Wine All The Time

By now, most are aware that the Ontario government plans to expand the sale of wine, like beer, to Ontario supermarkets. While Premier Kathleen Wynne’s comment that now Ontarians can soon buy wine with their cheese at the same time may be accurate,

One of the fascinating things about wine is that there is always something to discover, not the least of which are grapes that I had never heard of before.

At least, that’s the focus as this weekend brings us Valentine’s Day. It would be hard not to notice, given that merchants have hauled out the hearts and cupids and encourage us to express our love with a purchase of one kind or another.

As we turn the corner and begin the midwinter slide to Spring, in Northern Ontario we are keen to celebrate winter rather than bemoan the chill. In both Sault Ste. Marie and Barrie, the annual carnivals begin next Saturday, February 6. Check out Vin's picks for the best tastes of winter carnival, where ever you may be.

With the new year, the LCBO has begun an initiative of weekly Super Sales which run Thursday through to the following Wednesday and consist of five wines and four spirits. Whether this continues beyond the third of February remains to be seen.

In mid-December, the National Post carried an article entitled, “Illegal Tipple”, which described how the Mohawk First Nation in Kahnawake, Quebec has itself embroiled in a legal battle with the Province and its liquor corporation, the So

No doubt there is still shopping to do, and no doubt there are many wonderful wines on various wish lists, but with this last column of the year, it is almost de rigueur that we consider the wines that will do justice to our holiday feasts and celebr

At this time of year, it is difficult not to be thinking about choosing wines either for gifting or for enjoying throughout the season as we celebrate with our families and friends. The LCBO is certainly putting the pressure on.

As I write, we haven’t had that much of an indication that winter is on its way. The ground is far from frozen, and a few days ago I was out cutting my lawn. Christmas? Well, look in the stores.

This past week, I tried a bottle of 20 Bees Baco Noir from Niagara. Originally, the 20 Bees were 19 growers and a winemaker, somewhat like the co-operatives you can find in France and Italy, but in 2008 Diamond Estates Winery took ownership.