2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon

Calling all thirsty wine aficionados with a spare $168,000 to spend…The iconic Australian Penfolds releases new flagship wine! 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon

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2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon

Move over Grange, make room for a new Penfolds flagship wine… the release of the most expensive bottle of wine, the 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon. Only a dozen available, at $168,000 per bottle. This special wine is made from grapes of a rare, single 10-acre vineyard, planted in the mid 1880’s. The vines, according to Penfolds are thought to be the oldest continuously producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world!  The 2004 Block 42 is only released in the best vintages.

The packaging, the story and the wine itself, extraordinary! The wine encased in a specially designed hand-blown glass “ampoule”, suspended inside a bespoke glass container. All of  which sits inside a wooden cabinet. This wine can only be opened by a trained expert as there is no cork, no screw cap. Not to worry, included in the price, a senior member of Penfolds’ winemaking team will be dispatched to you.  At the location of your choice, anywhere in the world. To open and decant the ampoule in a special ceremony, complete with the sampling of the wine using a specially crafted sterling silver tastevin.

BIN 389 Shiraz 2008

For those with a  limited budget, we can enjoy Penfolds with the recent release here in Ontario of the BIN 389 Shiraz 2008. This wine referred to as the “Poor Man’s Grange” or “Baby Grange”. For many wine lovers, their preferred Penfolds wine, BIN 389. $39.95

Deep garnet-purple in colour, with an aroma offering up notes of mocha, cloves and chocolate over a core of blueberries and cherries, nuances of tobacco and leather. Full bodied, with lively acidity, good structure and tannins.

Grillin’ & Chillin’ with Ted Reader, the Kingpin of BBQ and BEERLICIOUS

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CONGRATULATIONS EFFIE TSIAKOPOULOS, YOU ARE THE WINNER! HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Win Ted’s Book BEERLICIOUS, The Art of Grillin’ & Chillin’ in a picnic basket filled to the brim with Ted’s sauces, seasonings, beer and more! Value: $150.00

How do you enter?

  2. Answer this question. How many BBQ’s did Ted Reader have in his backyard at one time?
    1. 5
    2. 89
    3. 109
    4. 46
    5. 1
  3. Simply “LIKE” The Wine Ladies Fan Page and post your answers on line there.
  4. HINT

Winners to be picked form all entries at random on Canada Day July 1st,2012 from all entries. The winners to be posted at noon that same day on The Wine Ladies Fan Page.

Good luck everyone!Georgia and Susanne

Celebrate Canada Day in style with Ted Reader, the Kingpin of BBQ and The Wine Ladies TV!

Not all barbeques or barbeque “cooks” are created equal. There are lots of tricks of the trade that can make a big difference, from the bbq itself , to the recipes that you choose, and how it is cooked on the BBQ. Joining us this week on the show in anticipation of Canada Day and the launch of the BBQ season we welcome to the show award winning chef, food entertainer known for his pyrotechnic charm and fearless culinary spirit, author , the kingpin of the BBQ, often referred to as the Pied Piper, Ted Reader www.tedreader.com .

We discuss two of Ted’s passions beer and BBQ and his new book BEERLICIOUS, The Art of Grillin’ & Chillin’. The book is a delicious journey with over 100 recipes made with 100 different beers. Now, Ted has taken the idea of paring drink with food to a whole new level by hand picking beers that act not only as the perfect accompaniment to grilled foods, but also as an ingredient in the recipes. What makes this, or any of Ted’s books standout is how much Ted loves what he does and it shows in how he approaches recipes, cooking, and writing.  Congrats Ted on another outstanding must have book!

Watch Ted Reader, the Kingpin of BBQ with The Wine Ladies here.

India’s Grand Polo Tradition Takes Toronto. HRH Princess Diya Kumari and the fashions of House of Valaya.

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There was a time during the British Raj when it was wildly popular for India’s elite to attend the “Season”. Attending sporting events as social outings such as Polo matches, known as the “Sport of Kings,” was commonplace in those days. The ladies were especially excited to come out in the latest couture, eat the most decadent of food while sipping the finest drinks.

This weekend, in Toronto at Alliston Polo Field in Egbert, Ontario a Polo exhibition match was held featuring the Royal Jaipur Polo Team led by Mahraj Narendra Singh of Jaipur against the Toronto Polo Club. In attendance as well was HRH Princess Diya Kumari as well as top Indian couturier J.J. Valaya.

Sunday evening a spectacular Royal event of dinner, fashion and culture with the House of Valaya was enjoyed by all. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the House of Valaya. J J Valaya showcased his exclusive collection at the Liberty Grand, June 10th in Toronto. He is an iconic name in South Asian fashion, known for his creativity and style.  Watch the Fashion show finale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j0swsizrFk

A spectacular dance was one of the highlights of the evening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J_gKtIpBtg

Newtopia for the mind, body and soul, is feeling strong, healthy and balanced

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U topia for the mind, body and soul, is feeling strong, healthy and balanced

We discover Newtopia, our singular and fulfilling paths to getting there…

 

Just a few short months ago we were introduced to Newtopia. Always on the look out for new and meaningful ways to help us achieve optimal health, from the inside and out, plus a healthy dress size, we were intrigued with this innovative scientific approach that was based on our genetic codes. Apparently there are certain genes or “fat genes” such as one that has the brain tell us when we’re full, and another that has to do with how efficient our metabolisms are… that once identified can be key to losing those extra pounds and keeping them off.  Hallelujah!

These genes play an important role in determining the kind of food we need, the kind of exercise, kind of supplements, and even how we manage stress.  Hmm…sound interesting? We thought so.  As three sisters we often discussed who got the “good genes” and who got the “not so good” ones with the greater propensity to carry a little extra weight. Well now, we were about to learn that we COULD blame our genes, at least partially on our second helpings…did I really need that second piece of chicken, and/or the multiple trips to the candy store. Having said that, homogeneity of the “fat marker” genes eluded the three of us. Although none of us hit the jack- pot, Georgia came close with only one of the marker genes showing a variation (the geneticist’s lingo), Susanne on the other hand, had all three rear their ugly heads or shall we say molecules, on her double helix. We were in…but wait not so fast, where does wine fit into this lifestyle plan we were about to embark on? “ It is welcomed,” said the founder Jeff Ruby. Perfect! And so our journeys began, with an individual mandate, path and execution, based on what our genetic roadmap revealed.

http://www.newtopia.com/thewineladies

 

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The Wine ladies with Margrit Monday, Modus Restaurant, Toronto

Pearls of wisdom from Margrit Mondavi in Toronto.

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Margrit Mondavi’s pearls of wisdom continue to ring through our ears.

This amazing lady at 86, wife of the late California wine pioneer Robert Mondavi is still very much involved in the Napa winery. Her philosophy and advice….. “Look into each others’ eyes when you toast with wine, or you will have seven years of bad sex.” Good advice for sure.

The Wine Ladies recently attended a fabulous night at the newly opened Modus Restaurant, 145 King Street West, Toronto for the dedication of the Robert Mondavi room.

A spectacular structured tasting led by the charming and witty Master of Wine, Mark de Vere of 5 stunning Mondavi wines were all paired with mouth-watering creations created by head chef Bruce Woods.

The Wine Ladies with Mark deVeres, Modus Restaurant,Toronto

The Wine Ladies with Mark de Vere, Modus Restaurant,Toronto

The evening was marked by a generous donation to the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra on behalf of Mondavi wines by the very special guest Margrit Mondavi, A very special lady indeed who’s humour was most evident throughout the night.”There are more old winemakers, than old doctors!”A very special thrill to meet this lovely lady.

The fabulous line up of wine included; the Fume Blanc Reserve 2009 paired with pan roasted diver scallop, cauliflower puree with pepperonata, the Chardonnay Reserve 2008 with Foie gras, chestnut and sweet potato ravioli, porcini truffle cream sauce, Pinot Noir Reserve 2009 with duck prosciutto, fig chutney with caramelized onion port reduction, the Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 served with roasted venison loin, smoked bacon jus and sour cherries and finally the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2008 with house made cocoa cavatelli pasta with braised oxtail.

We can’t agree more with Margrit after all, she described the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2008, “with the tenderness of a babies bottom and the power of Pavarotti!” Simply wonderful, we are now huge fans of the wine and this grand lady indeed.

Robert Mondavi,the man, the winery, Napa Valley.. On this week’s radio show.

Johnny 'V'

Johnny V, our “Go to Kitchen guy” of Kitchen Designers Plus. Sprucing things up for the holidays.

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With the holidays around the corner, if you’re expecting  family and friends to soon be on your door step, you  may be thinking, as we are “I wish I hadn’t postponed my much needed kitchen reno, everything looks “so tired”. Here’s a tip we got from our “go to kitchen guy”  Johnny V of KDP, that we’re going to take advantage of for sure.

If a  huge chunk of  your entertaining takes place in the kitchen, sprucing up the major surfaces is going to make all the difference! Starting with the floors, an expansive marble floor, once pristine and gorgeous maybe now suffering from a little grimy grout!  We can vouch for that!

The dog, food and wine stains and simply grime due to high traffic has taken the luster out of  the flooring. The answer, rinse the floor, priming it, then get a stiff brush to loosen stubborn stains and the dirt, a little elbow grease works wonders! Hit the cabinetry next, tighten any hinges and wipe down the cabinets thoroughly, finally give the back splash and counter tops a little loving care and presto, a little reno magic! Cheers everyone, Johnny ‘V’

Be sure to follow The Wine Ladies TV with regular tips from Johnny ‘V’ on the do’s and dont’s, and how to make your kitchen reno your dream come true. For highlights of latest episode click here.

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