Lesson #12
The Wine for Asparagus
Asparagus and Sauvignon Blanc have the same DNA – wild herbaceouness. A no brainer food and wine pairing. However if you decide to make asparagus risotto I’d like to suggest a different wine, Masianco. This mildly rich, semi-dried Verduzzo purrs along with the creaminess of the risotto, while the high energy [...]
Also posted in Wine Picks |
French Lessons
The LCBO is currently doing a French wine education theme that I highly recommend for novice drinkers. Some of the wine picks (paid promotion) are not the best, but what’s important is your opportunity to understand the origin of the major grape varieties. Australia did not invent Chardonnay or Shiraz!
If you’re interested, I’d like [...]
Lesson #11: The Fun of a Good Café Red
Our culture is still relatively new to wine, so we tend to go for the big show – especially in reds. We entertain light/refreshing whites as long as we know there’s a blockbuster red to follow. But what about the idea of a red that will refresh, [...]
Lesson #10 COOL vs HOT
Grape variety is often prescribed as the way to select wines, but I disagree. Sure, it’s a good starting point, but winemaker’s style and climate are what usually determines the wine’s style or character. The overall feeling.
Case in point are the two Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc wines found at your local LCBO. The [...]
Lesson #9 ITALY’S RICH RED
Italian families seldom drinks rich red wines. They keep the big hitters for weddings and other celebrations. We, however, drink rich reds all the time. It’s our default wine. But what about a compromise wine – the muscle without the brawn?
Ripasso is a brilliant Italian invention. Enriched Valpolicella. A red wine [...]
Billy’s Online Wine School
Lesson #8 MAKE FRIENDS with RUSTIC REDS
There was a time when almost all red wines were rustic. Bone dry with a tangy bite. A bit challenging but refreshing and appetizing. Today’s fashion is for smooth, rich reds – and while these are delicious drinks they are not great companions at the dinner [...]
Wine School on the Web
Drink your way through Billy’s Best wine book – a bottle or two at a time. Follow the instructions and you’ll be a wine wizard by Easter. New lessons are posted every week, typically Wednesday. Looking forward to hearing about your ‘homework’!
Lesson #6 EXPERIENCE NICE
Nice is the most wrongly used wine [...]
If you’re just tuning in, check out the other lessons posted on Billy’s Online Wine School page to your left. Enjoy your homework!
WINE LESSON # 5 Côtes du Rhône
I want to repeat the first lesson because of the flood of Côtes du Rhône wines appearing at Vintages this Saturday. You must grab this opportunity to [...]
Wine Lesson #4
Will that be rustic or rich? Playing around with a few Portuguese reds – fun on a winter night.
Sogrape is a big Portuguese winery that churns out some of the world’s great value reds. Really good wines at everyday prices. I’ve been recommending the following for ages but they have never tasted better. And [...]
Drink your way through Billy’s Best wine book – a bottle or two at a time. Follow the instructions and you’ll be a wine wizard by Easter. New lessons are posted every Wednesday. Looking forward to hearing about your ‘homework’!
Lesson #3 Does the situation call for the old wine camp or the new?
The old wine [...]
