The Wine Ladies TV. Come experience life the “Bajan” way!
Sun drenched sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, delectable cuisine, iconic rum cocktails! Stunning places to rest and to play.Come experience life the “Bajan” way!
Thrilled to announce that we are heading to Barbados in January 2014 to shoot an episode of The Wine Ladies TV, our internet show about our adventures in wine, food and travel!
Saint Peters Bay Luxury Resort and Residences
Our home away from home. Saint Peters Bay Luxury Resort and Residences, Barbados
Korby Banner
We will also be part of PIE Bookazine milesone’s 10th! The high fashion lifestyle magazine will be including us in a four page photoshoot.Celebrity stylist/photographer Korby Banner of “Style By Jury” will be joining us to do the shoot and we are thrilled to be working with Korby again.
Lilly Pulitzer
It will feel great to leave our winter wear behind and enjoy our light and flirty Lilly Pulitzer summer dresses from Island View, Oakville.
Darrin Robinson of EMERGE Lifestyle and Fitness Training
And thanks to our trainer Darrin Robinson of EMERGE Lifestyle and Fitness Training, Oakville, those dresses are fitting mighty nicely these days!
During our week long stay we’ll be staying at one of the most stunning properties in Barbados, the Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort & Residences on the North West coast of Barbados. Where every amenity one can imagine is here for the guest’s enjoyment.
We’ll explore not only the island but the gastronomy of Barbados and her signature drink rum,from the sugar cane fields to the distillery. Boundless activities await us too including sailing the sea, swimming with turtles,Bajan music and dance plus a little relaxation.
Whether you choose to own or rent! Tell them The Wine Ladies sent you.
About Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort & Residences
Developed and presented by UNNA Luxury Resorts & Residences, Saint Peters Bay features a stunning collection of three and four bedroom beachfront homes for ownership and vacation rental coupled with an array of attractive amenities and exceptional personalized service. Ultimately, whatever meaning you seek, Saint Peter’s Bay means the best of Barbados and the best of Caribbean living.
Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort & Residences
Saint Peter’s Bay comforts include our water taxi service to surrounding locations, lagoon style pool, beauty salon, fitness centre, breezy gazebo bar and convenient access to enjoy all our enchanting island has to offer.
Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort & Residences
Follow us on Twitter @SaintPetersBay
Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Condominium Resort
About Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Condominium Resort
Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Condominium Resort is a sixteen acre exclusive residential marina resort located just north of historic Speightstown on the Barbados Riviera. Port Ferdinand is a boat owner’s haven offering a lifestyle unmatched by any other in the Caribbean. It is luxury with soul, where the comforts of home meet unrivaled amenities.
Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Condominium Resort
The resort marina features 120 berths with 83 luxury homes, each with impressive views of the captivating horseshoe shaped marina and turquoise Caribbean Sea. Dine in style at our fine dining restaurant, spend a day being pampered in our spa, head out to sea on a paddle board adventure, take a picnic from our gourmet store on your yacht for a day or simply relax at home. We have it all.
The Wine Ladies TV
More About The Wine Ladies TV…. If you have a great story idea or adventure, we would love to hear from you. Check out our last adventure in Peru!
The Wine Ladies TV “One Sip at a Time”
“One Sip at a Time” follows the adventures of The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne; sisters, entrepreneurs, wine lovers and food aficionados who travel the world with a sense of adventure and discovery. Bringing the audience the latest and the coolest in everything wine, culinary and lifestyle related.
Georgia and Susanne have a knack for discovering wine, spirits and culinary treasures in the most unlikely places The Wine Ladies travel the globe encountering fascinating people while on spectacular adventures, whether stomping grapes in Italy, driving a mechanical harvester, horseback riding among the vineyards along the foothills of the Andes, or sabering champagne at a red carpet event.
Each episode focuses on an adventure and special guest appearance by a winemaker, master chef, restaurateur, or celebrity from many walks of life whether in sports, music, entertainment or leading business entrepreneur. It’s all intertwined with the love of the grapevine!
Our adventure to Peru, a world of hidden treasures. Truly magical!
Georgia and Susanne choose Pisco to create their own special cocktails at Pisco Bar in Lima, Peru.
Pisco es Peru… as is world class gastronomy, spectacular landscape, incredible people and of course Machu Picchu!
In a word, our adventure to Peru, a world of hidden treasures was magical.
Our mandate as we landed on Peruvian soil, in the capital city of Lima, located in a desert, surrounded by surreal spaces of sand dunes was to discover the “Pisco Trail”. Pisco, you see is the name of Peru’s national drink, a grape spirit, a wonderful elixir that is made with grapes from vast, green vineyards that flourish in the heart of the arid deserts of Peru. Our exploration of this traditional spirit that dates back hundreds of years was a delectable journey of a drink of equisite qualities. There is a story to Pisco, we enjoy the unravelling of its secrets and its mysteries as shared with us by the proprietors of several Bodegas. Be sure to ask for Pisco on your next evening out, as Pisco is the new rising star at the bar!
Pisco is Peru – The Wine Ladies TV Part 1
Pisco is Peru – The Wine Ladies TV Part 2
Pisco is Peru – The Wine Ladies TV Part 3
Many thanks to our new Peruvian good friends that made this trip ,one of a lifetime!
From left to right: Andres E. Machalski, Lyris Monasterio,Georgia, Susanne,Ana Maria Vegas Castillo,Ricardo Carpio Valdes and Jose Luis Peroni
Where there is drink there is food, and Peru is widely known as the gastronomic capital of the Americas by many a chef around the world. Each and every meal was a celebration of freshness and of fusion. Peru’s cuisine is a blend of several cultures that speak to its history. From the traditional cuisine of the Indians, to that of the Spanish conquerors, the influx of Japanese and Chinese. And with the diversity of the landscape from the coastal region with a selection of over 2,000 fish to choose from, and the Andean highlands the purple, red, yellow “chocla” corn, with 3,000 kinds of potatoes the possibilities are endless!
Our adventures were not restricted to our dietary pleasures alone… as there were numerous moments of “participAction” as well! Riding the “Paso horses” for example at the stunning traditonal yet extremely innovative Bodegas Carevedo founded in 1884. Following our delicate dismount we learn from the passionate and charismatic co-owner and master distiller Johnny Schuler of the history and breeding of these particular horses, and how they related to the history of Pisco.
At Bodegas El Sarcay, another award winning Pisco producer, hawks are trained here to keep the smaller birds at bay and away from the vineyards. We are hypnotized by the majestry of the hawks and a gloriously bedazzling eagle as they fly to our extended arms piece of meat in hand.
The Wine Ladies explore Machu Picchu!
Finally Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world….Arresting, transformational and powerful with take-your-breath-away beauty. Truly no words can adequately describe how you feel standing in the immense presence of what is Machu Picchu! An ancient civilization, a city in the sky, a wonder of the world!
Thrilled to announce that we are heading to PERU to shoot an episode of The Wine Ladies TV, our reality show about our adventures in wine, food and travel! This would include exploring the gastronomy of Peru, restaurants, wineries, the fishing, travel to Machu Picchu, the history, making and enjoyment of Peru’s signature drink Pisco, organic coffee, organic cacao, the culture, gold, Peruvian alpaca, cotton and general points of interest. Stay tuned!
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Peru’s award as the World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2012 by World Travel Awards was celebrated in Toronto at the Annual Pisco Peruvian Night.
Celebrating with brothers Giancarlo and Alessandro Colombaro, owners of Pisco restaurant, Toronto with the Pisco Sour and classic Peruvian fare the pan con chicharrón. Delish!
The Pisco Sour
Many Peruvian tipplers prefer to mix pisco with lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, Angostura bitters and ice — the classic formulation known as a pisco sour and long claimed by Peruvians as their national cocktail.
The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne with Jose Luis Peroni,Director Trade Commission of Peru,OCEX Toronto.
More About The Wine Ladies TV…. If you have a great story idea or adventure,we would love to hear from you.
The Wine Ladies TV “One Sip at a Time”
“One Sip at a Time”follows the adventures of The Wine Ladies, Georgia and Susanne; sisters, entrepreneurs, wine lovers and food aficionados who travel the world with a sense of adventure and discovery. Bringing the audience the latest and the coolest in everything wine, culinary and lifestyle related.
Georgia and Susanne have a knack for discovering wine, spirits and culinary treasures in the most unlikely places The Wine Ladies travel the globe encountering fascinating people while on spectacular adventures, whether stomping grapes in Italy, driving a mechanical harvester, horseback riding among the vineyards along the foothills of the Andes, or sabering champagne at a red carpet event.
Each episode focuses on an adventure and special guest appearance by a winemaker, master chef, restaurateur, or celebrity from many walks of life whether in sports, music, entertainment or leading business entrepreneur. It’s all intertwined with the love of the grapevine!
MontGras Colchagua,The Wine Ladies Adventure in Chile.
MontGras Colchagua, Cabernet and Carmnere.
Crazy for Cabernet in Chile…. and Carmenere too!
Stunning Santiago with the Andes as a backdrop. Breathtaking!
A moment in time, frozen in our minds for ever was the vision of the spectacular Andes mountains as we approached the captial city of Santiago, Chile. Breathtaking in a rainblow of colours, we inhaled the magnificence of the largest mountain range in the world. Chile, at last, we’d so been looking forward to this day! On the world wide stage of wine, Chile has an enviable position!
Stunning Santiago with the Andes as a backdrop. Breathtaking!
Welcome to Chile! It may be long and skinny in size and shape. However, it’s awfully big and fat when it comes to fabuous wines and food! As a wine producing country Chile has been dealt a winning hand thanks in large part to its natural barriers. The Atacama Desert in the north, the magnificent Andes Mountains in the east, Patagonian icefields to the south and of course the Pacific Ocean to the west. These geogrpahic barriers serve Chile well, protecting the vineyards from pests and disease, while also facilitating organic and even biodynamic viticulture.
Chile, in fact was never affected by the root eating louse Phylloxera.
Phylloxera decimated the winegrowing regions in the mid 1800’s. As a result grafting was never necessary and the great majority of Chile’s vines are planted on their original rootstocks. Unlike the majority of grapevines in the “old world” planted on the hearty North American rootstocks, their saviour! Many maintain Chilian vines are at a huge advantage with vines better able to express their character and their terroir.
Wine Map courtesy Wines of Chile
On our all too short recent visit to Chile we had the opportunity to experience three of the fourteen wine regions.
The regions including the Maipo Valley, “numero uno” for Cabernet Sauvignon. Leyda, the newest cool climate region producing premium white wines knocking it out of the ball park. The Colchagua Valley, one of Chile’s best-known regions particularly applauded for its Carmenere, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here we share the time we spent with Mont Gras Properties, a company founded in 1992 by brothers Hernán and Eduardo Gras as well as Cristian Hartwig, who has since moved on to other avenues. Mont Gras Properties’ mission was to create world-class wines that reflected Chile’s best terroirs. Today, “mission accomplished” with Mont Gras enjoying tremendous success with their line-up of wines including a variety of Mont Gras Colchagua, their ultra-premium “Ninquen” reds from Chile’s first mountain vineyard also located in Colchagua, Amaral from Leyda and last but not least INTRIGA Maipo 1865.
MontGras properties.
Our introductory evening totally rocked… Hernan and Juan Pablo Quijada, Export Manager, “personality extraordinaire” took us to “La Mar”, one of the best, most happening, colourful and amazing restaurants in town. The music played, the apps arrived, the wines flowed, but not before a couple of Pisco Sours arrived! Pisco is a traditional drink of Chile, made from specific grapes, fermented and distilled into a potent aguardiente. The Pisco Sour cocktail is delish, but imbiber beware…. it has a way of catching up with you, with its seductive sweeetness and flavour!
Our 1st night in Santiago, Chile included a delicious dinner at La Mar. Hernán Gras and Juan Pablo Quijada of MontGras show us the sites.
From the sea…. or ocean we enjoy an assortment of ceviche, dressed in varying treatments, amazingly delicious! Main courses include scallops, sea bass, conger and more. We enjoy a bottle of Mont Gras’ Quatro, made from selected handpicked grapes, a blend of Cab Sauv, Carmenere, Syrah and Malbec, aged for approximately eleven months in French and American oak, the bouquet is seductive with black currant, spices hints of leather and vanilla, with a long finish, delicious.
Available at the LCBO the MontGras Quatro 2011,$14.95
Alas…bid buona noche, tomorrow a full day in planned.
The “work” is now about to begin! At the tasting table, overlooking the stunning vineyards of Mont Gras Cabernet Sauvignon, head winemaker Santiago Margozzini is at the helm…before too long we are totally engrossed in passsionate and enlightening conversation and tasting.
MontGras winemaker Santiago Margozzini led us through an informative and entertaining wine tasting.
Crazy for Cabernet in Chile & Cabernet too! MontGas Winemaker Santiago Margozzini The Wine Ladies TV
Santiago, passionate and articulate starts with the Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2012… Susanne loves Sauvignon Blanc! From one of the newest cool climate regions “Leyda” delish, crisp, aromatic with grapefruit and touch of mango, captivating mouth watering acidity, nice clean finish. Leyda is a sub region of San Antonio located southwest of Santiago in a small valley between the Coastal Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean with the climate proving excellent for Sauvignon Blanc.
Available at the LCBO Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2011, $14.45
On to the reds and on to Carmenere.
Carmenere, the grape that is quickly becoming the natural associated grape with Chile! A grape with plantings in Chile that was thought originally to be merlot, brought over from France. With leaves that look almost identical it suffered an identity crisis! Until an ampelographer (wine grape scientist) discovered differently. Lead winemaker Santiago explains here how it was discovered and how it has come to be a true appreciated grape in its own right, especially here in Chile.
Carmenere has so become a major player that it too now has its own wine glass specifically designed by Riedel. This glass allows the best enjoyment and appreciation of its unique properties! With a more tapered shape engineered to capture and concentrate the aromatics of this ever popular, late ripening grape. The grape that exudes spice, black fruit, ripe fruit, soft tannins.
Done right, Carmenere can seduce the most discerning of palates whether on its own or blended with a king… Cabernet Sauvignon!
Both wines available at the LCBO. MontGras Carménère Reserva, $12.00 and MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon,$12.00
From the mountain vineyard our final wine, the flagship Ninquen 2009, 60% Syrah, 40% Cab Sauv, aged for 24 months in 90% French and 10% American oak. Ditch the spitoons, it’s a wrap, bring the carafe! Layered and complex with touches of leather, lots of alluring ripe black fruit, spice and a long lasting finish.
We are enrolled into Santiago’s winemaking college!
Crazy for Cabernet in Chile & Cabernet too! MontGas Wine making school The Wine Ladies TV
So you think being a winemaker is an easy gig? Think again, as we are ushered down to the cellar where we are faced with creating our own wine! From the blend, selecting varying proportions of Cab Sauv, Carmenere and Merlot, to bottling, corking, labelling and picking a name! Loads of fun, it’s back to chemistry 101, with test tubes, measuring apparatus, calculater and nose and taste buds! We are put to the task!
Pinch me! Seriously! Horseback riding in the vineyards in Chile! Really???
Nothing like riding on horseback through the Ninquén vineyards, simply magical!
Crazy for Cabernet in Chile & Carmenere too! Ninquen Mountain Vineyard, Chile The Wine Ladies TV
Next on the agenda….it is time for us to ascend the first mountain vineyard in Chile “Ninquén“. We mount our horses, and are off, a breathtaking trek up the mountain, through the stunning vineyards, the Andes dutifully our compass and our inspiration. We learn that the berries are purposefully kept small, keeping the yields low, resulting in the highest concentrated and best quality grapes possible. This is Ninquen, the mountain vineyard. “Everyone thought we were crazy, planting up here on the mountain on a wild, rugged landscape with challenges to the grape such as poor shallow soils” explains Juan Paul…
Available at the LCBO the Antu Syrah 2010 $16.95
Planted with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, the ultra premium reds that these vineyards produce are now iconic and have set a stage for further vineyards climbing “to the top”. Once atop we inhale the air, the Andes, the vineyards while we sip on the Antu Ninquen Syrah 2011… so rich, with notes of black and white pepper and hints of leather and with ripe black fruit. We’ve developed quite the appetite! A scrumptious lunch awaits us “city slickers”! Note, Susanne’s be-jewelled dress, perfect for horseback?
Final stop… INTRIGA, located in the Maipo Valley originally dating back to 1865 as Vina Linderos was taken over by MontGras Properites in 2005. The Maipo Valley is known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and INTRIGA is a vineyard producing some of the finest under the direction of winemaker Cristian Correa. We have the privilege to share with Cristian his latest two vintages as well as a barrel sample of the 2012.
INTRIGA is a vineyard producing some of the finest under the direction of winemaker Cristian Correa.
Today, over 140 years after its establishment, Intriga remains with the same mission and concept: Produce premium quality wines with great care of the fruit and the environment.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone at MontGras for welcoming us and sharing their enthusiasm and passion for their wines, the incredible wine regions, the cuisine and the joie de vivre that surrounds it all in your beautiful country Chile! It was truly a magical visit and we departed “Crazy for Cab in Chile and Carmenere too”!
Meet head winemaker Santiago Margozzini of MontGras. On this week’s audio podcast.
Mad about Malbec. Malbec World Day 2015. The Wine Ladies in Mendoza, Argentina
MAD ABOUT MALBEC IN MENDOZA
We are mad alright, about the amazing Malbecs we enjoyed on our recent visit to Mendoza, Argentina. A grape that was once popular in Bordeaux as one of the 5 permitted players in traditional Bordeaux blends, say Malbec today and the automatic response is “the grape of Argentina” and with good reason!
The Malbec grape is to Argentina as Shiraz is to Australia, Zinfandel to California, Pinotage to South Africa and more recently Carmenere to Chile… it has found its niche, putting this grape on the world wine map, producing amazing wines, with descriptives the likes of “floral, violets, licorice, spicy, deep red and black fruit, chocolate or coffee… and most distinctively the sweet, soft, silky, mouthfilling tannins!
Such an impact has been made with this varietal in its modern domaine that an annual tribute “Malbec World Day” will be celebrating its 3rd anniversary April 17th, 2013. The 43 countries which participated in 2012 will surely be surpassed this year! Watch for events happening in close to 100 cities, including our very own Toronto!
Although with a rich history and deep roots, Malbec was first planted in Argentina as far back as 1852 brought over by French agronomist Michel Pouget, it is only in the last couple of decades that it has begun to take centre stage, and be so deservedly appreciated around the world of wine.
While in Argentina we experienced the magic of Malbec first hand, while even more magically against the constant backdrop of the absolutely breathtaking Andes, the largest mountain range in the world, the lifeline for the Malbec vineyards and others, providing them the drink to survive and thrive.
The Andes,Cordon del Plata peak makes a stunning back drop to the Fabre Montmayou vineyards.
Our itinerary included visiting the two primary wine producing provinces in the country; Mendoza, responsible for 80% of all wines produced and second in production San Juan, a little further north, with differing soils and climate producing wines of its unique personality.
First stop was in Vistalba located in the “departement” of Lujan du Cuyo, in Mendoza, at a boutique winery called Fabre Montmayou. Geographically, think of Argentina as a big set with multiple subsets. Argentina, divides into fourteen provinces, with Mendoza being the king-pin of wine production, within Mendoza there are “departments” which include Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, which we later visit, with each expressing differing characteristics, and within the department of Lujan de Cuyo is Vistalba, the home of Fabre Montmayou.
Georgia inspects the Malbec with winemaker, owner, director Hervé Joyaux Fabre of Fabre Montmayou.
We speak of roots, and here at Fabre Montmayou on 15 hectares, they run deep, with the Malbec vines dating back to 1908 brought over by the first immigrants to come to Argentina. The roots, or ancestry of founder Herve Joyaux Fabre come from Bordeaux, with generations involved with the vine. In 1992 on a visit, Herve was seduced by the potential of the magnificent malbec grape in Mendoza and there was no turning back! Fabre Montmayou was born.
We had the privilege to spend a few days with Herve and his lovely wife Diane, an integral partner in the business, and our experience was one of incredible wines, amazing foods including Argentine specialties empanadas and the “asado” as well as the world renown Fiesta Vendimia, a spectacular show celebrating the Argentine grape harvest. Here are a few of the highlights of our visit with Herve and Diane.
Our first day in the vineyards and at the winery had us busy participating at the sorting table as the first grapes were harvested for 2013, the Sauvignon Blanc.
A tasting of FM wines left a great impression on us, showcasing the superb quality of wines that are being made at very affordable prices. The FM Malbec excels, takes center stage, their top seller. We are excited to learn that this particular Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec 2011 will be available in our Ontario market just in time for Malbec World Day. You may taste this Malbec at the Malbec World Day celebration taking place in Toronto, April 16th, 2013 at the VINTAGES, walk-around tasting at Roy Thompson Hall.
At Diane and Herve’s French style Chateau, among the vineyards and the gardens we enjoy a typical Mendoza dish, homemade empanadas. Absolutely delicious, served with the Phebus Torrontes, the perfect wine to match with the spice of the dish! Crisp, dry with good acidity, with light floral, peach and touch of melon aromas. Phebus Torrontes 2011 is availabe at the LCBO $14.95
The Phebus Torrontes, LCBO $14.95, perfect for a sunny day in Argentina and delicious with the classic Argentine dish, homemade empanadas!
Grand Vin for Georgia alone!
The Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin is rich, seductive, deep red in colour, with plum and cherries, mouth filling with soft tannins and hint of vanilla from 16 months aging in 100% French oak barrels. Blend is comprised of 85% Malbec (circa1908 vineyards), 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot.
Say yes to Argentine Beef! With typical Argentine BBQ the asado!
Chef Herve instructs on the “methodology” to the asado… six cuts of beef, including sweetbreads, one of Georgia’s favs, and two of pork. So delish!
At Fabre Montmayou Hervé and Diane are committed to farming with traditional methods and without herbicides to protect the environment and be sure to get the finest grapes. The grapes are hand picked and transported in small trays to prevent them from crushing under their own weight. They have been rewarded and awarded with international acclaim, stemming from great passion and Bordelais Savoire-Faire! Voila!
Enjoying the Festiva Vendimia with a bottle or 2 of wine, great company, music, dancing, fireworks and awaiting the crowning of the Queen! Oh what a night!
On to one of the most celebrated wine events/shows on the global wine scene the Festiva Vendimia! Over 30,000 spectators will gather for this spectacular show taking place at a Greek style amphitheater in Mendoza. We are there, joining in a lengthy walk up the hill, accompanied by hundreds and hundreds of people, ascending, the enthusiasm is palpable, the chatter, the wine bags, filled with Malbec no doubt… the picnic baskets, the Argentine flags… the people fierce with pride! Walking, walking…climbing, this is SO exciting! Just to imagine that thousands of people from around the world, involved in this privileged world of wine covet a presence at this spectacular event… there are no words…. to describe our experience! And we are here! A show that captivates for close to 90 minutes, then closes with the election of a new “harvest” Queen, who will represent the world of Argentinean wine, the crown goes to the department of Malargüe!
Here Diane and Herve proudly show us a very special piece of art gracing their family room, one done by friend and famous artist Sergio Roggerone celebrating the harvest and Festiva Vendimia.
A big thank you to Hervé and Diane for their wonderful hospitality and generosity, sharing with us what Mendoza is all about, from the wonderful wines, to the rich culture… Mad about Mendoza … and her Malbecs! Salud!
