Categories
Archives
- April 2015
- December 2014
- July 2014
- December 2012
- September 2012
- June 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- July 2010
- April 2010
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- September 2006
Keeping It About The Food And Wine At Pizzeria Libretto
For me, wood oven pizza rocks. Ever since I had my first one in the early 1990s I’ve been hooked but had yet to find a restaurant with an equally fine wine list to match. At Pizza Libretto, they have answered that call with stellar all Italian wine list and great wood oven pizza to match.
Start the evening right with a glass of the Villa Sandi Prosecco from the Veneto region in Italy. Pair it with the Buttermilk Calamari, Romesco (red pepper almond sauce). You’ll be temped to keep drinking this easy drinking sparkling wine all night (and it will pair with pretty much everything on the menu), but when you’ve got a fantastic choice of white and red wines on this you’ll want to move on.
Posted in restaurants
1 Comment
Sex And The Vineyards: My Review Of The Film "Bottle Shock"
Although there was great potential for this film to recount the story about the infamous Paris tasting of 1976, I felt Bottle Shock struggled with its plot and character development. Alan Rickman who played Steven Spurrier was fantastic in his role as the “snobby wine brit”. Dennis Farina who played the American ex-pat “Maurice”, and Steven’s only friend in Paris, provided the comic relief in the film. However, I would have like to have seen a bit more of Bill Pullman, who portrayed Chateau Montelena owner Jim Barrett. Equally as shallow was Bo Barrett’s character played by Chris Pine. Freddy Rodrigues, who I absolutely love in HBO’s Six Feet Under, played Gustavo Brambila, whose character could blind taste any wine perfectly and, of course, was the first of the boys to have a liaison with young, attractive wine apprentice named Sam, played by Rachael Taylor. Sam’s character, of course, provided the requisite love triangle between the two boys at Chateau Montelena. I guess hot women were few and far between in 1970s wine country.
Wining and Dining at the Cottage
We all know Labour Day is just around the corner and there are still a few weeks left at the cottage this summer. So, why not pick up a few interesting gems in the latest Vintages release in Ontario.
Whites
BEST FOOD MATCHING WINE is the 2007 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling which is blend from four different Riesling vineyards in Niagara. This wine is just as good on its own as it is with food. If you like your wines with a hint of sweetness than this wine is for you.
El Dorado Kitchen: Lunching In Beautiful Downtown Sonoma
Looking for a diversion between wineries? Then head to El Dorado Kitchen located in downtown Sonoma where they serve lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Sunday. I had the opportunity to dine here for lunch on my way to the Russian River Valley during my visit to Napa/Sonoma in July.
It was such a gorgeous day that I opted for the outdoor patio underneath the fig tree. Much to my surprise, I was presented with a small cocktail menu and promptly ordered myself the “EDK Mojito”. Let me tell you that it was a refreshing taste to my palate after a busy morning of wine tasting and spitting. The mojito was absolutely delicious, just the right amount of light cruzan rum, lime juice, soda and fresh mint. Of course, I did have a long look at the wine list and loved the great selection of half bottles mostly from Napa and Sonoma. The wine list itself was quite extensive and it broken down into grape varieties. I loved the “off the beaten path reds” selection featuring some interesting wines such as the Viader “Dare” Cabernet Franc or the Verdad Tempranillo from the Santa Ynez Valley.
Rockin' & Rollin' in the Stag's Leap District
Where else can you listen to Led Zepplin and taste an amazing Cabernet Sauvignon but at Cliff Lede Vineyards located in the heart of the Stag’s Leap District. I was greeted by Rikki, who would be giving me a personal tour of this stunning property. The open and airy tasting room leads you to the outdoor patio area, providing an amazing view of the vineyards. On the property is a contemporary art gallery that combines the owner’s love and appreciation of art and wine. Since the owner is also a lover of great rock music, each block of the vineyard is named after a rock song such as “Hotel California”, “Light My Fire” and “Stairway to Heaven”. The stunning cellar located on the south-west side of the vineyard boasts an amazing view of the valley floor below and the steep hillside vineyards to the east (Vacas Mountain Range) with the Poetry Inn nestled right up there. I loved looking into the fermentation room and seeing the picture of Grace Kelly keeping her watchful eye on the winemaking process.
During my visit, I tasted the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, which had lots of tropical fruit notes on the nose and in the mouth, like mango. For such ripe fruit and high alcohol the wine still had great acidity with a medium finish. I also lucked out and was able to taste the sold-out 2005 Sauvignon Blanc. The amazing thing was that the 2005 still holding its own, showing lots of fruit and great acidity even though it was already 3 years old But the kicker for me was the 2005 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon which is 100% from the Stag’s Leap District. Lots of black currents, black cherry, bitter chocolate, baking spices and cloves. The fruit and alcohol were extremely well integrated and the layers of complexity of this wine was so refine. I can see this wine being able to age another twenty years, if you have the patience, but it can be enjoyed now with a nice medium rare steak or lamb kabobs on the BBQ. Or, even better, pair this wine with some great classic rock.
Viansa: A Little Bit of Italy in the Heart of Sonoma
On the last day of my visit to Napa/Sonoma, I stopped in at Viansa winery located in Carneros, within Sonoma County. I was told that there were many Italian varieties being planted here such as Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Pinot Grigio just to name a few. Once I heard that these unique grapes were being grown in Sonoma, I knew I needed to see and taste for myself.
Upon arrival, I met winemaker Ron Goss and was told we would be tasting his 2007 “Pierina” Vernaccia for the very first time, so I knew I was on to something good. This wine is perfect for a hot summer day and it has lots of tropical fruit characteristics such as pineapple and floral notes with great acidity and fruit on the finish. This wine is dry and comes through very clean and mouth cleansing on the finish. I also tried the 2007 Arneis, which had a lot of stone fruit characteristics, such as apricot and peach, and even some spice. This would be a perfect wine with any Asian or Thai food with its richness on the finish.
Spa at the Napa Valley Gaia Hotel
Planning a trip to Napa for a girl’s weekend or a retreat with your partner? Then a stop at the Napa Valley Gaia Hotel Spa should be high on your list of priorities. From the moment you enter the doors, you are feel like you are leaving the world behind you as you are greeted by the stunning two-sided Buddha fountain and a beautiful, Asian-influenced waiting area, ready to take your cares away.
A robe and slippers are provided to each guest, as well as full-sized locker for your things. A unique experience in the change room is the triple spray shower. There is a rainfall shower flowing down on you directly overhead to the jets that spray you from either side, not only is it a great massage but a thorough, all-over cleaning from all sides. The steam room was a good size to accommodate you and three girlfriends, as if you were spa-ing it “Sex and the City” style.
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Dining at the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel
Not only was my stay at the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel relaxing after a long day of wine tasting, the culinary delights of Chef Marco Fiorini were the perfect start and end to every day. Keeping in the “green” theme of the hotel, there is lots of natural light coming in from the skylights and the big windows overlooking the courtyard and pool. The menu is printed on recycled paper and most of the menu items are organic, locally grown and sustainable. The booths along the window are cozy and inviting to what is happening outside.
For breakfast, I had the Bayside Benedict with smoked salmon and one of the best oatmeals I have had in a long while, accompanied with brown sugar and a variety of nuts (ordering a side of fresh fruit complements this dish perfectly). Some interesting breakfast choices include the Lamb Hash and Eggs or for the Vegan, a Scrambled Egg Tofu. The portions were perfectly sized and sustained me throughout my wine journey into wine country right up until the early afternoon.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Staying Green in Napa
When I planned my trip to Napa, I truly wanted a unique experience, from visiting some cool wineries to tasting great wines. However, none prepared me for my eco-friendly stay at the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel. This Gold LEED certified property was the first hotel in the world to receive this designation and it is evident from the minute you walk in the bright and spacious lobby. Behind the registration desk, they feature three monitors which indicate electricity and water usage, and the CO2 that the hotel is generating. Guests can even check to see how much water or electricity the hotel has saved by accessing the user-friendly monitor across from check in.
Ben, the concierge, provides eco-tours of the hotel and it’s truly a must-see to learn all of the unique environmental features of the hotel. Everything in this hotel has been carefully considered from such as the tile in the lobby, plus all the carpets in the hotel and the granite sinks in the guest bathrooms contain 50% post consumer recycled content–including the fiber backing and pad for the carpet. The wood used is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved. All wood used is new growth wood which means less time to grow back. The hotel uses as much natural light as possible from the Solatube tubular skylights that are used in the lobby, hallways and conference centre. To my eye, they first appears as typical lights.
Posted in Wine Travel
Leave a comment