Category Archives: Uncategorized

Spring/Summer 2013 Wine Press now available

The latest issue of our newsletter – Wine Press – is now available online, and will be arriving in-store soon.  We have many new products coming out over the next few months, and this issue features tons of information on each of them.  Read through to learn more about our new Pomegranate-Açai White Merlot Country Mist kit, our new Coastal Sunset limited releases, and the return of our hugely popular Wicked Hard Pink Lemonade and Hard Lime

Wine Press - spring summer 2013

New Italian Verdicchio

Now available in both Ultimate Estate Reserve and Traditional Vintage: VERDICCHIO from Italy!

new verdicchioThe name Verdicchio (vair-dik-ee-oh) derives from verde (or “green”) and refers to the slight green/yellow hue of the grapes when they are ripe.  The Verdicchio grape presents a clean, fresh aroma of green apple, white currant, citrus, floral and mineral.  This medium-bodied, refreshing white wine sings on the palate with flavours of lemon, green apple and almond, making for a perfect aperitif.  Best enjoyed while young and fresh.

Serve with baked or poached firm fish with dill, seafood salads, green salads with light vinaigrettes, spring pea risottos, lemon chicken, steamed mussels and shellfish.

Wines of the Month – January 2013

Welcome to 2013! 
We hope you brought in the new year in style and enjoyed safe and happy holidays, and we wish you a new year filled with much love and laughter.

If you resolved to save money this year, this post if for you.  We’re continuing our popular Wines of the Month promotion so that you can save money when you make the wines you already know and love.

Until January 31st 2013, enjoy 10% off our Traditional and Ultimate Chardonnay (white) and Cabernet Sauvignon (red) wine kits.

WotM January 2013You can’t go wrong with a good Chardonnay on your table or tucked under your arm on someone’s doorstep. Creamy vanilla oak layered into tropical fruit accents with good acidity wins friends everywhere.

Cabernet Sauvignon built its reputation on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, but Australia may be its true home.  Aromas of black cherry, pepper, plum and delicious hints of cassis, spicy oak and chocolate. Balanced at the finish.

Come see us soon to learn more about these flavourful varietals or to start a batch of your own!

*This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts.

Holiday Gift Guide 2012: All Wrapped Up

holidaygiftguide

Tomorrow is the last day of our week of Gift Guides (click here to see the previous entries), and we decided to take a bit of a break from the rest of the week to focus on creative ways to dress up a bottle of wine – including some free printables and DIY guides.  Sometimes a nicely wrapped bottle of wine is all you need, after all!

Keep reading for the full list of ways to Wrap It Up!

Continue reading

2012 Gift Guide: Hostess Gifts

holidaygiftguide

Continuing on from yesterday’s fun, here’s the second installment of our
2012 Gift Guide seriesToday we’re focusing on Hostess Gifts!

The holidays are full of get-togethers and parties, and no one wants to show up empty-handed.  Since a bottle of wine is a great hostess gift already, though, there’s no need to go overboard.  We’ve kept it simple and focused mainly on ways to make the hostess’s life easier or contribute to the party – including a few DIY ideas.  Add any of these to a bottle of wine (or give alone) and you’ve got a hostess gift that’s sure to impress!

(Keep reading for the full list!)

Continue reading

Gift Guide: Compare and Save!

We put a lot of thought into stocking a great selection of unique and impressive wine gifts, but we also know that you don’t want to break the bank to enjoy your favourite wines.  That’s why we work hard to source the same high quality products that get rave reviews online and from people in-the-know, but at affordable prices.  Take a look to see how you can save when you do your holiday shopping with us this year…


Ours: True Fabrications’ Aerating Pour Spout ($12.99)
Compare with: Williams Sonoma’s Wine Aerator & Pourer ($58.70)

Ours: Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover ($13.99)
Compare with: The same product from the LCBO ($15.99)

Aerating Wine Funnel

Ours: True Fabrications’ Aerating Wine Funnel ($19.99)
Compare with: Wine Enthusiast’s Aerating Wine Funnel ($29.99)

corkatoo

Ours: Tipsy Giftware’s Corkatoo Corkscrew ($6.99)
Compare with: Let’s Bev’s Corkatoo Corkscrew ($14.95)

beerring

Ours: Tipsy Giftware’s Beer Ring ($4.99)
Compare with: ThinkGeek’s Ring Thing ($7.99)

We have many more exciting gift ideas in our online store -
the perfect shop for all of the wine and beer lovers on your list!

Wines of the Month – December 2012

Until December 31st 2012, enjoy 10% off our Traditional and Ultimate Pinot Grigio (white) and Barolo (red) wine kits.

Our Pinot Grigio is a refreshing, light-bodied white for casual sipping and lighter foods.  Lively notes of green apple, lemon and a floral touch goes well with chicken wraps, fish and salads.

Barolo is Italy’s noblest red.  It comes from sun-kissed nebbiolo grapes. Rich and full-bodied with complex flavours of truffles, licorice and oaky earth, and a rich, deep structure.

Come see us soon to learn more about these flavourful varietals or to start a batch of your own!

*This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts.

Wines of the Month – November 2012

Until November 30th 2012, enjoy 10% off our Traditional and Ultimate Gewurztraminer (white) and Malbec (red) wine kits.

Our Gewurztraminer has a distinct aromatic character of flowery and spicy perfumes and flavours. Crisp and off-dry with excellent acidity.  Difficult to pronounce, but sure to please!

Our Malbec  This fruit forward red is the rising star in new red wines!  The bouquet is highlighted by violet, spice and oak followed by rich flavours of blackberry, blueberry, and plum.

Come see us soon to learn more about these flavourful varietals or to start a batch of your own!

*This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts.

Bob’s Tasting Notes: Coastal Sunset Shiraz-Viognier

One of the reasons our customers keep coming back is because they know they can count on Bob Fullarton for a sincere, down-to-earth and honest appraisal of the kits we offer; if he’s not thrilled with a wine, he won’t talk it up just to boost sales.  With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to our customers if we published Bob’s tasting notes online so that everyone can have quick easy access to his reviews when considering new Limited Release offerings.  It goes without saying that these are personal opinions, and so they may differ from your thoughts or those of others, but hopefully they will still provide a helpful perspective on what you can expect.

First up, one of our latest limited releases from Australia:
the Australian Coastal Sunset Shiraz-Viognier

Coastal Sunset Australian Shiraz-ViognierBob’s thoughts:

This is a red wine that features white wine grapes (the viognier), so it’s on the lighter side for a red.  The wine profile describes it as featuring blackberry and cherry, and I definitely detect those along with flavours of plum and spice.  It’s unexpectedly sharp and tannic, which makes me think that it won’t be for everyone, but it’s possible that much of that will settle with age.  Overall, I like it.  It’s sharp and crisp and would perfectly complement Thai food.

There you have it!

Have you tried this new kit?  We’d love to hear what you think!
Let us know by leaving a comment, below.

Wines of the Month – October 2012

Until October 31st 2012, enjoy 10% off our Traditional and Ultimate Piesporter (white) and Vieux Chateau du Roi (red) wine kits.

Wines of the Month - October 2012Our Piesporter is a succulent medium bodied white wine exhibiting a hint of fruity spiciness, as peach and apricot mingle with the aroma of fresh melon.  It is medium in body and medium-dry in sweetness.

Our New Zealand Pinot Noir  is a fast-moving red, fully loaded with flavour. Notes of cherry, red berry, spice and a touch of earth help you steer conversation to your masterful wine making.  It is medium in body, with medium oak and is usually made dry.

Come see us soon to learn more about these flavourful varietals or to start a batch of your own!

*This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts.