The Master's Peace on Wine by John Szabo

Video Blog: JM Bouchard

Posted October 29th, 2008 01:10 by John Szabo

Please enjoy a private tasting with winemaker JM Bouchard of Hidden Bench.

Poggio Scalette's Il Carbonaione, by Vittorio Fiore

Posted October 28th, 2008 06:10 by John Szabo

Poggio Scalette: A Vertical Tasting of Il Carbonaione

Poggio Scalette’s Il Carbonaione has been one of my preferred Tuscan wines since I was first introduced to it in the mid-90s. The property is located in the hills of Greve in Chianti and is owned and operated by well-known consulting oenologist Vittorio Fiore and his son Jurij.

Poggio Scalette's Il Carbonaione, by Vittorio Fiore

Posted October 28th, 2008 06:10 by John Szabo

Poggio Scalette: A Vertical Tasting of Il Carbonaione

On the Horizon: The Sparkling Wines of Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia

Posted October 16th, 2008 06:10 by John Szabo

On the Horizon: The Sparkling Wines of Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia

Recent Wine Reviews

Posted August 30th, 2008 12:08 by John Szabo

Cave Spring 2005 Brut Traditional Method Hillebrand 2006 Showcase Sparkling Riesling Rosewood 2006 Ambrosia Rosewood 2006 Mon Cherie (mead infused with Niagara sour cherry juice)

100+ Tasting Reviews

Posted August 29th, 2008 02:08 by John Szabo

This week, rather than bring you a traditional blog entry, I am posting a series of tasting notes, complete with scores and pricing.

This style of note is featured semi-monthly in the Wine Access First-in-Line e-Report. I have included information on this unique and valuable newsletter below. It is one of the most helpful products available for consumers in Ontario, anywhere, for any price.

Click here to read the more than 100 tasting scores and reviews.

Serving it Right

Posted August 20th, 2008 04:08 by John Szabo

I am often nervous about ordering wine in a restaurant during the summertime, particularly red wines. I see the open bottles sitting on the bar, or full bottles languishing above, on shelves or in wine racks without temperature control. A quick check of the thermometer in my back pocket reads 23ºC, or even higher. A few feet up near the ceiling and it’s probably closer to 25ºC. I’m sure I needn’t reiterate the temperatures at which wines show their best, but how often has the waiter brought over a young fruity Barbera at ‘room temperature’. i.e. 25ºC?

Tribute to Gianni Masciarelli

Posted August 7th, 2008 11:08 by John Szabo

Last week one of the great producers of Abruzzo, and indeed Italy, passed away suddenly at a young age from a brain aneurism. Just how fleeting life is: here one day, gone the next. Now would be a good time to smell those roses. I didn't expect the film Kung Fu Panda to yield any great philosophical lessons, but I nonetheless found a little reminder about how to approach life in the words spoken by the wise old turtle-master. To paraphrase: "the past is history, the future is a mystery but the here and now is a gift. That's why we call it the present".

Argentum Wine Imports

Posted July 21st, 2008 01:07 by John Szabo

Tasting with Rolando Maya at Coca, July 15th, 2008

Argentum Wine Imports, rolando.maya@argentumwineimports.com

87+ Pircas Negras 2007 Chardonnay Organic, Famatima Valley, ArgentinaConsignment, $13.50Clean, fresh, modern chardonnay with light pear, citrus, lemon. Very appealing. Dry, fullish, blanced acid/alcohol, moderate finish, with additional stone fruit and grapefruit peel flavours lingering on. Nicely done for the money.