For his latest stunt, radio personality and voice of the Ottawa Senators, Stuntman Stu, has put his face on a bottle of Ontario wine. Stuntman Stu’s Red Line Merlot VQA 2008 is ready for its official uncorking at the Ottawa Wine and Food Show this weekend (November 6^th to 8^th at Lansdowne Park). Two dollars from the sale of every bottle will go directly to the Sens Foundation to support local charities that improve children’s lives.

An all-local initiative

Stuntman Stu partnered with Savvy Company sommelier Debbie Trenholm and a team of local creative partners to bring his project to life. The wine itself hails from Huff Estates Winery of Prince Edward County—just a few hours drive from Ottawa. Frederic Picard, Huff’s award-winning winemaker who crafted this delicious premium wine, is pleased it’s now being used to raise funds for the Sens Foundation.

Wine with character

Stuntman Stu’s personality demanded a wine of equal character: full of life, versatile and fun. Red Line Merlot is a medium-bodied wine with aromas and tastes of black cherry and plum and sporting a peppery finish. It pairs well with anything from pizza to barbecued steak.

Discover Red Line Merlot for yourself

Visit Stuntman Stu’s booth at the Ottawa Wine and Food Show this weekend and sample his Red Line Merlot. Help raise money for the Sens Foundation by ordering your own Red Line Merlot online for $19.95 a bottle ($239.40 per 12-bottle case) at either www.stuntmanstu.com  or www.savvycompany.ca 

“Wine always brings a sense of occasion. It’s something to be enjoyed with friends and family. I hope my wine and the cause it supports will be the start to some great conversations.”

Cheers & Enjoy!

Stuntman Stu

Stuntman Stu marque tout un point pour

la Fondation des Sénateurs avec le lancement

de son nouveau vin

En guise de nouveau défi, Stuntman Stu, annonceur maison des Sénateurs d’Ottawa et personnalité radiophonique de la région, lance maintenant son propre vin de l’Ontario. Le Merlot Ligne Rouge VQA 2008 est fin prêt pour son lancement officiel lors de l’Ottawa Wine and Food Show en fin de semaine (du 6 au 8 novembre au parc Lansdowne­). Pour chaque bouteille vendue, deux dollars seront remis à la Fondation des Sénateurs qui soutient des centaines d’œuvres de bienfaisance de la région dédiées à améliorer la qualité de vie des enfants.

Une initiative 100 % régionale

Stuntman Stu a travaillé avec Debbie Trenholm, sommelière accréditée de la région et présidente de Savvy Company, et avec une équipe d’agences de création afin de réaliser ce projet. Le vin lui-même provient du vignoble Huff Estates de Prince Edward County, situé à quelques heures de route d’Ottawa. Assemblé par Frédéric Picard, vinificateur primé du Huff Estates, celui-ci est bien heureux de savoir que le Merlot sert à amasser des fonds pour la Fondation des Sénateurs. 

Un vin qui a du caractère

La personnalité de Stuntman Stu se retrouve assurément dans ce vin : plein de vie, polyvalent et amusant. Le Merlot Ligne Rouge est un vin souple et moyennement corsé aux arômes de cerise tardive et de prune. Il se termine sur une note poivrée et se déguste aisément avec plusieurs mets tels la pizza ou le steak grillé. 

Découvrez le Red Line vous aussi!

Visitez le kiosque de Stuntman Stu lors de l’Ottawa Wine and Food Show en fin de semaine afin de goûter le Merlot Ligne Rouge. Aidez à amasser des fonds pour la Fondation des Sénateurs en commandant votre Merlot Ligne Rouge en ligne au prix de 19,95 $ la bouteille (239,40 $ la caisse de 12 bouteilles) au www.stuntmanstu.com  ou au www.savvycompany.ca

« Le vin apporte une touche festive aux moments que l’on partage entre parents et amis. J’espère que mon vin et la cause qu’il soutient seront au cœur de merveilleuses rencontres et de nombreuses conversations. »

À votre santé!

Stuntman Stu

When you walk into a wine store, there are rows of wines awaiting your discovery.  But how do you to select the right one?  There are many factors to consider, and often the mention of winning a medal at a wine competition can influence your choice and your wallet.  For this reason, wineries compete in wine competitions hoping to win a medal that they can promote in order to influence your purchase.

At this year's Ottawa Wine & Food Show (dates Nov 6 to 8, 2009 at Lansdowne Park, Ottawa) 100+ medals will be given to shine the spotlight on the winners of the Cellars of the World Wine Competition.  This prestigious wine competition that attracts wineries from all corners of the world, was managed by the Savvy Team including Debbie, Wayne, Erin & Vanessa along with a great group of volunteers.

The weeks leading up to the competition day, required hours of receiving, categorizing and logging 360+ bottles of wines.

On the day of the competition, swirling and sipping took place behind closed doors. This year, a panel of 24 judges, consisting of wine writers, professional wine judges, LCBO and SAQ product consultants and accredited Sommeliers from Ottawa's acclaimed restaurants, were teamed based on their wine styles preferences.  Each group judged 60 plus wines ‘blind’ without knowledge of the winery, country or vintage year.  The categories for this competition are based on style and grape variety then further broken down into three price points; $0-14.99, $15-19.99 and over $20.  All exhibitors at the Ottawa Wine and Food Show were invited to participate in the competition entering wines that they intend to serve at the show.

And the drumroll please....this year's winners are....

Download Cellars of the World Wine Competition 2009 - Medal Standings or view the wine competition results online

Interested about wine competitions?  Read Debbie's article that appeared in the Ottawa Business Journal

Cheers & see you at the Wine & Food Show this weekend.

-Debbie

Not only do our Savvy Sommeliers give you tips on good wines....count on us for tips on good web sites, blogs, authors and widgets that we find helpful in all things involving wine and food.

Award winning Wine & Food Writers...

Natalie MacLean – author of Red, White & Drunk all Over
Be sure to download her Food & Wine pairing matcher widget for your Blackberry or iPhone. Very useful…and fun too!
www.nataliemaclean.com

Tony Aspler – the Wine Guy
Reading all of the content on his web site, one wonders if Tony ever sleeps?  His ever popular ‘Wine Lovers Diary’ gives you insight to life as an acclaimed wine critic & wine writer. Tony makes it all look too easy!
www.tonyaspler.com

Vic Harradine – author of Wine Current
Vic always has a pen & pad in one hand with a glass of wine in the other.  He reviews every wines at LCBO & Vintages
www.winecurrent.com

Ron Eade – Omnivore Ottawa Blog
Ron has a pulse on Ottawa’s food scene.  His blog is one of the top sites read on the Ottawa Citizen online – make it your resource to what is going on in Ottawa.
www.roneade.com

Rod Philips – author of The 500 Best value wines at the LCBO 2009
Rod’s monthly newsletter – Worlds of Wine give you insight on wine industry issues, news on wineries and winemakers dotted with wine tips.
www.rodphillipsonwine.com

There's wine in your mailbox...

VINES Magazine
Editor Christopher Waters & team of wine writers constantly taste and review wines.  In addition to their articles about all things wines, the Buyers Guides help you to create a (long) shopping list of wines to try.
www.vinesmag.com

Wine Access Magazine
Each month, this magazine takes you on wine soaked journeys across Canada and to every corner of the wine world to meet winemakers, chefs & wine industry personalities.
www.wineaccess.ca

Chefs & their talents…

Mary G’s Artisan Breads
It is easy for Jim to make you fall in love with homemade bread all over again! His trick: it is all in the equipment – his traditional woodfired brick ovens.  His seminars will convert you!
www.marygbread.com

Chop Chop Catering
Call on Ken to be your personal chef or to offer fun cooking classes in your home.
www.chopchop.ca

Savvy places to shop…

CA Paradis
Drop by the store and ask for Diane Paradis to provide you insight on buying Riedel wine glasses and stylish decanters…or to simply ooh and ahhh over her wine cellars & fridges.  
TIP: bring your knives and they will sharpen them while you shop for wine accessories
www.caparadis.com 

Wine Cellar Solutions
To buy a wine fridge? Or to build a wine cellar?  This big decision is easy when you call on Louis Titley to take you through your options or bring his team of professionals in to build a custom walk in wine cellar for your home.
www.winecellarsolutions.ca

Wine shows to add into your calendar…

Ottawa Wine & Food Show
THE wine show in Ottawa – don’t miss it!  Our team of Savvy Sommeliers organize the details of the wine competition – Cellars of the World - associated with the show.  We will see you there!
www.ottawawineandfoodshow.com

Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival
The wine world comes to this event each year…and so does Savvy Company! There are seminars, tastings, lunches, dinners and a tasting room of 200+ wineries from every corner of the world.  Call on our Savvy Sommeliers to help you determine what to do at this festival.
www.playhousewinefest.com 

Wine clubs that the Savvy Team are members!

iYellow Wine Club of Toronto
The iYellow Wine Club is a free social wine club based in Toronto with exciting wine events, wine tours and monthly newsletters.
www.iyellowwineclub.com

National Capital Sommelier Guild
Established for over 20 years, this member-run organisation located in Ottawa has numerous wine events for those serious about wines.  After each of the Savvy Sommeliers graduated, we joined this club to help keep a pulse on the latest releases of wines and to network with other Sommeliers and those in the hospitality industry.
www.sommelierguild.com

We will continue to compile this list of Savvy Friends & useful links.  Bookmark this page...and share your tips too!

Cheers,

-Debbie
Follow me on www.twitter.com/savvydebbie