I was thinking of bringing an icewine to a dinner party being thrown to congratulate a friend of mine on her newly acquired role in a television series. A lover of sweet wines icewine seemed like a good choice.I then learned there are also sparkling ice wines. What are they like and would this be an appropriate wine to bring? Are they served chilled like a regular white wine and are they served in white wine glasses?
A sparkling icewine would be perfect for the occasion!
Not only does it satisfy with respect to being a sweet wine, but the added fanfare surrounding their opening! The celebratory note of the bubbles will surely be a hit! Sparkling Vidal ice wines isthe most common grape used for making ice wines. It will offer up a delightful blend of tropical fruit flavours, oftentimes of apricot and peach, and with a touch of citrus. Although a superb dessert wine, sparkling icewines also marry well with a variety of appetizers. The delectable flavour is enhanced with a wonderful balance of sweetness and acidity, perfectly delivered to the palate with the effervescence of the lively bubbles. Serve in fluted glasses and well chilled as you would a sparkling wine or a Champagne.
January 11–27, 2019
For three weekends in January the Niagara region is transformed into a wintry wonderland, in celebration of one of Canada’s most cherished products, Ontario Icewine. The 2019 Niagara Icewine Festival offers plenty for every taste – glamour and indulgence at the Niagara Icewine Gala, unique wine and food pairings at over 40 wineries, and vibrant outdoor street festivals.
If you’re looking for luxury, you can’t miss Canada’s most lavish evening, the Niagara Icewine Festival Gala at Fallsview Casino Resort on January 11. Dance the night away at this all-inclusive evening of elegance, fine wine, and the best in Niagara culinary, with a “Northern Lights” theme.
For the wine and culinary explorer, the Discovery Pass program is your ticket to eight unique pairings at your choice of over 40 wineries across the Niagara Region.
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/images_IcewinegrapesinbarrelsaskthewineladiesMay2014.jpg402997Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-28 17:28:182019-01-07 11:08:33Can Icewine come as a sparkling icewine?? Ask The Wine Ladies
Susanne enjoys a Lemon Pie Cocktail made with Limoncello, vanilla vodka, a splash of soda water and a mint garnish. Georgia enjoys a Lemon Drop Martini made wth Limoncello, vodka, lemon juice, sugar around the rim and a lemon rind garnish.
Happy Holidays everyone!
We’re celebrating the kick off to the holiday’s with another Spirited Holiday Giveaway.
Enter to win one of 2 prizes.
1. Rossi D’Asiago Limoncello. The #1 selling Limoncello in Canada. $23.40 per bottle at the LCBO.
2. Malfy Gin – Malfy Gin brand. Now the #1 selling premium flavoured gin in Ontario.$34.95 at the LCBO
3.Tag your drinking partner! (Each friend you tag = One entry)
Unlimited tags and entries.
We will randomly select a winner from the comments below, so stay tuned here and turn on post notifications to see our winner announcement.
Contest ends – December 25th, 2018 noon EST. Our winners will be contacted through Instagram DMs & announced in our Instagram Stories. The prizes will be shipped directly to you.
Happy Holidays & Good Luck to all!
Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way endorsed sponsored or administered by Instagram or Facebook. By entering, entrants confirm they are 19+ of age and release of all responsibility and are adhering to Instagram and Facebook Terms of Use.
Want to know more about these great prizes?
Tune into our audio podcast below.
Episode 77: When Life Gives You Lemons! Make Limoncello!
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-28-at-10.58.24-AM.png527521Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-18 21:56:462018-12-28 11:11:06Limoncello and Malfy Gin Free Giveaway from The Wine Ladies
So this week I went with a red wine today too. My pick is from Paso Robles, situated on California’s Central Coast. Georgia and I visited this winery a couple of years ago. We headed down the coast after shooting our show in Napa Valley.
So J, for Jerry Lohr, has been around since 1974, a hugely successful brand, one of America’s most known wineries, they have two wine centers now, one in San Jose and of course the one we visited. J Lohr is actually one of the few family owned estate-focused wineries of this size.
To the vino, you know me pretty well, how often do I gravitate to Merlot? Not that often right? So this time I did and I was super happy about the J. Lohr Osos Merlot 2016 $22.95 I cracked open when I got home!
So this Merlot actually has a substantial dose of Malbec in it, no shrinking violet this wine, bright, seductive aroma of plum and blueberry, full juicy dark fruit flavour and a lengthy finish.
Today we take a temporary departure from the vine and focus instead on not a grape, but a different fruit, one of our favorites for so many reasons, and that is the all mighty lemon!
What do they say, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade?
Not today, We say limoncello! The iconic Italian liqueur which dates back to the Middle Ages. And not only Limoncello but we say Gin! Why gin you ask? Not only is Italy the birthplace of Gin, but this particular gin we’ll be talking about today is infused also with lemon, our featured fruit, not just any lemon, but with the famous Femminello St. Teresa lemon. This lemon is also known as Sorrento from Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, where this specific lemon reigns supreme!
Georgia having returned from this part of Italy, the Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, absolutely stunning, and overwhelming how this limone takes centre stage in such a big way! They are everywhere! Washes of brilliant yellow lemon groves abound. In every restaurant one can enjoy the fruits of the lemon. As an aperitif as a cocktail, or digestive, in deserts, in every shop featured in artwork, on pottery, aprons, anything you can imagine.The lemon is king and deservedly so.
Malfy Gin
Our first guest will be Elwyn Gladstone. Elwyn is the Founder and Proprietor of his New Jersey-based spirits company Biggar and Leith. He launched the Malfy Gin brand now the #1 selling premium flavoured gin in Ontario.
Malfy is family owned by the Vergnanos who have made distilling spirits a family tradition for over 100 years… Elwyn will fill us in on his company, the award winning Malfy Gin and a little about the almighty ingredient the Amalfi coast lemon!
Next we welcome Nicola Dal Toso the producers of the Rossi D’Asiago Limoncello. Once again the #1 selling Limoncello in Canada. The Dal Toso family has been using the same recipe generation after generation. Producing the all natural Limoncello at their family owned distillery using our star fruit of discussion today the limone from south western Italy!
When life gives you lemons…drink Limoncello from Rossi D’Asiago
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/edwardkhumalo.jpg853750Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-14 15:55:202018-12-18 10:07:29On this week’s audio podcast…When life gives you lemons…make Limoncello and Malfy Gin!
So my wine pick today comes from TWO HANDS WINES , founded in 1999 by two guys at a friends engagement party. That actually is when they decided it was time to make their own wine and market it to the world.
Fast forward, they are in the Barosaa Valley and have done extremely well. In November 2012, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for the 10th year in a row. An achievement apparently that no other winery can boast.
Kind of liked the name of this wine, Sexy Beast. I figured when I tasted this Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, South Australia, maybe the name came from the way in which the oak and tannins in this wine are being tamed. Or wrestled down by the intense deep purplish colour, abundant red fruit, cassis and notes of chocolate…and minty spice. Mouth filling, a beast of a wine, coming in at 16% alcohol, wow… yummy! Sexy Beast is part of the Picture Series of Two Hands Wines.
Episode 77: When Life Gives You Lemons! Make Limoncello!
Coming up on today’s show, we are talking about glorious food and drink from “across the pond” as they say. We’ll be covering from Ireland a feisty celebrity chef and an award winning whiskey. And from the UK a taste of England in a spirit you will covet. We promise!
We’ll start off with an Irish segment and an internationally known Celebrity Chef, visiting here in Toronto. She is Clodagh McKenna. You may have seen her on Rachel Ray ,on The Today Show or maybe even Marilyn Dennis. She is a TV Host, Cookbook author and restauranteur. How does she do it all?
She is absolutely divine and you are going to love her!!
Roast Pancetta Wrapped Turkey with Guinness and chestnut gravy
So with the holiday season fast approaching Clodagh was recently here in Toronto to host an intimate and interactive holiday entertaining event.
The Wine Ladies were guests at the event and witnessed her Irish charm and fabulous cooking talents first hand! Clodagh shared not only her entertaining tips but also a few Guinness based holiday season recipes.CLICK HERE for recipes.
And then to our second segment we turn our focus to England and to the recently crowned “World’s Best Vodka” Chase Vodka, awarded in San Francisco. Chase Vodka is the first and sole British potato vodka on the market. Unique to Chase, it is truly a field to bottle spirit, with the full pedigree potatoes, grown, mashed, fermented and distilled on the Chase family farm deep in middle England.
We welcome head ambassador James Chase to the show. We learn a little about the company, what makes Chase so special, so smooth and so delicious! Perfect for the holidays too with beautiful packaging.
And to close off the show we are back to the Irish. Here’s one of the favorites of the boys in Susanne’s household, and that is Walsh’s Writers’ Tears Irish whiskey!
Our final guest today is the founder of Walsh Whiskey Distillery, Bernard Walsh. Joining us to share the story of Irish whiskey, from its earliest days, to now, how its made, how best to enjoy and what makes Writers’ Tears so unique and special. Bernard Walsh.
We’re celebrating the kick off to the holiday’s with our Spirited Holiday Giveaway.
Enter to win one of 2 prizes.
1. A bottle of Chase Vodka – Recently crowned “World’s Best Vodka” awarded in San Francisco. Chase Vodka is the first and sole British potato vodka on the market. $56.95 per bottle at the LCBO.
2. Writer’s Tears Copper Pot Irish Gift Pk with 2 Glasses – $49.95 at the LCBO
3.Tag your drinking partner! (Each friend you tag = One entry)
Unlimited tags and entries.
We will randomly select a winner from the comments below, so stay tuned here and turn on post notifications to see our winner announcement.
Contest ends – December 12th, 2018 5:00 pm EST. Our winners will be contacted through Instagram DMs & announced in our Instagram Stories. The prizes will be shipped directly to you.
Happy Holidays & Good Luck to all!
Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way endorsed sponsored or administered by Instagram or Facebook. By entering, entrants confirm they are 19+ of age and release of all responsibility and are adhering to Instagram and Facebook Terms of Use.
Holiday Giveaway 2018 Winners
Want to know more about Chase Vodka and Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey?
Tune into our audio podcast below.
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Untitled-design-10.png10801080Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-04 08:18:182018-12-14 14:36:40Spirited Holiday Giveaway from The Wine Ladies – Chase Vodka, Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey
A story from potato farmers to potato chips and crisps ( Tyrrell’s) to makers of the worlds fastest craft spirit brand, Chase Vodka.The incredible journey spanning 4 generations.
Founder William Chase, Chase Vodka.
The potato farm is located in Herefordshire. A county that boasts some of the richest farmland in the world. It is here where they grow the King Edward, Lady Claire and Lady Rosetta potatoes for the distillery.
One of the best vodkas created entirely from field to bottle. This truly British vodka has exquisite quality and real provenance with 250 glorious Herefordshire potatoes in every bottle.
Chase Vodka available at the LCBO. $56.95 per bottle.
We turn our focus to England and to the recently crowned “World’s Best Vodka” Chase Vodka, awarded in San Francisco. Chase Vodka is the first and sole British potato vodka on the market. Unique to Chase, it is truly a field to bottle spirit. With the full pedigree potatoes, grown, mashed, fermented and distilled on the Chase family farm deep in middle England.
We welcome head ambassador James Chase to the show. We learn a little about the company. What makes Chase so special, so smooth and so delicious! Perfect for the holidays too with beautiful packaging.
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ChaseVodkaBeautyShot2.png437444Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-03 09:14:412018-12-04 08:57:40Award winning Chase Vodka the first and sole British potato vodka on the market.
What better way to spend a Wednesday night in Toronto than meeting Ireland’s most lovely Celebrity Chef Clodagh McKenna, enjoying a beautiful Irish Christmas dinner complete with a glass of Guinness! Doesn’t get much better than this!
We were invited to Dish Cooking Studio for an intimate and interactive holiday entertaining event on November 28, 2018. Chef Clodagh McKenna shared her own personal holiday entertaining tips and tricks as well as providing a cooking demo of three holiday-inspired Guinness-based dishes perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
Check out exclusive interview with Chef Clodagh on our audio podcast.
Susanne, Chef Clodagh and Georgia. A toast of Guinness to bring in the holidays!
Check out all the recipes here below.
Guinness Prawn Tempura
Guinness Prawn Tempura
METHOD
1. For the batter, sift the flour and soda together into a medium bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the egg and Guinness. Whisk from the centre outwards until just combined. Allow the batter to stand for a few minutes in a cool place.
2. Heat the canal oil in a deep heavy-bottomed pan until a breadcrumb sizzle and turn brown when dropped into it.
Dip the prawns into the batter
3. Dip the prawns into the batter and carefully add to the hot oil to deep-fry in batches for 2-3 minutes or until crisp and golden. Carefully remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
4. To make the chilli aioli crack the egg yolks into a bowl along with a teaspoon of dijon mustard and lightly whisk. Whisk the oils into the egg yolks slowly. The agile will begin to get thick and creamy. Stir in the white wine vinegar, garlic and chilli flakes. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
5. Serve the chilli aioli with the Guinness prawn tempura log its the rosemary salt.
Roast Pancetta Wrapped Turkey with Guinness and Chestnut Gravy
Roast Pancetta Wrapped Turkey with Guinness and Chestnut Gravy
METHOD
1.Pre-heat the oven to 4ooF/gas mark 6
2. If you are using a frozen turkey its best to thaw the bird in the fridge. A turkey will need about 24 hours to thaw for every 4 lbs. Take the turkey out of the fridge one hour before roasting to allow the meat to relax and come to room temperature, which will make the meat more tender. Next remove the giblets from the inside the bird’s cavity because these cannot be cooked with the turkey. Wash the cavity and dry completely with kitchen paper, then season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Fill the cavity of the turkey
3. Fill the cavity of the turkey with sprigs of fresh thyme, the cavity should only be filled half way to allow hot air to circulate and the turkey to to cook more evenly. Line the roasting tray first with the shallots, carrots, garlic and thyme. Place the turkey on top. This will flavour the turkey even whilst cooking.
4. Next stretch the strips of pancetta by rolling them with a rolling pin. Then arrange about three -quarters of the pancetta over the breast, overlapping the slices and wrap the legs and thighs with the remaining pancetta. Tuck the slices of orange around the turkey.
5. Lastly, place the turkey in the pre-heated oven. Then reduce the heat to 250F. After 45 minutes take the turkey out of the oven and baste the juices from the pan over the turkey. Cover loosely with tin foil and return to the oven and cook for three and a half hours. Continue to baste the turkey every 45 minutes.
Check to see if the turkey is cooked
6.Check to see if the turkey is cooked by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear. When you have taken the turkey out of the oven leave it to rest for 30 minutes with a loose tent of tin foil to keep it warm. This will allow the juices to redistribute themselves giving tastier meat.
7. Once the turkey has cooked and is resting on a board then make the gravy. Carefully pour 4 tbsp of the juices from the roasting tin into a saucepan and place over a medium heat. Whisk in the flour, followed by the Guinness chicken stock, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 min, then whisk in the chestnut puree and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Strain the gravy into a jug, discard the herbs.
Guinness Maple and Ginger Pudding with Crystallized Ginger Caramel Sauce
Guinness Maple and Ginger Pudding with Crystallized Ginger Caramel Sauce
METHOD
1. Sift the flour and soda into a bowl with the ground ginger. In a separate bowl, beat the butter with the sugar and maple syrup until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the Guinness. Fold the dry ingredients into the creamed butter and egg mixture adding the milk to give a soft dropping consistency. Stir in nuts and raisins.
2. Spoon the mixture into a glass bowl, then cover with greased grease proof paper and foil, ,making a pleat in the centre of both. Tie securely with string. Suspend the bowl over a saucepan half filled with water over a medium heat. When the water comes to a boil reduce the heat and reduce to simmer. Steam the pudding for 1 1/2 hours, checking regularly to make sure that the pan doesn’t boil dry.
Next make the crystallized ginger caramel sauce.
3. Next make the crystallized ginger caramel sauce. Place the butter, cream and maple syrup together in a small pan and stir over a low heat until well mixed. Bring to a boil, simmer for three minutes, then stir in the finely chopped crystallized ginger.
4. Carefully tip the pudding on to a serving plate or cake stand and pour the crystallized ginger caramel sauce on top.
The Wine Ladies enjoy a change of pace with a beautiful glass of Guinness. Ireland’s no 1 export! Cheers!
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ChefClodaghMcKennaGuinness.jpg9601280Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-12-01 07:20:022018-12-05 12:31:29Enjoying our first Christmas Dinner of the Season with Celebrity Chef Clodagh McKenna and Guinness!
Tom Jones will be in the house!! Meet Dave LaFame, author, entertainer and tribute artist. Our incredible entertainment for the event! You are going to love this guy!!
Don’t forget, The Wine Ladies Holiday Party For The United Way, Halton & Hamilton will be here soon!
Why wait? it’s less than 2 weeks away!
Event Details
Date: November 8th,2018
Time: 7:00 pm -10:00 pm: 7:00 pm-7:30 pm red carpet/photo opportunities
7:30 pm-10:00 pm: Event program (red carpet, wine sampling, cocktail style appetizers, live auction, raffle, speakers, entertainment, fashion show, cash bar and taping of The Wine Ladies TV show. Place: Noble Hall, 2273 Royal Windsor Drive, Oakville, Ontario L6J 7X8
Cost: $60.00 per ticket (includes wine sampling, cocktail style appetizers, fashion show, entertainment/speakers plus 1 ticket for a door prize of a sleigh filled with wine valued at approx $1500.00). Over $10,000 in prizes to be won! Dress: Dressy /Tres chic
Coming up on today’s show, the holidays will be sneaking up on us before you know it, and our thoughts will start to turn to the many up coming festivities, lots of family and friends, great food, wine, perhaps a little gift giving and of course parties!!!
It is an exciting time of the year where we get to let loose a little and have some serious fun! There are however many folks, individuals and families that aren’t quite so fortunate. So we are throwing a BIG, massive, fun filled holiday party in support of the United Way Halton and Hamilton.
And you are all invited!
Red carpet, amazing food, wine, a His n Her fashion show. What’s hot, what’s not! And not only in what to wear but how to dress your holiday table too! We’ll have a sleigh filled to the brim with wine, valued at $1500.00 as our door prize and tons of other raffle prizes too!
Reserve the date November 8th! Happening at Noble Hall, formerly Otello’s in Oakville. Let’s raise some serious cash and help as many as we can!
We’d like to share with you a little taste of what you can expect to enjoy at the upcoming event, Nov 8th. We welcome one of our wine sponsors to the audio podcast, Tom Noitsis, founder of Eurovintage Wines & Spirits. A premier wine and spirits importer, bringing in fine products from around the world. We’ll chat with Tom about the wines his company will be pouring on that evening and donating to our Grand Door Prize, the Wine Sleigh, valued at $1500.00.
We did mention Holiday Décor? We’d like to welcome now Elizabeth Law to the audio podcast, our GOLD sponsor for the Holiday Party. Elizabeth is the founder of Elizabeth Interiors, located in Burlington,Ontario. With a design team of 10 and a fine furniture showroom for the discriminating buyer with an eye for value. The company focuses on enhancing your space and making your home a home! We look forward to showcasing some of Elizabeth’s beautiful work first hand on November 8th. At the holiday party Elizabeth and her team will have created 2 beautifully decorated table settings each with a unique style. We can’t wait to see them!
https://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gala_United_Way17_Nov11_2010_preview.jpeg6831024Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2018-10-29 14:56:362018-10-30 09:30:10Ladies and Gentlemen…Live and in Person…This is Tom Jones! The Wine Ladies Holiday Party!