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Sweet Retreat

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Re-imagine your yard as an outdoor oasis. Perfect for parties, or an intimate evening for two.A weekend trip to Buffalo, New York changed the way I view my humble backyard. Last summer I toured 30 private gardens, part of the National Garden Festival, the largest free garden walk in the United States. The festival, held annually from late June to late July, beautifies the revitalized urban centre. No two are alike. Hidden in the corner of one yard, pink and purple perennial borders framed a textured stone patio, with room for two oversized teak loungers. Flowing water features, found art, concrete sculptures, meandering pea gravel paths and a wooden pergola contributed to the whimsical feel. A second garden featured three outdoor areas: a romantic koi pond encircled by native grasses filled the front section of the yard, while a formal dining area and a covered, torch-lit tiki bar were ready-made for outdoor entertaining.
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A Liquid Career

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“It’s a sad fact that Canadian whisky doesn’t get its due. I am committed to changing that, using a ‘kill-rumours-with-facts’ approach, and believe me, there are plenty of myths and misunderstandings about Canadian whisky out there.”
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Grape X

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It’s not always the wine that excites me, it’s the journey it takes to get in my glass — from vine, to bud, to flower, to grape, to harvest, to crusher, to fermentation, to barrel, to bottle and finally to my mouth.We take the journey lightly, letting Mother Nature, viticulturists and winemakers do all the work before we show any interest in the life of a grape. After all, it’s not one grape we’re interested in; it’s a whole bunch of them.I have always wanted to patiently watch a single bud as it grows into a grape, through the various stages it takes before it’s gone in a gulp. I know, I know, how geeky is that, right? Well, it’s really geeky, and I admit it. And frankly, I didn’t have time to sit and watch a grape grow.
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Pomme

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Oh, the signs were there all along: The extravagant apple cider-themed dinners at his tony restaurant on the waterfront in Burlington, Ontario. The British heritage and the fact that he was raised on the myriad ciders offered in the pubs of London. And his name on Twitter, of course: @ciderseeker.It would appear that it was Chris Haworth’s destiny, but it was shocking nonetheless when he came home from a hard night of cooking and told his wife Amy and two young children that he was quitting his job as executive chef of Spencer’s at the Waterfront to chase his dream of making apple cider in a province that is just beginning to show interest in fermented apples.“She said, ‘What? Are you crazy?’” Haworth recalls with a chuckle. “But she’s a totally, 100 per cent supporter of the project.”
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Own It: A Sane Person's Guide To Insanity

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Rows of vines rule your yard, easing out family and friends. Your mini-fermenter sprang a leak and oozed booze on the new Nissan. Pickled beets and canned corn occupy your wine cellar. You want a piece of the wine business, but don't know how to branch out. Seasoned vineyard owners in BC, Ontario and Quebec offer six tips to get you started.Caution: Only those with copious amounts of extra cash, an insanely rich relative, or the itch to convert sugar into value-added vino need read further.
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Artisan

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He is a tall, strapping man, all of 27 years old, and looks more like the star quarterback than a man who tinkers with high-octane booze all day long. But that’s the path master distiller Geoff Dillon, with degrees in biochemistry and economics, has taken in the heart of Niagara wine country.Dillon is on the frontline of a taste revolution that is being fuelled by discarded grapes, locally grown wormwood, lavender, all kinds of mint and juniper as well as future crops of rye, grains, hops and the seasonal fruit of Niagara. It is borne of passion, fine craftsmanship and artisanal flare. And it is manifested in fine craft whiskies, gins, vodkas and myriad craft beers that have quickly become part of the Niagara mosaic.It is being driven by young, passionate entrepreneurs who see the potential among the vineyards, the booming wine industry, and the influx of gourmet food trucks and chefs who have moved into the region to add a little sizzle; a giant jolt of yumminess that you can enjoy once you’re done with that glass of fine Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Or maybe, just maybe, instead of wine.

  • Canadian Whisky

    A Liquid Career

    “It’s a sad fact that Canadian whisky doesn’t get its due. I am committed to changing that, using a ‘kill-rumours-with-facts’ approach, and believe me, there are plenty of myths and misunderstandings about Canadian whisky out there.” Davin de Kergommeaux from www.canadianwhisky.org/about Thanks in large part to the accessibility of the Internet, the world is now awash [READ MORE]

  • the-owner

    What Indigenous Varieties Can Do For You

    Now this is amusing. “Old men in sports cars were beyond pity or comprehension. It was as if they’d paid a great deal of money to purchase a huge piece of attire that pointed at their waning potencies. It was as if something had gone in their heads, some bit of wiring had become confused [READ MORE]

  • 85537224_14

    Fresh and Local

    The Egg Farmers of Canada recently conducted a survey that asked Canadians what freshness means to them. The reveal? Canadians overwhelmingly demand that the farm products they buy be fresh, with 90 percent saying that farms within their province deliver that freshness. Distance from farm to grocery store is seen as the key to freshness. [READ MORE]

  • Amarone

    To Love

    Amarone, from the root amore: to love … and for many an Amarone fan it was love at first sip. Whether that is the true etymology of Amarone, I can only surmise, but once you’ve tried one of these highly prized wines you never forget it. What do you need to know about Amarone that [READ MORE]

On Quench TV

From The Pages Of Tidings Magazine

  • The Dirty Truth About Winemaking

    Some days I think I am insane to move from straight winemaking into the business side of things … I believe if you keep moving forward with your passion, eventually you will reach your goal. At least I hope so! Kevin Panagapka, Owner/Winemaker 2027 Cellars Just imagine making your own wine. Sip and savour it [READ MORE]

  • Sherry Uncovered

    In spite of its fame and historical significance, sherry remains a very misunderstood wine, especially in North America. Nobody understands this better than César Saldaña, General Manager of the Office of the Consejo Regulador in Jerez. Here, he discusses the challenges of promoting sherry, some of the unique features of the wine’s style, production and [READ MORE]

  • New Generation Drinks Outside the Box

    When I first got into the wine industry over 16 years ago, I did so because I believed that wine needed to become more accessible. There seemed to be an air of exclusive, hoity-toity pretension around the beverage creating a profitless aura of intimidation for younger consumers and wine novices. My how things have changed. [READ MORE]

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Top Drinks

  • Ping-Pong Cocktail

    Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

  • Tornado

    mix everything except cola, sugar and ice in glass. then stir in sugar. then add ice cubes. finally, pour in cola. stir three times. drink.

Get Hungry

  • Tricks and Treats

    When did Halloween become such a big deal? The minute the kids go back to school, store shelves are stacked to the ceiling with macabre merchandise. There are black and orange lights to string around your entire home, grotesque figures that jump to life when you walk by, welcome mats that groan underfoot and costumes [READ MORE]

  • Southern Gumbo

    Everyday this week, Tidings will be featuring Nancy Johnson’s fabulous recipes. Nancy has a knack for creating delicious fare that’s quick and easy to pull together. Based on all the great reader feedback Nancy’s recipes have received over the years, we have no doubt that these will become staples in your home. Give them a [READ MORE]

  • Hot, Hot, Hot!

    Don’t you love this time of year? We buy our très chic resort wear at an upscale department store, pack our Louis Vuitton suitcase and book a flight to a land where the sun always shines. Leaving behind our pesky neighbour whose galoshes are knee-deep in snow as he grumpily shovels the driveway, we wave [READ MORE]

  • Grilled Filet Mignon

    Whenever I need pampering I make filet mignon, using an inexpensive cast iron grill pan to sauté the steaks. To infuse grill marks, give the steak a good sear on both sides over high heat, giving it a half turn to create a crosshatch. The sauce is a ‘cheater’s Bernaise’ and much easier to make [READ MORE]

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