Ask The Wine Ladies – Is the sediment at the bottom of the bottle all right to drink?

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DEAR THE WINE LADIES,

At a recent dinner party the hostess noticed a small amount of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. It looked like tiny pieces of glass. This wine was a white one from Germany. I was a little hesitant to drink the wine however one of the guests assured us the wine was fine and there was no cause to worry. What were those little pebble-like stones and are they really harmless?

– JACKIE

DEAR JACKIE,

You are describing pebble-like stones are commonly referred to as ‘WINE DIAMONDS’ or weinstein. This  literally translates to “wine stones’ in German speaking countries. What exactly are they and how did they end up at the bottom of the bottle? These wine diamonds are actually harmless crystalline deposits that naturally separate from wines during fermentation and aging. Potassium acid tartrate, the potassium salt of tartaric acid is the major component of this sediment. The presence of tartaric acid, along with malic acid, are very important in winemaking as they help provide good structure, fruit flavors, crispness on the palate and an increased lifespan of the wine.

The majority of winemakers today recognize that the consumer is alarmed or put off by the presence of these crystalline deposits even though they are harmless. Rather than educating the public, many wineries employ a process called ‘Cold Stabilization’ prior to bottling. This involves chilling the wine to just below zero degrees, causing the potassium bitartrate to crystallize. The wine is then filtered and bottled. Having the wine undergo this process prior to leaving the winery assures a clean filtered wine with no sediment. In cases where the wines do not undergo cold stabilization at the winery, this precipitation of the tartrates could happen during cold weather transport or cold storage conditions in one’s cellar.

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Ask The Wine Ladies- What was the 1855 Classification in France?

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DEAR WINE LADIES,

My husband and I regularly enjoy a glass or two of wine with our meals with our favourites usually coming from either Australia or California. We never really got into French wines but just recently attended a tasting featuring a couple of wines from Bordeaux and absolutely loved them!
There was one in particular that we both really enjoyed and was within our budget. The name of the wine was Chåteau Larose Trintaudon, Cru Bourgeois.  We purchased a couple of bottles to bring to an up coming dinner party and would like to know a little more about this wine including what Cru Bourgeois means? Perhaps a few words on the region of Bordeaux as well. Thanks Wine Ladies.

– Elizabeth

DEAR ELIZABETH,

Welcome to the world of French wines and to one of the most famous wine regions in the world, considered by many to be the greatest region for producing fine wines. Still till today the wines of Bordeaux are also seen as “benchmark” wines for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines being made around the globe.

Here is a little basic information on the region to start.  Bordeaux is located in the southwest of France and is actually a very large wine growing region, which produces over 900 million bottles annually. The Gironde River basically divides the region, with the chateaux on the left side referred to as the “Left Bank” producing wines predominantly with the grape Cabernet Sauvignon, and those on the right, or Right Bank with a focus on Merlot. The Chåteau Larose Trintaudon you enjoyed comes from the Left Bank.  Bordeaux produces both white and red wines with the majority – 90% being red.

Unlike the new world wine regions that state the grape, whether a Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet etc…on the label, the wines of Bordeaux do not. Bordeaux wines are typically blends which for the red can include any or all of the following; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, used much less today than in the past. One of the pivotal times in the history of Bordeaux and her wines was the famous 1855 Classification of the wines, a ranking system initiated by Emperor Napoleon the 3rd which still influences today’s market. A total of 58 Chateau were selected, four 1st Growths such as Chåteau Lafite Rothschild and Chåteau Margaux. The list included 12 seconds, 14 thirds, 11 fourths and 17 fifths. It is an interesting story how this all came about, should you decide to delve into it a little further.

Of course there are so many incredible Bordeaux wines to explore and enjoy, wines of suburb quality and at great value including the one you mentioned that we too were very impressed with, Chåteau Larose Trintaudon. The origins of this domain go as far back as 1719 but it was in 1817 that the vineyard was first planted on a gravelly hillside with a terroir that proved to be exceptional for the Bordeaux varietals. Today Chåteau Larose Trintaudon is one of the largest vineyards in the Medoc both in size and production and is recogn ized in the world over as a top quality Cru Bourgeois. The Chåteau was also one of the very first to earn this recognition to be classed as a Cru Bourgeois in 1932 of which the company is very proud. Chåteau Larose Trintaudon also owners of Chåteau Larose Perganson and Arnaud are one of the pioneers in Bordeaux in terms of practicing sustainability and have been credited with the highest evaluation in sustainability and earned the label “Responsible Vineyard” as one of the leaders in France.

Our appreciation and enjoyment of the wines Chåteau Larose Trintaudon and the Perganson has lead us to invite the Winemaker and CEO of the company Franck Bijon, from Bordeaux to join us here and lead a spectacular Winemakers Dinner. We invite you to join us on February 22nd for what will be an incredible four-course dinner created by Chopped Canada winner Executive Chef JohnRoss Woodland of Noble Bistro. Featuring these fabulous wines and a quintessentially French pastry the macaron, both sweet and savoury,this will be an evening to remember. For more details visit www.thewineladies.com

As read in Community Captured

Ask The Wine Ladies- Can you tell us about the Valpolicella,Veneto?

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DEAR WINE LADIES,

We used to drink Valpolicella from Classico quite a few years back. Recently we came across one you mentioned on one of your shows. The Negrar Ripasso which we very much enjoyed. I’d like to know a little more about this wine and the region. Thank you Wine Ladies!

– Jackie

DEAR JACKIE,

Vino from Veneto…love the wines, love the region!  Valpolicella is a wine that comes from the region of Veneto, located in the north east of Italy, home of the “big gun” Amarone and Romeo and Juliet!

When a Valpolicella is classified as a Classico and done in the ripasso method, the wine reaches new heights in flavour, texture, body and aromatics! The designation of “classico” requires the grapes to come from the original Valpolicella production zone. In 1968 this zone was later adjusted.The great majority of grapes used are the same as for Amarone, the Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella varietals although small percentages of a few others are permitted.

The methodology of “ripasso” is an ancient wine making technique used for centuries in Valpolicella wineries, which gives the wine more structure, body and fuller flavour. How? Ripasso” literally means “re-passed”. Amarone is produced using  grapes that have been dried for several months. These same skins of those dried grapes are then used for the production of Valpolicella Ripasso. These dried grape skins add body, character, complexity and a boost of alcohol strength.

The Negrar Ripasso Valpolicella Classico is dark ruby red in colour, is seductive in the nose with lush blackberry and black licorice notes and a hint of spice Full bodied, velvety smooth, rich and with a good finish.

Negrar is a cooperative winery founded in 1933 and located in th Classico area of Valpolicella. With 210 farmers/partners producing typical grapes for Vapolicella on a surface of 530 hectares, they are one of the major producers of Amarone, Valpolicella and Ripasso wines.

www.thewineladies.com

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Ask The Wine Ladies – Can you recommend a bicycle wine tour to Niagara-on-the-Lake?

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DEAR THE WINE LADIES,

We have guests visiting from London this summer and we were thinking about doing a one-day bicycle wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We’d love to show off a few of our wineries. Just wondering if you’ve done any of these tours and might have some thoughts to share on your experience.

– Alyssa

DEAR ALYSSA,

Yes, we have had the opportunity to enjoy a winery tour on wheels and would highly recommend it. The best way to share our thoughts on this is by recounting our personal tour experience of last summer.

We booked through GRAPE ESCAPE WINE TOURS. They were kind enough to give us a personalized guided “ride”. Grape Escape Wine Tours has been awarded the TRIP ADVISOR’s Certificate of Excellence for 5 years running. It is  family owned and operated and obviously do a fabulous job. They offer a great variety of guided wine tours for single participants, small groups, larger groups, either on foot, in a vehicle or on a bicycle.

HERE IS OUR STORY…

What a glorious day for a bike ride. The sun is shining brilliantly, there is a gentle cool breeze wafting through the trees and my shorts fit! Hallelujah! Niagara wine country here we come for our inaugural, abbreviated bicycle wine tour – we are excited!

It’s been a very hectic summer thus far and we are looking forward to experiencing a little relaxation, sunshine, stunning scenery, some wonderful wines, and just a tad of exercise. We are teaming up with Grape Escape Wine Tours for a private and privileged tour, on which we’ll visit three wineries, to sample a red wine, a white wine and an ice wine. The plan is to have a full facility tour at one of the wineries and enjoy a wine and cheese tasting to close off the afternoon. On this excursion, we will peddle close to 8kms at a leisurely pace, returning to our base camp in just  under 2.5 hours.

For those who might like to consider a bicycle wine tour, the typical Grape Escape Wine Tour “afternoon bicycle tour” is lengthier.  It is closer to 5 hours (12kms) and includes 4 wineries instead of our 3.

Our rendezvous point is Kurtz Orchard Farm & Marketplace where we are to meet our guide, get fitted with our bikes and our helmets. It turns out Kurtz is the perfect place to meet. The grounds are beautiful with an abundance of lush greenery, towering trees, glorious wild flowers, a quaint bridge over looking a small pond… the setting is an inspiration and quite suitable for even Monat or perhaps Sisley! We are feeling relaxed and invigorated already. Jacquie who will be our guide and we love her right from the start. She is full of zest, she suits us up, we test drive the bikes – it is all systems go.

Off along the Niagara Parkway we go full of enthusiasm.

There is a sense of the local beauty and bounty NOTL has to offer, with vineyards in view and fruit orchards dotted along the way, with rows upon rows of pear trees running parallel to our path. After a relaxing and scenic several kilometer ride, we arrive at our first winery. Here is a snapshot of the 3 wineries we enjoyed on our tour. This may or may not be the itinerary for the next group, or individual’s tour, as Grape Escape Wine Tours has a broad roster of wineries that they mix and match accordingly. They also have introduced several new tours this year including their “Ultimate Wine, Beer & Foodie Bicycle Tour”, as well as their “Wine, Beer & Tapas Vehicle Tour”.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Next month we will report on the 3 wineries we visited – Inniskillin Wines Inc., Pondview Estate Winery and FrogPond Farm Organic Winery. Stay Tuned!

thewineladies.com • tourniagarawineries.com

As read in Community Captured

Ask The Wine Ladies- What is the difference between Organic and Biodynamic wine?

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DEAR THE WINE LADIES,

Probably a little slower than most to jump on the bandwagon as a fan of Australian wine, however, my latest discovery was a delicious Shiraz. It came from a biodynamic winery called Paxton and the wine was Paxton MV Shiraz. Can you tell me a little about this winery and how being biodynamic affects the taste of a wine? I am familiar with organic wines but not with biodynamic.

– JEREMY

DEAR JEREMY,

Absolutely, we’d be happy to. It’s never too late, or better late than never to enjoy and discover new wines. PAXTON, located in McLaren Vale South Australia, is a family owned winery founded in 1979 by David Paxton. Mr. Paxton is recognized as one of Australia’s most highly respected viticulturists, growing grapes of exceptional quality for over thirty years, all biodynamical. The company owns and manages their own vineyards exclusively which are spread across various sites and soil types in the region. Their goal is to showcase the exceptional quality of the fruit, the expression and natural diversity of the grapes, with a particular emphasis on Shiraz, which is well regarded as the region’s top performing variety.

The Paxton MV Shiraz you enjoyed is made with grapes from four of the six biodynamic properties they own and manage. MV ‘McLaren Vale’ or ‘Multiple Vineyard’ “was developed to highlight optimum fruit flavours” says David Paxton. You stand in great company as a fan of this wine, as James Halliday, guru critic of Australian wine rated the 2015 MV Shiraz 92 points.

David Paxton best describes how a wine may be impacted by biodynamic practices.

“Biodynamic is the most advanced form of organic farming. We use natural preparations and composts to bring the soil and vines into balance, resulting in wines that truly showcase our McLaren Vale vineyards.” A few examples of this is the incorporation of bee hives in the vineyards which improves grape pollination, and the use of cow manure as a compost that comes exclusively from Paxton’s own small herd of cows. Why? Because manure tainted with chemical intestinal worm treatments make poor compost and their own cows will ensure the integrity of the compost.

With respect to the added benefits of this type of farming – when the viticulture and the winemaking “work in synchronicity” the result is a naturally elegant wine, that radiates purity, vitality and elegance.

AVAILABLE AT THE LCBO
Paxton MV Shiraz 2015
Shiraz/Syrah
Vintages: 327403

thewineladies.com

As read in Community Captured

The Wine Ladies Clients

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Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne

On this week’s radio show… Festive Fizz For The Holidays! Laurent-Perrier Cuvée

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Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne

So today our focus will be on just that kicking off with the quintessential historic bubbly.

The most famous sparkling in the world, Champagne! Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne. The iconic Cuvée Rosé, in the famous Rosé bottle and remains the benchmark. Champagne synonymous with glamour, celebration and decadence!

 Joining us today, calling in from the beautiful region of Champagne, Marine Roupsy. Marine is the Export Manager for Canada for one of the most celebrated and historical Champagne houses, founded in 1812 that is the iconic Laurent-Perrier Champagne.

We’ll chat about Champagne in general, then delve into the story of Laurent-Perrier, a blend of two families that goes way back.

Episode 62

Listen to Marine Roupsy at 4:35 minutes in the show.

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé Champagne

The iconic Cuvée Rosé, in the famous Rosé bottle and remains the benchmark.
This Cuvée Rosé Brut is 100% Pinot Noir based on 2008 (90%). The color is an intense orange-colored pink and the nose offers beautifully subtle, but also deep, intense flavors of ripe and macerated Pinot Noir and lemon.
There is also great purity and finesse on the structured palate. The finish is fresh and reveals a perfect fruit. This rosé drinks almost like a light red wine.

Foss Marai Prosecco

Perfect for the holidays! Foss Marai Prosecco,one of the most respected Prosecco producers in Italy.

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On this week’s radio show… 

Festive Fizz For The Holidays! Foss Marai Prosecco.

The Wine Ladies open a bottle of Foss Marai Prosecco

The Wine Ladies open a bottle of Foss Marai Prosecco

And for those with great taste, but with perhaps with a little more modest budget.

We will explore one of the fastest growing wines in popularity, that is the Italian sparkling specialty, Prosecco!

The whole sparkling wine category is just exploding with Prosecco leading the charge in a really big way!

The Wine ladies and their guests enjoyed the Foss Marai Prosecco at a recent holiday party.

To learn more about this trend, the drink, the place.. yes it Prosecco is a village. We’ll be joined by Umberto Biasiotto, the CEO/Owner of Foss Marai Prosecco.
Foss Marai is considered one of the most respected and appreciated producers of Prosecco in Italy. They produce a benchmark product with their laser focus on quality and elegance.


Listen to Umberto Biasiotto at 20:10 minutes in the show.

Episode 62 

Foss Marai Extra Dry Prosecco

Foss Marai Extra Dry Prosecco

Foss Marai Extra Dry 

MARAI de MARAI stems from a blend of grapes native to the hills of the Alto Trevigiano region of Italy. The long-standing commitment of Foss Marai in the reclamation of disused native vines and experimentations in the vine-growing field has given rise to MARAI de MARAI Extra Dry, a highly fruity, light, easy to drink wine.

Elegantly versatile, it is an inviting drink at all times of day. It has an attractive rounded flavour.

Available at the LCBO. Vintages # 729392 $19.95 per bottle

To learn more…Festive Fizz! In love with Champagne and Prosecco.

Diets Don’t Work! Fads WON’T Work! Non-Food NEEDS to go! Calories DON’T count! Weight DOESN’T matter!

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JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, JIMMY LESAGE’S NEW BOOK.

New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 Years of Authentic Wellness

now available on AMAZON and Balboa Press! Purchase on line here now.

Product Description

“In the Green Mountains of Central Vermont is the New Life Hiking Spa, owned and operated by Jimmy LeSage for forty consecutive years. New Life is a program that helps guests awaken themselves to the power of nutrition and fitness. New Life is Jimmy’s forum for including guests on his four-decade journey to authentic wellness. Jimmy shares that journey’s wisdom by assisting guests to translate their New Life experience into their own lifestyle upon return home. Jimmy’s own journey and the impressive body-spirit changes in New Life guests give Jimmy much of relevance to impart about our prospects for well-being as we consider our lifestyle and relationship with food.

Health, fitness, wellness, and quality of life have become such big news that any reasonable understanding is not only confusing. It is downright difficult. At New Life, and now in this presentation, Jimmy travels with you to assure that you will differentiate meaningfully between passing fads and noteworthy trends in wellness.

Jimmy’s journey merits your attention because it, like the well-being it speaks of, is very personal and authentic. We may find that New Life is so personal for Jimmy that it came to pass as much for himself as for all who have or ever will come. New Life has become a laboratory that has endowed Jimmy with a commitment to the healing power of good food and a bit of activity.

Jimmy has transformed New Life into an incubator for practical steps out of the confusion and complication in the bottom-line requirement for existence: food. Jimmy earns your attention because the journey on which he invites you has prepared him thoroughly to inspire you to initiate changes in your own food behaviors.”

Jimmy Lesage, Founder and Director of The New Life Hiking Spa, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Jimmy to talk about the hiking, the area and good healthy eating. He also debunks some of the old adages about diets out there.

      Diets Don’t Work! Fads WON’T Work! Non-Food NEEDS to go! Calories DON’T count! Weight DOESN’T matter!

Listen to Jimmy Lesage at 3:41 minutes into the radio show.

On this week’s radio show…Vermont…. its vino and stunning heart healthy hiking! New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 years of Authentic Wellness.

On this week’s radio show…Vermont…. its vino and stunning heart healthy hiking! New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 years of Authentic Wellness.

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On this week’s radio show…Vermont…. its vino and stunning heart healthy hiking! New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 years of Authentic Wellness.

On this week’s radio show we venture to the Green Mountain State in the north east of the USA, where we will let our boots do the walking and our palates as usual do some extraordinary tasting.
We are talking about the beautiful state of Vermont, yes its vino and its extraordinary hiking is our focus for this week.



Episode WL 12-07-2017

Killing it in Killington, feels so good! 

The Wine Ladies with Jess and Heather two of the many amazing hiking guides at New Life Hiking Spa.


  

Our first guest, Jimmy Lesage, Founder and Director of The New Life Hiking Spa, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Jimmy to talk about the hiking, the area and good healthy eating. He also debunks some of the old adages about diets out there.

      Diets Don’t Work! Fads WON’T Work! Non-Food NEEDS to go! Calories DON’T count! Weight DOESN’T matter!

Listen to Jimmy Lesage at 3:41 minutes into the radio show.

 Jimmy was one of the pioneers in creating destination spa wellness vacations. Today it has been heralded by Travel + Leisure magazine as “WORLD’S BEST AWARDS 2016 #1 Destination Spa in the United States”, “A Top Ten Wellness Retreat Pick” by MSN and “A Top 10 Wellness Spa” by Spafinder.

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, JIMMY’S NEW BOOK.

New Life Hiking Spa’s 40 Years of Authentic Wellness

now available on AMAZON and Balboa Press! Purchase on line here now.

Product Description
“In the Green Mountains of Central Vermont is the New Life Hiking Spa. The spa is owned and operated by Jimmy LeSage for forty consecutive years. New Life is a program that helps guests awaken themselves to the power of nutrition and fitness. New Life is Jimmy’s forum for including guests on his four-decade journey to authentic wellness. Jimmy shares that journey’s wisdom by assisting guests to translate their New Life experience into their own lifestyle upon return home. Jimmy’s own journey and the impressive body-spirit changes in New Life guests give Jimmy much of relevance to impart about our prospects for well-being as we consider our lifestyle and relationship with food.

Health, fitness, wellness, and quality of life have become such big news that any reasonable understanding is not only confusing. It is downright difficult. At New Life, and now in this presentation, Jimmy travels with you to assure that you will differentiate meaningfully between passing fads and noteworthy trends in wellness.

Jimmy’s journey merits your attention because it, like the well-being it speaks of, is very personal and authentic.

We may find that New Life is so personal for Jimmy that it came to pass as much for himself as for all who have or ever will come. New Life has become a laboratory that has endowed Jimmy with a commitment to the healing power of good food and a bit of activity.

Jimmy has transformed New Life into an incubator for practical steps out of the confusion and complication in the bottom-line requirement for existence: food. Jimmy earns your attention because the journey on which he invites you has prepared him thoroughly to inspire you to initiate changes in your own food behaviors.”