Lorie’s Vintages Picks for April 14, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, April 14. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

Unfortunately this month I did not have the opportunity to taste all the wines I’m going to recommend to you today, however, some of the wines I have tasted in the restaurants where I work and with others I have had previous vintages and can give you my sommelier guarantee that this vintage will be equally as delicious. So, get your Vintages Catalogue and let’s start shopping!

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Lorie’s Vintages Picks for March 31, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, March 31. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

Unfortunately this month I did not have the opportunity to taste all the wines I’m going to recommend to you today, however, some of the wines I have tasted in the restaurants where I work and with others I have had previous vintages and can give you my Sommelier guarantee that this vintage will be equally as delicious.

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Lorie’s LCBO Vintages Picks For March 17, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, March 17. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

Sparkling

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Lorie’s LCBO Vintages Picks for March 3, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, March 2. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

White Wine Picks

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Lorie’s LCBO Vintages Picks for February 18, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, February 18. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

My Sparking Pick

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Lorie’s LCBO Vintages Picks for February 4, 2012

All of my picks are from the LCBO Vintages magazine for the release date of Saturday, February 4. If you have a magazine already, feel free to make notes, just like I do.

White Wine Picks

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Can Restaurant Wine Markups Be Justified?

If you are like most people, you’ve probably complained that restaurants’ wine markups are too high. Why should I pay $75 or more for this bottle of wine when my local liquor store sells it for $25? And how do you know you’re getting your $75 worth?

From my perspective as a professional Sommelier, here are a few things you should know to evaluate a restaurant’s wine service.

1. Is there a Sommelier in the house? If so, did they come over to your table, recommended a wine, chat with you about wine and then open the bottle for you?

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Hotel Max in Seattle, WA has the “wow” factor!

When I travel to new cities I’m always looking for a unique experience something above and beyond what I would normally expect.  The Hotel Max answered that need in a big way.  First, I arrived at the hotel at 10 am and the front desk was able to take my bags for me so that I could go out and explore downtown Seattle while they got my room ready for my return.  After an amazing day of exploring Seattle and traveling out to Woodinville to taste wine, I was finally able to retreat back to my room.
The room was absolutely amazing!  First of all the bed….I truly had a hard time getting up in the morning and it wasn’t from a wine hangover! Truly one of the bests sleeps I have had in a long time.  At Hotel Max, take advantage of the pillow menu–it has every pillow imaginable on it, reading pillows, thin and flat pillows, feather pillows, you name it!   Loved the red, white and stainless contrasts in the bathroom.  Views of the city were great.   Definitely an adult playground right in your room…the mini bar goes beyond chocolate and nuts with the Hotel Max intimacy kit and a lovely half bottle of Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon with proper wine glasses!  This hotel is great for couples or couples with kids that sleep soundly.

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Top 5 Reasons to Drink Wines from Washington State

Posted in Blogroll, General Wine Information, Links, New Wines, Wine Regions, Wine Tasting Notes, Wine Travel | 4 Comments

5 Reasons to travel Washington Wine Country

Here are my top 5 reasons to travel to Washington Wine Country:

1.  Amazing scenery!  Start in Seattle and drive east into the Cascade Mountains and on the other side you will enter the Columbia Valley which is home to some of the most famous wineries in Washington State such as Columbia Crest, Dusted Valley Vintners, Spring Valley Vineyards and Pepperbridge Winery.

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