Penfolds makes brilliant wines every vintage—and the 2020 collection may be the cream of the crop. Australia's legendary Penfolds Winery released its 2020 collection this fall and, so far, it's being heralded by critics as one of the best in…
The name is both a sly nod to the dubious home-brewed gins of the Prohibition era and the fact that this low-production gin from Kent, England, is made using the relatively un-common process of cold-compounding. In this technique, botanicals are steeped…
If a single category of wine could be said to unite Canada’s best from coast to coast, and attract significant international interest, sparkling wine is it. It’s the single most improved style category over the last decade, and now the…
Beattie’s vodka is distilled in Alliston, Ontario, from Russet and Dakota Pearl potatoes grown on the fifth-generation Beattie family farm. Launched in 2016, the brand knows how to ride the craft distillery wave with all the right hipster slogans—“from farm to…
Cabernet Franc is finally having its long overdue moment in Canada. It has traditionally been blended to add freshness and perfume to red Bordeaux blends. Now it is becoming popular as a single varietal wine, with expressive floral aromas, a…
Montreal's Tavern on the Square is a culinary local hero in Westmount. Chef Stephen Leslie's much-loved restaurant has been doing its thing for over 20 years. What becomes a legend most during a pandemic? Staying true to your regulars by…
You go to a restaurant not just because you’re hungry. You want an experience. So, at home I suggest you prepare for your meal as if you’re really going out. Bring out your best glassware. Take off the sweats and…
Celebrate the Golden State of Mind this April during California Wine Month. Blessed with amazing resources and climate, California vintners & growers are global leaders in sustainable winegrowing. Proudly, 80% of the wines produced in California are crafted in a certified…
Have you heard the one about the photogenic husband & wife team who quit NYC to get into the organic meat business in Toronto? Sunday Farms’ Charlie Iscoe and Laya Bail are a couple on a mission: to bring the…
For me, two of the most versatile wines that can go with most everything are a medium-bodied rosé from the south of France—Provence is my favourite—or a lighter Gamay Noir. Ontario makes some of the best in the world, but I love…
Autumn soups are the best. This one is basically a Sicilian minestrone, with tomatoes and Sicilian greens. Tenerumi are the tender leaves and tendrils of the cucuzza vine. If you can find cucuzza at the market, great. If not, use…
While the provenance is impressive, let’s start with the bottle itself. Equally impressive. Who doesn’t love a swing top? The look and feel of this tasty treat hits all the right hipster notes for an artisanal look and feel, but it…