Read about it here.

Jill got us hooked on our Nespresso machine – you’re crazy if you don’t have one of these. And you’re even crazier if you don’t visit Jill’s for Christmas gift shopping. Or just to pick-up some amusing/naughty cocktail napkins.

http://www.jillstable.ca/

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT RETAILER and help revitalize your downtown.

Was terrific to visit TWO London markets yesterday…at the Covent and fairgrounds. Lucky London. I’ll be back JANUARY 13th to the London Wine Show – giving a few short shows on the main stage. Stay tuned.

P.S. Heard that Tim’s and Mac’s have gotten into the Latte/Espresso game. At last maybe a reason to visit – or should that be the drive through!

Last chance to grab some primo local wines fore the holidays. Wednesday November 30.

See this PDF for more info: November 30 ONTARIO Tasting

Elliot is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, but grew up in Stirling, Ontario. He worked as a teenager in the kitchen of The Two Loons in Madoc and completed the Hotel/Restaurant Management program at Loyalist College. He has travelled the world, was head chef of a Moscow restaurant and in 2010 was one of the caterers for Team Canada at Canada House in Whistler.

This place should be packed – the rooms are divine – top class. Too bad the website doesn’t do the experience justice.

I was so taken in fact, that I want to plan a few ‘Wine and Play’ weekends in February. Stay tuned!

CLARAMOUNT INN & SPA, 97 Bridge Street, Picton, Ontario
1.800.679.7756 or 613.476.2709
www.claramountinn.com

WASSAIL (drink, sing & make merry) from winery to winery…singing and merriment gets you a free tasting of wine!

Hop on one of the buses and join the Carol Cavalcade. Accommodation packages too.

http://www.thecountywines.com/pecwaannualeventsc16.php

This is a fab event put on by the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Check out VQA wines and locally prepared dishes at each of the 26 member wineries.  Taste the Season takes place the next three weekends in November (12/13, 19/20, 26/27).  Go and have a great time.

http://wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/taste-the-season

Passes are $44.25 per person (plus HST).

The Rex

194 Queen Street West, Toronto
www.therex.ca

BEER LOVERS SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
5 pm to 9pm

Official Event Link

Munich would be great but here’s a local alternative that you could turn into a romantic/leaf gawking weekend. Bayfield offers a lovely hit of New England and the Black Dog pub/bistro is seriously into good food, drinks and times. Tell Kathleen and Ted I sent you.

Don’t do it till you hear all the pros and cons from a seasoned pro. I highly recommend these one-day seminars offered in Toronto and Ottawa. Well worth the time and cost.

Sat. Nov. 19th  – Ottawa – Novotel Hotel
Sat. Nov. 26th – Toronto – The Old Mill Inn & Spa

Featuring C. Steven Trenholme, a 30-year veteran of the Canadian beverage alcohol industry.

cstrenholme@sympatico.ca

CONGRATULATIONS

Thanks to the hundreds who entered. Support these great establishments who kindly helped us create a fantastic prize.

Down the Street Bar & Restaurant, Foster’s Inn, Savour Stratford, Stratford Festival, and The Three Houses.

Check it out Saturday August 13!

With the wonderfully talented Suzie Vinnick, Jordan John and rockin’ blues and wine head Peter Boyd!

Purchase Tickets Online or Call 1.800.582.8412 ext. 2

Distinguished attendees at the bash included the blogging maestro, Deacon Dr Fresh, The Gallaghers of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, oyster godfather Rodney Clarke, Canada AM host Seamus O Regan, and Stratford off-stage performer, Neil Matheson…to name but a few.

If you’d like to be invited to next year’s luncheon send proof of your Love of Pink – photos and LCBO receipts – to me at billysbestbottles@gmail.com

We’re excited to host a wine tasting event at Ravine Vineyard on Thursday,  July 21st.

Ravine is one of my favourite Niagara wineries – the place, the wines, the restaurant. Check it out! www.ravinevineyard.com

Experience our Wine Dating Game  – no wine geeking allowed! Just bring your imagination and sense of humour.

The Wine Dating Game is a fun, interactive wine seminar based on imagining a ‘best date’ for each of the wines tasted (4 whites and 4 reds). Once you know WHO you’re dating, you’ll be able to figure out WHERE to take them!

We’ll be tasting 4 whites and 4 reds. A bargain at $50! 7:30 PM- 9:30 PM

The new Bistro @ Ravine is now open for dinner! Explore the French Bistro inspired menu with a Niagara twist before or after the dating game!

To reserve your spot please contact Nicola @ 905.262.8463 ext. 27 or email  nicola@ravinevineyard.com

Ravine Vineyard, 1366 York Road, St Davids, ON, L0S 1J0

Enjoy the best seats in the house, front and center of the stage, providing great views and an intimate setting for taking in the fabulous Jazz performances. An assigned seat and umbrella will be waiting for you upon your arrival and our lounge hosts will attend to you for your wine selections. Tickets are $70 per person, plus taxes. Seating will be assigned at time of purchase. Concert gates open at 2pm.

I’ve been fortunate to be a guest in the past and it’s a FANTASTIC day! Highly recommended. And don’t forget to load up at the wine shop!

EMAIL ME with your NAME and phone number for your chance to win. Entries close SUNDAY JULY 3rd at MIDNIGHT. I’ll be picking a random winner on July 4th.

http://www.hillebrand.com/Jazz-&-Blues-at-the-Winery.php

www.wineandspiritfestival.ca

One of the most fun Niagara events I’ve ever attended was a party in the garden of the then Grape King. While I loved the chefs cooking up a storm, the endless tables of wine and the hour of rockin’ out to the band – it was the humble farm setting that made it feel personal and more real than events at wineries.

This year’s Grape ‘King‘ (duh?) DEBBIE INGLIS, is hosting a Tailgate Party at her farm near Virgil and I highly recommend you go. Only $75. June 18, 5:30 to 9:30, Line 4/Creek Road, Virgil
906-688-0212 or niagarawinefestival.com

Can you handle it? How much Pinot lovin can you take? Well, here’s one way to find out. The Ontario Wine Society is hosting a tasting of local (35 wineries) and the traditional stuff from Burgundy (Jadot, Bichot, Roux and others).

While some might see it as a ‘them and us’ contest I think it’s a great opportunity to explore the local wine and see what you think. All the big local Pinot names are coming out: Malivoire, Le Clos Jordanne, Coyotes Run, Pelham, Flat Rock, Lailey, Tawse, Norman Hardie, etc. And it’s at a castle, not really mine – the crazy Casa Loma in Toronto. Weather permitting we’ll be out on the terrace pretending we’re in Monte Carlo.

Don’t miss this one. Only $68 ($58 for members and guests). There will be an additional $1 charge for tastes of the premium wines.

May 19th at Casa Loma, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

More info here

Location is the beautiful Crystal Palace at the Picton fairgrounds. There are now over 30 wineries in the County so be prepared for lots of tasting.

Book a hotel or bring a tent. Tickets are $30 at the door, or $25 in advance here.

Live tango music and dancers, Argentine asado & empanadas, TAG Malbec martinis, Trapiche Malbec and lots of other goodies.

$30 per person, all inclusive

4896 Dundas Street West, Toronto 416.231.6994

www.vintageonewines.com

Café Taste, in Toronto’s Parkdale area will be holding its fourth annual Ontario Wine & Cheese Fare on Saturday June 4th.  I love this event because it’s so different from the usual ‘galas’. I feel like I’m at a village feté in France. Winemakers are jammed into the small restaurant and back yard so it’s becomes a cozy party. Something that seldom happens at wine events in Ontario (mine excluded).

Another feature is the opportunity to order wines on the spot. ‘Quick before it’s all gone.’ The County will be out in force this year; look for Norman Hardie, The Grange, Black Prince, Keint-he, Rosehall Run, Huff Estates, and Sandbanks Estate.

Book for the afternoon (1–5) or evening (6–10) session.
$60 in advance, or $70 at the door. Space is limited so book early.

Café Taste 1330 Queen Street West (past the Drake, under the railway and on the north side.
P: 416-536-7748 www.cafetaste.ca