The Wine Ladies guest star in new W Network TV show Playing House
We were invited to participate in brand new TV show on W Network, Playing House http://www.wnetwork.com/Shows/Playing-House.aspx with host Karen Bertelsen.
Radio Show Update August 15th, 2009
Set that dial to CP24 Radio1050 (1050 am radio dial) or on line at www.CP24.com every Saturday morning at 10a.m. to connect with The Wine Ladies radio show.
Bring on the Okanagan wines please! Ask The Wine Ladies.
Perpetua Chardonnay
Dear Wine Ladies,
I am a fairly recent transplant from the west coast via a brief stint in Calgary and Saskatoon. And I am dismayed by the lack of Okanagan wines found here on the shelves and across Canada. I recently discovered a stunner of a Chardonnay. Although a little pricey, well worth it from what was in the bottle to the exquisite and innovative packaging. It was called Perpetual. The wine was luscious and creamy with an aroma of lemon, absolutely delicious. With the fall coming, I am wondering if this company makes any equally impressive red wines, and if so how would I go about finding them.
Derek
Dear Derek,
We too were impressed with the Perpetual Chardonnay. You are referring to which is one of the Legacy Series wines produced by Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. Indeed delicious! This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from Osoyoos that premiered with the 2006 vintage.
The Legacy Series represents Mission Hill’s top tier wines, a blend of art and science, with the fruit being sourced from specific blocks within select vineyards via GIS mapping, weather stations within the vineyards monitoring climactic conditions, and winemaker John Simes practicing his personal art of winemaking . The wines have received multiple awards and recognition from wine writers and experts both at home and internationally.
Mission Hill produces two Legacy Series red wines, with “Oculus” their Bordeaux- inspired signature wine being the first, and Quatrain, a blend of four grape varieties, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon being the second. Quatrain, by the way means a poem or a stanza that is always composed of four lines. Both of these red wines, admittedly pricey, particularly Oculus at $70.00, are also well worth the top dollar they fetch. Visit Mission Hill ordering in Ontario.
The Wine Ladies talk Champagne, bubbly, art and passion! Arabella Magazine The Wine Ladies radio.
There’s nothing like artistic expression to excite the senses. Arabella Magazine , the stunning Canadian art,architecture, design and lifestyle magazine is celebrating its first year anniversary. Arabella is simply a feast! A feast for the eyes, the taste buds, the creative side in you! a total feast for all the senses Its’ a stunning portrayal of the simple AND extravagant. This is a coffee table magazine to hold onto, to enjoy time and time again.
We are regular contributors to Arabella Magazine. For the Summer 2009 edition we thought what better way to celebrate a special occasion than with some bubbly! Champagne and all the assorted permutations of this simply fabulous wine. So we wrote an article, entitled “Bubbles and Bites”, from Champagne to incredibly reasonable sparkling wines. We hope we’ve made a compelling case for the bubbly, the one that sparkles, that enchants, that knows, no boundaries. From a toast, Cheers, Salute or Prost, to an appetizer, through to dessert, you can take this special fizz anywhere, anytime!
Arabella Magazine featuring The Wie Ladies article Bubbles & Bites. Summer 2009
Bubbles & Bites article by The Wine Ladies
We invited in studio with us, Founder and Editor in Chief, Debra Usher, as well as Publisher Brian Usher. Also joining us, on the heels of the RBC Canadian Open, last week, in our home town of Oakville, many of us may still have GOLF on the brain, particularly Georgia! Shonah Chalmers, Executive Chef for Eagles Nest Golf Club, the ultra luxury club for the NON-member and Guido Ramirez was with us too, from the Bellvue Manor, an extraordinary venue to entertain, host an event and feel like a princess!or like a prince! royalty.
One of the extraordinary pairing we discovered was the lavender infused truffles brought in by Executive Chef Shonah Chalmers and the Jackson Triggs Methode Classique sparkling wine. Simply magnificent!
Jackson-Triggs Methode Classique
Caption: Lavender infused truffles and Jackson-Triggs Methode Classique
Arabella, is the common thread here, with our article on Champagne and sparkling wine. The feature on Eagles Nest and the introduction to Bellvue Manor. We are celebrating beauty, the good life and possibly a great golf game, or at least an incredible 19th hole!!! Listen to a snippet of the radio interview here.
March 28th,2009
Set that dial to CP 24 Radio 1050 every Saturday morning at 10a.m. to connect with The Wine Ladies radio show.
Founder and Editor in Chief Deb Usher of the stunning architectural and lifestyle magazine Arabella will be our guest this Saturday. Join us as we are lead into a world of beauty, art, fine wine and food accompanied by the likes of award winning Chef Ricardo Roque of Magna Golf Club and the historic wine producing house of Antinori in Tuscany. Indulge all your senses, this Saturday!
Arabella magazine Inaugural Fall/Winter issue: Enjoying the Wine Lifestyle with The Wine Ladies!
Throw out the old-use fresh wine for cooking
Dear Wine Ladies,
I usually use my left over, over the hill wine for cooking. Not exactly a gastronomic I’ve never noticed any ill affects of this, but my significant other feels differently. What’s wrong with using an old wine for cooking? It’s not like you can tell the difference.
Rick
Calgary, Alberta
Radio Show Update August 8th, 2009
Set that dial to CP24 Radio1050 (1050 am radio dial) or on line at http://www.CP24 .com every Saturday morning at 10a.m. to connect with The Wine Ladies radio show.
Jackson-Triggs hosts inaugural East Meets West wine dinner to rave reviews!
An over-sized black SUV limo occupies the driveway; it looks like an armored vehicle, ready to take us on our journey, one full of promise, where East will meet West at the Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.jacksontriggswinery.com
“Must be carrying some precious cargo we joke”, as we step up into the limo. Yes, there seated are a dozen or so wine critics, writers, sommeliers, and personalities! notables such as Tony Aspler, wine critic and author, the iconic, stunning Sara Waxman, Founder and Editor of DINE Magazine, Adam Waxman, handsome and devilish son of Sara, actor and contributing writer for DINE, wine author Konrad Ejbich and the dashing Paxton Allewell of the iYellow wine club, just to name a few.
We are here this evening to enjoy an event that Jackson-Triggs hosts several times through out the summer called “Savour the Sights”. http://cms.jacksontriggswinery.com/SearchObjects.aspx?sys-Portal=1&sys-Class=Event+Date&
Del Rollo, National Director of Hospitality is excited to share the inaugural format this evening, which he describes to us as “East Meets West”, not only in wine but also, cuisine.
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan winemakers Brooke Blair and Derek Kontkanen have flown in for the occasion to showcase their wines along with those of Niagara winemaker Marco Piccoli. We are also joined by Great Estates of the Okanagan Executive Chef Roger Planiden, who packed a variety of food “contraband” in his suitcase, as well as newly appointed Chef David Penny of Niagara. How will the foods and wines differ from east to west? With the Okanagan boasting the only desert in Canada, and with many more sun hours will they overpower the wines of our marginal climate here in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
We disembark and are graciously handed a perfectly chilled glass of JT sparkling wine Methode Classique, from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Delightful, delicious and a perfect pairing to a variety of hors d’oeuvres being passed around as the crowd mingles.
Caption: Del Rollo welcomes the guests against the back -drop of Jackson-Triggs vineyards
One of the greatest hits! is the truffle oil sprinkled popcorn we all savour with our bubbly; the contrast of the richness of the truffle and the crisp acidity of the sparking wine gets top marks from all.
Caption: Truffle popcorn hits culinary heights with JT’s Methode Classique
Two long tables are set for the fortyish of us in the sleek, modern and inviting Jackson Triggs building, in front of row upon row of vines. Behind is the lively kitchen where a trio of chefs is performing the magic. Let the competition begin!
Caption: Guests anticipate the first course in the Tasting Gallery
The first course is paired with a Riesling duo. 2007 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Riesling and 2006 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Delaine Vineyard.
Terroir speaks loudly here, as the Okanagan is more profound in fruit, but Niagara’s Riesling is reminiscent of petrol!a good thing, and a light dose of minerality! This “Tasting Gallery” continues with a second course pitting the 2008 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc with the 2007 Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Proprietors’ Grand Reserve White Meritage. Individual palates prevail as our group takes ownership of their favorite. More Bordeaux in style, the Meritage seems to attract the larger number, particularly with a little time in the glass.
Caption: Jackson-Triggs winemaker Derek Kontkanen explains the splendour of his Okanagan Sauvignon Blanc
The Barrel Cellar, is our next stop, as we descend a flight of stairs! mind the stilettos, to the aroma of romance and of tradition, and are seated amongst row upon row of oak barrels at several well-dressed tables. The following two courses are delicious, paired with two Chardonnays, a Shiraz from the Okanagan and a Delaine Vineyard Syrah. We love the Syrah, with plum, cassis and white pepper, supported by firm yet soft tannins. Both wines are winners though, having won multiple awards both at home and internationally.
Caption:
2006 Delaine Vineyard Syrah $29.95
Recent Awards: Gold at Challenge Int’l du Vin in Bordeaux
Gold, Best of Category at All Canadian Wine Championships, Windsor
Caption:
2006 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Grand Reserve Shiraz $25.99
Recent Awards: Silver, Best in Class at Int’l Wine & Spirit Comp in London
Double Gold, Best of Nation at San Francisco Int’l Wine Comp
Allan Jackson addresses the group and speaks of the importance of building a great team; “it starts in the vineyard” he says “from the vineyard to the winemaker to the cellar, the marketing and sales team and even finance”, “everyone has to be on board to build a sustainable winery”. Jackson-Triggs has received “Best Canadian Winery” accolades an unprecedented 20 times in global competitions. Using the analogy of a golfer, Mr. Jackson goes on to say “a 30 handicap golfer can get a hole in one, likewise a 30 handicap winery can get a gold medal, but can they do it 3 years out of 5, with consistency?”
Mr. Jackson exudes passion, commitment, and a true sincerity. We like him.
Our East Meets West Savour the Sights concludes at the Estate Lounge, back upstairs, two flights this time. We overlook the vineyards as we savour a variety of icewines paired with delectable desserts. A perfect long satisfying finish to an evening that started with a fine mousse dancing on our palates and concluded with a delectable sweet sensation, fine Riesling icewines and a Cabernet Franc.
We’d like to add congratulations to Allan Jackson on the arrival of his first grandson this month, as well as congratulations on your Jackson-Triggs retirement and best wishes on your future adventures in wine.
So long Mr. Jackson, until we toast again!
Pic of Susanne in the fermenting cellar with Del Rollo and Konrad, put here
Caption: Susanne enjoying the tour of the JT winery
