La Dolce Vita With Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra.
La Dolce Vita With Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra
Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra
From the historic Italian city of Cremona where the most famous violin hails, begins the culinary journey of a man who would become one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs, Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra.
Massimo Capra’s passion for embracing life, for enjoying food, good drink, friends, family and the community is unparalleled. He simply draws you in to this world, his world, la dolce vita, or the sweet life!
And what an extensive world it is. Massimo came to Toronto in 1982 starting out at family owned Archers restaurant. By 1989 he became an acclaimed chef at Prego della Piazza where he remained until 1997. That year he opened with Paolini, formerly of Splendido, Mistura Restaurant.
Skyrocketing from there!
Hit after hit Sopra Upper Lounge, Rainbow Room, Boccone and Soprano to name a few. Pleasing the palates of international travellers at Pearson airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha Qatar. This charismatic mustachioed chef is a force, with his latest venture Capra’s Kitchen recent opening in his hometown of Mississauga. Author and television host of many TV shows; Gourmet Escapes, Chef host on Restaurant Makeover, judge on hit show Chopped Canada and more. We salute Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra here!
Massimo grew up in a small town Cremona located in Lombardy northern Italy. We learn from Massimo, over a delicious glass of chilled Bersano 2015 Gavi di Gavi, that in Cremona most folks raised their own chickens. Like many folk Massimo lived on a dairy farm raised their own meat and lived off the land.
A story that was to be his first and his family’s first introduction to a fine cut of meat.
With only three butchers in his village butchering one animal each per week, it was only plentiful enough to serve the folks with better “means”. “For us the farmers, we went to buy the meat that was second grade, you know the kind of meat you had to boil for close to four hours to become tender”, Massimo explains.
After spending some time cooking and in cooking school, a new world of food opened up to him and ignited his passion.
Upon securing his first job, at the age of fifteen, he saved up enough money to buy four entrecote for himself and his family. “The butcher was skeptical at first”, said Massimo but accepted Massimo’s pre-order only with prepayment. After a two week wait for delivery of this superior beef Massimo’s entrecôte was finally masterly cooked, served and applauded, from there Massimo never looked back!
Chefs Massimo and Daniel Capra dishing up the pizza at ” Capra’s Kitchen”.
Capra’s Kitchen
Easily accessible, you can find Massimo today at “Capra’s Kitchen”, his latest restaurant venture located in Clarkson Village, in the heart of Mississauga. Opening to rave reviews, Capra’s Kitchen does not disappoint. The menu is creative, the dishes mouth watering and the presentation a feast for the eyes. Therefore, Massimo can be found either busy in the kitchen or on the floor chatting up the customers and posing for selfies.
What do they say? Behind every successful man is a woman. The point is Rosa, partner and wife is a big part of the magic here at Capra’s. Super talented, generous in spirit and warmth, everyone loves and respects Rosa! Clearly all the patrons enjoy a slice of Capra’s dolce vita.
The menu is focused on Massimo’s mouthwatering pastas, pizza and antipasto. We treated ourselves to a classic pizza, prepared by the hands of gifted Chef Daniel, son of Massimo! Yes, it is all in the family. The pizza Margherita was delish!
We are completely content, ready now to bid farewell. We will be back. Alas not so fast! Massimo motions and a glorious desert arrives, quintessentially Italian, a mouth watering Tiramisu. Not like we needed any kind of a lift,if you will, but tiramisu translates literally to “pick me up”, “cheer me up” or “lift me up”. We are already on cloud nine with such a fabulous evening of amazing food, great wine and in such an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. Thank you everyone at Capra’s Kitchen, you all made it a special time. We will be back!
Over the years with Massimo, we look back and remember a few choice times we have spent together!
Check out…The Wine Ladies TV at Sopra Lounge, Toronto with Celebrities Massimo Capra and Emilio Fina.
Bersano Gavi di Gavi 2015 $17.95
Gavi di Gavi comes from the district of Gavi located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy. It is made from the indigenous white grape Cortese, which dates back to the 17th century. These wines are known for its wonderful acidity from the lime-scented soils in this area. As a result, the wines are generally fresh, crisp and mouth watering when done well.
We enjoyed this Gavi di Gavi from the producer Bersano founded in 1907, crisp and inviting, lots of citrus with hints of white flowers and touch of mineralality, delightful.
Allegrini, Palazzo Della Torre 2012 $24.95
From the most acclaimed winery in the Veneto region, Allegrini, going back nine generations and known the world over for this particular wine, we discover the Palazzo della Torre 2012. From the Valpolicella Classica region, the grapes are sourced from a single vineyard situated in the foothills of Fumane, it is named after the adjacent villa, Palazzo della Torre, an important part of the Italian renaissance. Unique to this wine is how it is crafted, a small percentage of the grapes are left to dry out for a few months and then added to the previously vinified fresh grapes. The wine is deep ruby red in color, is velvety, smooth and full bodied, rich with dried fruit aromas of raspberry and plum, great fruit with chewy tannins and a lingering finish.
Join us on this week’s Audio Podcast, International Women’s Day 2018
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Arlene Dickinson, The Dinner Party, March 7th, 2018 International Women’s Day
Join us on this week’s Audio Podcast, International Women’s Day 2018.
We have a fantastic show for you today all in celebration of International Women’s Day 2018 coming up on March 8th. International Women’s Day was officially launched in 1911. Therefore, as a result, 100 years later IWD is celebrated around the world hence 1000’s of events take place honouring women everywhere for their various achievements.
We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of three extraordinary women, two of which are in one of the most exciting and delicious businesses in the world. Yes, it’s true, we may be a little bias due to this world of wine being ours. And one other in the traditionally male dominated world of politics. You will want to meet THIS Mayor, she is a definite force!
Our 1st guest… Margo Van Staaveren Winemaker and General Manager of Chateau St. Jean.
Chateau St. Jean is located in Sonoma Valley. This year will be Margo’s 38th harvest at Chateau St Jean. Margo was named Winemaker of the year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2008 and we’re looking forward to learning more about Chateau St. Jean, Margo’s wines and Margo’s story on getting in the biz as a woman. How was her journey to achieving such success, including challenges perhaps and some great advice for upcoming female winemakers.
Please listen to Margo Van Staaveren at 4:42 minutes into the show.
Breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling!
There has definitely seen a shift in the wine business over the last 10-15 years with a greater presence of women. We attend may events from the weekly wine tastings, the winemakers we meets and to the Export Directors and the various media we would say at least half are women, if not more. And just a side note women been proven to be superior tasters? Or is the jury still out on that?
Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga, Ontario.
In our second segment of the show, we shift our gears to women in politics!
This Mayor is one of the most charismatic, loved and respected Mayors of today in our fair province of Ontario The Mayor of the 6th largest city in all of Canada, the Mayor of Mississauga, Bonnie Crombie. Mayor Crombie was elected in 2014 and will share with us a little about her experience as a female politician, her ascent and what she stands for. Great story ahead from Mayor Crombie.
Please listen to Mayor Bonnie Crombie at 17:28 minutes into the show.
Marilisa Allegrini, Allegrini Estates.
To close off the show its back to vino with Marilisa Allegrini, owner of Italy’s 2016 Winery of the Year.
Marilisa is a global ambassador for the iconic wine region of Veneto. A voice for the women today in this business traditionally dominated by men, the “voice of Amarone”. Marilisa will join us and share her story of this historic winery going back six generations. We will explore her philosophy, her challenges and her greatest accomplishments.
Please listen to Marilisa Allegrini at 26:56 minutes into the show.
Three amazing women, three perfect candidates to celebrate and honour International Women’s Day!
For tickets to The Dinner Party, International Women’s Day 2018.
Penfolds Grange…The crescendo of our “Ultimate Penfolds Experience”
Penfolds Grange…The crescendo of our “Ultimate Penfolds Experience”
Nestled in the foothills of Adelaide with views over looking the city, Magill Estate is one of the world’s few urban single vineyards only fifteen minutes drive from Adelaide, capital of South Australia. Here lie historic vineyards of the iconic wine Penfolds Grange. With sturdy and gnarly Shiraz vines that date back over sixty years. They thrive in rich chocolatey red-brown soils over limestone bearing exceptional fruit for both Grange and Magill Estate Shiraz.
Penfolds Grange, a remarkable wine with a remarkable story. This wine is sought after and relished by wine collectors and aficionados around the world, paralleled to the First Growths of Bordeaux and Grand Cru of Burgundy. This is Australia’s most celebrated wine, officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. A vinous star that has been described by Robert Parker’s wine Advocate as “the leading candidate for the richest, most concentrated dry red wine on planet earth”.
It all began with British physician Doctor Christopher Ralston Penfolds and wife Mary.
In 1844 the couple settled in Adelaide on a vast parcel of land and the inaugural Penfolds wine was created. Recently we had the opportunity to take a step back in time and tour the Magill Estate Cottage, the Penfolds’ home. And learned a little about the family and the history of these storied precious vineyards. We were honoured with a personalized tasting of several Penfolds wines. A suburb afternoon, punctuated by the tasting of the great Grange.
Old age is much respected in this world, the world of wine.
“It all starts in the vineyards” they say. Our visit which began with our tour guide, the truly eloquent Danielle Flower guiding us throughout the grounds and introducing us to the estate’s old vine Shiraz. Old age is much respected in this world, the world of wine. These smaller concentrated fruit will deliver little in yield yet intense and concentrated flavours in the glass. Where one may drink history. The estate was once comprised of over 500 acres but over time has been diminished to just 12. These grapes, we learn will contribute to the iconic Penfolds Grange. Grange, Penfolds flagship wine, the most collectible wine on the continent is a multi-vineyard, multi district blend, yet it has a unique personality, flavour, structure, experience coveted by wine lovers the world over.
The good Doctor, perhaps ahead of his time…
The Penfolds, Christopher and Mary, immigrated to Australia at the ages of 33 and 24 and were supported by their family members on what was approximately 500 acres of land. Doctor Penfolds a believer in the medicinal properties of wine cultivated a portion of the land with plantings of French grape vine cuttings brought over from England. Initially fortified wines were the choice prescription but in time, responding to increased demand the winery expanded in output and selection of varietals planted until 1844 when the winery was officially established. Over the years, under the direction of Christopher up until his passing at age 59 and then under that of wife Mary Penfolds the winery continued to grow and prosper. By 1903 Penfolds was the largest winery in Adelaide.
It is Max Schubert, Chief Winemaker for Penfolds in the forties and fifties who must be greatly credited to the development of the iconic wine, Grange, originally called “Grange Hermitage”. It was he, after travelling to Europe and spending time in Bordeaux who created and ultimately became responsible for the development of this iconic wine.
To the tasting room!
And an extraordinary experience featuring a perfect blend of Penfolds offerings.
Penfolds produces a range of wines that come from a variety of regions, whether they are blends, or singular varietal. They also produce estate wines of single vineyard. All the wines however showcase the Australian heritage including the diversity and the great history.
Our tasting included a blend of all of the above.
One of our personal standouts on this day was the 2008
St Henri Shiraz.
A multi district blend including fruit from the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. St Henri Shiraz differentiates itself from high quality Australian reds by not relying on any new oak.
Maturing instead in large old 1460 litre vats the wine’s character develops with little impression of oak. We comment on the seductive nose of intense blueberry and blackberry layered with dark chocolate. With a deep rich flavour of more dark fruit and chocolatey notes, it is rich and opulent with a long lasting finish! Drinking window suggestion is 2016-2035. Available on occasion at the LCBO and/or featured at Winemaker’s dinner as recently as October 26th of this year.
We tasted the 2011 Cellar Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coonawarra, exceptional! And to start the 2008 Yattarna Chardonnay, also multi regional.
The crescendo of our “Ultimate Penfolds Experience” was of course Grange.
Suffice to say an ethereal taste experience. Where wine is not simply a drink, it is history, it is place, it is magical, on this day it is Grange.
Of this wine says Chief Winemaker Gago, “Aromatically captivating/convincing— similar to the 1987 in its formtive years, stronger than the 1997!”
At the conclusion of our tasting, as we sipped on what little treasure remained in our glasses. Danielle shared with us Penfolds’ latest unique and extraordinary offering to its most devoted fans.
This most recent project allows one to purchase their own personal barrel of Penfolds wine for $198,000. Magill Estate will house your barrel under 24 hour/day security. Your wine will be available for you to check in on at any time from anywhere in the world. The custodian of this barrel is invited at any time to taste, assess the wine and determine when and how it should be bottled under the guidance of course of Chief Winemaker Peter Gago.
Gago who started at Penfolds in 1989, is himself a celebrity winemaker, in high demand internationally, only the fourth custodian of iconic Grange. Peter succumbed to his love of wine and as he puts it “the grip of the grape” … we guess was just too great!
For those of whom we have whet your appetite, the 2008 Grange is available here at the Tasting Room in the Olde Oakville location. Here we ponder the purchase of one of three remaining bottles priced at $499.00.
Finally, there are a number of Penfolds wines available at varying price points, something for everyone. Note to Heather, one of our favorite consultants, we’ll be back!
Georgia and Susanne
The Wine Ladies
Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra, Great Grappas from Bottega SpA and craft wine making from Wines Unlimited.
Our first guest on the show today enjoys travelling around the world as a host of his own TV show, author of 4 books, owner of 5 restaurants, guest celebrity chef on long running City Line… who could it be????
There’s only one answer to that question and one man to fit the bill, and that is Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra! You all know him well, the charismatic, fun loving, moustachioed Massimo to join us as our first guest. Born in a small town in Lombardy , Italy, we chat with Massimo about his Italian roots and his latest venture Capra’s Kitchen, just recently opened to rave reviews!
Listen to Massimo Capra on the show here at 3:11 minutes.
The Wine Ladies visit Capra’s Kitchen and see first hand the secret’s of Chef Massimo and son Daniel’s secret of the signature pizza. Watch the tour here.
What spirit is perfect after meals, nicely chilled, pairs delightfully with dark chocolate and is used to “correct espresso” in Veneto?
Grappa!
We welcome another guest to the show,also calling in from Italy,from Processco, Veneto and although we’re going to stay within the region of Veneto we’ll turn our attention away from wine for a little bit and move to a “trending” refined white spirit housed in glorious artsy glass bottles.
This spirit is called Grappa, and we will be chatting with the founder of the multi generational luxury house of Bottega SpA, Sandro Bottega.
Listen to Sandro Bottega on the show here at 11:20 minutes.
Did you ever want to be a winemaker of fine craft wines? Well now you can!
Our final guest Cathy Clark founder of Wines Unlimited, an independent winemaking store located in Oakville, Ontario. For over 30 years, Cathy’s winemakers have been crafting artisan wines for their clientele, great wines, beating out many on the shelves in blind wine tastings. Cathy joins us to fill us in on making a great wine! It”s inexpensive, fun and easy at Wines Unlimited to be your own award winning winemaker!
Listen to Cathy Clark on the show here at 25:30 minutes.
At Wines Unlimited in Oakville ready to make a The Wine Ladies Pinot Noir Rose from Chile. Cathy Clark and Gail Morrone our winemakers show us how it’s done! Winner Darlene Gustin who won the $250 gift certificate to make wine donated for the Anchor Bar’s VIP launch March 15th Women, Wine, Wednesdays with Jazz joins in too! Great fun and delicious too!
La Dolce Vita With Celebrity Chef Massimo Capra.
Marilisa Allegrini, the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of Wine Spectator
Marilisa Allegrini is the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of Wine Spectator! We have a fantastic show for you today all in celebration of International Women’s Day that is coming up on March 8th, International Women’s Day was officially launched in 1911 and today over 100 years later IWD is celebrated around the world with 1000’s of events taking place honouring women everywhere for their various achievements.
Listen to the Audio Podcast here now.
Off to Italy next with Marilisa Allegrini, owner of Italy’s 2016 Winery of the Year, a global ambassador for the iconic wine region of Veneto. A voice for the women today in this business traditionally dominated by men, the “voice of Amarone”. Marilisa will join us and share her story of this historic winery going back six generations, explore her philosophy, her challenges and her greatest accomplishments.
Listen at 13:47 minutes into the show.
Amazing afternoon meeting and tasting a selection of wines with Marilisa Allegrini, “the voice of Amarone “, proprietor Allegrini vineyards. Check it out here.
The spectacular Villa della Torre in Fumane di Valpolicella, today the official reception venue of the Allegrini group companies.
A dream come true…Los Flâneurs, Mendoza, Argentina, a partnership as perfectly balanced as the wines.
Dr. Gary Glassman of the winery Los Flâneurs, Mendoza, Argentina
Dr. Gary Glassman at Los Flâneurs, Mendoza, Argentina.
Flâneur is an attitude, a way of existence, a state of mind, and a philosophy of living each experience as a unique moment by observing ones surroundings and embracing the beauty within it. Through our wines we invite you to become a Flâneur of our terroir.
Follow us on Twitter @LosFlaneurs
TUNE IN April 14th, 2016 on The Wine Ladies radio show.
And finally, so many are seduced by and drawn to this beautiful country. To close off the show we’ll welcome back, he’s a favorite returning guest of ours, Dr. Gary Glassman. Dr Glassman is an endodontist to be specific, but also a wine lover and proud co-owner of a vineyard located in heart of the “Tiera de Malbec” Lujan de Cuyo, in Mendoza.
The winery is Los Flâneurs. Gary will join us to talk about his journey to fulfilling a dream in wine and also give us a few tips on wine and oral health, and it’s good news, so be sure to stay tuned.
Listen to Dr. Gary Glassman at 37:46 minutes in the show.
Our single-vineyard Malbec and super premium Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine will be available mid-2016 and we hope that you will enjoy them as much as we have enjoyed the process of making them!!
“The Wine Guys”, Enrique, Hernan, Gary, and Steve (left to right), two Argentines and two Canadians sharing their passion for wine and food resulting in a dream come true, Los Flâneurs.Their partnership is as balanced as their wines!
Follow me on Twitter @DrGaryGlassman
Oral health benefits of wine.
Studies about antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols, which may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart. A polyphenol called resveratrol, is one substance in red wine that has garnered a lot of attention over the past five years.
Resveratrol is now considered to be a key ingredient in red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and prevents blood clots.
According to these studies, chemicals found in red wine, called proanthocyanidins, contain antioxidant properties that may prevent the bacteria that causes tooth decay from sticking to saliva and teeth. Interestingly, these phytonutrients are also found in foods like grapes, apples and chocolate – good news for non-wine drinkers!