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News, Stories, and Tips

With the temperatures soaring over the past few weeks we all look for that perfect, refreshing summer drink.  A cold beer is always inviting on a hot summer afternoon, however it does tend to be somewhat filling. One of our favourite summer drinks is Sangria.

Sangria is a fruit-based wine punch that originated in Spain hundreds of years ago and was introduced to the rest of the world at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Typically sangria is made with red wine, fruit juice and fresh seasonal fruit and fortified with brandy or other spirits. If red wine is not to your liking then white or sparkling wine can also be used.

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Can the shape of the wine glass make your wine taste better? I am not aware of a magic wine glass that can make "Two Buck Chuck" taste like a 1982 Chateau Margaux however the right wine glass can make your wine experience more enjoyable.

In order to get the most out of your wine it is necessary to consider a few points when selecting your stemware. There are many different types of wine glasses on the market ranging in style and quality. What you spend and how many styles you purchase is a personal decision but there are a few basic rules to consider.

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On a recent trip to the liquor store while perusing the wines displayed in front of me I overheard a customer ask a store consultant "What is a good wine for aging?" After a moment of contemplation the consultant responded with "That depends" and proceeded to give the customer a crash course on cellaring wine. As I walked away I looked back at the customer and could see they were somewhat overwhelmed with the answer.

Cellaring wine does not have to be an undertaking costing thousands of dollars nor does one have to evict their first born so you can turn their bedroom into a climate controlled storage area. One does however need to be aware of a few important aspects of wine storage.

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Canada is a country made up of many different cultures and as a result Christmas is really a multicultural occasion with people celebrating the day in a multitude of different ways. With this in mind it can be a challenge to define a traditional Christmas dinner as it's different for everyone.

As far as traditions go most of us have probably grown up with the customary Christmas menu of roast turkey with stuffing and all of the trimmings. Christmas dinner can also be a maple glazed ham, roast leg of lamb, prime rib of beef or roast goose.

If you are adventurous enough to explore new culinary territory, then the following tips and suggestions for Christmas dinner wine pairings may be of interest. There are two approaches to wine and food pairing.

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The Germans call it glühwein. The French, vin chaud. In Croatia it is known as kuhano vino. In Nordic countries it is referred to as glögg, and in most English speaking countries we know it as mulled wine. What ever you call it the result is the same. Spiced red wine sometimes fortified with brandy or other spirits and served warm. This traditional winter drink is served the world over and is very popular at Christmas time when visiting with family and friends.

The main ingredients are red wine, sugar or honey and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and orange zest. Stronger spirits such as vodka, akvavit or brandy can be added if desired. White or rosé wine can be substituted if red is not to your liking. All ingredients are combined and heated to approximately 150-160 degrees. Be careful not to over heat or boil the mixture. Since alcohol evaporates at 172 degrees which is much lower than water you would be left with a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine and that defeats the purpose.

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