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 […]
wine
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The Wine Lover’s Guide to Atlantic Canada reads between the vines
Moira Peters knows a lot about wine. A trained sommelier, wine columnist and the owner of Unwined Tasting Parties, she doesn’t just talk about the juice—her life is all about it. Even more so now, as she adds her latest badge of vino know-how: Writing the book on local wine, literally, as co-author of The […]
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Drink up the Fall Wine Festival
Winemakers Dinner and Auction Wine is at the heart of this event but a performance from Symphony Nova Scotia and a four-course meal are the added bonuses. A silent and live auction are also part of the fun, with proceeds supporting SNS. Thu Sep 24, Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Road, $180 Port of Wines Festival […]
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Port of Wine Festival toasts two decades
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Port of Wines Festival, and they’re celebrating in style. “For the past 20 years we’ve focused on a single country,” says Tim Pellerin, the NSLC’s vice-president, marketing and merchandising, “where about 20 to 25 percent of wine was from the country of origin.” This year, the four […]
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Not all homemade wines
Don’t judge a wine by its homemade label—yeah, the one that’s just “Merlot” scrawled on a jagged strip of masking tape. It’s a lesson for even the unsnobbiest drinkers, and sage advice that Noble Grape’s Shean Higgins is quick to share with hesitant first-time winemakers. Not all homemade wines are that watermelon shiraz your friends […]
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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 […]
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Five wines for $15 and under
You don’t have to sacrifice taste for price if you know where to look. Sommelier Erin Horton of Bishop’s Cellar pulls five affordable and tasty wines for every budget. The good news is cheaper wines usually mean easy drinking and no “pencil-shaving aromas.” The bad news is you have every excuse to double fist bottles […]
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Three cheers for the Good Cheer Trail
Merging historical anniversary with a reason to drink, next week marks the launch of the Good Cheer Trail. With over 30 stops at breweries, wineries, and distilleries, the trail was created by the province to promote discovery of lesser-known regions of Nova Scotia, while building awareness of the gastronomic explosion happening from one end to […]
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La Pitchoune’s California dreaming
Peter Joachim Nielsen was introduced to the wine industry at a young age. Once a week, his mother would watch Falcon Crest, the primetime soap opera that was to grapes, what Dallas was to oil. Nielsen is quick to point out that his winery, La Pitchoune, is nothing like Falcon Crest. Not only does the […]
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Gina Haverstock
Winemaker, Gaspereau Vineyards “The story goes—and it’s true!—that I wanted to become a doctor,” says Gina Haverstock. It was the year 2000. Haverstock started a summer job at Jost Vineyards while studying for entrance exams. “I just fell in love with the idea of winemaking. How different grapes can make different wines,” she says. “I […]
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Obladee by Day debuts
The “it’s five o’clock somewhere” sentiment rings true at Obladee (1600 Barrington Street) these days—you no longer have to count down the minutes until 4pm for the doors to open here. After four years in the game, the downtown wine bar decided it was time to make a change, and amping up its menu to […]
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Outdoor bubbly at the Bicycle Thief
Stephanie Bertossi has extremely good taste, but we already knew that. Just in time for sunny summer fun times The Bicycle Thief (1475 Lower Water Street)—one of the Bertossi Group‘s fleet of restaurants—launched its outdoor champagne bar this week. The romantic addition to the restaurant’s already picturesque waterfront patio was designed by Bertossi herself with […]