The recent wine tasting evening was the perfect way to celebrate our 25th corporate anniversary. All the elements of a successful event were present – good food, good wine and good friends and colleagues. Thanks again Debbie helping to create our special event.
Not labeled as a Rosé, but this white wine has a pink tinge – on purpose! Pinot Gris grapes are naturally cooper coloured when fully ripened and the winemaker at Legends Estate Wineryin Niagara kept the grape skins in contact with the juice after the crush and magically the colouring happened to give it a lovely copper colour in the finished product. So it looks like a Rosé, but it is a white wine. Confused? Trust us…you’ll like it!
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: A well balanced wine with aromas of freshly baked bread on the nose, hint of Earl Grey tea & reminders of clotted cream & fresh strawberries. Can you find any of this when you swirl & sip on this dry wine?
We discovered this wine last year and were so excited that there is still more available so we can enjoy it this summer too. Another Savvy discovery!
Allow to stand for several hours to marinate. Slice bread at an angle, brush one side with olive oil, and broil on each side until brown.
Best when served immediately to avoid getting soggy. Ingredients may be adjusted depending on your taste.
Mix diced tomatoes (juice and all), minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (keep the rest for later), basil, and salt and pepper (to taste).
Spoon mixture onto bread, and top with reserved Parmesan. Broil until cheese has melted. Enjoy!
It’s time to Clink & Drink Pink! Summer is finally here & at Savvy Company HQ…that means relaxing on the deck or dock with a glass of Rosé wine in hand. And like everything we do at Savvy Company…we make it easy to have your fridge full of refreshing Rosé wines all summer long.
Choosing & stocking up on Rosé wines to enjoy this summer shouldn’t be a chore. So we’ve made it absolutely EASY & HASSLE free. Our Savvy Sommeliers have done the “tough work” – we have been sipping & sampling Ontario Rosé wines since the snow melted & have picked the most refreshing Rosé wines for our Deck Party Packs.
In July & August we will deliver different Deck Party Packs– either 6 bottles or a full case of 12 bottles of dry, crisp & delicious Rosé wines that will bust any heatwave & quench your thirst.
The COOLEST part… The Rosé wines we’ll send you AREN’T on the shelves at the LCBO.
Different wines each month! Our Deck Party Packschange every month giving you the best Rosé wines to enjoy all summer long. Here’s the Rosé wines we are featuring in July:
July Deck Party Pack – 6 bottles
Casa-Dea Estates Cabernet Franc Rosé … from Prince Edward County Kacaba Vineyards Rebecca Rosé … from Niagara KIN Vineyards Rosé … from Ottawa The Good Earth Rosé … from Niagara Vieni Estates Alleria Rosé … from Niagara Vieni Estates Bruce Trail Sparkling Rosé … from Niagara
Price: only $105!
July Deck Party Pack – 12 bottles
All of the Rosé wines above PLUS:
Casa-Dea Estates Sparkling Rosé … from The County Huff Estates Rosé … from The County Southbrook Seriously Cool Rosé … from Niagara-on-the-Lake Southbrook Estate Rosé … from Niagara-on-the-Lake Vieni Estates Momenti Rosé Sparkling … from Niagara Westcott Delphine Rosé … from Niagara
Stock up by ordering just July’s Deck Party Pack OR choose to auto-magically receive July AND August’s without lifting a finger. FREE shipping to addresses in major cities in Ontario.
Fine Print: if you don’t want sparkling wines in your Deck Party Pack, let us know & we will swap them out for a non-bubbly rosé wine – no problemo! Make room in your cooler! Place your order>
HOT PINK OFFER!
Order 12 & we’ll give you $50!
Order the July Deck Party Pack – 12 bottles and we’ll give you $50 off tickets to our next Taste & Buy event.
Pair like a Pro!
What summertime dishes to serve with Rosé? Our Sommeliers are posting easy-peasy recipes EVERY DAY – until the order deadline of July 16th. Each recipe is paired with an Ontario Rosé wine. Trust me…you’ll be craving for a glass of Rosé from our Deck Party Packwhen you read our tasting notes & see the pix of the dishes we paired with Rosé wines. Yum! Click to read our Rosé Report blog & check out the cool recipes >>
One of the first wineries in Prince Edward County, Casa-Dea Estates Winery is making a big impression with this sparkling rosé wine. Just released, this bubbly can be enjoyed on any occasion – picnic, Happy Hour, or stash away for Thanksgiving (if you have to!). For exactly this reason we included it in this month’s Deck Party Pack.
Here is a neat golden nugget to drop into conversation: Winemaker Paul Battilana was originally trained as a butcher, before he made the leap to winemaking after his curiosity transformed his career. And the wine industry is taking note as he was named by MacLean’s Magazine last year ‘as one of the Canadian winemakers to watch’.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting notes: Pretty in the glass, it is refreshing, bright, and reminds us of summer…all throughout the year. Light aromas of strawberry and juicy peaches, the acidity of this wine makes is perfect to start any occasion.
Suggested Food Pairings: Chips. Delicious Spiced Sweet Potato Chips. The salt plays with the bubbles of the wine and fireworks start off in your mouth. Try it!
Spiced Sweet Potato Chips
Serves 2
Recipe by The Editors of Prevention Magazine
Photo Credit: Mitch Mandel
Ingredients
1 12-oz sweet potato, peeled
½ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp sugar
¼ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp salt
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F.
Slice potato into very thin slices using v-slicer mandoline. Spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. Arrange potato slices on the baking sheets in a single layer. Coat slices lightly with cooking spray.
Bake for 7 minutes, or until barely starting to brown. Turn potato slices over and return to the oven. Bake until lightly browned, about 7 to 10 minutes more. Transfer finished slices to a bowl and repeat with remaining slices, if necessary. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cumin, sugar, chili powder, and salt.
Pour spice mixture over chips and toss well before serving.
Devil’s Wishbone Winery is the home of this delicious 2016 Pinot Gris Rosé along with many other amazing wines. Look at a map of The County & you’ll see the distinctive wishbone shape where the Bay of Quinte and Adolphus Reach meet at Picton. The “devil” part of this winery’s name comes from the poor soil quality in the area, where early settlers found it nearly impossible to grow anything. Yet winery owner Paul Gallagher researched that the clay and limestone mixed soil is perfect for growing vines.
Savvy Sommelier Tasting Notes: A colour that reminded all of our Sommeliers of a Ballerina-tutu (!) with an airy nose of fuzzy peaches, wild strawberries and maple sap. Slightly off-dry and juicy with a pleasant, refreshing summertime quench. Absolutely delicious!
Suggested Food Pairing: This wine has a hint of sweetness that will sing alongside this mouthwatering Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing which will be your new vegetable obsession! Each bite packs a powerhouse of fresh superfoods all in one bowl.
2cupskalethinly sliced, or baby kale 1 1/2cupsnapa cabbagethinly sliced 1 1/2cupsred cabbagethinly sliced 1/2cupred bell pepperthinly sliced 1/2cupcarrotshredded 1mangothinly sliced 1/4cupcilantrochopped 8mint leavesthinly sliced 1tablespoongreen onionsthinly sliced 1/4cuppeanutsroasted, roughly chopped
Peanut Dressing
1/3cuppeanut butternatural creamy or smooth 2tablespoonslime juice 3tablespoonshoneyor pure maple syrup 1 1/2tablespoonsrice wine vinegar 1 1/2tablespoonssoy saucelow sodium 1teaspoonSesame oil 1teaspoonsriracha 1/2teaspoongingerminced 1clovegarlicroughly chopped 1tablespoonwater
Instructions
Thai Salad
In a large bowl, add all salad ingredients except peanuts; kale, cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, mango, cilantro, mint, and onions. Set aside while you make the dressing.
Peanut Dressing
In a blender add all peanut dressing ingredients; peanut butter, lime juice, honey, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and water. Puree until smooth and combined, about 1 minute. You can also whisk the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Add more water if needed to thin out the dressing if desired. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
To Serve
Gradually add enough dressing to coat the salad, toss to combine. Drizzle with more dressing if there is any remaining, top with freshly cracked bell pepper and roasted peanuts. Enjoy!
The corks will be popping tonight at Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & White. It’s a Taste & Buy event like never before showcasing hard-to-find wines from coast to coast…that’s right from British Columbia all the way to Nova Scotia. There will be Canadian artisan cheeses & gourmet goodies – that you can buy too.
It’s sold out!
We’ve had a tremendous response – thanks to you! Everything is all set. Your name is on the guest list. Either bring a paper copy of your ticket or save it onto your smartphone.
TIP: Have dinner beforehand
The focus of this event is about sampling & shopping. Be sure to have dinner beforehand to ‘fuel up’. Plan to book at table at one of the restaurants in Lansdowne or The Glebe.
Wear Red & White…get $50!
Show your Canadian colours tonight! Dress head to toe in red & white and we’ll give you $50 off tickets to our next Taste & Buy event this year. Oh Canada!!!!!
Sip, Savour & Stock up…
Tonight’s event is all about sampling Canadian wines that you won’t find at the LCBO. The cool part is that you can order them at the event or online. Hurry as the special prices & shipping promos are only on orders placed by Sunday June 26 @ midnight. Tell your wine loving friends that they can order too!
There will also be really neat goodies made by cool Canadians that you can buy onsite along with incredible artisan cheese. Bring a picnic basket to use as you stock up & put some ‘mad money’ in your pocket. There is no ATM onsite.
Pro Tips on ordering from coast to coast – it’s New & Easy!
All of the featured wines at this Taste & Buy event can be ordered & deliveredto your home or office. Since the bottles are coming directly from the wineries to you, here are some important details:
Ordering Ontario & Quebec wines – order 6+ wines from these provinces & shipping is FREE
Ordering BC wines – minimum order of 6 bottles PER WINERY.
Ordering NS wines – minimum order of any 6 bottles from the 2 featured wineries.
The BC & NS wines are traveling across the county to your doorstep. The wineries are offering special shipping fees for this event: $25 for 6 bottles or $40 for 12 bottles.
When will your wine order arrive?
Shortly after Canada Day…just in time for the lazy hazy days of summer. Be sure to let the Savvy Team know if you will be away in July.
Date: Thursday June 22 – tonight 5 to 5 to 7pm: V.I.T Reception – Did you upgrade your ticket with a special V.I.T. Pass (Very Important Tasters)? You’ll get the red carpet treatment with advance access. 7 to 9pm: Main Event Location: Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way (Lansdowne Park) Parking: Ample underground parking
NEW: It’s FREE to Ride the Bus
Hop aboard the OC Transpo bus & show a paper copy of your ticket…and the bus fare is FREE. How cool is that – you can ride the bus to & from the event for $0 (you can’t just show your tix on your phone).
Win a trip to Vancouver!
You read that right… the organizers of our favorite wine festival have given us a festival pass AND a $1000 flight voucher on Delta Airlines to attend the Vancouver International Wine Festival in February 2018. Value of this prize is over $1500! When you order wine, we’ll enter your name into the draw. You can win a night out in Ottawa too! Beerocracy – a brand new pub on Somerset – has given us a $50 gift certificate for a door prize. They have great local beers & Ontario wines…we created their list!
Before an event, we are often asked:
What is the format of the evening? ANSWER: Upon arrival, you will be provided a Savvy tasting glass- it is yours for the evening & to take home.
Will I be able to order my favorites? ANSWER: Absolutely! This Taste & Buy event features bevvies that you won’t find at the LCBO. Attached is the order form (copies will be available) or you can order online.
What is the dress code? ANSWER: Dress as you like – this is your evening. Dress head to toe in Red & White and we’ll give you $50 voucher to apply to tickets to our next Taste & Buy event.
Is there WiFi? ANSWER: This is new! Select the network called: Taste & Buy. Password: saVvy2017
PS – Found some Savvy wine tasting glasses you no longer want? Bring ’em back!
For every 4 glasses, we’ll give you a $5 gift certificate you can apply towards tickets to an upcoming Savvy Event.
Corks will be popping at this all-Canadian Taste & Buy as we celebrate winemakers who have worked incredibly hard to put our country on the world wine map. Meet these Canadian wine rockstars, taste their wines that are WOWing the world…then order your favs to enjoy at home.
It’s THE event you have been waiting for…
The #1 question we get asked: Can you buy from BC, NS & Quebec wineries as well those in Ontario? YES you can! Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & White Taste & Buy event is all about ordering wines from BC, NS, Quebec and Ontario…then have them delivered directly to your home or office to enjoy all summer long.
What goes best with Canadian wines? Canadian artisan cheese of course! Cheesemakers & our Cheese Sommelier will be serving samples of award-winning cheeses that you can buy onsite too.
Create your own combo of Canadian wines to have delivered to your home after the event. You won’t find any of the featured wines at the LCBO – the wines will be delivered straight from the winery anywhere in Canada directly to you. AND…there’s FREE shippingon 6 or more bottles of your top picks.
Bring a picnic basket & fill it up with artisan cheeses & gourmet treats too.
You’ll enjoy red carpet treatment with advance access from 5 to 7pm to spend more time sipping & meeting the makers. Stay as long as you like for the main event.
DATE: Thursday June 22 – next week! VENUE: Horticulture Building @ Lansdowne Complex in Ottawa
TIMES: V.I.T. Reception – 5 to 7pm ($25 upgrade pass per person is required) Main Event – 7 to 9pm
ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY: $80 + bring a friend FREE OR Group of 4 people for $150 IDEA: Take the bus. OC Transpo is FREE – simply show a printout of your ticket.
Wear Red & White…Win $50
Be a proud Canadian – come to this Taste & Buy event dressed head to toe in red & white and we’ll automatically give you $50 off your ticket to our next Savvy Event.
Unable to make it, but want to order?
Don’t sweat it! The Savvy Team will help you stock up on featured wines showcased at this event. Call 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or email us & we’ll send you the complete list of wines & online order form. You too can get FREE shipping – your order needs to be received by midnight on Sunday June 25.
WIN TICKETS! Go on the Savvy Scavenger Hunt…
Find this video on our Facebook or Instagram pages, then…LIKE it & POST the name of your favorite Canadian wine. On Monday, we’ll pick 2 lucky people to receive a pair of tickets & V.I.T. Passes to join us at Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & White. It’s easy to win! On your mark…Get Set…GO!!!
Psst…it’s Father’s Day weekend!
Yikes…totally forgot? Our #1 Father’s Day gift is a subscription to our Savvy Hip Hops beer-o-month club.
Click here to subscribe your Dad for 4 or 6 months & his fridge will auto-magically be filled with the best craft beers from a different Ontario brewery each month – bottles, growlers & cans not available at LCBO or The Beer Store. 100% guaranteed to make your Dad smile from beer to beer!
We’re hiring…
We have cool summer job opportunities for a high school or university students to work with the Savvy Team at Savvy HQ in Ottawa. We’re looking for creative & savvy students who are keen to learn about Canadian wine, artisan cheese, craft beer & cider.
Interested?Contact us on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) or send your resume to cheers@savvycompany.ca
Have you heard? Prince Edward County is coming to Ottawa! For the 6th year in a row we bring you County in the Capital. At this year’s Taste & Buy event, we are adding artisanal spirits along with hard-to-find wines, craft beers & ciders. And there will be cheese & gourmet goodies too.
DATE: Thursday, April 20 COOL NEW VENUE! Horticulture Building (in the Lansdowne Complex near TD Place) V.I.T. RECEPTION: 5 to 7pm – V.I.T. Passes required MAIN TASTING EVENT: 7 to 9pm
Oh my! There will be so much to try…and buy. Wines of all kinds – sparkling, white, rose, red, even port. Craft beers & ciders too. Small batch gin, rye, rum, whisky….
One thing is for certain: EVERYTHING showcased at County in the Capital is extra special, hard-to-find & not available at the LCBO.
Order your faves…shipping is FREE
At this Taste & Buy event, order 6, 12 or more bottles of ANY combo of your favorite bevvies & we’ll hand deliver to your home or office – absolutely FREE.
Can’t make it but want to order?
Call the Savvy Team on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) to place your order
& take advantage of FREE shipping – to major cities in Ontario.
PS – Calling all sparkling wine fans! Join us for a neat night out at the Museum of Nature tasting of bubblies from around the world with led by a geologist expert & me as your Sommelier. We are popping corks on Thursday, March 16 – a few tickets left >>
It is happening next week – Prince Edward County is coming to Ottawa! Over 150 bottles of hard-to-find wines, craft beers, ciders & artisanal spirits will be open for you to taste…and buy. None of these gems are at the LCBO.
County in the Capital is a discovery & tasting experience like no other. You’ll sip & savour new bevvies, meet the makers…then order your favorites to be delivered to your doorstep. It’s the SAVVY way to shop.
DATE: Thursday, April 20 COOL VENUE! Horticulture Building (in the Lansdowne Complex near TD Place) V.I.T. RECEPTION: 5 to 7pm – V.I.T. Passes required MAIN TASTING EVENT: 7 to 9pm
It is easy & hassle free to order – exactly like ordering from Amazon or an online store. Create your order as you taste the bevvies at the event or order online afterwards. Order 6 or more bottles of ANY combo of your favorite bevvies & we’ll deliver to your home or office – FREE.
Can’t make it but want to order?
Call the Savvy Team on 613-SAVVYCO (728-8926) to place your order & get FREE shipping. Deadline for all orders: April 23 @ midnight.
Next Event: A concert like NO other!
We are excited to announce our involvement in bringing one of Canada’s finest musicians – Chantal Kreviazuk – to Ottawa for a special concert on Friday May 26.
Only 300 tickets for this VIP concert featuring a world renown Canadian artist that includes canapes & Canadian wine all night long. After the show, Chantal will open the floor for an interactive chat about performing on the world stage.
Fabulous that the latest LCBO Vintages release features varietals from Oregon, Washington and Germany, yet I have chosen to focus on finding the best Rosésto highlight in this blog.
Warm weather is pushing the gauge on the thermometer higher every day. Nothing sends a more summer-like message than pulling out a chilled bottle of pink from the fridge or picnic cooler. In this release, powerful, playful, pretty, punchy pinks are yours for the picking at GREAT value. (How is that for alliteration?) Upon entry to any LCBO, your eye cannot help but being drawn to the beautiful rainbow of pinks on the shelves.
A provocative patio sipper, Rosé is also a great food match with anything from salads to fish to tacos and some, like the Serbal Malbec Rosé (below) will stand up to burgers and steak. How versatile is that?
I can’t wait to line up this eye-candy on my kitchen counter (and in my fridge too!).
Passionate about pink 😉
Julie
If I only had $100, I would buy . . . LCBO Vintages Release for Saturday April 29, 2017
Vina Esmeralda Rosé 2016
DO Catalunya, Torres, Spain
$13.95 (Vintages #490920) 12.5 % alcohol
Pale coral in colour, floral aromas, this wine is made with the Garnacha Tinto grape – the most heavily grown in the Mediterranean. Rosé is also known as Rosado in Spain and Portugal too. On the palate, ripe cherries burst with acidity leaving a tangy lime tangerine in the finish. Clean, refreshing and crisp….and a great price too!
Zone’s Footstep Scarlet Ladybird Rosé 2016
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia
$15.95 (Vintages #408476) 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of red roses, pale pinkish with a hint of tangerine in colour. The flavours are lush and tart. Medium-weight, rhubarb galore with ripe strawberries weaving their way on the palate and fruity finish.
It is hard not to write about Featherstone’s Rosé every year. I confess to being a huge fan of all of their wines. Deep cranberry in colour, vegetal and mineral aromas that open to ripe red berriess on the palate. There’s some sour cherry at the end which makes it crisp and just plain de-e-e-e-licious.
The Atamisque Winery, maker of the Serbal line of wines, is located in the foothills of the Andes Mountain range. The winery also takes its name from the Serbal aboriginal bush. Bright ruby red, the Rosé wine literally glistens in the glass. Sour cherries and savoury spice explode in the taste buds with a noticeable seam of acidity. Add to this an interesting hint of black pepper. Bone dry and chewy for a Rosé, but packs full-bodied red fruit on the palate and the lengthy fruity finish.
Château de Berne Terres Rosé 2016
AC Côtes de Provence, France
$17.95 (Vintages #278861) 13% alcohol
I did not get a chance to taste this Rosé, but I have no difficulty recommending it & putting it in my shopping basket. Rosé wine was born in Provence and todate, it accounts for half to almost two thirds of all wine produced in the region. It’s also a classic blend of Cinsault and Grenache which offers raspberry, strawberry and red currant flavours. The rosés of Provence are often known for their food pairing matches with local Mediterranean cuisine. You just can’t go wrong.
Aromas of violets and ripe red berries that come from the Merlot grape flow through on the palate leaving a delicious seam of acidity on the finish. Aged in stainless steel, yet there’s creamy crispness to red juicy fruit. Perfect for happy hour or any hour for that matter.
Thank you for joining us at this year’s County in the Capital. We hope you enjoyed meeting the cool people who have put Prince Edward County on the map AND discovering their delicious bevvies too.
Thinking about ordering?
ACT FAST! You have until midnight tonight to place your order online at www.savvycompany.ca/pec.
All it takes is a few clicks…then TA-DA!…your favorite wines, craft beers, ciders & spirits will be shipped directly to you from The County.
Your parcel will be delivered with a smile by courier to your home or office address. It is that easy…and shipping is FREE when you order 6+ bottles.
EVERYONE who places an order will auto-magically receive 4 tickets to our next event Oh Canada! Celebrate Red & Whiteon Thursday, June 22.
It’s our way to thank you for ordering from us at County in the Capital.
Perfectly timed before Canada Day, this Taste & Buy event will shine the spotlight on wines from coast to coast – British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia – there will be 100s of bottles of hard-to-find wine ready for you to sip, sample & stock up.
And there will be loads of Canadian artisan cheeses to buy too.
Buy a $80 ticket & bring a Canadian flag waving friend for FREE $150 for a group of 4 Canadian wine fans
Upgrade your ticket with a V.I.T. Pass for early access for an additional $25/person
Prices include absolutely everything…PLUS a Oh Canada! gift.
PS – Thinking of going to Prince Edward County this summer? Plan around these great events:
* Terroir Wine Celebration – Saturday, May 13 (in Picton)
* The Great Canadian Cheese Festival – Saturday, June 3 & Sunday, June 4 (in Picton)
100% PINK Magic
Enjoy your summer outside with our 
Ingredients
It’s sold out!
TIP: Join our ‘Clubs’
Look who is coming:
TIP: Be a V.I.T!
Psst…it’s Father’s Day weekend!
Get a taste of The County
Gourmet Goodies too!
Order your favorites! Shipping is FREE.
Next Event: A concert like NO other!
Warm weather is pushing the gauge on the thermometer higher every day. Nothing sends a more summer-like message than pulling out a chilled bottle of pink from the fridge or picnic cooler. In this release, powerful, playful, pretty, punchy pinks are yours for the picking at GREAT value. (How is that for alliteration?) Upon entry to any LCBO, your eye cannot help but being drawn to the beautiful rainbow of pinks on the shelves.
Featherstone Estate Winery Rosé 2015
Château de Berne Terres Rosé 2016
Brancaia Rosé 2016 
Thinking about ordering?
Thank you again!
