Archive for October, 2009

Italian House Reds

by Kato on October 30, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

oct30Italy Does Modern

Traditionally Italian wines are labeled by region but there’s a movement to start using grape names, especially well known ones, when the production is aimed at the expert market. Are you ready to try some Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah – Italian style?

The Abruzzo province is the ‘outlet store’ for Italian red wines. Rock bottom prices for good quality, traditional wines. Now it’s doing the same with international grape varieties.

Arancio’s Syrah strikes a perfect balance between traditional and modern expression. It would work for either camp. Solid, house wine feeling. A bit reserved at first, but the Italian spirit comes out with food.

Casal Thaulero’s wine delivers Merlot plumminess, Cabernet solidness and a rustic Italian feeling. Richness and gusto – the Italian way. For hearty foods and folks. Why pay more?

Best times: fall or winter house wines.

wine style: RICH RED
Arancio 07 Syrah, Sicily 621730 $12.75

wine style: RICH RED
Casal Thaulero 08 Merlot/Cabernet, Abruzzo, Italy 621953 $6.95

Must Try Red: La Casona

by Kato on October 29, 2009 in Wine Picks with No comments

LaCasonawebGanging up on Fuzion

Argentina’s wonder wine, Fuzion, already has two challengers – one Spanish and the other Portuguese. Today I’ll tell you about La Casona from the south east of Spain. It’s got New World richness and ripeness but there’s also an invigorating peppery quality found in Rhône Reds. A crowd-pleaser with some traditional wine character. Really good stuff for hearty winter meals. And a great buy, just like Fuzion.

Bodegas Castano 07 ‘La Casona’, Monastrell, Yecla, Spain
143743 $8.95

P.S. Please don’t forget that the Abruzzi province of Italy has been doing $7 wonder reds long before Fuzion arrived on the market. Try Spinelli 08 Sangiovese (621961 $7.50) with your next pasta or weeknight supper.

The Famous Grouse Goes Black

by Kato on October 28, 2009 in Billy's World with No comments

600264I love Scotch, and one of my first lessons many moons ago was to make The Famous Grouse a starting point on the ladder of quality. Characterful Scotch at an everyday price.

This week I tasted the newly created Black Grouse which delivers a more peaty and smoky experience – but not extreme. And it’s value-priced, just like of the original Grouse. Check it out.

The Black Grouse
#140822  $32.95

Hart House Tasting Series starts this Thursday

by Kato on October 27, 2009 in Events with No comments

tasting_headerHart House 2009 Tasting Series brings together a cross-section of renowned specialists passionate about sharing their tasting knowledge with attendees. This series will run from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm every Thursday night in the Music Room at Hart House beginning October 29th through to December 3rd, 2009. I’m excited about my Bubbly tasting on December 3rd! Come celebrate with me. Tickets are now available for $50 per tasting, or purchase the bundle of all 6 tastings for $250. Spaces are limited. Get on it NOW! www.uofttix.ca or (416) 978-8849.  For more information visit www.harthouse.ca/tasting.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 / 7:00 pm Quebec Beer & Cheese with Mirella Amato & Julia Roger
Kicking off the 2009 Hart House Tasting Series will be a little taste of Quebec without leaving the GTA. This unique tasting is not to be missed as we import product straight from our French Canadian neighbours just for your tasting pleasure. Let experts Mirella and Julia guide you through a beer and cheese tasting.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 / 7:00 pm Pinot Camp with Norman Hardie
If you’re a Pinot lover tonight is the night for you! Winemaker Norman Hardie leads us through a detailed tasting of Pinot Noir from the countries that make it best. Afrim Pristine will be bringing along treats from the Cheese Boutique.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 / 7:00 pm Contemporary Cocktails with Dick Snyder
Dick Snyder of CityBites Magazine hosts a night of cocktails that promises to get you in a Mad Men kind of mood. Bartenders from the Harbord Room, Ame and the Black Hoof will delight us with contemporary twists on classic cocktails.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 / 7:00 pm Wines from New Regions with Sheila Person and Stephanie Kern
Care for a glass of Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains from Romania? Join Sommeliers Sheila Person and Stephanie Kern as they showcase wines from up and coming regions around the world. A votre sante!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 / 7:00 pm Tea Tasting with Karen Hartwick
Smell, swirl and taste. This isn’t another wine tasting – experience a tasting like no other with Karen Hartwick from Tea Leaves in Stratford as she explores the world of tea.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 / 7:00 pm Billy & Bubbles with Billy Munnelly and Guest Chef Jonathan Gushue
What could be better than a little bubbly and some fancy hors d’oeuvres to match? Langdon Hall’s Executive Chef Jonathan Gushue will partner up with Billy Munnelly as they explain sparkling wines and the foods that love them.

Bocce Tournament Sold Out

by Kato on October 27, 2009 in Uncategorized with No comments

BILLYBOCCEwebSOLDCalling All Fans of Drinking and Playing BOCCE!
We’re thrilled to announce this year’s tournament…and that it’s SOLD OUT. Please come by to cheer on your favourite team (ours!).

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, 2009 at 5pm
Two bocce courts set up in the lovely backyard of ALLEN’S on the Danforth
Sponsored by Guinness and hosted by Billy’s Best Bottles and Allen’s

Register your TEAM OF FOUR – entry limited to 16 teams
Registration closes 6pm, October 29th

$45 non-refundable entry fee PER TEAM
*** includes the pre-match meal and beverage ***
Compete for the Madonna trophy. Dress for outside. Recommended: Adorn team members so each team is easily identifiable (which won’t be too hard as it’s the Friday before Halloween…same hat, scarf, colour, etc.)

CALL ALLEN’s to reserve. 416.463.3086
143 Danforth Ave (by Broadview subway)

See you there!

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