VICE - The Worlds First One Pour Icewine Martini

So these last few weeks I have been pretty busy. I have been working hard with my friends at Vineland Estates Winery who have created the worlds first Icewine Martini Cocktail. I have been helping them get ready for their Toronto launch, set for Thursday July 30th.

VICE
I am not sure how many of you have tried an Icewine Martini but considering I have made my fair share of homemade Icewine Martini's in my time I can honestly say it is one my most favourite things to do with Icewine. Vice is made from local Ontario vidal Icewine, and Canadian Vodka and considering I was able to sit it the panel of taste testers I can guarantee that the ratio of vodka to Icewine is perfect and it tastes absolutely delicious. Vice comes in one pre-mixed bottle and no additional prep is required. chill and serve. My dreams have come true.

Vice launches July 30th and will be available through the winery (www.vineland.com).

If you're an iYellow Wine Club member, stay tuned, there will be some exciting events coming up where you will be able to taste VICE!

There is always a Sterling Silver Lining

I would like to think that when good things happen there is always a reason. Alternatively when bad things happen there is also a reason. Unfortunately, sometimes you may not know right then and there in that exact moment what the reason is, but there is always a silver lining, even when you least expect it.


I sat down tonight and had a few glasses of the Sterling Chardonnay from Central Coast California and it got me thinking about how amazing chardonnay can be. I am usually a Riesling gal, but have been having a bit of a love affair with Chardonnay lately with this shotty TO weather. The Chardonnay also got me thinking about how amazing family can be. I will be the first to admit, that having a prosperous family really takes a lot of work, time, energy and commitment. I have a boyfriend, 2 bulldogs, 1 loft, a part time job, and a full time job, great friends, not to mention a sister who is engaged, plus plus. Let's just say I'm fairly busy.

I personally find it hard to balance the time and energy and make sure everything works out the way it is supposed to. If I don't spend enough time training the dogs (one is still a puppy and high maintenance) they won't grow up to properly trained. If I don't do the work I don't get paid, if I don't spend enough time focusing on my relationship it won't work out for the long run. If I am not there for my younger sister who is getting married, what kind of an older sister am I? Surprisingly, I don't feel any real pressure, because they are all things I want to do. However, to be able to seriously focus on everything in one day, I need about 40 hours instead of a meager 24. Every day is a balancing act.

So as I sit here, tonight and drink this really wonderful Sterling Chardonnay from the central coast in California and I think about all of life's silver linings, the Sterling Silver Linings if you will. The silver lining I am learning about in my twenties, and it hasn't been easy, is realizing that I am really working and balancing hard right now for a reason. Maybe I need to be taught how to be the best multi-tasker on this side of the planet, maybe I am being taught how to balance life because there are crazier things in store over the next 60-70 years, who really knows. I guess it is just a matter of trusting and believing in yourself, your career, your family and your friends, your future, your decisions and most of all your gut.

Wine is my silver lining to almost every part of my live, it is a thread in my lifestyle and tonight the Sterling Chardonnay is really hitting the spot. Today, I feel balanced and ready to throw the next ball into the daily juggle. I feel well prepared to see the silver lining in the good things and the bad things that happen each week. But being prepared still doesn't mean it is easy. Life is a challenge, and I love it that way.

For under $15 bucks this wine is pretty tasty. Buttery and lovable, a great match with a movie and popcorn and some great company - if you want to share the bottle. It is a definite try from the sunshine state.


Sterling Central Coast Chardonnay
Vintners Collection
$14.95
8.5/10

GO VINO GO!!

OK so I tried these great plastic wine glasses and have to tell you about them. I know what you're thinking - "How in the world can the words, great plastic and wine glasses all be in the same sentence"? Well someone has finally figured it out and invented some super cool plastic glasses.

GOVINO plastic wine glasses are shaped like a Riedel "O" glass, but are made from recyclable plastic. They are great for picnics, outdoor parties, and even indoor parties where you don't want to use your precious crystal. They are shatterproof, reusable, recyclable elegant and can go anywhere.

These glasses are a must for your summer wardrobe.

check out the website here>>

What about Prince JJ McWilliams?

Now, I know my last post was about Prince Charming and how I may have found him, but if you read close, I do said may. In fact, I have this feeling I may have a few other contenders for the role. I mean to be honest what type of wine whore wouldn't have (or want) her fair share of suitors courting for her lifetime of love. And besides the stakes are high. Is he really The One? Is it really all about the "charm"? The way I see it, I have a world of wine out there to try on. That leaves quite a few to sort through to find The One. (That theory obviously is based on the fact that there is that one perfect bottle that could really be everything to you all the time). And frankly seeing as how I have already admitted to being a wine whore quite openly, the only next step is to live up to that method of operation. And if you know me at all you do know how excited I can get about wine. Yes, it is highly abnormal to get excited (like, I'm talking giddy excited) about a bottle of liquid but somehow I just do. It may have something to do with my Jim Carrey obsession or Star Trek TNG collection. Wine just seems to do that to me.

Now take McWilliam's over here, and lets call him Prince JJ McWilliam's, because it sounds nice and to tribute my upcoming trip to London, it just fits. He is from Australia and that is very enticing, some may say even hot - especially with that accent. and to be Canadian blunt this weather is sucking so bad Australia seems like a pretty great move. The screwtop - a definite plus. The price-very nice, and the taste was delightful and refreshing. Just saying the word JJ McWilliam's sounds super sexy and royal -very Prince Charming like. Mr and Mrs JJ McWilliam's [sigh]. Sounds very wonderful. And 6 generations of wine making, now you're talking my language. A Family lineage of wine talent is always a good pre-req in a suitor - especially mine. John James McWilliam's sounds pretty damn cute too considering the bottle is supposed to be as adventurous as and in honour of the family's pioneering Ancestor John James - there is something very special about that dedication too.

My girlfriends and I drank this wine pretty fast so that must say something about the wine right? It is definitely a value kind of bottle (quite the turn on) and a good one to try during the warm Summer months (my girlfriends and I drank it fairly quickly). But, really, who picks the One this early in a search anyway? That isn't a story, well at least not a very creative one... But if every bottle of wine, is like every boyfriend in real life, aren't they each supposed to teach you something along the way? JJ here taught me that I really do like paying under $10 for a bottle of wine, and love not feeling cheap about it.

SIDE NOTE: You can even sign up online to enter a contest to be a winemaker for a day, but unfortunately I couldn't enter because I live in Canada. Now that would have really turned me on.

I may have a hard time breaking out of my monogamous relationship with Riesling to find and try all of these contenders - but am looking forward to the search. You may be thinking "trying a world of wine, really, is that even actually possible? She isn't honestly going to try a whole world of wine is she?" and well Yes, I am going to try. Besides Endless searching (and drinking) for that one bottle of bliss seems like such a ridiculous and boring task. I mean, it doesn't even sound like any fun. but I figure who better to start the search than a self -titled wine whore herself.

Wine:
7.5/10
2007 McWilliam's Chardonnay $9.95
Available at the LCBO
Click here to see the McWilliam's Website>>

I may very well have found my Prince Charming...

It isn't every day I find a wine I want to marry. In fact, I like to pride myself on the fact that I'm a bit of a wine whore. I like to try things out, am never too loyal, and don't like to commit to any one bottle or varietal.

However, I would never have thought that a Cabernet Franc would have stole my heart. I would have guessed a complex Pinot or Robust Cab Sauv would have swept me off my feet and lead me into a lifetime of happiness.

But I was wrong.

I have acquired a passion and a hot love affair with Black Prince Cabernet Franc (a young one, it is only a 2007, but not the type of young you have to teach things too). It tastes of dark chocolate and rich soil (and really who doesn't like rich and handsome!). It has a great finish, a sexy body and had me salivating for another glass. I honestly loved every sip of it and will be sad when my bottle is gone. This may turn into a little bit of Prince addiction.

After drinking a few glasses I was hoping that somewhere in my house I had a few cases of it that would last me into my lifetime. What can I say, I have fallen for the county. The Prince, of Prince Edward County. Who would have ever of thought that me, ange aiello, would have fallen for a prince... and for less than $16 a bottle the money I save per bottle could be used to buy myself jewelry (my own engagement ring) and a trip to the Bahamas (my honeymoon).

This wine is a must try, a must buy and one of my favourite reds from Ontario I have ever tried. I may have had to kiss a few green frogs to get here, but I may very well have found my Prince Charming.

Wine:
8.5/10
2007 Cabernet Franc Reserve $15.95
Black Prince Winery
Prince Edward County

Available via the iYellow Wine Store>>
Check out the Winery Website here>>