Whiskey has been and continues to be, one of the world’s most favourite spirits. It is both a symbol of tradition and an area for continued innovation. From single malts to blended varieties, whiskey’s rich history that dates back several hundred years, is accompanied by a dynamic, evolving market that attracts both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
Photo credit: nationalgeographic.com
Whiskey’s deep-rooted craftsmanship, with its complex aging processes and diverse production methods, continues to attract consumers. Distilleries are preserving traditional techniques while embarking on new technologies that help to enhance flavour profiles.
While countries like Scotland, Ireland and North America remain as key players in the industry, whiskey’s appeal is expanding globally, with countries such as Japan and India gaining significant recognition for their increased demand and innovative whiskey production.
Globally the demand for premium and supreme whiskeys is on the rise. This shift is pushing brands to offer a variety of variably priced, exclusive, limited-edition releases to attract whiskey enthusiasts, as well as collectors. These offerings range greatly in price from a few hundred dollars to well into the four-to-five-digit range. A few rare whiskeys have sold for prices even beyond that!
During recent years, producers have been experimenting with new barrel finishes; making use of barrels that were formerly used to store other spirits, such as cognac, sherry, bourbon or brandy. Distillers have found that maturing whiskey in these types of barrels will infuse new flavour from the wood of these barrels into the whiskey. Distillers have also experimented with combining multiple flavour infusions.
The popularity of whiskey-based cocktails and the craft cocktail movement is also expanding whiskey’s appeal. The industry is now attracting younger generations and enhancing market versatility.
Whiskey continues to be a beverage of choice for those who appreciate both tradition and innovation, offering endless possibilities for consumers, whiskey enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Is the best wine made using French oak barrels or American oak barrels? The answer depends on who is answering. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention that there are also Hungarian oak and Romanian oak but these oaks are seldomly used in making wine.
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Oak can play a crucial role in the winemaking process. It is a long-known fact that not just any wood will do when it comes to aging wine. Oak has been the choice for centuries. Due to the natural wood compounds, aging wine in oak barrels exposes complex flavours and textures that are crucial to the overall taste and structure of a wine. There are natural wood sugars in the oak that influence the wine’s flavour. The wine’s texture can be enhanced from tannins found in the oak.
French Oak is known by winemakers for its subtlety. These trees have tighter grains that deliver lower amounts of tannin that are more readily integrated into the wine. This wood is also more aromatic, producing delicate notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, vanilla and baking spices to the wine.
American Oak presents more robust flavour profiles introducing bold vanilla notes along with coconut, sweet spices and dill. The wider grain patterns of American oak also injects more tannins into the wine.
French Oak lets wine age gracefully over time. The wine will evaporate less from barrels of French oak than American oak, thus producing a naturally slower oxidation. On the other hand, American oak will often go through a more rapid oxidation process in the barrel.
When it comes to price, American oak is less expensive to purchase. This is due to it being more readily available than French oak. However, French oak produces a more luxurious wine, making it well worth the higher price tag.
So, which wines work best with French oak versus American oak? Chardonnay flourishes when aged in French oak barrels because the French oak releases delicate vanilla undertones into the flavour of the wine.
Pinot Noir also benefits from the use of French oak. This light-bodied red grape works well with the lower tannin content inherent to French oak. It allows for slow maturation without overwhelming Pinot Noir’s naturally elegant profile.
In contrast, bold reds such as Zinfandel often get paired with American oak. The intense notes of coconut and sweet spice from the American oak can complement the robust nature of these types of wine.
Wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah can work well with either French or American oak, depending on the winemaker’s desires. European winemakers tend to use French oak while American winemakers and some Australian vintners may use American oak. It all comes down to the desired style of the wine.
Many winemakers use both types of barrels or blend wines aged separately. It lets them control flavour profiles more precisely. The type of barrel used, or combination of barrels used will depend on the flavour notes the winemaker wants to achieve.
The way in which wine experts and sommeliers approach wine with their customers is changing. There is movement away from the traditional style of introducing a wine, explaining its character, aromas and flavours. The wine industry is recognizing that this change has become necessary as the younger generations, particularly Gen Z, do not embrace wine as enthusiastically as previous generations. This is resulting in a reduction in wine sales.
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There is a new group of forward-thinking sommeliers who are working to change the way wines are described when tasting and pairing. The aim is to make the industry more inclusive to the younger generation. Everything from the vocabulary used to describe flavours, to the way bottles are marketed and how wine is discussed culturally needs to change.
The traditional way of ordering wine in restaurants has often been fraught with fear by many patrons. The image of an intimidating snooty sommelier, who comes across as testing the depth of the customer’s wine knowledge and skill, is a potential embarrassment in the presence of the person’s date, spouse, family or friends. Many are left wanting the encounter to be over as quickly as possible and without feeling that they have embarrassed themselves and have selected a wine that they like without having to pay an exorbitant price.
The new generation sommeliers want the emphasis to be about creating an experience that makes the guest feel comfortable rather than fearful. Their approach is becoming directed toward how the customer is feeling and asking what they feel like drinking. The focus is on personal interaction; it’s not about the incomprehensibly complex tasting notes of the wines.
Certification of sommeliers has helped standardize baseline wine terminology and language, but it is now important to progress beyond that to provide more approachable and easier understood language for the public.
A new generation of writers, sommeliers, podcasters and influencers are beginning to challenge the traditional approach to understanding and selecting wine. Social media is playing a key role in interpreting wine due to young influencers like Wine Gini, The London Wine Girl or Carron Brown’s The Natural Sommelier. Individuals can now learn about wine in the unintimidating surroundings of their own home.
It is good to see that the wine industry’s image is beginning to change as the new generation of writers, sommeliers, podcasters and influencers are now challenging the old snobby, snooty stereotype.
As the end of the year rolls around I think back to the year that was and which wineries left me with an impressionable mark. This is not to suggest that these are the only great wineries in the province; they are merely the ones that caught my attention this year. My list varies in length from year to year as I like to focus on achievements rather than listing a specific number of wineries.
Here is my list for 2024. The wineries are presented in alphabetical order.
Henry of Pelham Family Estate
I was surprised when I checked back to my past lists and found that Henry of Pelham has never appeared until now. It was the top Ontario winery this year at the National Wine Awards.
This six-generation family farm is situated in the Short Hills Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara Peninsula. In 2006, Henry of Pelham was the first vineyard to be certified as local and sustainable by Local Food Plus. They have followed Sustainable Winemaking Ontario’s world-leading standards in their farming practices since 2004. In 2017, they became one of only six Ontario wineries to be certified by the Wine Council of Ontario as following sustainable winemaking practices from vine to table.
This year’s award-winning wines included:
Henry of Pelham NV Cuvée Catharine Brut Rosé
Henry of Pelham 2022 Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay
Henry of Pelham 2023 Pinot Grigio
Henry of Pelham 2020 Speck Family Reserve Cabernet-Merlot
Henry of Pelham 2023 Speck Family Reserve Riesling
Peller Estates Niagara-on-the Lake
This is Peller Estates fourth appearance on my Movers and Shakers list in the past five years. This year Peller Estates placed eighth at the National Wine Awards.
The Peller Estates team has operated in Niagara-on-the-Lake, in the heart of the Niagara wine region, as a family-owned Canadian company for four generations. Their winemaker is Katie Dickieson, who has previous work experience in vineyards in New Zealand and France, as well as in Ontario and British Columbia.
Their 2024 award winning wines included:
Peller Estates 2020 Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Peller Estates 2022 Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc
Peller Estates 2023 Signature Series Vidal Oak Aged Icewine
The Organized Crime Winery
Organized Crime previously appeared as a Mover and Shaker in 2020. This year it was recognized as the fifth small winery at National Wine Awards.
Organized Crime is a second-generation, family-owned, small boutique winery located on the Beamsville Bench of the Niagara Peninsula.
They farm the land themselves and assist in the winemaking throughout all stages of the process. Their production volumes are very small as they intentionally lean towards the passion side of the business rather than the commercial.
Greg Yemen is Organized Crime’s Consultant Winemaker.
Award winning wines from 2024 included:
Organized Crime 2022 Sacred Series Cuvée Krystyna Chardonnay
Organized Crime 2020 Pipe Down
Organized Crime 2020 Sacred Series Tara Block Pinot Noir Unfiltered
Organized Crime 2020 Cabernet Franc Unfiltered
Organized Crime 2023 Riesling
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
Thirty Bench Wine Makers has previously appeared three times on the Movers and Shakers list, last in 2022. This year they were fifth at the National Wine Awards.
Thirty Bench is committed to “Small Lot” winemaking, which means that many of their wines are made in extremely limited numbers. With Riesling vineyards dating back as far as 1980, they are proud to be considered one of Niagara’s first true boutique wineries.
The Thirty Bench Wine Makers portfolio includes a diverse range of award-winning wines across nine varietals.
2024 award winning wines included:
Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Riesling Wood Post Vineyard
Thirty Bench 2022 Winemaker’s Blend Cabernet Franc
Thirty Bench N/V Sparkling Riesling
Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay ‘Extended Barrel Aged’
Thirty Bench 2021 Small Lot Riesling Triangle Vineyard
Vieni Estates
Placing tenth at this year’s National Wine Awards, this is Vieni Estates first appearance on the Movers and Shakers list.
Vieni Estates brings the passion for wine from Italy and combines it with the love for this Canadian wine region. Located in the rolling hills of the Vinemount Ridge along the Niagara Escarpment, master winemaker Mauro Salvador takes the best of the many varietals grown on the estate to produce a broad range of still wines, ice wines and sparkling wines.
In addition to the many fine wines produced here, Vieni Estates also offers traditional Italian-style grappas and spirits distilled from the many fruits of Ontario.
This year’s award winning wines included:
Vieni Estates 2022 Cabernet Franc
Vieni Estates N/V Sparkling Apple Cider
Vieni Estates 2020 Cabernet Franc Reserve
Vieni Estates 2020 Aglianico Reserve
Vieni Estates 2023 Novello Nouveau Gamay Noir
Final Thoughts
The list of award-winning wines includes only a sampling from each winery in order to provide you with an idea of the noteworthy wines each winery produces. It is not an all-inclusive list.
As this is the final post for 2024, I would like to wish you all a safe and happy New Year!
As the end of the year rolls around I think back to the year that was and which wineries left me with an impressionable mark. My list varies in length from year to year as I like to focus on achievements rather than listing a specific number of wineries. Although B.C. wineries have had a very traumatic year, they continued to release some fantastic wines. The strength of B.C. wineries runs deep as they were awarded the majority of the awards at both the National Wine Awards and the All Canadian Wine Awards.
Here is my list of the wineries that have performed extremely well this past year. The wineries are presented in alphabetical order.
Black Hills Estate Winery
Black Hills last appeared on my list in 2022. This year they were fourth overall at the National Wine Awards.
Black Hills wine team is led by Ross Wise, one of only ten Masters of Wine in Canada. He has over 20 years of experience having worked in British Columbia, Ontario, and New Zealand, with an extensive background in organic and regenerative viticulture.
Black Hills has practiced organic farming since 2020, incorporating regenerative viticulture practices. By working with nature and promoting biodiversity, they strive towards a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Their approach is based on traditional, time-honoured winemaking techniques that favour patience over efficiency. The fruit is hand-harvested and slowly fermented using native yeasts to build complexity.
Black Hills approach to winemaking is defined by careful craftsmanship and a deep respect for nature. They blend traditional winemaking methods with modern technology.
Their 2024 award winning wines include:
Black Hills 2022 Bona Fide
Black Hills 2022 Ipso Facto
Black Hills 2022 Addendum
Black Hills 2022 Syrah
Black Hills 2022 Roussanne
Corcelettes Estate Winery
Corcelettes appeared on my Movers and Shakers list for the first time last year. This year they were the sixth place small winery at the National Wine Awards. They credit their success to their commitment to farming their vineyards in the most balanced and sustainable way possible.
The estate contains nearly 160 acres, with 30 planted acres of mostly Bordeaux varietal grapes, Syrah and Pinot Noir. The vineyards are located in the Similkameen Valley.
Their 2024 winning wines include:
Corcelettes 2021 Syrah
Corcelettes 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown
Corcelettes 2021 Malbec Micro Lot Series Estate Vineyard
Corcelettes 2020 Talus
Corcelettes 2021 Chardonnay
Lake Breeze Vineyards
Lake Breeze previously appeared on my list in 2020. This year they placed ninth overall at this year’s National Wine Awards. They were also the fourth place small winery.
Lake Breeze is located on the Naramata Bench on Lake Okanagan. The MacIntyre family purchased the property in 2001. Since then, Lake Breeze has become one of the most beautiful wineries in British Columbia. They practice careful and meticulous viticultural practices. They endeavor to take the natural expression of the grape and transfer it to the bottle with minimal intervention.
The vineyard consists of a 14 acre parcel originally named Rock Oven Vineyards. The first vines on the property were planted in 1985, making them some of the oldest on the Naramata Bench.
Their list of 2024 award winning wines include:
Lake Breeze 2020 Cellar Series Mistral
Lake Breeze 2022 Roussanne Viognier
Lake Breeze 2023 Riesling
Lake Breeze 2023 Ehrenfelser
Lake Breeze 2020 Cellar Series Alizé Roussanne
Meyer Family Vineyards
Meyer Family Vineyards was awarded second overall at this year’s National Wine Awards.
They follow the traditional French Burgundian style of wine making focusing on small case lots of varietals best suited and expressive of their unique place of origin. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the varietals produced. The grapes are hand harvested and hand crafted.
Meyer Family Vineyards has been in operation in the Okanagan Valley since 2006.
Their award-winning wines for 2024 include:
Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard
Meyer 2022 B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard
Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir McLean Creek Vineyard
Meyer 2020 Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard
Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard
Nostalgia Wines
Nostalgia Wines placed seventh this year at the National Wine Awards and was also the third-place small winery. They are located on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver.
Vintner Gina Fernandes Harfman is the fourth generation family farmer. She has created a small lot lineup of excellent quality wines.
The 2024 list of award-winning wines includes:
Nostalgia Wines 2020 Malbec Petit Verdot
Nostalgia Wines 2020 Merlot
Nostalgia Wines 2020 Meritage
Nostalgia Wines 2022 Rockabilly Red
Nostalgia Wines 2022 Chardonnay
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
Quail’s Gate consistently performs well at the various Canadian wine awards. This year they placed sixth overall at the National Wine Awards.
They are a fourth-generation Okanagan farming family. The winery was founded in 1989. They remain committed to ensuring that the founding family principles and values are maintained throughout the winery. Through dedicated research and ground-breaking innovation, they have assembled a collection of wines that consistently exceed expectations in quality, character and flavour.
Quail’s Gate has 160 acres of vineyards which contain some of the most mature vinifera plantings in the country. They have been leaders in the development of Canadian viticulture practices.
Quails’ Gate Estate is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing BC, a made-in-BC program that leads the way in sustainable winegrowing practices and sets a standard for the province and the rest of the country.
Quails’ Gates 2024 award winning wines includes:
Quails’ Gate 2021 Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay
Quails’ Gate 2021 Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay
Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 49 Riesling
Quails’ Gate 2022 Clone 220 Chenin Blanc
Quails’ Gate 2023 Clone 49 Riesling
SpearHead Winery
SpearHead has been part of the Movers and Shakers list continually since 2022. This year they were named Winery of the Year and Small Winery of the Year at the National Wine Awards. In addition to the twin honours this year, they also had unprecedented success in an individual category (Pinot Noir), winning a total of seven medals for their Pinots, including three platinum, one gold, three silvers and a bronze. In total they earned a total of twelve medals.
Spearhead Winery is located on the benchlands of Southeast Kelowna. Their focus is on premium quality wine which they produce from grapes grown on the estate vineyard and from selected Okanagan Valley vineyards. The hand harvested grapes are sorted at the winery and fermented in small lots. They grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling grapes.
Their 2024 award winning wines include:
SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir
SpearHead 2022 Club Consensus Pinot Noir
SpearHead 2022 Saddle Block Pinot Noir
SpearHead 2021 Golden Retreat Pinot Noir
SpearHead 2021 Club Consensus Pinot Noir
Final Thoughts
Although these are the seven wineries I have featured, there are plenty of other fantastic British Columbia wineries. The devastation resulting from the environmental disasters of the past couple years have taken its toll on many of the wineries. I hope that all of the B.C. wineries will be able to recover from these disasters and continue to excel in producing the top-quality wines that we have come to enjoy over the years.
The list of award-winning wines includes only a sampling from each winery in order to provide you with an idea of the noteworthy wines each winery produces. It is not an all-inclusive list.
With many people cruising wine store shelves this time of year looking for a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the season with, it is a good time to examine how to identify the various types sparkling wine or Champagnie. There is no doubt about it; the sweetness classification system for sparkling wines is confusing. There are seven standard sweetness categories. Those are brut nature or brut zero, extra brut, brut, extra sec, sec, demi sec and doux. Each class indicates slight differences in aromas and flavour.
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The sweetness level is determined by the dosage or liqueur d’expedition, which is a mixture of sugar and wine. It is used to top off the amount of wine in the bottle after riddling has taken place. Riddling occurs when the winemaker removes the dead yeast cells (referred to as the lees) from the neck of the bottle.
The dosage mix may contain anywhere between 500 and 700 grams of sugar per litre of sparkling wine. The precise ratio of sweetener-to-wine varies according to the producers’ desires and region the wine is produced in. Some producers use a sweeter liqueur d’expedition, while others choose not to sweeten their wines at all.
The classification system was designed a hundred years ago by the French to identify the sugar levels in Champagne. This is part of the laws that govern the production of Champagne. The laws have been modified countless times over the years.
The seven levels from dryest to sweetest are:
Brut Zero/Brut Nature
These wines are the driest, containing less than three grams of sugar per litre. These wines may also be referred to as “sauvage” or “zero dosage”. They contain only natural residual sugar with no dosage added to the bottle.
Spanish Cava and Corpinnat producers may refer to these wines as “brut nature”, where in Germany the term “naturherb” may be used.
Extra Brut
In Champagne as well as Spanish Cava and Corpinnat, “extra brut”, or in Germany “extra herb”, is used to describe the second driest level of sweetness. These wines contain less than six grams of residual sugar.
Brut
“Brut” is the most common style of Champagne. To be labeled a brut wine, it must contain less than 12 grams per litre of sugar. This is a broad range and technically includes both “brut nature” and “extra brut”, so this category can vary widely in sweetness levels.
This term is also used to describe Spanish Cava and Corpinnat. In Germany the style may be referred to as “herb.”
Extra Sec/Extra Dry
“Extra Sec” or “Extra Dry” wines are slightly sweeter than “brut”. They contain between 12 and 17 grams of sugar per litre. In Spain, the style is referred to as “extra seco” and in both Germany and Australia the term “trocken” is used.
Sec
“Sec” wines contain sugar levels between 17 and 32 grams per litre. These wines are considered to be ‘medium dry’ or ‘off-dry.’
Demi-Sec
Wines labeled “demi-sec” or Spanish “semi seco” contain between 32 and 50 grams of sugar per litre. Fun fact, this is equivalent to the amount of sugar in a typical gin and tonic.
Doux
This is the sweetest style of sparkling wine with the highest sugar content, usually over 50 grams per litre. Doux wines are very rare.
The characteristic of the ideal corkscrew varies depending on who you ask. There is no right or wrong type of corkscrew to use. The best one is the one that you are most comfortable with and successful using. I think everyone has occasionally struggled to open a bottle of wine that has had an uncooperative cork, making it seem near impossible to free the contents from its glass prison. The trick is to find the type of corkscrew that maximizes your chances of successfully opening your wine seamlessly, without a broken cork, spilled wine or sloppily cut foil.
The most classic corkscrew option is the waiter’s style wine key corkscrew. It is simple enough to use with some practice. Learning how to best utilize the double hinge can be a little tricky, but once mastered it is generally the most cost affective and versatile option.
The winged style corkscrew is larger than the waiter’s style but offers similar ease of use. The screw is sharp and penetrates both natural and synthetic cork easily and the winged arms make it a favourite for many. While the functionality is high, it is a bit bulky for small, crowded kitchen drawers or well-stocked home bar carts. Because of its ergonomic grip and design that doesn’t require a ton of force to operate, it’s a good option for anyone who has joint issues, arthritis, or generally struggles to open a bottle of wine. This style often doesn’t include a foil cutter.
The vertical lever-style corkscrew works well overall as a wine opener. It removes the cork quickly, easily, and with minimal physical effort. Simply position the non-stick screw above the cork, and in two easy motions and one pump of the lever, the corkscrew releases and removes the cork.
If you desire something requiring the least amount of effort, an electric corkscrew is the best choice. These are available from a variety of vendors in a reasonable price range. They are the perfect tool for those who prefer high-tech kitchen gadgets or and anyone with mobility or strength limitations. Just make sure that you have the bottle placed on a level surface. Electric wine openers are effortless to hold and will seamlessly remove the cork with a push of a button. It’s also useful for opening older cellared bottles of wine with troublesome corks.
Depending on the manufacturer there may be some variation in the appearance of each of these types of corkscrews. Price points can also differ depending on the producer and materials used.
Here are some final thoughts to consider when purchasing your next corkscrew.
If you need to open bottles quickly, you will be slowed down if the opener doesn’t have a foil cutter. While many corkscrews have built-in options, there are numerous that don’t.
Corkscrews come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and compact enough to carry in your pocket while others are much bulkier and more cumbersome to store.
The price may be a factor in your purchasing decision. For most everyday wine-drinking purposes, you can find a reliable and easy-to-use corkscrew for under $30.
I am always seeing articles about ‘TheTen Best this’ or a list of ‘The Best that’. When I read those articles I am always left with the question, “What makes these ones the best? To me beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whether it be whisky or wine, I have tasted some that I love and others that are so-so, or even worse, that I detest. Just because someone tells you this one is fantastic doesn’t mean that you will agree. Does this mean you are less learned than the author or lacking in your ability to recognize great flavour? Absolutely not. After all, what makes the author’s opinions any better than our own? Nothing.
Another thing I find interesting is that often many of the selections found on these lists are not available in Canada and many are not even accessible to order via the internet. Thus, the information becomes basically useless. It would be like searching for a unicorn.
Lastly, the price point on some of these choices is out of reach for many as prices may reach well into four digits to obtain a bottle of the golden nectar. In my opinion, a steep price doesn’t automatically equate to it being a fantastic wine or whisky. It only means that it is expensive. A high price is better equated to the economic and production factors associated with making the wine or spirit.
To me these articles provide mere opinions and are nothing more than casual reading entertainment. I find it interesting to compare these lists to see whether there are any that I have tried. Of those that I have tasted, I compare the writer’s opinion to my own. If there is agreement, then I am more interested in what the writer has to say since there is then a stronger likelihood that we have similar tastes.
Looking for ideas on what wine or whisky to give this year? Here are some of my favourite suggestions that should be available at your local liquor store or online.
FOR THE WINE FANS
Under $20
Fantini Sangiovese $11.45 CDN – Expressive ripe fruit, supple tannins, and well-balanced acidity contribute to an inviting and versatile wine, making it an easy choice any night of the week. Serve it alongside braised meat dishes or with tomato-based pasta dishes.
This is a wine my wife discovered while browsing the aisles of our local liquor store and it is now our go-to house wine.
Famille Perrin Réserve Côtes du Rhône $16.95 CDN – With floral, red plum, chocolate and spice notes, this wine goes well with Mediterranean-style pizza or hearty lamb stew.
France’s Côtes du Rhône region is one of my personal favourites.
Featherstone Black Sheep Riesling $19.95 CDN – Vibrant, with honey, fresh fig, herbs and citrus, this wine consistently delivers the fine, pure mineral for which both great Riesling and Ontario are so renowned. It may be cellared for up to 5 years and will be superb with lightly grilled or smoked fish.
This has been one of my standards when guests come over or to pair with barbecued fish.
Under $50
Fontanafredda Barolo DOCG $34.95 CDN – With aromas and flavours of red fruit, floral tones, berry, plum and a touch of licorice, this wine is extra-dry with balanced acidity, firm tannins and fruit flavours that linger on the finish. Barolo pairs well with game meats and mushroom risotto.
Barolo is my favourite type of Italian wine and to find one with a price tag under $50 is uncommon.
Famille Perrin Les Sinards Châteauneuf-du-Pape $43.95 CDN – Perrin is among the finest producers in the southern Rhône. Some grapes for this rich, age-worthy red come from their legendary Château de Beaucastel estate. Drink over the next decade with roast duck, roast lamb or grilled game meats.
I have been intrigued by Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine ever since a close friend brought me a bottle from the French district quite a few years ago. After visiting there myself earlier this year and sampling the wines I am even more smitten with them. To find a bottle for less than $50 is a true find.
For That Special Someone
Mazzetti Grappa di Nebbiolo da Barolo in Decanter $199.95 CDN – Crafted from the pomace of Nebbiolo from Barolo, Italy, this is pure quality and elegance. The decanter and stylish gift box make it as breathtaking on the outside as it is on the inside. It is the perfect gift for any grappa enthusiast.
FOR THE WHISKY DRINKERS
Under $50
Jameson Irish Whiskey $39.95 CDN – Jameson Irish Whiskey is a versatile, smooth blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Bright, pale amber with subtle aromas of white flower, nectarine, ripe pear and clove. Mellow and approachable on the palate, with spicy vanilla, wildflower honey and ginger flavours.
This is a great introduction for anyone who is being introduced to the world of whisky. It was one of my initial favourites.
Under $100
Bowmore 12 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky $65.95 CDN – This Islay whisky expresses the essence of Bowmore with rich amber colour; subtle notes of citrus and honey with typical peaty smokiness; the flavours are sweet and delicious with heather and honey; a soft peat smoke note lingers on a long and mellow finish.
My initiation to Bowmore 12 was at a friend’s cottage. It provides a wonderful Islay experience at a better price point than many of its competitors.
Green Spot Irish Whiskey $89.95 CDN – This single pot still whiskey from Ireland uses malted and unmalted barley to give it a unique spiciness. Clove, apricot and oak toast aromas evolve to flavours of cedar, clove, apple and ginger. The long finish echoes spicy notes of clove, nutmeg, and ginger.
This is my go-to Irish Whiskey and I try to always have some on my bar shelf.
Under $200
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky $174.95 CDN – Considered by many to be the benchmark for Islay malts, this classic pours a golden amber colour and wafts from your glass with intense smoky peat and iodine. The palate is full flavour, rich and smooth with peat, figs, dates and vanilla followed by an enduring smoky and dry finish.
I was introduced to Lagavulin 16 by my wife’s uncle during a trip to the distillery several years ago. Even though he was a descendant of the original owners of the Laphroaig distillery he wanted me to try Lagavulin, his favourite whisky. I tried it and it has been a staple on my bar ever since.
The Glenlivet French Oak Reserve 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky $114.95 CDN – The unique use of French Oak increases the intensity of the whisky, resulting in a richer and creamier finish along with a distinctive spiciness. Deep golden in colour, expect aromas and flavours of crème brûlée, sweet apple, gentle smokiness and peat alongside of lavender notes followed by a rich and complex finish.
This is another whisky that I like to always have on hand as one of my regular Scotch whisky choices.
For That Special Someone
The Glenlivet 18Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky $214.95 CDN – Distiller Alan Winchester takes this malt through a combination of cask types, including both first and second-fill American oak (for tropical fruitiness) and ex-sherry oak (for spiciness). The result is this golden-coloured dram with rich spicy aromas, toasty grain, vanilla and almond flavours and a long smooth finish.
This whisky I save for special occasions or when I want to treat myself.
With summer now behind us, it is once again time to focus on winter comfort foods, such as soup. That started me thinking about the possible pairings of wine with soup. If I am having a bowl of soup on its own, accompanying it with a glass of wine isn’t appealing to me. Why serve a hot liquid with a cold liquid?
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However, if the soup is being served as part of a multi course meal at home or in a restaurant, a glass of wine may have more appeal. In general, when picking a wine to go with soup, consider the consistency and main flavours. If you break down your soup’s ingredients and view them as you would a pasta sauce, the task may become less intimidating.
Overall, creamy soups pair well with a wine that contains a fair amount of acidity, whether that be red or white wine. Then look at the dominant flavours of the soup. Savory vegetables generally pair well with a fruit-forward wine. Ginger goes well with an aromatic white wine like Gewürztraminer. Spicy soups pair well with wines having a lower level of alcohol.
Lastly, consider the protein. Light vegetarian or chicken-based soups often pair well with white wine while red meats pair best with medium to full-bodied red wine.
Very thin soups, such as French consommé go well with a dry sherry or dry Madeira. Tomato consommé pairs well with a French Sauvignon while broths flavoured with fish sauce, coriander and lime will be complimented by an Austrian Grüner Veltliner or dry German Riesling.
Creamy vegetable soups generally go well with dry Italian whites such as Pinot Grigio or Soave or a French Pinot Blanc. Fennel and cauliflower soups pair with a white Burgundy or lightly oaked Chardonnay, white Bordeaux, Viognier or Chenin Blanc.
Mushroom soup will go well with a lightly oaked Chardonnay. A darker soup with more earthy varieties of mushrooms such as portabella or cremini, will match well with a Pinot Noir.
Chicken soup will go with a lightly oaked Chardonnay. A Thai style soup made with coconut milk will go with a Riesling or Verdelho. Chicken and dumplings will pair well with a lightly oaked Chardonnay or a light red wine like Pinot Noir.
Classic Provençal fish soup with flavours of garlic, tomato and saffron pairs well with a very dry, crisp white like a Picpoul de Pinet or a strong dry Rosé. Rich crab or lobster bisques match well with white Burgundy or a Chardonnay, while clam chowder goes well with a well-oaked Chardonnay. Corn chowder, on the other hand, goes along side a dry German Riesling.
Sweet vegetable soups, such as butternut squash and pumpkin, fair well with Chardonnay, Viognier or Gewürztraminer.
Tomato soups made from fresh tomatoes go well with a crisp white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or an Albariño. A chilled sherry could be used as well. However, if the soup has a richer, roast or cooked tomato flavour or is mixed with roast peppers, a medium bodied Italian or southern French red or a young Rioja will work well.
French onion soup is traditionally served with French Beaujolais, Beaujolais Nouveau or a white Burgundy.
Chunky, rustic soups with beans, such as minestrone or lentil soup match well with medium bodied reds like Côtes du Rhône, a young Syrah or a Sangiovese. Chickpea soup pairs with a Chianti Classico.
Beef or lamb stew will be well complimented with a Cabernet or Shiraz. If you prefer a white wine instead, Gewürztraminer is a good choice.
Beef and barley soup matches well with a bold red wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Franc.
Cold soups go well with light, crisp dry whites such as Albariño. Gazpacho can be paired with an unoaked white Rioja, Rueda or a Fino Sherry.
There are no hard and fast rules for pairing wine with foods. However, there are some wines that will enhance your soup better than others. Don’t be afraid to experiment with some of these suggestions but don’t be afraid to try your own.
A Layman's Wine Musings 