Wine Wednesday: Random Quaffing

Just a few things I've had lately ...

Kacaba 2008 Unoaked Chardonnay (Niagara) - Crisp, lemony, zesty with firm acidity. This refreshing number is showing all the natural charm of the grape; one of the reasons why I love a good unoaked chard. But as you'll recall from the Wine and Food Show this year, Kacaba's oaked versions are just as - if not, more so - tantalizing.

A plus that cork has over stelvins

Thinking I maybe need to start spending more time on Pinterest or someecards.com. This was sent to me by a colleague who knows me all too well ...

PS - Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Now go drink something yummy.

Sound investments

I've never been to a futures tasting before. I've read, with a smidge of envy, about my fellow bloggers' experiences sampling direct from the barrel, but haven't had a chance to try it out myself. So when I heard Derek Barnett from Lailey Vineyard was coming to town with a trunk full of samples, I signed up.

The term 'futures' refers to investing in a wine that has yet to be released. Futures frequently get sold during particularly exceptional vintages, when all the elements of terroir have come together like planets aligning in the heavens. Before the wine has even finished its fermentation, winemakers just know. They siphon out a few drops from the barrels and taste the promise brewing within. They know that when this wine emerged from its oaky cocoon, when it's ready to be presented to the world, it will be a thing of beauty, indeed.

Tweeting with my mouth full

Does social media excuse poor manners? Or poor grammar, for that matter?

At a recent foodie event, I had my plate and glass precariously balanced in one hand while I tweeted rapid-fire with the other. I went through the first half-dozen tables that way, completely zoned out, before I remembered the dear friend I had invited to join me that evening. I turned to her and apologized. "I'm so sorry," I said with a sheepish grin. "I'm hardly good company with my nose buried in my Crackberry, am I? It's just that I'm working on stuff for my blog ..."

She waved her hand in the air between us and laughed it off. "Oh, no worries. I've got plenty of hot guys to check out." (It's true - there were a LOT of hot guys that night. Not that I was looking.)

Glebe and Gatineau Goodies

This last week has been super-busy, and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down any until mid-February. Not that  I'm complaining. "Oh no, I have to have another night out where I have to drink wine and eat amazing food and hang with really cool people. Such hardship." (Yes, I can hear a whole orchestra of teeny-tiny violins playing a dirge for me.)

Weathering winter with wine and food

So Ottawa's getting an entire season's worth of snow dumped on it as we speak. At some point I really should go out and shovel, but being all cozied up inside with a cup of tea and Lost on Blu-Ray is much more enjoyable.

Continuing on from my previous post, there's even MORE to enjoy about winter (and get your mind off of how cold it is outside).