Pinotage

What is Pinotage? Ask The Wine Ladies

Pinotage

Pinotage

Dear Wine Ladies,

We recently enjoyed a red wine from South Africa called Pinotage. I understood it was a blend of two wines, Pinot Noir and Cinsaut then discovered it is a clone of Pinot Noir. Or is it?

Jack, Mississauga, Ontario

Ask The Wine Ladies

Ask The Wine Ladies- Please submit your questions to info@thewineladies.com

Dear Jack,

This grape is considered to be the signature grape variety of South Africa is not a clone of Pinot Noir, it is actually a cross between the two grapes Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. The variety was created in 1925 by Professor Perold of Stellenbosch University. At the time, and occasionally today, Cinsaut was commonly called Hermitage in South Africa, hence the contraction Pinotage.

BRAND NEW SHOWS every Monday at 10:00 am and Wednesday at 2:00 pm or listen ON DEMAND on line anytime.

South Africa Beckons… Please join us Feb 2017 for a trip of a lifetime!

chocolate strawberries

Tweet to Win Chocolate and Wine for your Valentine! Brix Chocolate.

CONGRATULATIONS TO @TheNancy2880, winner of this prize. Your prize has been shipped to you in time for Valentine’s Day!

It’s easy to win. What’s your favourite wine and chocolate pairing? Perhaps strawberries and Champagne or a Barolo with extra dark chocolate?

Tweet #TWLValentinesContest and re-tweet as often as you like! One winner will be picked at random.  

Simply tell us your favourite pairing!!Visit The Wine Ladies Facebook Page and LIKE US. Winner will be drawn at random and announced on The Wine Ladies Facebook page The Wine Ladies Friday February 6th,2015 at noon. Good luck everyone.

Win one grand prize of a BRIX Tasting Party Gift Set plus a selection of matching wines as recommended by us. Prize includes of 4-3 oz bars BRIX Extra Dark Chocolate,Medium Dark Chocolate,Smooth and Milk, Solid Cherry Cutting Board,Matching Knife and Tasting Guide,plus wine. ( Value: $100.00 including shipping)

To purchase the Tasting Party Gift Set

We do love the idea of pairing wine with chocolate, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner the timing couldn’t be any better!

 It’s easy as 1-2-3

1.Make sure that you follow both of us on Twitter @TheWineLadies

2. From Friday, January 23rd,2015 9:00am EST until Friday February 6th,2015 at noon,Friday,NOON EST tweet and re-tweet and follow @TheWineLadies. Below is an  example that you can use and modify as you see fit.

Example Tweet:

@TheWineLadies Enter me #win!$100.00 gift set #TWLValentineContest #wine & #chocolate #romance

@TheWineLadies my favourite pairing dark #chocolate & #Barolo #TWLValentinesContest I wanna win!

3.Each time you tweet (or re-tweet our Tweets) using the hash tag #TWLValentinesContest your name will be entered into our draw for a chance to win the prize. Keep entering as often as you like. Be sure to add @TheWineLadies at the end of your Tweet as well to help track it.

 

4.If you don’t TWEET you can also enter on The Wine Ladies FACEBOOK Fan page too right here.

 

The winner will be randomly selected at 6:00pm on Friday, February 6th, 2015 and will be notified via TWITTER and FACEBOOK.


Good Luck everyone! Georgia and Susanne

 

A few tips on wine and chocolate tasting.

For planning your Valentine’s Day date, think about offering a range of chocolates, maybe five or six, with a varying degree of cacao content resulting in different levels of sweetness and pure chocolate strength. Consider too, chocolates that contain nuts or toffee, opening up additional possibilities. Next select a range of wines, keeping in mind that in general sweeter wines such as icewines, sherry, tawny port or a Banyuls from France pair really well with chocolate. Throw in a fruity Zinfandel too for a different experience! don’t forget, it’s all about personal taste! Many sommeliers and experts love the pairing of dry Cabernets or fruity wines with dark chocolate while others opt for the classic, and romantic chocolate dipped strawberries and Champagne.

Consider BRIX Chocolate.

Another option, making life simple and taking out the guesswork would be to consider the absolutely delicious chocolate on the market called BRIX; the first ever to be crafted specifically to pair with wine. After much trial and error, the founder Dr. Proia an Ohio pulmonologist (who appreciated the antioxidants found in both wine and chocolate) developed three blends of chocolate with their root being of single origin Ghanaian chocolate known for their red fruit tones particularly suited to wine.

A few chocolate tasting tips that we’ve picked up over time include the advice of chocolatiers and connoisseurs to not bite into the chocolate, but rather to allow the chocolate to slowly melt in your mouth maximizing the full range of flavors, texture and finish.

Sample the wine first on its own, and then sample the chocolate.

Next taste the wine again along with the chocolate in your mouth. Is the sum of the parts greater than the whole? Notice if certain flavors of either the wine or the chocolate are heightened or perhaps diminished? Share your taste experience and your thoughts with the others.
Be sure to provide your guests with several palate cleansers such as fresh bread, simple crackers and pitchers of water. A selection of fresh cheeses accompanied by fresh fruit would round out the evening beautifully!

 

On this week’s audio podcast…Icewine, Canada’s Nectar of the Gods!

Icewine, Canada's Nectar of the Gods

Icewine, Canada’s Nectar of the Gods

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic holiday season and are ready to welcome all that 2015 has to bring! And what a way to start off the year as Canadians! With huge Congratulations to our Juniors in hockey for bringing home the GOLD in the World Junior Championship! Way to go team!

Yes you were there Georgia, and what excitement!!!

Yes you were there Georgia, and what excitement!!!

We  think we can safely say Canada is hockey…and hockey is Canada!!!

But do you know what else is Canada? Something that consistently brings home the gold, also known as liquid gold! Its our Icewine! Ooh yea, got that right, that delectable, luscious, seductive dessert wine also known as the Nectar of the Gods!

BRAND NEW SHOWS every Monday at 10:00 am and Wednesday at 2:00 pm or listen ON DEMAND on line anytime.

Icewine, Canada's Nectar of the Gods

Icewine, Canada’s Nectar of the Gods

On this week’s radio show we explore all that is our iconic Icewine.

This special wine that literally put Canada on the world-wide wine map! What makes it so special, how its made, and no we don’t put the grapes in a freezer, but some do,a commercial freezer that is…so we’ll learn all about it, the risks, the rewards, and the amazing taste profiles!
And to help us do all that and also chat about some of the other award winning still wines coming out of this region…  Joining us today, 3 guests from different wineries, all located in our beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and stops on our Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour coming up January 25th.

 We are going to  start off by welcoming Stacey Mulholland from  Canada’s  most awarded winery Jackson Triggs…founded in 1993, a must see and experience winery. Listen to Stacey on the show at 7 minutes eleven seconds into the show.
Winemaker Marco Piccoli.

Winemaker Marco Piccoli.

1st winery stop: Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate.Canada’s most awarded winery and have been named “Best Canadian Winery” an unprecedented number of times in international and domestic competitions. Meet winemaker Marco Piccoli.

Two Sisters Vineyards

Two Sisters Vineyards

Then we’ll welcome Adam Pearce, the winemaker for Two Sisters Vineyards, one of the newest kids/wineries on the block in Niagara… a sister duo, Melissa & Angela Paoliceli, this winery garnering  huge accolades right out of the gate on Adam’s wines, and with an award winning chef in their restaurant at the winery Kitchen 76 where we will be stopping in for a superb lunch on our tour!! Listen to Adam on the show at 19 minutes fifty one seconds into the show.
Angela Marotta & Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, Proprietors

Angela Marotta & Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli, Proprietors

2nd  winery stop: Two Sisters Vineyards.  Niagara’s newest premium winery. VIP wine tasting and enjoy a delicious local lunch at the winery.
Pillitteri Estates Winery

Pillitteri Estates Winery

And to top off this trifecta… From the largest estate icewine producer in the world, revolutionary in producing some of the world’s most rare icewines…Charlie Pillitterri, the CEO of  family owned Pillitteri Estates Winery will join us… to chat about the world wide thirst for this specialty wine Today they produce over 13 different styles of Icewine, far more than any other winery in the world.
Charlie Pillitterri, the CEO of  family owned Pillitteri Estates Winery

Charlie Pillitterri, the CEO of  family owned Pillitteri Estates Winery

Listen to Charlie on the show at 35 minutes eighteen seconds into the show.
3rd winery stop: Pilliterri Estates Winery.Enjoy this stunning wintery in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake and meet proprietor Charlie Pillitteri.Experience a VIP cellar experience.
We’ll close off the show with a special guest. The proprietor of Strada West Eat and Sip House, located in Niagara Falls,  where we  celebrated Susanne’s birthday. It was a great night,so much fun, we’ll chat with Tom Roberto, the proprietor of this “have to be in the know” place to go, its where the locals go! Everything home made and delish! Listen to Tom on the show at 49 minutes twenty eight seconds into the show.

Join us Jan 25th for The Wine Ladies Shimmer of Gold Icewine VIP Tour.

Just a few tickets remain.

Make Your Purchase

Bodega Catena Zapata

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012, Susanne’s Wine Pick.

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012

Bodega Catena Malbec 2012

My wine pick this week is from South America, although not from Chile but from Argentina. Another region making superb quality,value wines and this one is a standout!

Susanne'sWine Pick

Susanne’s Wine Pick

The producer, family owned Bodega Catena Zapata, is known for their high quality wines. It has been making wine for multiple generations. They have vineyards planted in Mendoza at varying altitudes each vineyard bringing something unique to the final blends.

My pick the Bodega Catena Malbec 2012 is a blend of grapes from four vineyard sites. Each bringing something special to the wine. The result a wine of intense aroma, with black fruit, floral notes, spice, black pepper, complex and with a lasting finish. I thought delish for $19.95.

Catena Malbec 2012

Vintages # 727748

Price: $19.95

 TUNE INTO THE WINE LADIES RADIO SHOW at 4:17 minutes to hear it.

On this week’s radio show… Episode #16 (WL 01-12-2015) Icewine… Canada’s Nectar of the Gods!

we explore all that is our iconic Icewine, this special wine that literally put Canada on the world-wide wine map! What makes it so special, how its made, and no we don’t put the grapes in a freezer, but some do,a commercial freezer that is…so we’ll learn all about it, the risks, the rewards, and the amazing taste profiles!
And to help us do all that and also chat about some of the other award winning still wines coming out of this region…  Joining us today, 3 guests from different wineries, all located in our beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and stops on our Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour coming up January 25th.

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

Vina Santa Rita, Chile.

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011, Georgia’s Wine Pick.

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011

So the new year is upon us and it might be a time for some us to do a little budgeting. We  may have stretched ourselves a little bit. But not to worry, no need to put away the wine glass or cut back on a good glass of wine… we’ve got delish budget wines to the rescue!

So for me, we had a lot of folks over at my place during the holidays. 14 to 15 people for dinner for quite a few nights. So I found myself a great deal, that everybody loved… and when I unveiled it and told them the price… their jaws dropped!

My find from Vinas Santa Rita… the Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011, from the Maipo Valley in Chile… $13.95. We actually stayed at this incredible property at the Casa Real hotel, hundreds of acres of stunning vegetation, hundred year old trees, just beautiful! The winery founded in 1880 produces amazing wines of terrific value!

This Cab a blend of the best Cabernet Sauvignon barrels in the vintage, aged in French and American oak… concentrated rich flavours, hints of spice, of oak and with soft tannins… big juicy berry flavor Go and get yourself a bottle, delish for $13.95 in our market.

 

Santa Rita Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

LCBO # 253872

$13.95

During our trip to Chile in 2011 we stayed  at the Casa Real Hotel located at Vinas Santa Rita.We enjoyed a lovely picnic one day with food and wine journalists from the country of Chile.

On this week’s radio show… Episode #16 (WL 01-12-2015) Icewine… Canada’s Nectar of the Gods!

we explore all that is our iconic Icewine, this special wine that literally put Canada on the world-wide wine map! What makes it so special, how its made, and no we don’t put the grapes in a freezer, but some do,a commercial freezer that is…so we’ll learn all about it, the risks, the rewards, and the amazing taste profiles!
And to help us do all that and also chat about some of the other award winning still wines coming out of this region…  Joining us today, 3 guests from different wineries, all located in our beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and stops on our Shimmer of Gold Icewine Tour coming up January 25th.