Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner Little Oak Bronze Winner The Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar “When we first opened there weren’t a lot of businesses like ours but now there are, and people have a lot of choice—not only that, but the wine lists across the city are improving too,” says Heather […]
Obladee, A Wine Bar
Posted inFood + Drink
A fall wine to-do list
Nova Scotia Harvest Wine Festival Inspired by harvest season, and our fruitful local wine industry, this six-week event—presented by Taste of Nova Scotia and Wines of Nova Scotia—has restaurants, wineries and tour providers working together to host experiences across the province. Since September 15, Nova Scotia Harvest Wine Festival has been toasting the various growers […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Six fall foods and the local wines to drink with them
Sandals season isn’t completely over (so sue me) but technically fall has arrived—it’s just about time to wear rust-coloured sweaters, eat tiny chocolate bars and avoid turning the thermostat up. As the slow-cooker meals and blended soups start to trickle their way into our minds and onto our weekly menus, we reached out to three […]
Posted inFood + Drink
In this together
Women in Hospitality: The Evolution of Hospitality As Told by Women Sun Sep 8 and November 17 Lot Six, 1685 Argyle Street, 
3pm, $25 eventbrite.ca Jessica Babin is at it again. The 28-year-old wine connoisseur who conceived Mermaids and Merlot—a pretension-free wine club for women—to is pressing pause on that particular project to start something […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Wine List
Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner Little Oak Bronze Winner The Watch That Ends The Night Heather Rankin may have a stack of these awards praising her wine list, but this win isn’t lost on the owner of the ambient downtown bar, Obladee. “I think anybody who’s in hospitality and service are naturally […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Obladee’s thirst for knowledge
Introduction to Wine Tuesdays July 31- August 28 Obladee, A Wine Bar, 1600 Barrington Street eventbrite.ca or reserve@obladee.ca. $285 For its population, Halifax graduates an impressive number of sommeliers. Nova Scotia is also a very young wine region and most local drinkers of wine are new to the beverage. Starting at the end of this […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Wine List
Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Little Oak It’d be a little weird if Obladee didn’t do well this category, as few watering holes around town are so dedicated to and passionate about wine. It has a wide selection, including both imported and local bottles, which explains how […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Wine List
Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Chives Canadian Bistro Heather Rankin says since her bar opened, she’s seen a major spike in people’s interest in not just wine, but what wine they’re drinking. “Six years ago people would be happy with lots of shiraz and New Zealand sauvignon blanc. […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Message in a bottle: 5 wine picks from local experts
So far, this fall isn’t really all that fall-like—not that we’re complaining. And neither is Nicole Raufeisen, the sommelier and manager at the waterfront’s 27-seater bar Little Oak. She’s easing into the season, sipping on mostly lighter reds, as well as sherry. “I know people don’t think of sherry as a wine because it’s fortified […]
Posted inBest of Halifax
Best Wine List
Gold Winner Obladee, A Wine Bar Silver Winner The Bicycle Thief Bronze Winner Chives Canadian Bistro “I guess it just comes down to us really liking good wine and ensuring our list reflects that. We try to have something for everyone at various price points and in various styles,” says Heather Rankin of what makes […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Orderly conduct
It happens more than you’d like to admit—you’re trying to make a good impression when you’re handed the wine list and the anxiety begins. What do I order? How do I say it? Can I pick something without looking like a total idiot? Thankfully Heather Rankin, sommelier and co-owner of Obladee, A Wine Bar, is […]
Posted inFood + Drink
Just try me: local wines to drink this fall
Domaine de Grand Pré, Haskap Sparking Wine $23.75 Haskap, a berry native to our province, gives this wine just a hint of body and sweetness. Made in the traditional Champagne method, this is a wine versatile enough to span whatever fall feast you have up your sleeve. “This wine is about as Nova Scotian as […]
