Ottawa Business Journal – Executive Dining Guide

November 29, 2004

As we approach the holiday season, we are bombarded with advertising about finding, “The Perfect Gift”.  Each year, finding this ultimate gift, whether for employees, friends or family, the task gets more difficult.

Giving the gift of wine could be your answer. With a vast array of countries, grape varieties, price points and packaging, shopping for wine gives you endless opportunities to find “The Perfect Gift”. Whether it is a bottle for the host of a party, or a package of wines to recognize your employees or for customers to thank them for their loyalty, the gift of wine is always well received.

When you embark on your shopping spree at your local wine shop, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Choosing wines to age. If you are selecting wines with the intention for them to be placed in the recipient’s wine cellar, it is recommended that you do not choose a wine in a clear glass bottle.  A dark coloured bottle protects the contents by defracting the light and is a quick indicator that the winemaker intends for the wine to be aged.

Price is not an indicator of quality.  Outstanding price tags do not necessarily mean that it is an outstanding wine.  To choose a wine that is of good value, ask a LCBO Product Consultant for their recommendation of wines in your price range.

Splurge on a bottle of something different.  Why not break away from ‘the usual’ red or white wines and select a bottle of sparkling wine, port, sherry, late harvest wine or icewine.

Add a personal touch. Since you have hand selected your gift, write a personal message on the bottle using a metallic glass marker available from a stationary supply store. Included in the message could be the reason for choosing the wine, suggest an occasion to enjoy the wine or provide food pairing suggestions.

If you do not have the time to spend roaming the aisles at the wine shop, there are other convenient ways to give the gift of wine.

Gift Packs from the LCBO

The LCBO has the “Holiday Wrapped Up” in-store promotion that takes the guesswork out of shopping for wine. The store shelves are well stocked with colourful packages of wines, some containing accessories such as wine coolers, corkscrews, music CDs or a set of wine glasses.  These gift packs are not only convenient but are great to have on hand for last minute gifts.  And the LCBO will gift wrap your selection at no additional cost. New this year, the LCBO will ship your order directly to the recipient within Ontario.  Call 1-888-LCBO-GIFT (1-888-522-6443).

Order direct from a winery

If you prefer giving a more unique gift, order wines directly from an Ontario winery. With over 80 wineries in Niagara, Pelee Island and Prince Edward County regions, there is no shortage of options.  Shopping can be done from the convenience of your office by calling the winery or visiting their web site to view the wide range of wine gifts available. Many wineries have Christmas gift programs from a single bottle to an attractive wooden crate of wine, foodstuffs, wine journals and celebrity cookbooks. All Ontario wineries will ship directly within the province, while others are licensed to ship across Canada.

Another novel idea for “The Perfect Gift” is giving a bottle of wine with your company name and logo incorporated into the label.  Private labeling is offered by a number of Canadian wineries and the minimum order is less that you may expect. The labels are professionally designed, complete with the wine details integrated into the final product. This is an innovative gift to be enjoyed by your employees and customers or to give to clients throughout the year or for special company events.

Let a Sommelier select your wine

The Accredited Sommeliers of The Savvy Grapes have the extensive knowledge of wines and the winemaker’s.  With this combined knowledge they can create an exclusive gift of wine. Ask one of their Sommeliers to accompany you on your holiday shopping spree and you will learn more about wines as you shop. Alternatively give your shopping list and budget to these experts and they will select, package and ship your perfect gifts of wine.

Still looking for more gift ideas?

· The Savvy Grapes offer gift certificates for their popular and fun winemaker’s dinners and Sommelier led dinners.  These events are memorable experiences for everyone regardless of their wine knowledge. More information is available at http://www.thesavvygrapes.com

· Give an evening out at an award-winning restaurant. Most restaurants have gift certificates available. Recently, the Wine Spectator’s Magazine granted wine list awards to Trattoria Caffe Italia, Vittoria Trattoria, Le Baccara, Empire Grill, Fratelli, Les Fougeres, Luxe Bistro, Meditheo, Merlot, Perspectives, Restaurant 18, Signatures, Vittoria Trattoria (Rivergate Way location), and Wilfrid’s Restaurant.

· New and classic wine accessories are available at kitchen specialty stores, gift shops, bookstores and wine shops.  Look for wine decanters, wine glasses, hand crafted wine coolers, decorative wine stoppers, wine motif napkins and wine journals.

Packaged in a gift bag, festive stocking or wooden crate, giving the gift of wine is as much fun selecting the gift as it is receiving it. Keep in mind that wine is “The Perfect Gift” anytime.

“Cheers and Happy Holidays!”

Debbie Trenholm is an accredited Sommelier who hosts fun and informative winemaker’s dinners, Sommelier led dinners and wine tastings for private and corporate clients and the general public. To receive invitations to The Savvy Grapes upcoming events, contact her at debbie@thesavvygrapes.com

Sidebar

Some Ontario wineries with exclusive Christmas gift packaging:

Angels Gate Winery http://www.angelsgatewinery.com

Henry of Pelham http://www.henryofpelham.com

Malivoire Wine Company

http://www.malivoirewineco.com

Lailey Vineyards

http://www.laileyvineyard.com

Vineland Estates Winery http://www.vineland.com

Ottawa Business Journal – Executive Dining Guide

May 2006

I am about to share a secret with you. Well, more like a REALLY good wine tip. The selection of wine offered at your local wine store is only a small percentage of the thousands of wines available to you.

How do you get the others?

Remember flipping through a dog-eared catalogue at your local liquor store and filling out an order card? Minutes later, or sometimes longer, the clerk would miraculously appear from the depths of the ‘backroom’ with your selected wine.

In contrast, today’s marketing-savvy wine retail stores are conveniently located in malls and in grocery stores. The little known tip is that these stores are not the only place where you can buy wine.  You can have wines delivered to your doorstep.

Wine delivery is a growing trend.  There are several different ways to access those exclusive wines that are only available directly from a winery.

Wine Clubs

The Opimian Society is a wine buying cooperative that for the past 32 years, has been providing its members access to exclusive wines from around the world that are not available at the retail wine shops. Members pay an annual fee and can purchase wines from the club’s monthly magazine. Visit http://www.opim.ca

Order directly from the Winemaker

In Canada, you can order directly from more than 300 wineries that are located in across the country in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. These wines can delivered by Canada Post or courier. You can select an assortment of wines or a case of 12 bottles of all the same wine from one particular winery. To take the guess work out of making your selection, wineries offer a wine of the month program where each month, automatically, wines are shipped to you from that winery.  Some programs require that you pay a specific amount for this exclusive service.

Have a Sommelier select your wines

The Savvy Grapes in co-operation with the Canadian wine industry, have developed a innovative delivery program: The Savvy Selections.  Each month, subscribers receive three premium Canadian wines personally selected by The Savvy Grapes Sommeliers along with an e-zine providing insight about the featured winery, stories about the winemaker, Sommelier tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and recipes.  All of the wines are VQA, range in price from $12-25 per bottle and are not available from wine stores.  Think of it as having your personal Sommelier.  More about The Savvy Selections

Now the secret is out.  There is a larger world of wine for you to enjoy. Why not become a wine club member, subscribe to The Savvy Selections wine of the month program or call the winery directly to order a case of wines that you would never find at your local wine store.

Opening a delivery of wine opens a new wine world for you, friends and clients to explore. Try it you may like it!

Cheers!

Would you like a Sommelier to help you source wines to order? Contact Debbie or 613-851-1785.  The Savvy Grapes hosts fun and interactive winemaker’s dinners at various restaurants in the Ottawa area, Sommelier wine tastings and wine and food events for private and corporate clients.

SIDEBAR

There are many reasons to have wines shipped to you.

The convenience ….

Having wines delivered is as convenient as having books shipped or receiving purchases from e-Bay.

“I like the convenience of having wines shipped directly to my office. Each month, I look forward to receiving my shipment of The Savvy Selections.  And because a Sommelier has tasted and selected the wines, I am reassured that they will be of good quality.”, Debi Rosati.

Share a case…

Most wineries recommend that you order a minimum of six bottles to make the most of the incurred shipping cost. Your purchase can be an assortment of wines from the winery. If six bottles is not enough and 12 bottles is too many, share a case with work colleagues, neighbours and friends.

“There are four of us who share a case. When The Savvy Selections delivery arrives at my home, I call everyone over to pick up their wines…we often end up having an impromptu party and open a bottle or two!”, Carole Larose

Wine is a great gift…anytime…

As easy as sending flowers to a friend, shipping wines is a unique way to show a client your appreciation or thank an employee.

“My brother heard about The Savvy Selections and gave me it to me as a birthday gift. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving.”, Wayne Corneil

The wines are hidden gems …

By ordering directly from the winery, you have access to wines not found on the store shelves.  This will undoubtedly impress your guests at a dinner party.

“Having a Sommelier taste, select and provide their knowledge of the wine along with how to match the menu is invaluable to me. The Savvy Selections exclusive wines and the information in accompanying e-zine added a whole new dimension to our dinner party.” – Alan Kearns

Ottawa Business Journal – Executive Dining Guide

February 6, 2006

So, you have found the perfect Valentine’s Day card that ‘says it all’.  You are on your way to pick up a special gourmet meal just for two, and you have remembered to buy new candles for your special evening with the love of your life.  All that is left is to select a bottle of wine to make the evening perfect.

At the wine store, you are faced with shelves of bottles, colourful labels and foreign words.  With your menu at hand, here are a few tips to help you make your selection:

Plan to start your evening with a glass of sparkling wine – Not only does a bit of bubbly set the mood for the evening, the refreshing wine readies your palette for your gourmet meal.

Choosing a wine for each course:

Start by…Focusing on the country of origin of the food – Wine has been created for centuries to accompany regional food. For example, Italian wine goes well with Italian cuisine, French wines with French cuisine, etc. Pairing the country of origin for both the food and wine is a natural fit.

Next…Pair the wine with the sauce – Like choosing an eye catching tie or a vibrant scarf to transform your suit or dress, select a wine that accentuates the flavours of the marinade or sauce rather than choosing a wine to pair with the meat.

Then…Balance the ‘weight’ of the food and wine – Choose a wine to complement the weight of the cuisine.  A delicate meal of scallops with lemon butter sauce will go best with a light bodied wine with citrus aromas and tastes.  A hearty stew yearns for a substantial full bodied red wine.

Nothing says “I love you” like a dessert wine.  Select a Canadian icewine or a late harvest wine, a port or a sherry as a perfect finish to your Valentine’s dinner.

“Cheers!”