 Wildass Riesling, 2006 Wildass White, 2006 Wildass Red).  Don’t miss this highly energized evening of food, wine and discussion.

$68 per person plus tax and gratuity, Only 50 seats available - call 613-667-9207 for reservations (there is no specific start time)

 

Wine Dinner at The Urban Pear featuring Southbrook Winery

Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 pm (151 Second Ave., Unit C)

Southbrook Vineyard is gorgeous, glamorous, green, and it’s the first Canadian winery to achieve Biodynamic Certification.  Join the always entertaining and informative Bill Redelmeier, owner of Southbrook, for a 4 course meal paired with 5 wines, including a special 1998 vintage pulled from the library especially for this event.  Enjoy the seasonal, creative, delicious creations of The Urban Pear’s Chef/Owner Ben Baird, each course perfectly complemented with wine pairings and Bill’s lively commentary.  The perfect way to spend a winter’s eve.

$90 per person plus taxes and gratuity, call 613-569-9305 for reservations

 

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009

 

Wine Tasting Dinner at Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar with Rosehall Run Winery
Thursday, February 19, 6pm (245 Richmond Road)
Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to dine alongside Dan Sullivan, winemaker from Rosehall Run winery.  This fine dining experience includes a five course tasting menu created by Chefs Richard Nigro & Norm Aitken paired with some of Prince Edward County’s finest wines from Rosehall Run.  In order to enhance the experience a bit further, both Dan & Richard will be mingling evening long and answering all questions that come to mind and palate.
$80 per person plus tax & gratuity, call 613-728-0220 for reservations

Winemaker’s Dinner at the Elgin Café Featuring the Wines of Reif Estate

Thursday, February 19, 7pm (100 Elgin Street at the Lord Elgin Hotel)

Executive Chef Joan Smith of the Lord Elgin Hotel, has created a fabulous 5 course dinner menu paired with the wines of Reif Estate Winery, one of the pioneers of the Niagara Wine Industry.   Owner and winemaker Klaus W. Reif, will host the evening introducing the wines and sharing his passions and insights with the guests.  This is a must-attend for culinary and wine aficionados alike.

$75.00 per person plus tax and gratuity, call 613-569-2126 for reservations

 

Winemaker Dinner at Atelier Restaurant featuring Huff Estates Winery

Thursday, February 19, 6 pm (540 Rochester Street)

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to taste the wines of Huff Estate at Ottawa’s newest, most exciting restaurants - Atelier.  This dining experience includes a memorable 12-course blind tasting menu paired with some of Prince Edward County’s finest wines from Huff Estate, plus the chance to interact winemaker Frederic Picard,  as he introduces each wine throughout the evening.

$120 for tasting menu with wine pairings, registration is required, as space is limited:  please call 613-321-3537.

 

Stratus@Beckta

Thursday, February 19, 6:30pm (226 Nepean Street)

Only 20 seats are available for this intimate round-table dinner with Beckta Chef Michael Moffatt and legendary Ontario winemaker Jean-Laurent ‘JL’ Groux. Beckta, Ottawa’s pre-eminent dining experience, known for innovative and intelligent fare, superb service, and superlative ambience, continues to draw rave reviews from far and wide. A Four-course dinner will be paired with current, Future, and rare library vintages of Stratus’ signature wines, Stratus Red and Stratus White. These wines capture the essence of the Stratus vineyard and have quickly become benchmarks on the Canadian wine scene. They are known for their complexity, intensity, ability to age for long periods, and are above all else, unique expressions of the land on which they are grown.

$125 per person plus tax and gratuity, please call 613-238-7063 for reservations

 

Wine Dinner at Merlot Rooftop Grill featuring Cave Spring Cellars

Thursday, February 19, 6:30pm (100 Kent Street - Ottawa Marriott, 29th Floor)

Experience a five-course, wine-paired meal at Ottawa’s highest restaurant - Merlot Rooftop Grill.  Enjoy the spectacular view of the city from the 29th floor of the Ottawa Marriott Hotel. Executive Chef Steven Gugelmeier and Merlot Chef Timothy Barton have crafted a unique menu including Beef Tenderloin, Wild Sockeye Salmon, and Caribou Loin. Thomas Pennachetti, co-owner of Cave Spring Cellars, will explore and explain the characteristic of five wines. Three for the 2006 vintage and two from the 2007 vintage. Experience the unique and subtle characteristics each vintage can bring to each variety.

$125 per person plus tax and gratuity, please call Gunars Kazaks at 613-783-4212 for reservations