-
Happy hour on the island of Corfu
I never went to summer camp as a kid. So my first camp experience was the Pink Palace on the island of Corfu. The Pink Palace offers a full slate of activities: lounging in the huge jacuzzi, the Ouzo Cup volleyball tournament and beer chugging contests. Bacon and eggs in the morning. Ouzo circle in the evening. Camp leaders walk gleefully around the circle, tell jokes and smash a plate over your head. Only thing missing is craft time. It was amusing, but did not feel like Greece. Other than the dominance of ouzo, I would not have guessed we were in Greece. Even this traditional spirit was a little…
-
The Wind Goddesses at Alvento winery
It’s pizza night at our house. I stretch out the dough. My daughter layers on the toppings. My husband preheats the oven. We each have our designated roles. I open a bottle of wine to accompany our pizza: The Alvento East Wind. My husband asks, “Did you get this at one of the wineries you visited?” I proceed to tell him about how I found the winery. I was having brunch at Rev-a-lee Brunch Café in Vineland. My Bavarian plate with apple and sage sausage, zesty mustard potato salad and warm molasses rye bread was delicious. When the waitress stopped by my table to top up the hot water in…
-
Food and wine at Pearl Morissette
“Let’s colour outside the lines for the food and wine pairing”, says Jenna, our server at Pearl Morissette. “It’s all about good food and wine.” Jenna is wine-savvy, but not afraid to experiment, to have a bit of fun. I was keen to try Pearl Morissette wines with my lunch. My husband and I were finishing our last savoury course and transitioning to sweet. So far, I had enjoyed the aromatic Irrévérence (my first taste of a skin-fermented or orange wine) and Lila, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Lemberger and Pinot Noir with lovely cherry and blackberry notes. At this juncture, Jenna suggested the Sputnik, a dry Riesling. Without hesitation…
-
The Art of Making Memories
He had me at Hygge. Then there was Lykke.* And now happy memories. * These Danish words have become quite popular, but as a quick refresher: Hygge (hoo-gaa) is a cosy feeling of contentment and Lykke (luuh- kah) is happiness. Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, has made a trilogy. Cue Star Wars music. 🎵 Duuh Duuh da da da Duuh Duuh… 🎵 A trilogy of insights, advice and tips on happiness research. The Art of Making Memories: How to create and remember happy moments is his latest book from the Copenhagen institute spreading happiness and joy. Clearly, I am a fan of nostalgia. I devote a whole…
-
A hyggelig time
There is a warm glow from the fireplace. The air smells of tangy Balsam fir. The soft lights on the Christmas tree twinkle. The dog is curled up on the sheepskin rug basking in the heat of the fire. On the mantle are homemade clay pots from our wedding filled with cedar clippings from the garden, and three little reindeers from my childhood. It’s cold outside. I am cozy in my wool socks, under a soft blanket on my couch, sipping warm cinnamon tea and eating a gingerbread cookie. My husband and daughter are sitting nearby quietly reading. Hygge (pronounced hoogaa). I have used the word hygge so many times…
-
Touring Flat Rock Cellars and beyond
I am standing among large stainless steel drums at Flat Rock Cellars. The air is cool and smells of musty grapes. In contrast to the crisp air, the glass of wine in my hand, the 2017 Twisted, is bursting with luscious tropical fruits like pineapple and guava. It lives up to its nickname “Tahiti in a glass”. I am amazed at the bold flavours in the wine. Tate, my knowledgeable tour guide, tells me the owner carefully choose the specific varietals best suited to their unique plot of land on the Twenty Mile Bench. Three of these varietals (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay) are in this wacky twisted blend. Other Flat…
-
Wine and art at 13th Street Winery
It’s harvest time and I am touring wineries in Niagara’s Twenty Valley. Skies blue or grey, the valley glows with countless shades of amber, gold and copper. Approaching 13th Street Winery, I admire the bold sculptures in the garden silhouetting the sky: dark beams of wood bent under the weight of another, twisted black metal atop a small hill, running wolves in the distance. The verandas surrounding the crisp white buildings invite guests to relax and enjoy a baked good from the farmhouse bakery. It is after all famous for its butter tarts. But this is a quest for another day. Today, I am here for wine. I enter the…
-
An entertaining tasting at Creekside Estate Winery
“This is going to be fun,” enthuses Krissy, my host at Creekside Estate Winery. “Let’s taste the wine from the front yard and the back yard.” She’s grinning as she lines up stemless glasses on the smooth-tiled tasting bar in front of me. A bright red Massey Harris tractor is displayed in the front yard, close to the road, where cars and trucks rumble by, kicking up dust. The backyard block by contrast is serene: a small pond trickles and lush late-season hydrangeas bloom. Two plots of land in close proximity, yet producing very distinct Sauvignon Blancs. The grassy nose from the front yard wine* is bold, with a punch…
