Have you ever had a bottle of wine at a restaurant that blew your mind? Did you later go to your local liquor store to try to find it, only to be met with blank stares? Or maybe you asked your server where you could get it and received a look of pity? "It's only available in … [Read more...] about So You Want to Buy Private Import Wine?
wine
Where to Drink Sake in Montreal (and why right now’s the best time to do it)
This morning on Breakfast Television in Montreal I actually made it through a taste test (well, almost) of six stellar sakes now available in Montreal! Did I even breathe? (See above.) I also talked about why the Montreal sake scene has recently boomed (shout-out to Viet … [Read more...] about Where to Drink Sake in Montreal (and why right now’s the best time to do it)
Dry Ciders and More Canadian Bubbles
I recently posted an article about sparkling wines made in Canada, but much more acknowledged is the cider-making industry, at least in Quebec, Ontario and BC. Generally, these are on the sweet side compared with French ciders. The non-sparkling ones have a much smaller … [Read more...] about Dry Ciders and More Canadian Bubbles
Montreal’s Wine Bars on Global Television: Un Po’ di Più, Pullman, Moleskine, Rouge Gorge, Bar Henrietta and Loïc
This morning I highlighted a few of my favourite wine bars in Montreal on Global TV with Laura Casella for my regular Foodie Friday segment. I headed into studio with a beautiful antipasti tower from Un Po' di Più, a new Italian natural wine bar (or caffè aperitivo) that serves … [Read more...] about Montreal’s Wine Bars on Global Television: Un Po’ di Più, Pullman, Moleskine, Rouge Gorge, Bar Henrietta and Loïc
Treating Immigrant Grapes and Family Unfairly at the RASPIPAV Private Import Salon in Montreal
As I take a sip of a Merlot from Friuli, I'm expecting to dislike it. Kind of like going on a first date and telling your friend to call an hour in, because you think it'll be awful. It's not fair, to the date or the wine. But as I let the Merlot from I Clivi cover my tongue, … [Read more...] about Treating Immigrant Grapes and Family Unfairly at the RASPIPAV Private Import Salon in Montreal
Sake and Health: Mutemuka Unpasteurized Sake, Chestnut Shochu and Le Blossom’s Sunday Sake Discount
It's such a shame. Le Blossom in Montreal's gay village has 50% off all bottles of sake every Sunday night, and nobody seems to know about it. That's not the sad part, though. The sad part is that I can't go for at least another three weeks. I'm doing this detox to clear my … [Read more...] about Sake and Health: Mutemuka Unpasteurized Sake, Chestnut Shochu and Le Blossom’s Sunday Sake Discount
Wine Tasting at the DézIPpé Private Import Salon in Montreal
If you're interested in the cool wines you find in restaurants, but can't find at the SAQ or your local liquor store, then it's time to look into private import wine agencies. No, you don't have to be a big spender or a wine snob to buy these wines. And no, you don't need to … [Read more...] about Wine Tasting at the DézIPpé Private Import Salon in Montreal
Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
You'll never hear me say, "Boy, we really need more bistros in Montreal." There are already great ones (L'Express), very good ones (Café Cherrier) and scores of mediocre ones. But when I heard Le Balmoral in the Place des Festivals, smack in the middle of the high-tourist area … [Read more...] about Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
Wine Recommendations for the Holidays: Top Picks From the Salon de Quilles, Raspipav and La Grande Dégustation
November is wine month in Montreal, which comes at the perfect time to help you select some delicious (and maybe organic, biodynamic and natural) wines and alcohols to drink and gift over the holiday season. I drank my way through the most natural, biodynamic, organic and high … [Read more...] about Wine Recommendations for the Holidays: Top Picks From the Salon de Quilles, Raspipav and La Grande Dégustation
Homemade Persimmon Honey Wine
This is not wine from a kit. There are no commercial yeasts involved. No artificial flavours or chemical preservatives. I never thought I'd make wine, but once you make ginger beer and start exploring Sandor Katz's fermentation bible, Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition and … [Read more...] about Homemade Persimmon Honey Wine