Get the expert opinion. Read the latest articles and reviews by Debbie Trenholm and the Savvy team—on how to realize your personal definition of what it means to ‘eat, drink and be merry’. Live a life of celebration—the Savvy way.
A Perfect Valentine’s Day Dinner
So, you have found the perfect Valentine’s Day card that ‘says it all’. You are on your way to pick up a special gourmet meal just for two, and you have remembered to buy new candles for your special evening with the love of your life. All that is left is to select a bottle of wine to make the evening perfect.
Read more >>Bottles and Bows
As we approach the holiday season, we are bombarded with advertising about finding, “The Perfect Gift”. Each year, finding this ultimate gift, whether for employees, friends or family, the task gets more difficult.
Read more >>Caught up in the ‘Crush’ of fall grape harvest
At this time of the year, there is a building excitement at wine regions around the world. From Ottawa, it is an easy drive to two of Ontario’s largest wine regions in order to experience the excitement of ‘Crush’ (wine speak for the grape harvest).
Read more >>Celebrate Spring with Refreshing Wines
As we welcome spring by putting away our heavy winter coats and change our ski gear for roller blades and swimming suits, we experience a sense of freedom from the cold winter months.
Read more >>Consultant goes from telecom fibre to grapevines
“I wonder if I should grow Pinot Gris grapes”, questions Paul Minaker, owner of 33 Vines as he sips on a glass of Italian white wine made with this grape variety. Deciding which grapes to plant is undoubtedly one of the most crucial decisions in the start up phase of a winery.
Read more >>Emerging Trends in the Wine Industry
Each January, the who’s who of the North American wine industry congregates at the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium (UGWS) in Sacramento, California for the largest industry conference and tradeshow in the Western Hemisphere with an attendance in excess of 10,000 people.
Read more >>Exec Lifestyles: Be part of Ottawa’s social and networking scene
There is a buzz around Ottawa and it doesn’t involve politics. It is all about wine. A city once known to roll up its sidewalks by 6 p.m. now has a vibrant wine and food scene. Restaurants, wine clubs, small and large companies are hosting special events featuring gourmet menus paired with great wines to tempt palettes.
Read more >>Giving the Gift of Wine
I love to shop. I especially like shopping for gifts for my friends. More often than not, I find myself heading for the wine section of the Liquor Control Board (LCBO) or a wine shop to create ‘just the right’ gift.
Read more >>Gold. Silver. Bronze.
When you walk into a wine store, there are rows of wines awaiting your discovery. But how do you to select the right one? There are many factors to consider, and often the mention of winning a medal at a wine competition can influence your choice.
Read more >>Handling the Wine List with Aplomb
Today’s restaurant waiters no longer ask, “Who would like the wine list?”, rather the thick leather bound book is strategically placed in the middle of the table waiting to be explored.
Read more >>So many wines, so little time!
When it comes to buying a bottle of wine, people tend to be creatures of habit. It is too easy to select a wine label or grape variety that one knows and has enjoyed. With wine stores full of rows upon rows of wines waiting to be enjoyed, why not be adventurous and discover some hidden gems?
Read more >>The Riedel Revolution Continues
There is a different buzz in the city this week. It’s not about the latest business acquisition or the record breaking Canadian dollar - it’s about fine crystal. Wine enthusiasts are looking forward to an elegant evening at Brookstreet Hotel on Oct. 4, when Maximilian Riedel, CEO of Riedel Crystal America, will launch Vitis, his new line of crystal glassware.
Read more >>The World of Wines Delivered to your Doorstep
I am about to share a secret with you. Well, more like a REALLY good wine tip. The selection of wine offered at your local wine store is only a small percentage of the thousands of wines available to you.
Read more >>Two Weeks in Tuscany
“Poco Italiano” has always been my reply when asked if I speak any Italian. “Buon giorno”. “Grazie Mille”. “Prego”. “Ravioli”. “Brunello”. “Barbaresco”. “Moscato d’Asti”. “Chianti”, and “Sangiovese”.
Read more >>Yours to Discover …in a Glass
‘Yours to discover’ is blazened on our license plates. Ontario has renowned historic sites, natural beauties, parks, city attractions and cultures, yet a hidden gem that is often undiscovered in Ontario is our growing wine industry and its fine wines.
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