Last Friday night Kato and I were fortunate to be hired as sommeliers/party helpers for a wonderful party held at Tynavon, a lovely B&B in Elora. The theme was Italy in 6 Glasses…with 1950s as the dress code. It was tons of fun, the food was delish, and the company outstanding. I would definitely recommend staying at Tynavon, and know hosts Chris and Dave will serve up outstanding hospitality. Elora is a rockin’ little town, with beautiful limestone buildings, creative businesses and a colourful, well-maintained downtown. One of Ontario’s gems.
Archive for September, 2010
Wonderful Night in Elora
Come to Hillebrand this Saturday!
Saturday, September 18th from 4 to 7 pm.
I’m delighted to participate in Hillebrand Winery’s Artsy Event – CORKS, CANAPÉS & CANVASES – and hope you will come!
Kato and I will be leading two lively and interactive wine seminars at 5 pm and 6 pm. about wine and art!
Tickets are available for only $25 per person, exclusive of taxes. Each ticket includes 4 wines and locally-inspired canapés prepared by Chef Frank Dodd, as well as a complimentary Govino glass, branded with the event logo.
To purchase, call 1.800.582.8412 ext. 2 or email info@hillebrand.com.
The event will be hosted by: Billy Munnelly, Canada’s most creative wine writer!
Craig McDonald, Hillebrand Winery’s new Winemaker
Chef Frank Dodd, Chef of Hillebrand Winery Restaurant
12 artists are confirmed. All of the artists have been featured on past or present Artist Series or Artist Series Limited Edition wine labels. They are all from Ontario and are all winners of the annual Artist Series Label Call for Art Contest. Each piece selected to be label art had to embody the ‘Spirit of Ontario’ theme.
‘Wine is one of the few products that we buy without the opportunity to experience it. Hillebrand’s Artist Series labels really help the wine shopper by giving a sense of the feeling or mood of the wine in the bottle. A picture is worth a thousand words.’ – Munnelly, Wine Writer & Event Host
‘Since 2006 we have been showcasing artists from our own backyard on our Artist Series labels. Whether they are past or present artists, each has developed a strong attachment to the Artist Series brand and Hillebrand as a supporter of the arts in Ontario. They are all so pleased to be involved in an event that showcases them alongside these wines.’ – Adine Fabiani, Brand Manager, Hillebrand Winery
Hillebrand Winery and Hillebrand Winery Restaurant capture the very essence of Niagara wine country; with single barrel and single vineyard wines that reflect our local terroir, 100 Mile Tasting Menu’s sourced from nearby farmers and interactive wine experiences such as Trius Art of Red – Blending Experience. With more than 200,000 visitors each year, Hillebrand Winery has become one of the premier destinations for visitors to one of Canada’s most beautiful regions.
LCBO Vintages Saturday September 18
THE LOW DOWN: It’s Ontario month and I wish I could recommend more locals, but I think that wineries would rather sell their good stuff to their own customers than commit to (and wait for payment) from the the LCBO. I didn’t care for the jammy, chunky, overblown Douro wines either. Buy the Port instead. But as ever, there’s a sprinkling of treasures – at bargain prices.
WHITES
wine style: nice & easy white
TBILVINO TSINANDALI 08, Georgia 26658 $12.95
From the original home of wine and civilization! Soft, easy-drinking, non-oaked Chardonnay style. Worth a detour.
wine style: fresh white
FONTANAFREDDA 09 Gavi, Piedmont, Italy 75440 $15.95
Gavi is Italy’s answer to Chablis. A low-flavoured white with mineral freshness and a classy feeling. The tease of fruit in this one reminds me of Dry Riesling. Lovely aperitif.
wine style: fresh white
STRANDVELD VINEYARDS 09 Sauvignon Blanc ‘First Sighting’, Cape Agulhas, South Africa 18705 $14.95
Sauvignon with amazing purity and stone cold mineral freshness. Think about sea breezes. If you’re into the terroir thing this wine is the expression of a rocky outpost at the real foot of the African continent…where stubborn Dutch farmers dare to grow vines in windblown fields.
SPARKLING
JACKSON-TRIGGS Method Classique Brut 05 ‘Proprietor’s Grand Reserve’, VQA Niagara 587691 $19.95
Bargain-priced Bollinger! Bottle age has created toasty richness and charm. Feels luxurious – very Old World. Sip before and with, a nice dinner. Or for parties and celebrations. At this price you can afford to be generous. Very impressive.
REDS
wine style: lively red
NORMAN HARDIE 08 County Pinot Noir Unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County 125310 $35.20
This is about adventure. Experience the wine that closely resembles the Pinots of Burgundy. Light (11% alcohol), tart, and an earthy feeling of soils. Barnyard for sure. Roast a bird and celebrate Canada’s new wine region.
wine style: rustic red
LAILEY 08 Pinot Noir, VQA Niagara 591404 $25.00
It doesn’t get more rustic than this. And you’ll not find a better Burgundian-style Pinot for the price. Raunchy in a good way. But don’t keep it – drink it now. I always enjoy the earthiness in Lailey’s wine.
wine style: rustic red
PIETRO RINALDI 08 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy 182261 $16.95
A great hit of Italy. Gutsy red wine with the feeling of old soils – and meals in rustic restaurants. The soulful life. Aussie Shiraz fans will hate the tangy dry edge in this wine.
wine style: rustic red
JEAN-LUC BALDES 07 ‘Flore’, Cahors, France 176735 $13.95
Experience the original Malbec from the Cahors region in France. A gutsy, invigorating wine in the bistro style. Dry, low alcohol and sure to lead to a second bottle.
wine style: rich red
LA RESERVE DU CROUZAU 07 ‘St. Gervais’ Cotes du Rhone, France 142943 $13.95
A super-rich Rhone with enough warmth to get you through the coldest winter nights. Spicy flavours give energy to the lush, seductive feeling. A lot of action for the price.
PORT
FERREIRA 2000 LBV Port, Portugal 675751 $18.95
Plan for winter with this very concentrated, characterful Port. There’s a refreshing edge that could easily lead to over consumption. Always a danger with Port.
Red Wine for BBQ’d Meats
In my excitement to tell you about Muddy’s Pit BBQ I clean forgot to offer a BBQ wine recommendation. Sorry, but here it is – and it’s a beauty. A new discovery from working on my 2011 book.
We’re launching into blockbuster richness as the nights are getting chilly. Cusumano Nero D’Avola has huge spicy flavours, amazing richness and a feeling of luxury. Could be a $45 Cateatuneuf du Pape! Or any Hollywood style red. You’ll love it. Especially if you’re hedonist.
Cusumano 08 Nero D’Avola, Sicily 143164 $9.95
Real Southern BBQ Pit
Muddy’s Pit BBQ in Keane is the real thing. Slow BBQ’d pork and beef the way they do it in the Southern States. Have it on premises, or take home. Call ahead for party orders, or to have owner Neil cook for your event. A soulful guy dishing up soulful food.
Where’s Keene? South of Peterborough, a few miles West of Elmhirst’s resort on Rice lake. (Which is open 365 days of the year and has an all VQA wine list…and a new spa which is fabulous!)
Muddy’s Pit BBQ 707 295-1255
Billy: Yikes! Clearly I didn't drink ENOUGH.
Thanks....
Stu: Oops. Product name next to the photo notes: France. Last time I checke...
Kato: Loved Spain's Gran Feudo we had a few nights ago...great food wine....