Creekside 2004 Lost Barrel Red

Quite a story about a barrel of red, lost for 4 years. The hope was that after 4 years and with no filtering the wine would develop some complexity. The wine is decent, although not particularly complex. Drinks well on its own and can stand up to pairing with some red meat. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle if you feel adventurous. Be prepared to lay it down for a few more years. You can make your own legend of "the Lost Bottle"

Women Drivers

#$@*%^$! !*^&#$% #@&

There, I've said it.

Pillitteri 2002 Family Reserve Trivalente

A very limited edition which is a really nice blend from a great vintage. Lovely fruit with a great clean finish. Lots of heat, but not overbearing or overwhelming. Very drinkable and would make a great accompaniment to beef. Try not to waste it on the beef and just sip it by the fire. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a few bottles.

Peller 2008 Private Reserve Rose

It is what it is, nothing special. It's a Rose. End of story. I have no idea why the "Family" would "Reserve" it. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: You can do better for much less. Pass it by.

Sanson 2005 Reserve Baco Noir

A nice little wine from a nice little winery but not particularly memorable. Very drinkable on its own, but can be paired successfully with salmon etc. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle if you see it, but dont do out of your way looking for it.

McGuigan 2007 Black Label Shiraz

Nice and fruity with the none of the harshness one would normally expect in such a young wine. Very drinkable on its own, but would pair nicely with a nice pasta dish. Very dependable. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a half-case.

Angel's Gate Non-Vintage V

This is an odd non-vintage wine that is a blend of varietals and vintages. Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot in vintages 2002 through 2006. An experiment that doesnt really fail, but doesnt really succeed. The label claims "complexity" but the complexity escaped me. Drinkable but not something you want to stockpile. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle for your cellar. Maybe it will mature.

Coyote's Run 2003 Reserve Chardonnay

A nice attempt by a new winery (new at the time). This is a wine that you probably want to serve with a meal featuring a heavy cream/garlic sauce. Very heavy on the oak. Not really something you want to sit and quaff. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: If you find it, drink it now with creamy Italian dinner. You probably dont want to buy more than one.

Joke of the Day (2)

The Newfie Stud Bob liked to frequent the Newfoundland beaches, but was never able to attract the girls. He decided to ask his friend George the lifeguard for advice.

"It's dem big baggy swimming trunks, my son. Dey're years outta style. Yer best bet is to grab yeself a pair of Speedos - about two sizes too small, and drop a fist-sized potato down inside 'em. I'm telling ye, man...ye'll have all de babes ye wants!"

The following weekend, Bob hits the beach with his spanking new tight Speedos, and his fist-sized potato. Everybody on the beach was disgusted as he walked by, covering their faces, turning away, laughing, looking sick!

Bob went back to George the lifeguard and asked him, "What's wrong now?"

"Lard-Tunderin' Jeezus b'y!" said George, "da potato goes in da front!"

Joke of the Day

A teacher was explaining biology to her 4th grade students. "Human beings are the only animals that stutter,' she said.

A little girl raised her hand. 'I had a kitty-cat who stuttered.'

The teacher, knowing how precious some of these stories could become, asked the girl to describe the incident.

"Well," she began, 'I was in the back yard with my kitty and the Rottweiler that lives next door got a running start and before we knew it, he jumped over the fence into our yard!'

'That must've been scary,' said the teacher.

'It sure was,' said the little girl. 'My kitty raised her back, went "Ffffff!, Ffffff!, Fffffff," but before she could say 'FUCK OFF!,' the Rottweiler ate her!

Summer Newspapers

Me and da doggies were featured in both local papers about a week apart. The first was in the Examiner and the second in Peterborough This Week

Canadian Cellular Companies Suck

If you were a greedy amoral Canadian corporation who was not able to build a Victorian labour house, or to convince the Chinese to help you out with cheap prison labour, what would you do to diversify and help the bottom line? Chances are "Canadian cellular provider" is a term you would love to learn more about.

You can charge more than virtually anywhere else in the world, create ridiculous accessorial charges such as system access fees, charge to provide an invoice to your customers and blame them for not being 'green', and get away with any number of other ideas to pump up the bottom line.

You too can be the envy of the banking and oil industries. Thank God, Canadian cellular customers are such sheep.

Casa-Dea 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc

As you may know, I am partial to a decent Cab Franc and PEC seems to be able to produce their share. Casa-Dea (formerly known as Carmela) has produced a nice Cab Franc. Though not as full as some of the others, it has nice fruit and drinks well for such a young wine. Not available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a couple of bottles.

Sandbanks 2008 Cabernet Franc

Another nice wine from Sandbanks. I have to admit, the winemaker has the knack for creating my favourite Cab Francs (in Ontario.) Always nice fruit, always nice weight, always a decent price and always sells out. The 2008 doesn't disappoint. Good fruit and a lovely clean finish - and drinkable NOW. Available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Buy a bottle. When you go back to buy more, you can thank me.

Peller 2006 Private Reserve Baco Noir

Nice inexpensive light wine for sipping or enjoying with tapas or popcorn and a movie. Lots of tart fruit. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: Not something to look for, but dont be afraid to buy it should you see it.

Green for Profit

So another of our national chains has hopped on board the "Do you want to BUY a bag to carry out your groceries?" bandwagon. The chains all seem to have one thing in common - they have turned an expense item into a profit item by pulling the wool over everyones eyes.

I think most people agree that plastic grocery bags were a blight on the landscape ... blowing down the street, stuck against fences or in trees. The national chains had an opportunity to change to bio-degradeable plastic or even paper, but instead took the opportunity to make carryout bags a profit item. Its interesting that they only do this where they can get away with it. Its also interesting that they want you to buy more and then pay them more for the privilege.

However apparently their commitment to "green" only extends as far as the locals will tolerate it. In several Canadian Provinces, they have reversed that decision and now provide free bags. All it took was a decrease in business.

I for one shop at a small local market that provides bags. If I have to shop in a national chain store, I either take a bag in (if I have one) and only buy what will fit in that bag, or if I am without a bag I only buy what I can carry in my arms or what will fit in my pockets.

I wish there were more people that would grow a pair and let these mega-chains know we actually understand their motives.

Peller 2004 Private Reserve Dry Rielsing

S'ok I guess ... if you like dry rieslings. Nothing to write home about. You would probably be best to pair it with some fish and call it a night. Not available at the LCBO. Recommendation: meh. It's okay but not something you need to keep an eye out for.

Peller 2006 Private Reserve Rielsing

A nice Riesling as Rieslings go. Fairly crisp, lots of citrus (mostly grapefruit). Nothing special. Not available at LCBO (although currently the 2007 is). Recommendation: Nothing special, but not something to refuse. Would be a good choice with your fish course.

Joke of the Day

Two Newfies were sitting around talking one afternoon over a cold beer. After a while the first Newfie says to the second, 'If I was to sneak over to your house and make love to your wife while you was off huntin', and she got pregnant and had a baby, would that make us related?'

The second Newfie crooked his head sideways for a minute, scratched his head, and squinted his eyes thinking real hard about the question. Finally, he says, 'Well, I don't know about related, but it sure would make us even.'

Beringer 2007 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Nice. Exactly what a new Cab Sauv should be. LOTS of fruit. Great balance. Pairs with anything! Available at LCBO. Recommendation: Buy it. Buy it NOW!