Giacomo Fenocchio: A Radical Traditionalist One of the advantages of working in the wine business is meeting remarkable people from around the world who eventually become close friends. One such person is Claudio Fenocchio, a true gentleman farmer, passionate about his land, his wine and his family. This post will look at the history of
Examining This Spanish Grape: The History Of Tempranillo Tempranillo is the quintessential Spanish grape. The third most planted varietal in the world, it is most famous as being the primary grape of Rioja reds where it is blended with a bit of Graciano, Mazuelo or Garnacha. Originating in the Iberian Peninsula, it dates to at
While all industries are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant and hospitality industry certainly has been one of the hardest hit since the beginning of this crisis. According to the latest news reports, social distancing restrictions in Ontario will be effect until potentially halfway through the summer season. Yet, there is still
What is the Best Closure, Cork or Screw Cap? We were recently part of an interesting experiment in our office. With considerable foresight, two New Zealand producers had bottled their 2002 Sauvignon Blanc under both cork and screwcap and tucked them away in the cellar. Eighteen years later we were able to see what the
Wine in Vienna – A Streetcar to the Vineyard We were lucky enough to be in Austria for an extended weekend last September to explore wine in Vienna. On a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, we decided to visit our friend, winemaker Alex Zahel at his winery in the 19th district. From our Airbnb in the
One of my favorite memories of drinking Lambrusco happened many years ago during Vinitaly. After a busy morning of tasting Brunellos and Proseccos, we left the show early and headed for lunch on a sunny patio in Verona’s centro storico. As plates of culatello (cured ham from Parma) and bottles of chilled, frothy Lambrusco kept
What Makes Napa Valley So Special Sunshine, warmth, elegance, and opulence. These are words that come to mind when describing Napa Valley, what many consider to be one of the world’s greatest wine producing regions. What makes Napa so unique? Location, climate and terroir: mountains, benchlands and valley floors, diurnal temperature swings, fog and marine
All wine connoisseurs will have heard of the term ‘decant’ and it is not unusual to see a sommelier in a fine dining restaurant decanting a bottle of wine before serving to a table. However, many are still unaware as to what this process is or why it is carried out. Below, we walk you
Looking To Buy Wine Online? Purchasing wine online is becoming very popular among many in Ontario. We are pleased that we are recommended on Flower Delivery Reviews as one of the top 8 sources for buying wine in Toronto. If you are looking for new options to purchase wine by the case, using an
Natural wine isn’t a new concept. In fact, it has been around for thousands of years. It is only recently that this phenomenon has become trendy and passionately followed by many restaurateurs and wine aficionados. This movement is thought to have begun in rural France where a community of winemakers chose to farm organically. In