Are you a REAL wine lover?

So what does it take to be a real wine lover?

The answer is: there’s no one ‘right answer’.

However, Dceanter Magazine has come up with a list of “40 Things Every Wine Lover Should Do.” Some of them are pretty outrageous, like #5 (make love in a vineyard) which is excluded from the list on their website, but most of them are much more realistic and a lot easier to accomplish.

Obviously, you don’t need to tick off every number on the list to be a real wine lover; the author of the article herself hasn’t done them all, and doesn’t plan to (especially #5!). Nonetheless, it’s still a fun list and its purpose should not be ignored: being a wine lover isn’t about the wines you drink or how knowledgeable you are about the world of wine. It’s about having fun, experiencing the world of wine and its history, and maybe learning a few things along the way!

Check out the list and let us know which ones you’ve done and what your experience was like!

–Bianca

How awkward could it be?

I know what everyone loves laughing at… but hates experiencing. Falling down in front of a large crowd, making a move on a special someone when it’s not the right time, someone unexpectedly intruding on your “private time”, OR perhaps accidentally damaging your friend’s parked car… And the classic situation:

You ask someone: “How are you?”

Their response: “Good, How are you?”

Your response: “Good, How are you?”

What can be more memorable than an awkward situation?!?!

I, for one, have endured many awkward situations. But I have to say that I handle these situations pretty well; after all I have very little shame! I’ve text messaged very personal messages to the wrong people, I have said Hello to individuals who looked like my friends and were not, and I’ve forgotten names of people who I have been introduced to more than once! But nothing seems to top the time I spilled water all over my parent’s guests who flew in from Ghana. Not only were they soaked to the bone, but I also ruined their meals that my mom spent hours making. Disaster!! But on the bright side it could have been a lot worse; it could have been red wine! Now that would have been ten times more awkward!

Awkward moments… there is no real way to get out of them! What is your most awkward moment?

—Dan

Facebook | Mosti Mondiale

Facebook | Mosti Mondiale.

The Perfect Hostess Gift

I have to admit…I am a HUGE Martha Stewart fan, the woman is a genius! I was just scanning through her website this morning  and I found the cutest selection of the perfect homemade hostess gifts. Usually I am always unprepared for these hostess gift occasions, so it would be nice to have a stash at home which I can quickly grab, but still has that personal touch!

Scented Sugar Jars

Here is my personal favourite from Martha,the Scented Sugars.

All you need is a glass jar, sugar, aromatic edibles (Peppermint, cinnamon stick, vanilla beans…) and ribbon to decorate. Once you dry the aromatic edible of choice, mix it in with the sugar in the jar, and voila! You have the cutest homemade gift, for low cost, and a great sugar fragrance for their morning tea or coffee!

Do you have any cute hostess gift ideas, we would love to hear more!!

–Amanda P

Hello there fellow bloggers – designer guys and gales!

Homemade Wine Rack!

Today I have something special brewed up for you all! Since the season for giving is quickly approaching, and for some, money is not as plentiful as it was in previous years during the holidays, I thought it would be a great gift idea to make a gift for a friend or special someone!
 
What does almost everyone have, that they have trouble trying to store?

The answer is wine bottles! Why not make a wine rack and give that as a gift. I know some of you are probably sceptical, and you do not think you are up for the task, but it is simpler than you think!
 
I went to a TLC website and found everything from where to start brainstorming, to free wine rack plans, to build your very own wine rack.

What ever the style of wine rack you decide to make yourself, or purchase if you do not have the time, your friend or special someone will think of you every time they sit down to enjoy a nice bottle of wine. Tell me about the style of wine rack you chose?

Seasons Greetings

—Derek

No More O?!?!

In the latest television news, people are saddened by the recent announcement of the upcoming final season of The Oprah Winfrey Show. The show is scheduled to conclude on its 25th season next year, 2011. As someone who has grown up with Oprah always on the TV, this somewhat saddens me. It’s the end of an era! Oprah has brought many things to the worlds attention with her Angel Network and many other charities. She brought to TV such experts as Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz and developed their shows. She made people want to read again with her book club bringing such books as “Pillars of the Earth” to people’s attention. And who can forget the amazing giveaways she had for all those people who were in need.

As she writes on her website, she’s leaving because she feels like its time for the show to come to a close. Read her explanation here.

What do you think about Oprah ending her show? Are you for it or against it?

BYOW

Bring your own wine (BYOW) restaurants, in Montreal, are a personal favorite for my parents. They enjoy a glass of wine at home, at social gatherings and especially during dinner. On the occasion that my family goes to a BYOW restaurant, my dad will always bring his homemade wine.

Recently I’ve gone to a few BYOW restaurants; for celebrations OR birthday parties. However, these situations vary given that I was going out with friends… and not my parents! When I go out with friends, my evenings are a little more spiced up and my body becomes a bit more loose!

The cliché scenario of a birthday party at a BYOW restaurant will usually start at someone’s house for a few drinks, also known as “Pre-drinking”. Everyone then makes their way to the restaurant equipped with a bottle of wine. After a fulfilling meal with good friends the party usually commences at a club. At this point in the night, all I want to do is get my boogey on and dance!

—Daniel

Have You Ever Been to Bruxelles, Belgium?

As the famous capital of Belgium and one of the most important cities in the European Union, Bruxelles has a well deserved reputation for its architecture (Grand Place, Musée de la Musique) and for its unique Manneken Pis.

Last time I went to Bruxelles, I settled in a wonderful hotel close to the Théâtre de la Monnaie (The Dominican, Leopold street). Located in the former house of the famous French painter Jacques-Louis David, this hotel provides you with a very intimate impression.

I was happy to stop by two amazing restaurants: L’Atelier de Michel D and Resource. The first owned by Michel Doukissis (first Belgian Chef in 1997), offers a French cuisine with slight touches of modernism and inspirations. I remember an amazing confit artichokes tart with a tasty and gourmet roasted pigeon. The service was extremely professional and welcoming, the place charming with a view on the kitchen separated from the the tables by a wall of glass.

Resource might be less “gastronomic” but the restaurant focused only on the cuisine. And it pleased me. The Chef Christian Baby Yumbi, native from RD Congo, loves to use plenty of herbs, spices and making curious and unusual harmonies in his creations : I was amazed by a celery sorbet and by a raw red tuna marinated in an hazelnut oil. It was simply a wonderful moment spent in his restaurant !

Anyway, I wanted to share with you my experiences about restaurants and cities I’ve visited. Tell us where was your best experience in a restaurant? In which city?

Alexis

The Hidden Culprit!

There’s something that can make or break the taste of your wine and you’ve probably never even thought about it. What could it possibly be, you ask?                                              The Glass!

After devoting so much time and energy to making your wine and waiting patiently for it to age, you definitely don’t want the taste to be ruined by the glass you use.

Beppi Crosariol, a reporter at Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper, is quite the wine enthusiast and in his online series, “Decanter”, he discusses everything wine-related. Take a look at his video here where he talks about the primary disadvantage of using the big bowl wine glasses currently in style: the glass can become contaminated depending on where you store it.

And for all you female wine lovers out there, he also gives tips on how to get rid of leftover lipstick marks!

—Bianca

 

Wine in the Air!!

I am a frequent air traveler and good my friend, Nick, has a fear of flying! I promised him that we would sit down at one of the bars in the airport and consume a few adult beverages to build up enough liquid courage to fly. He graciously agreed and our trip to England had begun!

After a pint and a bottle of wine, our flight was ready for boarding. We stumbled our way into our assigned seats and the plane was ready for takeoff. As soon as we were in the air my mind entered a new realm and I was feeling a little bit more lightheaded that usual. Nick was comatose! As much as I needed a companion to keep me occupied, I did not want to wake up the person who has a fear of flying. The passenger sitting next to me asked one of the flight attendants for some wine. It was at this moment that I had found myself a new companion!

We spoke for hours, shared stories and continuously filled our glasses with different wines. Wine truly made time fly; what I thought was 30 minutes was really 6 hours! I can’t say that I remember the content encompassing our discussion and my new friend’s name had quickly slipped my mind. What I can tell you is: The times I don’t remember, are the moments I will never forget!

Have you ever experienced a similar situation or heard of any memorable air traveling stories? This clip reminds me of my tale, but with a bit more extremity!