From Albarino to Zweigelt, Alberta’s wine shops offer an entire alphabet of interesting wines to seek out and taste — by Shelley Boettcher Don’t get me wrong. I love Chardonnay. Whether it’s a crisp table wine or a toasty Champagne, it’s a staple in my cellar. Always. But sometimes my palate needs a jolt of […]
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Getting to know the people behind the labels — by Shelley Boettcher Family-owned wineries aren’t as common as you may think. These days, many are gobbled up by corporations looking for a taste of the good life. I get it. I love the good life, too. But I also love getting to know the people
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Eurocentric oeniphilia — by Shelley Boettcher Even the most casual drinker knows that when it comes to the world of wine, France is one of the biggest and best-known countries. What is it about this Western European country that has captivated wine aficionados for generations? It would take a book — several, really — to
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Eurocentric oeniphilia — by Shelley Boettcher The cool thing about wine isn’t just that it tastes good. It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the world, even if you never leave your own city. Take wines from Europe, for instance. Most European wine-producing countries have indigenous grapes, grapes that have been grown
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Sesquicentennial oeniphilia — by Shelley Boettcher You can keep the little collector pins, the made-in-China T-shirts, and the tacky baseball caps. When it comes to celebrating Canada’s 150th, I want wine. Canadian wine. From coast to coast (and, perhaps if there’s enough global warming, to coast?), our country’s wineries are making some world-class vintages from
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Some of the finest grapes you’ve never heard of By Shelley Boettcher You love Pinot Gris and Merlot. Your cellar is filled with Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. You can list off the finest Champagnes like a rap star with a never-ending budget. But when it comes to lesser-known varieties, you don’t know the difference between
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Some of the world’s greatest wines are made from more than one kind of grape By Shelley Boettcher A little of this, a little of that. Winemakers often make their jobs seem easy, but there’s more to making wine than simply dumping a bunch of good stuff in a barrel and stirring. Winemaking laws, history,
Eight wines worth seeking out from our own back yard and beyond You always drink Pinot Grigio. Or Cabernet Sauvignon, if you’re inclined to red wines. Or maybe you pick the same bottle, every time you’re in your local wine shop because you know you like it. The label is familiar. You know you can’t
Drink Local – Or Go Global! Read More »