Hey Wine Clubbers, we hope you were able to join us on Thursday, June 24th for Lets Kick It! If you weren’t able to make it, here’s what you missed:

CAMERA is Toronto’s premiere lounge and screening venue and it was our hot evening destination. We sipped and savoured some of the greatest wines South Africa had to offer and we enjoyed great music and of course, soccer too – on the big screen in the Camera Screening room! Not only is South Africa the host country for the 2010 World Cup of Soccer, they are also a fantastic wine region with some really fantastic wines. We couldn’t resist pairing them both for an exciting iYellow wine and sports based event!

Attendees were able to taste twelve supreme wines, enjoy vintage photographic art, groove to some cool tunes and take a seat in the screening room to watch the CBC match of the day (Italy vs. Slovakia) game live streamed right to our venue.

The wines of course were a huge hit too! If you haven’t had a chance to try wines from South Africa, please do, you will thoroughly enjoy them and you may even fall in love. The hands down gold medal favourite of the iYellow team was: 2007 Sebeka® Cabernet-Pinotagee and the Diemersfontein Pinotage . Pinotage is South Africa’s signature varietal and these 2 are winners. Pinotage pairs well with a wide variety of rich foods, such as pasta, fire-grilled meats, and vegetables with its longer lingering notes, and a mellow, full-bodied, and buttery taste. The girls of iYellow found it delicious and irresistible, and also loved the cool cheetah print cork! Ange also bought a case of the Diemersfontein Poinotage because she loved that one too!

Lets Kick It! was a blast and so will our next hot Summer event, the Outback BBQ, featuring tastes from the grill and Wines from Australia. See you there  on Thursday July 22nd!

PS be sure to check out the photos from the night!

What better way to enjoy 100% local Ontario wines, than to attend the Annual Sip & Savour tasting (celebrating the Ontario Wine Awards) at the Pantages Hotel downtown Toronto! On Thursday June 17th, I was invited to attend a seminar and wine tasting event dedicated to Ontario VQA wines, local cheese and artisanal breads. A large group of wine enthusiasts gathered to learn about 24 featured Ontario wineries, a tradition that has been going on since Tony Aspler founded the Ontario Wine Awards in 1995, creating a venue for recognizing the quality, distinction and brilliance of local VQA wines.

I started the afternoon by attending a seminar on Ontario Rieslings called “Rieslings to Believe: Ontario’s Cinderella Grape” which was hosted by Natalie Reynolds, a winemaker at Thirty Bench Winery. We learned about the different clones of Riesling planted in both Niagara on the Lake (49B) and on the Niagara escarpment (21B); how the varietal continues to increase in popularity; and how Riesling is one of the least manipulated grape varietals at a winery. We then tasted four Rieslings:
• Thirty Bench
2008 Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard (2010 gold medal) $30.00
• Rosewood Estates Winery
2008 Riesling Reserve (2010 bronze medal) $25.00
• Flat Rock Cellars
2008 Riesling Twenty Mile Bench (2010 gold medal) $16.95
• Tawse Winery
2009 Sketches of Niagara Riesling (2010 silver medal) $18.00

Following the seminar, we tasted all four wines; each paired with a local pork and mushroom dish and determined, as a group, that the Flat Rock was the best pairing for this dish!

The afternoon event ended with an opportunity to independently sample some new releases, award winners and interesting blends. The size of the tasting room created a challenge for those attempting to focus on all aspects of the tasting process. I did however enjoy the opportunity to experience these local VQA wines.
White Wine of the Year went to Huff Estates Winery for their 2007 South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay ($29.95) and Red Wine of the Year went to Vineland Estates Winery for their 2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve ($40.00) – both well deserved awards!

Every year, this event definitely makes me remember why I like to go home to Niagara and visit wine country. Definitely don’t forget to visit at least one of Ontario’s awesome wine regions this summer and mark next year’s tasting event on your calendar!

Some of my Picks:
• Konzelmann Estate Winery
2008 Sparkling Riesling Methode Cuvee Close (2010 bronze medal) $16.00
• Creekside Estate Winery
2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (2009 gold medal) $26.95
• Lailey Vineyard Winery
2008 Old Vines Chardonnay $40.00
• Southbrook Vineyards
2007 Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 19 (2010 bronze medal) $34.95
• Peller Estates Winery
Andrew Peller Signature Series 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (2010 bronze medal) $38.00
• Chateau de Charmes Winery
2007 Late Harvest Riesling Estate Bottled (2009 & 2010 gold medal) $19.95

A couple of girls on a Wednesday night were headed to a wine event…(this seems to be a theme here at iYellow, but hey, we’re  not complaining!) We began our night with a blo n’ go (for more details refer to post #15) and then took the TTC over to Arta Gallery in the Distillery District to attend “An Evening of Wine, Cheese & Art Sale”, in support of Fred Victor Centre. There was great music,  six great wineries from Ontario, a silent auction, good food and a good time to be had! We were able to catch-up with Derek from Lailey Vineyards, taste wines from Black Prince Winery from PEC (their Cab franc was a little disapointing but I’m still a BP believer), Flat Rock Cellars (one of my fav’s!), Calamus Winery, and Creekside Wines (loved, loved, LOVED the Sauv Blanc Reserve!). To boot, there was even complementary cheeses chosen by Leslieville Cheese Market and OMG were they ever good – I tried to bargain with the guy to let me buy the rest of the cheese that was leftover from the night, because I was a little addicted to it… typically I can be found anywhere there is cheese and wine! There was entertainment provided by The Michelle Willis Quartet and the team and I even got to meet the Suzana Da Camara group too! Overall, this event was simply fabulous and a great way to support a good cause, taste some good wines and spend a Wednesday night.

XX

For more about the Fred Victor Centre click here>>

To learn more about Wines of Ontario click here>>

For someone raised in a big city with no background, connection or awareness of the world of wine, Aurelio Montes remarkably is now considered one of the most influential and inspirational winemakers of Chile today. I was both nervous and humbled by the opportunity to interview one of the industry’s most well respected movers and was grateful that Carlissa was there with me. On his North American tour, Aurelio Montes was kind enough to squeeze Carlissa and I into his busy Toronto schedule for what was to be a quick interview. ‘Quick’ went out the window as the interview, almost naturally, stretched into over an hour long of casual conversations and shooting the breeze. His articulate and professional manners were balanced by his down to earth and approachable nature and it was all too easy to get lost in his passionate dissertations. We did however manage to get a few of the questions and answers down for you! Might I also suggest a glass of Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Aurelio’s favourite collection to get you in the mood?

CD: As your family was not involved in the wine industry, how did your passion for fine wine develop and why did you get into the industry?

AM: Growing up I always wanted to be outdoors as I liked open spaces and decided to study agronomy at University. When I got to University, there were winemaking classes offered and I decided to learn more about wine. It was then that I realized I had a passion for wine, fine wine especially. As soon as I started working in the industry, I knew it was my calling and that this was where I belonged.

CD: What do you enjoy most about winemaking?

AM: One of the parts that I enjoy the most is being really involved in the viticulture; I love walking in the vineyards and studying the grapes as this aspect is more of a challenge for me and I like challenges.

LA: What are some of the challenges and victories you face in Napa that you don’t in Chile or Argentina logistically speaking and do you find this affects the price points at which you can sell the wines?

AM: Well you see, the land, and in California particularly is much more expensive and so is labour and things like that, so there really is no large profit in these regions unless you have the deep pockets to support it. Besides that, we rent a winery and use grapes from some of the regions premium vineyards to help with the cost but still be able to produce good wine. For me it is more of a spiritual endeavour, and to be able to succeed in these regions. To be able to produce a quality wine in a different region and of course the learning that comes with it is most important. So yes, it is more expensive to produce, and yes, it affects the price but it is not after all the profit that is most important, but rather the learning, growth and achievement of producing quality wines in regions outside of Chile.

CD: What made you choose these particular regions?

AM: Well, there were a lot of areas that showed potential but I decided to start expanding in Argentina for two reasons: first to experiment with growing grapes there and wanted to learn more about their tannin structure, and second, the proximity to my Chilean operations. Grapes tend to grow faster in Argentina than Chile and I realized that we could make a larger volume of wine for a slightly lower cost which would mean more of a profit, so it was beneficial for us to get started. After I had conquered that market and was successful in exporting Argentinean wine, starting a vineyard in California sounded like a great idea. I had always loved visiting Napa so as soon as I needed a new challenge, I knew immediately that Napa was it! And with harvests at two different times of the year, it definitely keeps me busy!

LA: You export about 94% of your wines internationally. Was it your first intention to sell internationally with Montes Premium` Wines instead of building a reputation at home? Why?

AM: There is a saying, “there is no profit in your own land”, and this is true, even for Chile. When we first started it was difficult because of the number of established wineries that already existed in Chile. It is a challenge to compete in any industry when there are already so many players in the game. Some additional factors that influence a winery to go into export include wine consumption and sales that are different for each country.  We decided at an early stage that we wanted to bring the wines of Chile to the world. We want to establish ourselves on a world stage as a producer of quality wine.  This outside recognition of Chile, especially the discovery of Chile in England, captures the attention of the people at home. Once you are able to establish yourself on a world stage, people at home will recognize what it is that you are doing.

LA:     Do you believe that wine regions must first gain recognition internationally to gain a reputation at home?

AM: There are different cases to be made for each country.  Each country is in a different situation regarding consumption, sales and history of winemaking and of course the direction that they are seeking. A country low in consumption such as Chile, it is important to seek that global recognition. I feel the same is true for Canada; to succeed abroad first will bring success at home.

CD: The image of Chilean wines has accelerated and gained tremendous popularity in the last ten years and is catching up with traditional old world leaders such as France and Italy. Has there been an increase in the number of people, namely winemakers or viticulturists moving into Chile to try to purchase land and start their own wineries?

AM: There have been a few quality winemakers from France that have come over to Chile to consult and make wine here but the majority of the viticulturists and winemakers are local which is great for the economy.

CD: What about the Chilean government, do they assist in promoting or helping Chilean wineries gain recognition?

AM: The government lends little support but ProChile does help export our wines. ProChile is an organization that helps certain wineries and other Chilean companies promote and export their products internationally.

LA: Consumption of wine being much lower in Chile as compared to other regions in the world, do you see that changing with the gaining popularity of the region? Are there any movements to support the local industry in Chile or do you see gross national income a strong barrier for the domestic market?

AM: 35 years ago, consumption in Chile was 50 litres per capita; we were a wine drinking nation. This number over the years dropped to 12 litres per capita and has only recently to this day increased to 18 litres per capita. We are just starting to see a turn-around. I think that Chileans are drinking less wine than they had 35 years ago however; the wines that they are drinking are of higher quality and perceived to be a healthier choice. Chileans are incredibly proud of their local wines and if you were to walk into any wine store in Chile you would see that 98% of what they carry is domestic product. Yes there is tremendous support for the local wine industry.

LA: How do you think the conglomeration of wineries on a now global scale will affect the industry ten years down the road?  Will small independent artisanal wineries be able to stay afloat without being bought up?

AM: I cannot offer a real answer to that question however common sense would tell us that there is no chance of survival for these smaller boutique wineries.  The wine industry is a glamorous business to be in. Most wineries are not truly profitable and are often supported by other businesses or industries as a pet project for the wealthy. A symbol of status.  I don’t think that it is all bad news, Rosemount and their relationship with Southcorp Wines is an excellent case of this idea of excellence versus numbers.  In most situations when a smaller winery is bought up by a larger company, they are given enough autonomy to maintain their excellence while increasing exposure and opportunity in sales along with improvements to winemaking and production practices. It may not always be the case but it is surely a way for these wineries to not only survive but thrive in an ever competitive industry. On a trip to France, even the best of the best are in this same situation. One thing I can say about it is… the improved sustainability and timeliness of a smaller winery in forming these partnerships is a good thing.

CD: Why did you decide on choosing the Institute of Masters of Wine for the scholarship?

AM: We decided it was time to promote wine education in growing minds. We chose the Masters of Wine as our partner for this scholarship because we believe they many of the candidates and sommeliers are the future leaders of the wine world and we want to encourage them to think seriously about wine. Every year we accept international essays from either students or graduates of the Masters of Wine program on a specific topic that changes annually. The winner receives a grand prize of cash and a trip to Chile.

CD: When you are not drinking your own wines, what else do you drink?

AM: I like to try other Chilean wines to compare them to my own primarily, but I really like red Bordeaux and Napa Cabs as well. When I am not drinking wine, I also really enjoy a good gin and tonic!

LA: A new trend with new world wines in restaurants is wine on tap. Would you ever consider selling any of your wines in restaurants out of a keg?

AM: I am actually not terribly reluctant to this idea. It is something I have not given much consideration to however with technology improvements this may be a something to look into. Wines by the glass are definitely an important market in restaurant sales however I would not be inclined to put my wines in the same category as jug or bulk products. It was not too long ago that my sales and marketing director was trying to convince me to sell my wine through Costco. At first I thought he must be absolutely mad to even suggest Costco as a retail outlet! It wasn’t until he showed me the other premium brand wines that are already being sold there that I was convinced it may be a very reasonable option. If Latour or Margaux are selling wines from the tap I would of course consider putting mine right there next to them.

On behalf of Carlissa and myself I would like to send a special thanks to Angela and Steve for making this interview possible and also to the Spoke Club for hosting our special guest.

Cheers,

Carlissa De Rose & Lisa Andrews

Wednesday June 16th was a fantastic night out on on the town for a few iYellow girls. Not only was it a beautiful Summer’s night in downtown Toronto but it was also the launch of a new label and new varietal wines by Piat D’Or.  So at 5pm Tallyia, Laura and I hit the town to celebrate Summer with a couple wine events and maybe a few more glasses than we needed – and thankfully the TTC took us around town safely.

$

We arrived at Blo hair bar (blogmedry.com) on King Street West a little after 5pm. The word on the street was if we got to the launch party early enough we would all be able to get our hair done and drink at the same time – BONUS! If you know me (or any girl for that matter) you know we can always use a hair appointment and a glass of wine to pair with it. As we got our hair did by the super staff at Blo we were able to taste the new Piat D’Or Chardonnay and Merlot. This label was once about blends (so is/was most of French wine), however, Piat D’Or is now moving forward with more varietal based wines. The Chardonnay and the Merlot paired well with the hair service and the passed appy’s were a great perk too. The twist top makes it an easy wine to serve friends (no fancy corkscrews are necessary) and they were both easy drinking. While we sipped our French wine Laura and I reminisced about our time in France which was just a few weeks earlier…we both had such a great time  in France that any French wine would help to bring back amazing memories and make us smile! So overall Wednesday night at Blow with Piat D’Or was filled with good wine, good friends and good hair and made for a great start to a Wednesday evening. Pair this wine with great company and a summer BBQ. After some wine and a blo we were off to event #2 – event post coming soon!

@

Below is a picture of Laura, Me and the rest of our travel crew that we went to France with under the Eiffel Tower…and for the record it took all my might to not call this article “A Blo Job + Wine = Awesomeness”

May 26th was definitely an unforgettable night at the Toronto Board of Trade. With 44 wines, 22 winemakers, great music and a room full of the coolest people in TO, it was a night to not be missed.  There were also 3 different seminars that people could sign up for complimentary with your ticket, Wine 101 & Get Naked were led by yours truly (I also hosted the evening) and Wine & Food 101 were led by Chef Jason Parsons & Winemaker Lawrence Buhler. As you tasted through the over 44 wines at the event you were able to mark down your favourites and get them delivered to your home or office! Oliver & Bonacini made the night extra special with their delicious canapes, just thinking about them makes my mouth water. But don’t take my word for it that is was a great night, check out our pictures on Flickr!

************************************************************************************************************************

Did you attend 44 Wines? If you did share with us some of your favourite wines you tried!!

Some of us will be savouring a great wine to cheer on our favourite team in the world cup. An Italian Pinot Grigio, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile or maybe even a Californian Zinfandel as you cheer on team USA. If you are looking to “mix it up”, you might want to try a few of these favourite summer cocktails as well.

Here is a simple recipe for Brazilian soccer fans out there or anyone looking for a great summer barbeque drink. Look for any brand of cachaça at the LCBO.

5 Easy Steps to a Caiparinha…

1. Cut the ends off a fresh lime and then cut the lime into quarters.
2. Remove any exposed white rind along the edges of the lime after quartering.
3. Muddle lime with 3 generous teaspoons of sugar in a shaker.
4. Add 2 oz. of cachaça, lots of ice and shake.
5. Pour into a short glass. Saude!

For anyone cheering for Mexico or those looking for a 10-minute mental vacation, the classic margarita is a great summer favourite.

5 Easy Steps to a Margarita…

1. Rim a cocktail glass first with lime and then with sea salt.
2. Add together 3 parts margarita, 2 parts triple sec and 1 part lime juice.
3. Shake with ice. *
4. Pour into rimmed glass.
5. Enjoy!
* You can blend the above mix in a blender for the frozen version.

Lastly, for those die-hard wine club members who don’t want to stray too far from their favourite drink, here is a great sangria recipe to cheer on Spain (where the sangria was first invented).

5 Easy Steps to Sangria…

1. Mix 3 parts red wine of your choice with 2 parts orange juice and 1 part 7up.
2. Add fruits to your taste (e.g., blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced oranges). *
3. Add ice.
4. Stir in a punch bowl.
5. Enjoy!
*Hint: keep the sangria cold by adding frozen fruits…good idea if you are short on ice!

Enjoy the World Cup and I’ll see you at Let’s Kick it on Thursday June 24th!

For anyone who has stepped foot in a music store, the endless racks of guitars, may seem very similar to the set-up at your local wine store. Surprisingly wine and guitar seem have some similiar attributes when to comes to trying to figure out which one you want to take home.

In both places you have your more affordable products grouped together, usually near the front. For wines, you have your regions (Spain, France, Ontario, etc). For guitars, the country of origin can have a big impact on the final price tag and is therefore (like wine) a pretty important part of the deal. Much like wines, for guitars, different brands represent a certain appeal for a niche buyer. Even wood, plays a major role in the final product for both products. For vino, an aged oak barrel, is just as important to the taste of the wine, as is a mahogany wood body for the overall sustain of an electric guitar (just ask Slash). And finally, as you make your way to the back of the store, you’ll find your vintages. For guitars, your rare aged maple neck ‘54 Stratocaster will be stored away in your collection only to be played on certain occasions, much like your vintage 1811 Grande Fine Champagne Reserve tucked away deep within your cellar doors for that special occasion and to show off to friends.

My love for wine and guitars, definitely go hand-in-hand. Nothing is more relaxing than sipping a tasty Merlot, while strumming some blues on my favorite Stratocaster.

Cheers!

An Interview with Scott McWilliams

When I was first given the chance to interview one of Australia’s hottest young wine makers, I quite literally jumped at the opportunity. The McWilliams’ are well known as one of the first pioneering families of the Australian wine industry and Scott McWilliams is the 6th generation to be born into the families business as one of the head winemakers and spokesperson. I am ready and willing to admit I had a few ideas of what this guy was all about before meeting him. I am also very aware that having this type of prejudice going into my first interview is not likely the best way to go about it, rightfully so…Was I ever wrong!

After speaking with his Public Relations representative most of my more politically charged questions were answered. However, I did get the chance to learn a bit more about the fairly recent relationship established between McWilliams and E. J. Gallo. The two family-owned and operated companies, with very similar mandates and philosophies, are now working together in spreading their families’ love of wine from Australia to North America and around the world. This new synergistic relationship will hopefully increase the availability of some of the world’s newest, cutting edge wines from California and South Australia.

All preconceived notions of austerity and nobility that are assumed with being born into a successfully run family winery were quickly washed away as soon as Scott walked into the room. He was rocking, wearing a multi-coloured striped dress shirt and I couldn’t help but think, that is definitely something Daryl Brooker (formerly Hillebrand Estates Winery) would wear! It must be an Australian wine maker look…and it looked great!

Being raised on a vineyard and surrounded by wine I was intensely curious if wine had just been naturally appealing and realized at a young age, or if Scott himself had ever wondered what other paths he might have taken had he not been raised in this environment. Scott explained that anyone who could ever recall their first love of wine through a bottle of Mouton Rothschild they were given a taste of by a grandfather or, whoever a family member, when they were five years old is likely someone who is just full of it. He could not recall one specific moment but that his love for wine is constantly developing an understanding and appreciation for wine. “I really began to realize and appreciate the uniqueness of wine as a product; there really is no other product out there that is in an ever changing state throughout its shelf life”. McWilliams did recall a memory of sharing a cheap bottle of wine with his close mate on a beach in the south of France during time off from the winery. It was then he may have realized that maybe this was a pretty good life to be living, and that maybe he wouldn’t mind being a winemaker. I think that most of us in that context could easily agree!

Despite thinking how lucky he was to be born into a winemaker position, Scott had to prove himself before his own family would even consider hiring him! While studying for a degree in Chemistry Scott worked in the cellars of wineries all around the world during his summers. In an attempt to stray away from the repetitive nature of interview questions – I’m sure Scott has memorized the answers to most of them- I had asked him about some of his most challenging experiences as a new wine maker. Without hesitation and with the most serious of expressions, he blurted out “Beaujolais”. For a second I thought well great, either he’s been asked this question one too many times, or this is going to be a really good story… Lucky for me, it was a story! His most challenging, and apparently most memorable experience was the summer he spent in Beaujolais. In his first year out of his wine making degree, he was given the position of head winemaker in a newly established winery in the Villages of Beaujolais. It was a sink or swim situation as it was his first vintage in this lead role and the equipment he had to work with had seen not only the First, but also, the Second World War. Yikes! It was while working on one of these old pieces of machinery that, Scott was electrocuted and nearly lost his life. Talk about a tough first break!

With a few questions on the direction of the Australian wine industry in response to the mass production of bulk wines contributing to the countries wine glut, it was clear that Scott as a winemaker and spokesperson remains realistic and positive. He is here, after all, on a tour of North America to proudly spread the word (and taste) of his families own wines of McWilliams Estate, Australia’s oldest established family run winery. He was also very excited to let me in on a new initiative led by twelve of Australia’s oldest family run wineries. These wineries have been collectively working together to promote the real wines of some of Australia’s smaller, long established family estates. Australia’s First Families of Wine will start a world tour to engage with consumers and industry alike with the common goal of setting the story straight about Australian wines. If you have never had a cool climate Riesling from some of Australia’s most southern capes, boy are you in for a treat! We should be so lucky to see a few of these coming soon to LCBO stores across Ontario, if we are so lucky…For more information on the AFFW, visit www.australiasfirstfamiliesofwine.com.au.

When it came time to taste I was really quite excited, I admittedly have not had any of McWilliams wines before. He brought with him the 2008 McWilliams Hanwood Estate Chardonnay and the 2007 Hanwood Estate Shiraz , both available at your local LCBO under general list. These wines are made from a blend of different vineyard sites which he explains is where the quality for price comes into play. With some of the most severe drought conditions for a wine region, having vineyard sites in a number of locations offer a winery security in the extenuating circumstance of dry weather or wild fires that can lead to the loss of an entire vineyard. Having multiple sites also ensure consistency in the quality of wine that is produced year after year. With the first sip of the2006 Hanwood Estate Chardonnay I was already confused. He had said that the wines that we were tasting were $13.95 and $14.95. The Chardonnay in front of me could easily have been a $20 bottle! An appreciator of wines from Chablis (where the main grape is Chardonnay), Scott crafted this wine with minimal oak on the palate and a truly beautiful crispness that reflects his affinity for the northern climates of France. The fruit was still a dead giveaway of an Australian white with plenty of tropical fruit notes.. Not quite a cool climate, but not really a hot region either, this was a pretty wild wine for only $13.95! The 2008 Hanwood Estate Shiraz was a beautiful crimson red colour with aromas of dark black fruit, vanilla and spice; it definitely got me in the mood for summer barbeques! Scott explained that one of the main reasons for his visit was to show people that not only are there quality wines coming out of Australia, but that the wines are also really approachable. These wines show excellent quality without austerity and are enjoyed by wine aficionados as well as new consumers. I highly recommend picking up a bottle of either of these wines next time you’re at the LCBO, and start exploring some of Australia’s cutting edge wines with a price that’s hard to beat for a student like myself!

A big thank you to Liz, Angela, Rachel and of course Scott himself for the interview and for offering up a tasting of these great family wines. I definitely learned a lot from this experience and sincerely hope that I could pass this along to you all! Looking forward to seeing more of the First Families of Australian Wine in Canada soon!

See you at the next tasting!

Ladies, let’s talk about kiwi’s… and I don’t just mean the fruit! Here in downtown Toronto the tulips are blooming, the trees are filling, and the clothes are coming off. We are all coming out of hibernation and being welcomed by brisk sun kissed days and cool nights. Patios are “poppin” and what to drink is the question that is crossing everyone’s mind.
Solution found: T’is the season for sipping sauvignon!

I’m talking about the classic Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. To most people New Zealand is home to the hobbits, another great accent, and wines that sometime smell like Cat’s Pee. On the contrary it is filled with so much more. It is a place of costal beauty and an exclusive climate for some lucky grape growers. New Zealand’s Vineyards are the first in the world to see the sun and are caressed by cool ocean breezes to make for a long, even, ripening period. It is my belief that in order to truly understand this type of wine you must understand “the kiwi”.

The kiwi fruit happens to be a major export earner in New Zealand. We have all seen a kiwi fruit at our local grocery store and have asked the question: How can this fruit have fur on the outside yet be so delicious on the inside? It is really difficult to describe the taste profile of a kiwi; you just know it tastes like kiwi. It’s great in the morning, fantastic with desserts, and shares the same shape as New Zealand’s national bird.

The national bird of New Zealand, also known as a Kiwi, is round, brown, and flightless. Sure not the most intimidating, but this bird has a highly developed sense of smell and is the only bird with nostrils. What makes these birds even more distinct is that they are completely monogamous. Once bonded, they will spend their entire lives devoted to that partner. Bringing me to the last kiwi found on New Zealand, the man.

Men from New Zealand are often referred to as Kiwi’s. Here are some “good on paper” points one should know. They are the country type, strong, democratic, good with animals, machine savvy, exceptionally handy, rustically good looking, and they have accents. Need I say more?

All forms of the Kiwi are unique and outspoken just like the classic Sauvignon Blanc. They have distinct characteristics that set them apart from any other Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Once bonded to their style you are bonded for life. They may seem overpowering on the nose and can often show qualities that you might not be used to. But let me tell you it is a party in your mouth and the oysters are definitely invited.

For your sipping pleasure I suggest: LCBO Vintage Essential, Coopers Creek, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is filled with aromas of passion fruit, gooseberry, pineapple, nectarine, and a friendly herbal finish. For $17.95 enjoy it with a patio, some oysters, and a cute accent.

iYellow VIP Reception @California Wine Fair

2010 marked the 30^th Annual Canadian Tour for the California Wine Fair.  This evening celebration of California’s wine industry on April 19^th in Toronto showcased the various wine-growing regions in California and its excellent wines!  Located in the Royal York Hotel, the wine fair allowed the public to sample a wide range of styles and varietals while pairing them with delicious cheeses, cured meats and tasty appetizers.

Those who attended iYellow Wine Club’s VIP Reception for the Wine Fair that evening, got a first-hand glimpse of the people behind the wine. Mr. Taylor Thompson, Sommelier, introduced the various regions and climates of California wine country and Mr. Karl Wente, Winemaker at Wente Vineyards, passionately spoke about the diversity of California’s terrior, its famous and up and coming growing regions and certain varietal winners.  Guests enjoyed listening to Mr. Wente’s stories while tasting one or all six premium California wines offered at the reception. 

The iYellow VIP Reception ended and the doors opened into the ballroom where over 100 wineries were able to showcase their premium wines. iYellow Wine Club members were able to meet many of these vintners, taste amazing wines and bid on awesome bottles, packages and other prizes at the silent auction… overall a night to remember!

Some of my favourites of the Evening:

Rodney Strong Vineyards, 2007 Chardonnay, Russian River

Pedroncelli Winery, 2007 Mother Clone Zinfandel, Dry Creek

Miner Family Winery, 2006 Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley

Heitz Wine Cellar, 2004 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley