Wine in the Grocery Store

VQA coming to a store near you. 

Kathleen Wynn buying some bread and some wine at a grocery store.

Let's get this out of the way; I am not writing a political article.  This is a wine blog and this simply wine news that affects wineries in the region.  So now that is out of the way onto the blog. The government of Ontario announced that they are opening wine sales to grocery stores.  The plan is to eventually allow wine sales in over 300 stores.  However, it'll start with 70 in Fall.  

“Finally, people in Ontario will be able to buy their wine and groceries at the same place, at the same time, at the same checkout. This is a win-win-win scenario — more choice and greater convenience for Ontario’s wine lovers, increased opportunities for Ontario’s winemakers and the many farmers who support them, and a brand-new sales channel for wine producers from around the world.” - Kathleen Wynn, Premier of Ontario.

This is pretty exciting stuff. I can now buy my steaks and vegetables at the same time I buy my wine.  I think this great. I can get everything I want in one location and that's amazing.  This not just wine.  They are also, allowing ciders to be sold in the stores too.  There are some excellent ciders out there.  That is a another blog article for another day because there is a lot I can write about there.  

The challenge is going to be which grocery stores get to sell wine.  When beer was introduced to Ontario grocery stores they didn't introduce it to St. Catharines.  I think they should start off by putting the stores in Niagara Region.  Just my little way of looking after our growers and wine makers.   

    

Wine and Dine on Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day All you Wonderful People out There.

Valentines Day is quickly approaching.  As a guy who tries to avoid all special occasions I tend to dread Valentines Day the most.  When I was single it was about going out and celebrating freedom.  Now that I’m in a committed relationship I find myself having to care about this faux holiday.  Every year I have to figure out what to do.  This year I’m going with a theme and it’s the same theme as my blog. 

Don’t worry; if you are single this list will benefit you too.  Welcome to the ultimate dinner and wine pairing list. 

Reif Estates Cabernet Merlot

Valentines Day is a celebration even if you’re single.  Don’t be lonely, drink and find other lonely people.  As such, I feel a celebration needs to be kicked off with a sparkling wine.  My sparkling of choice is from Tawse winery.  The Spark 2014 Lime Ridge Riesling is recommendation to you.  As for the food to eat with the wine, a lime shrimp and avocado salad would be easy to make and delicious. 

The main course comes from Reif Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  It’s a Braised Beef Bolognese with a Reif Estate Cabernet Merlot.  It sounds hard to cook but totally worth it.  To be honest you could have this dish with box wine and no one would notice because it’s that good. 

Lastly we have desert.  Go make this ice wine cocktail from my last blog.  After you make that drink you buy a book of heart shaped chocolates and eat the entire box in one sitting.  Why?  You just spent hours in the kitchen cooking up food now you have to treat yourself with some chocolate and cocktail. 

That's the best way to enjoy Valentines Day in my humble opinion.  As always please drink responsibly.