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Grape X
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 [READ MORE]
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 Chicken Factor
“It tastes just like chicken!” If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard that line, I’d be a millionaire by now. Let me tell you, I’ve tried frog legs, eel, alligator, rabbit and kangaroo. And despite assurances to the contrary, none of it tasted even remotely like chicken. In fact, frog legs happen [READ MORE]
Pomme
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 [READ MORE]

On Quench TV

From The Pages Of Tidings Magazine

Sparkling Start
Every emerging wine region needs a magnet. Something to draw us city folk into wine country. In British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, it is the magnificent temple to Dionysus that Anthony von Mandl built at Mission Hill. In Quebec, it’s the Chapelle Ste. Agnès Vineyard, a tiny piece of the Rhône in the Sutton Mountains of [READ MORE]
Concentration!
Urban Dictionary’s definition of Crocs: Quite possibly the easiest form of birth control. I couldn’t agree more. I also agree with the widespread sentiment that Gusto 101 — that newish restaurant in Toronto — is a testament to the quality of the city’s casual dining scene. I like it there. The people are young, but [READ MORE]
Do As I Say
In Tidings’ November issue I wrote about moving into a condo. My wife Deborah and I — plus Pinot the Wonder Dog — left a three-storey brick house in North Toronto for an apartment half the size. Nine years ago when we bought the house, I had a climate-controlled wine cellar built in the basement [READ MORE]

Bulldog Highball
Pour gin and juice of orange into a highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with ginger ale, stir, and serve.
South Bank
Shake the spirits with ice and strain into a Highball. Fill with Grape Tonic and stir gently. Serve with a Lemon Slice on the Rim and a Straw. If you find the Grape Tonic too sweet, add a splash or two of Lemon Juice or Sour Mix. A Sour Bank is made in an Old Fashioned with two ice cubes and Grape Fruit Juice instead. A Southern Bank is a South Bank which has been added 1 part Southern Comfort.

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]
Shop, Stock, Cook
I maintain a well-stocked kitchen during the winter months, making my trips to the supermarket few and far between. I don’t mind stopping at the store for a small bag of fresh items like fruit, salad and vegetables. I just don’t enjoy schlepping tons of groceries from the store to my car to my home [READ MORE]
Mangia Italia!
A family legend has it that I invented Aglio Olio. This was back in the early 1960s when most kids were eating bologna sandwiches with processed cheese on white bread. I was raised in an Italian/Irish household — heavy on the Italian. My parents grew garlic and herbs among the tomato plants. There was always [READ MORE]
Matchy-Matchy
I’ve been a dedicated fashionista since my early teens, but lately the fashion industry has left me behind in its multi-coloured dust. I’m talking about the annoying trend to mismatch colours, patterns and fabrics. After years of coordinating my handbag with my shoes, I suddenly find myself frumpy and outdated. It seems “matchy-matchy” is a [READ MORE]