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Arsenic and Old Questions

Arsenic and Old Questions

Even if you have a passing interest in wine, you have probably heard by now that a hangover is the least of your worries next time you decide to pull some corks. A recent study and subsequent lawsuit revealed that several big wine brands out of California have high levels of arsenic in them. Is this just alarmist BS or is there actually anything to be worried about?

The short answer is the one I…

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Oil and Wine Do Mix

Oil and Wine Do Mix

I had the opportunity to head out to Calgary this summer, and for those of you who have not yet done so, I highly encourage it. A young city that has lots of disposable cash (thanks oil!) has yielded a plethora of great restaurants, brewpubs, and some really fun and interesting wine shops.

Unfortunately, my time in Calgary was super-limited as I was mostly there to watch two great people get all…

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Back to Life

And here we are again some two years after my last post. No, no I’m not dead but thank you for asking. Instead I’ve been far more wrapped up in the world of wine than I ever thought I would be, and it has been good. To an extent.

However, this whole time I’ve always had this lingering feeling about this site, this page, these people who supported me so long ago. I threw myself so heavily into my…

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Into the Ordinary

In a world that is obsessed with pushing boundaries and shining lights into the darkest, most obscure corners, it's easy to forget about the brilliance in the everyday. I am guilty of this, in my surge to expose the weird and wonderful, I often ignore the well-worn and ordinary. Lately, I've been trying to push boundaries and try as much new as I possibly can, but I have to admit that there is something about that comfortable familiarity that makes you wonder why you try to do new things. Why try another California Chardonnay when you can try an obscure Greek wine? Why go to bed early and get a good rest for work tomorrow when you can crawl home at five in the morning with enough time to sleep through the worst of your hangover? Why indeed. Well, we do it because it's fun (mostly), but that doesn't mean we can't revel in the comfort of the known. Burrowing Owl Winery in Oliver, British Columbia embraces one of the most ordinary, (and much maligned) grapes and raises it to a new height with their 2009 Merlot.

The 2009 Merlot was a present from my mother's recent trip to Calgary. I have to admit, I haven't tried as much BC wine as I would like and while I can say that about most wine regions of the world, it's most true in this case. I'm not sure if it was the fault of all the thirsty people between Ontario and BC, or government regulation (which was recently repealed) but there really wasn't a huge selection of BC wine available to me and most of it wasn't cheap. Anyway, Burrowing Owl is by no means a small winery, they produce about 30,000 cases annually and have some 140 acres of vineyards but this was the first time I would actually get to try any of their stuff. I served this wine with a classic roast beef and I must say I was blown away from my first sniff. Rich and opulent, but still with some good structure. Sure, this was comfortable Merlot, but it was like no other Merlot I had ever tried.

So Merlot isn't exactly the sexiest wine, but does it have to be? The answer, for me anyway, is no. I do get all hot and bothered about something weird, but I am most impressed by the great examples of classics, and this is one. Truly impressive, and probably not a wine that I would picked for myself. There is always a time and a place for the new and exciting, but for the rest of the time, embrace the richness of familiarity and celebrate your solitude.

Original Article

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How much less Four Loko could the makers of Four Loko be?

Air, the alcohol-inspired refresher in a can

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So, my champagne birthday is coming up, any recommendations on a truly special champagne (not too expensive)?

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Your sommelier is about to become a rockstar.

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Ain't that the truth?

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Clase.

Fou Celler.

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(via Stacked Wines | Uncrate)

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...its popularity will fade once enough people taste white whiskey and realize that a few years in white oak can turn this novelty spirit into something quite novel.

In case you were wondering why you could find 'moonshine' on shelves in your local liquor store.

White whiskey is not moonshine, but it may be the new absinthe: DCFoodies.com

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It's time for Mad Men again.

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Big Fire Pinot Noir, McMinnville, Oregon by R. Stuart & Co. From the much-vaunted 2008 vintage in Oregon. Spicy, fresh, delicious. Again, get yours before they are gone, which they might already be.

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Lady: Excuse me, could you show me the wines that weren't tested on animals?

Me: I'm sorry, what?

Lady: The wines that weren't tested on animals, where are they?

Me: I, uh... I don't think any wines are tested on animals.

Lady: Yes of course they are, all of big production wines are.

Me: [the sound of my faith in humanity dying]

While I am aware that some wines do contain animal products, I'm pretty sure they aren't tested on animals. If they are, I want that job. "Here cat, do you like this pinot noir?...Thin and insipid you say? But Parker gave it 90 points!"

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Trip to Rosewood Estates in Beamsville, ON.