Cantina di Negrar 2006 Valpolicella

Decent Valpolicella, at a decent price point. Very good with pasta, but would not recommend as a sipper. Light to medium body. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy

Tawse 2006 Pinot Noir

A nice light Pinot Noir with decent fruit. Nice finish. Would be well paired with lamb or even salmon. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle.

Chateau Grand-Champs 2008 Bordeaux

Nice young and fruity. Nothing spectacular, but could develop into a really pleasant red if given a few more years. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it and lay it down.

Chateau Picoron 2006 Bordeaux

A very nice Bordeaux at a decent price point. Good fruit with some nice complexity. Very nice to pair with some red meat. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle

Joke of the Day

The Colonel was about to start the morning briefing to all of his staff. While waiting for the coffee machine to finish its brewing, he decided to pose a question to all assembled. He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before, and therefore he failed to get his usual amount of sound sleep. He posed the question of just how much concerning the act of sex was 'work', and how much of it was pure 'pleasure'?

The Captain chimed in with "75-25% work, sir."

The Lieutenant said " about 50-50%, sir."

The Sargeant-Major responded with "25-75% in favour of 'pleasure', depending upon the state of inebriation at the time, sir."

There being no consensus, the Colonel turned to the Private who was in charge of making the coffee. What was HIS opinion ?

Without any hesitation, the young Private responded, "Sir, it has to be 100% pleasure, Sir."

The Colonel aas a little surprised and, as you might guess, said "And why is that, soldier" ?

"Well, Sir, if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them, Sir".

Chateaux Laurensanne 2006 Cotes de Bourg

Fancy name for a less than fancy wine. Lacking in fruit. Dull and lacklustre. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: pass

Chateau Ducla 2007 Bordeaux

Very drinkable bordeaux, though nothing special. Nice fruit. Medium bodied. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Don't go out of your way to find it, but its okay to buy.

Thierry & Guy 2007 Fat Bastard Cabernet Sauvignon

Not particularly memorable. Some fruit but little complexity. Quick finish. Not something you want to go out of your way for. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: There are lots better at the same price point.

Joke of the Day

There once was a religious young woman who went to Confession. Upon entering the confessional, she said, 'Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.' 


The priest said, 'Confess your sins and be forgiven.'



The young woman said, 'Last night my boyfriend made mad passionate love to me seven times.'



The priest thought long and hard and then said, 'Squeeze seven lemons into a glass and then drink the juice.'



The young woman asked, 'Will this cleanse me of my sins?' 



The priest said, 'No, but it will wipe that smile off of your face.'

Fielding 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay

To be frank, I prefer well-oaky chardonnays. I especially like the buttery smoothness that seems to be in most oaked chardonnays. But I have to admit I liked this wine. I had it with roast chicken and it was excellent. I had it with clam chowder and it was excellent. I had it while watching TV and writing wine reviews and it was excellent. Not available at LCBO (the 2008 is.) Recommendation: Buy it

Joke of the Day

A drunk man who smelled like beer sat down on a bench next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, 'Say Father, what causes arthritis?'

The priest replied, 'My son, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of a bath.'

The drunk muttered in response, 'Well, I'll be damned, ' Then returned to his paper.

The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. 'I'm very sorry, my son. I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?'

The drunk answered, 'I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does.

Thierry & Guy 2007 Fat Bastard Merlot

I really wanted to love this wine, then I really wanted to hate it. In the end I am not sure, but I know I will drink the next bottle differently. Opens very slowly and probably needs another 3 or 4 years to mature. Full-bodied with subtle fruit. Excellent with red meat, but does very well as a "sippin' while on Facebook" kinda wine. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: buy

Black Hills 2005 Alibi

A decent white blend from a nice winery (they produce the normally excellent Nota Bene.) Nicely balanced with not too much citrus. Very easy to drink as a pairing or by itself while reading a good book. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it.

Joke of the Day

Clinton, Nixon and Reagan were travelling on a Transatlantic ship when they hit an iceberg. Instantly Reagan raised the alarm "Everyone into the lifeboats! Women and children first!!"

Clutching his lifejacket, Nixon screamed out "screw the women!!!"

Clinton stopped and asked "Do you think we have the time?"

Masi 2006 Amarone

How do I describe a wine that I really like? "mmmmmmmm"? This Amarone has a lovely mouth feel, great balance and good heat that sneaks up on you. Wonderful as an accompaniment, but excellent as a wine to sip by the fireplace. Available to the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it

County 2001 Chardonnay

A mediocre chardonnay. Decent fruit for an early attempt. Drinks light but has some interesting colour. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Pass

Eberle 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Nice fruit and lots of heat for a Cab. Very little complexity - what you taste is what you get. Nothing that you cant get elsewhere. Available at LCBO. Recommendation: don't be afraid to buy a copy, but a case is overkill.

Harbour Estates 2001 Reserve Chardonnay

A very nicely oaked Chardonnay with some tart notes. Good as accompaniment, but I didnt find it was quite as nice sipped by itself. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: You can do better. Give it a pass.

Georges Duboeuf 2007 Beaujolais

A light-bodied Beaujolais with decent fruit although not a world stopper. Maybe we expect too much from French wines. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a couple

Peller 2004 Heritage Series Gewurztraminer

I am not a real Gewurtz fan, but was pleasantly surprised by this one. Not overly citrus that finishes fairly quickly and is followed by a hint of a sweet note. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: a bargain for Gewurtz fans. Buy a couple