Our Savvy Event calendar in May is overflowing with Ontario wine, artisan cheese and craft beer events. We don’t want you to miss any of these fun nights out!

We're having a Savvy Seat Sale!

Buy online before the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday May 1st and save $10 off any ticket to our Savvy Events in May. Simply click on the event link and quote PROMO CODE: SAVVYSALE

Hurry! There’s limited seating and special pricing ends on Tuesday May 1 at midnight.

Join us at one event or come to them ALL – with each ticket purchase, you’ll save $10 off the regular ticket price.

May 2 – Ontario Artisan Cheese Tasting with our Cheese Sommelier Vanessa Simmons – she will show you the ‘whey’ with plates of locally made cheese. Named as one of Ottawa’s ‘Must do events’ – only 6 seats left!
Savvy Seat Sale: $50 (reg $60)

May 9 – An Ottawa first: County in the City wine tasting featuring over 15 winemakers and winery owners from Prince Edward County who will be serving their best wines from ‘The County’. Sip, sample + stock up on new favorite wines from The County.
Savvy Seat Sale price: $45 (reg $55)

May 15 – Craft Beer 101 ‘class’ featuring local brews. Our most popular beer tasting event. Join us at Ottawa’s own Kichesippi Beer Co to learn the lingo, pour a perfect pint + taste an array of brews - all made in Ottawa. Homework never tasted this good!
Savvy Seat Sale price: $50 (reg $60) – only 8 seats left!

May 30 – All 28 wineries from Niagara-on-the-Lake are hitting Highway 401 and traveling to Ottawa to showcase 56 Wines from One Unforgettable Place . Taste + try wines that are perfect for summer sipping. Buy them directly from the winemaker - you won’t find these outstanding wines at the LCBO.
Savvy Seat Sale price: $45 (reg $55)

Can’t decide which Savvy Event to attend?
Buy an all inclusive ticket for these 4 Savvy Events at a SUPER SEAT SALE price of $180 (save $50).

Have you already purchased tickets to a Savvy Event this May? No worries. We’ll give you a credit for the difference in ticket prices to apply to an upcoming Savvy Event. All ticket prices include HST.

This Spring Seat Sale is a Savvy first. Hop on online to buy your tickets and join us for delicious discoveries of Ontario’s best wines, artisan cheese + craft beers.

We look forward to seeing you this month at Savvy Event.

The Savvy Team

PS – Looking for a reason to travel? Here's our recommended getaways:

May 26 – Terroir - A County Wine Celebration – All Prince Edward County wineries are under one roof for this special festival – a perfect way to sip your way around Canada’s fastest growing wine region – only 3 hour drive from Ottawa + Toronto!

June 1 to 3 – Love cheese? You’ll love the Great Canadian Cheese Festival . This delicious weekend in Picton offers loads of opportunities to learn + explore that Canadian cheese is more than just cheddar!

March 9 to 31, 2013 - Pack your bags + join Debbie Trenholm on a one-of-a-kind trip to "Taste your way around Australia" . Cooking classes, winery visits, fine dining, boutique hotels + outdoor market trips to meet Australia's cheesemakers, olive oil producers + chocolatiers - and this is just a start! Check out the itinerary + grab your passport!

Fine print: Savvy Seat Sale does not apply to these out of town getaways.

Savvy Company
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To make it a breeze to enjoy a special dinner for Valentine's Day, Thyme & Again Creative Catering has a delicious take home menu for February 14th.  As good food deserves good wines, Thyme & Again called our Savvy Team of accredited Sommeliers to provide wine recommendations for the menu.  As Thyme & Again supports local farmers, the Savvy Sommeliers have selected Ontario wineries to enjoy with your special meal.  All of these wines are available at LCBO in the Vintages section.

Toast your Valentine with a sparkling

• Jackson Triggs ‘Entourage Silver Series’ Brut Méthode Classique 2006, $22.95
• Flat Rock Cellars ‘Riddled’ Sparkling VQA 2008, $29.95

Outstanding white wines

• Sue-Ann Staff Semi-Dry Riesling VQA 2010, $14.95 (Savvy Selections featured winery in January 2012 - read Savvy eZine)
• Vineland Elevation Sauvignon Blanc VQA 2007, $19.95
• Kacaba Vineyards Barrel Fermented Chardonnay VQA 2009, $22.95

Red wines that will melt your heart

• Pillitteri Estates Merlot VQA 2007, $17.95
• Rosewood Pinot Noir VQA 2009, $18.00
• Cattail Creek Reserve Cabernet-Merlot VQA 2007, $24.95
• Pondview Cabernet Franc VQA 2009, $28.00

 A sweet finish

• Cave Springs Indian Summer Select Late Harvest Riesling VQA 2008, $24.95
• Chateau des Charmes Riesling Icewine VQA 2009, $59.95
• Inniskillin Sparkling Vidal Icewine VQA 2010, $69.95

Happy Valentine's Day!

There is so much to learn about scotch...or should I say scotch whisky.  What better way to learn about the world of scotch, than to host a Robbie Burns whisky tasting!  To entertain our sold out crowd of scotch enthusiasts as well as some people who were simply curious about the drink, we called on our Savvy friend & scotch expert Carol Anderson of GrapeScot to lead a scotch tasting featuring delicious Single Malt Scotches. The cold wintery January evening kicked off a refreshing Whisky Mac cocktail, a scotch 101 primer followed by a few toasts, a taste of Burns poetry while our piper entertained us with scotish tunes.  Some guests even donned kilts, daggers & tartans. It was a fun & relaxed way to discover scotches from the different regions of Scotland.

Savvy Company celebrates Robbie Burns birthday with a scotch tasting

To top it all off, the chefs at Thyme & Again Creative Catering made delicious bites that made the evening memorable.

Here are the scotches that we enjoyed & Carol's tasting notes.  All scotches are available at the LCBO.

Whisky Mac Cocktail

• 1 part Stone`s Original Green Ginger Wine ($10.45 at LCBO)
• 1 part The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky ($26.85 at LCBO)
• Splash of ginger ale
• Slice of lime
• Lots of ice

Mix together & serve in a highball glass as either a short or long drink.

We served this with: Vegetarian Sushi Rolls with Pickled Ginger & Wasabi

Auchentoshan 12 year old, Lowland Single Malt, 40% ABV

LCBO #: 107359
$53.45 (on sale right now)
Auchentoshan distillery dates back to 1823. Its name in Gaelic means “Corner of the Field” and it sits tucked away at the foot of the Kilpatrick Hills on the outskirts of Glasgow, overlooking the River Clyde. It was rebuilt in 1875, bombed in World War II, repaired in 1949, re-equipped in 1974, and refurbished in the late 1980’s. It is one of three Lowland distilleries.

Auchentoshan produces a delicate and smooth single malt whisky, with subtle aromas and flavours. In part, this is achieved by a triple distillation process. The distillery uses water from Loch Katrine in the famous Trossachs area and its cooling water is collected in a WWII bomb crater, located in the surrounding hills. Auchentoshan 12 was introduced in 2008, is made with unpeated malt and is matured in a mixture of American Bourbon and Spanish sherry casks.

Carol’s tasting notes: Golden in colour; on the nose citrus and a hint of nuts and caramelized brown sugar; light to medium body, smooth on the palate with juicy citrus; a smooth finish, again with hints of citrus, nuts and spice.

Served with: Pâté Maison, Smoked Salmon Pâté, Stilton & Port Pâté with Crackers, Pumpernickel & Fresh Baguette

Bowmore 12 year old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 40% ABV

LCBO#:  330803
$51.55 (on sale right now)
Founded in 1779, Bowmore is the oldest licensed distillery on Islay. Half its barley is still malted traditionally by hand and dried over a peat fire. The whiskies are medium peated, with about half the phenols of its coastal neighbours Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The whisky is matured in Spanish and American oak casks, some of which are stored in vaults below sea level. Morrison Bowmore Distillers form part of the Suntory group and own Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch. The distillery produces numerous whiskies including 12 year old, 15, 17, 18, 25, and 40. From time to time different expressions are produced with names like Legend, Mariner, Dawn, Dusk, Surf and Claret, as well as various cask strength offerings. Additionally there are dozens of independent bottlings. The 12 year old is a delightful whisky, highly regarded, and an excellent lightly peaty one to keep on hand, in many ways more balanced and appealing than pricier products in the range.

Carol’s tasting notes:  Light amber in colour; characteristic gentle peaty smokiness on the nose, with lemon and honey, a bit floral, wet earth; savour for a while on the palate until the peat kicks in, cough drops, lovely; a long, dry finish.

Served with: Locally Smoked Maple Cured Salmon Drizzled with Maple Sesame Dipping Sauce

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 Year Old, Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43% ABV

LCBO#: 620229
$129.95
One of Scotland’s most respected distilleries, The Macallan, in the heart of Speyside, has been distilling whisky legally since 1824. Today it offers a range of single malts, aged in Sherry Oak or triple cask matured Fine Oak (Spanish sherry, American sherry and American bourbon). Following its launch, The Macallan Fine Oak 15 years old was awarded Best Whisky of 2004 by renowned whisky expert F. Paul Pacult. In 2010, a bottle of The Macallan 64-year-old single malt whisky was sold for $460,000 at an auction at Sotheby’s in New York City. Made from barley grown on The Macallan Estate and using soft, pure local water at several stages of production, The Macallan ranks amongst the five best-selling malt whiskies in the world. The Macallan Distillers Ltd is a private limited company, headquartered in Craigellachie, Banffshire, Scotland. It is owned by The Edrington Group.

Carol’s tasting notes: Golden straw colour and a lovely, refined nose with hints of soft fruit, juicy barley and vanilla. Luscious on the palate, with hints of fruitcake and chocolate orange. A long, lingering finish. Delectable and beautifully balanced.

Served with: Haggis & Mashed Neeps (Turnip)

Highland Park 18 Year Old, Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43% ABV

LCBO#:  500231
$139.25 (on sale right now)
Established in 1798 and licensed in 1826, Highland Park, on the island of Orkney – a World Heritage Site, is the world’s most northerly distillery. Using Orcadian peat and, unusually, hard local water, the Highland Park range of Single Malts is favoured by Whisky lovers the world over. Judicious use of peated malted barley and Bourbon and Sherry casks gives a toffee sweetness and a juicy, smoky finish. Highland Park 18 Year Old is a multiple Gold Medal and First Place winner, including the ultimate accolade of Best Spirit in the World in 2005 by, previously mentioned, F Paul Pacult. The distillery is owned by The Edrington Group, a Scottish international premium spirits company.

Carol’s tasting notes: Burnished gold in colour, with a rich and mature bouquet, redolent of toffee, dried fruits, marzipan and smoke. The palate is rich and full, with a hint of salt. Take time to measure the flavour developments in the mouth. A long, satisfying finish, slightly smoky.

Served with: Aged White Cheddar with Thyme & Again`s Fruit Chutney & strawberries

Aberlour A’bunadh Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 59.5% ABV

LCBO#:  573352
$94.30
Aberlour distillery, founded in 1879, and now owned by Pernod-Ricard, is in Aberlour village in the Speyside region. Exceptionally soft water flows through peaty soil and the granite hills around Ben Rinnes and is drawn from the springs of the Lour Glen. Aberlour malt whiskies are available at numerous ages and most are matured in both sherry and bourbon casks. Aberlour A’bunadh (the original) is a 19^th century style whisky matured exclusively in oak ex-oloroso sherry butts and bottled at cask strength. It is dark, rich, impressive and a wonderful after-dinner whisky.

Carol’s tasting notes:  Deep, rich amber in colour. A big, luxurious aroma of exotic fruits and spices, nuts, sherry, a hint of peatiness. Rich and creamy on the palate with dried fruits, ginger, nuts, oranges and cherries, a hint of dark chocolate. A long, clean finish, bitter chocolate and ginger spice. Complex, luxurious and delicious.

Served with: Milk Chocolate Dipped Shortbread

Slàinte mhath!
(Slan-ja vah) Good health!

Oh Canada, you produce such delicious cheese and Black River Cheese epitomizes this as one of our oldest farmer-owned dairy co-operatives with over 100 years of cheesemaking experience. 

My cheese pick this week is Black River’s Maple Cheddar.  The idea for Maple Cheddar was born in 2003 to coincide with the Prince Edward County festival “Maple in the County”.  The Cheddar is aged 5-8 months, shredded, mixed with local Fosterholm Farms pure amber Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar, pressed into cheese hoops, cut into blocks and packaged. 

It’s still an example of what good medium cheddar should be, yet has a surprise flavour twist.  It has a nice, dense, smooth paste (not too dry, soft and still crumbly), milky aromas, clean slightly fruity taste, and is accented with true Canadian maple flavor without being overly sweet.

I’m always happy to celebrate my Canadian heritage with Maple Cheddar from Black River Cheese. To make it a truly Canadian culinary experience, pair with a local microbrew or cider.

FACTBOX:
Cheese: Maple Cheddar
Producer: Black River Cheese Company
Where To Buy:  Il Negozio Nicastro’s (Bank St. between Third & Fourth Ave), The Piggy Market (Westboro), Thyme & Again Creative Catering, Herb & Spice Shop &  Farm Boy
Interesting Fact: Black River Cheese have been producing cheese in The County since 1901, despite a fire that destroyed their facility in 2001.

Enjoy! - Vanessa

I say that there is good karma in artisan cheese.  Made not only with top-notch ingredients and creative recipes, but also with the positive energy of the skilled cheese makers.   Glengarry Fine Cheese produces  Figaro.  This is my “little black dress” on my cheese board. Perfect for any occasion, always in style, versatile and ready to shine at a moment’s notice.

Glengarry is an artisan cheese making company North of the 401 near Cornwall, Ontario.  Margaret Morris and her hardworking team makes delicious cheeses from the fresh milk of their Holsteins cows raised on the family farm across the street.  Figaro is their elegant, velvety, soft cow’s milk cheese, handled with much TLC.  It’s the palest of cream colours, and comes packaged individually in small squares.  Light, milky and sour cream aromas give way to a lip-smacking, delicate, and fresh yeasty taste.  Enjoy tossed in your favourite pasta with smoked salmon or grilled vegetables.  Pair with a lightly oaked Chardonnay such as Savvy Selections featured wine - Huff Estates South Bay Chardonnay.

 FACTBOX:
Cheese: Figaro
Producer: Glengarry Fine Cheese, Lancaster, ON
Where to buy in Ottawa: Thyme & Again Creative Catering, The Piggy Market – both of these shops are on Wellington St. in Westboro
Interesting Fact: Glengarry cheeses are 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix finalists

Enjoy! - Vanessa

Last week, we hosted Savvy Company's first craft beer tasting to celebrate the arrival of summer (a heat wave hit that day...and so did an earthquake!) as well as Ontario Craft Beer Week. With the overwhelming response, we are definitely planning more beer events. To receive an invitation to our August event, email me.

I'm the first to admit that I too like to crack open a cold one on a hot summer's day.  Creating a beer tasting required me to I step a little a bit outside of my usual wine world - yet I was totally comfortable that we were on the right track when the event sold out in less than 2 weeks – and there was a long waiting list of people.  This shows that Ottawa has a vibrant food and wine following, while there is definitely a community who enjoys their craft beer.

In fact, two of our Savvy Sommeliers – Julie & Doug - are learning the nuances of craft beers in the beer appreciation class that they are currently enrolled in at Ottawa's Algonquin College.

Rave Reviews from our guests…

"It was a superlative event" - Ron Eade, Food Editor of the Ottawa Citizen 
Read his event review & blog posting

"Tonight, I'm looking to try pairing beer with food.  It's barbecue season & the quality of craft beer has definitely stepped up a level." -  Diane

"I came tonight to see the variety of craft brews that are being produced outside of the usual mass-produced beer. I find craft beer has more taste & character & I'm interested in variety." – John

“EXCELLENT EVENT!! A great selection of local craft beers - exactly what we wanted to try out. Chatting with brew company staff was the best part. They provided us lots of info on the beers and events for summer months –all info that is really good to know. Thank you!’ - Monica

“Wanted to say thanks again for having Beau’s at the tasting last night. We had a great response from your guests. My personal thanks to your staff as well for the super help last night. Great event!” – Jen James, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.

“A big thank you to you and your staff for last night. Beer drinkers are such a pleasant group aren't they!” – Donna Warner – owner of Heritage Brewing & Scotch Irish Brewing

“It was a great event. I received some great comments on the evening and our beers.!”– Steve Smellie – representatitve of Hockley Valley Brewing Company

Be the first to receive an invitation to our next beer tasting in August

 Email us