“Budoshu Enso” – or – The Zen Gourmand’s “Wine Circle”

Budoshu is Japanese for "wine" or more specifically "grape liqueur". Enso is the Japanese word for "circle" but in the context of Zen, symbolizing enlightenment. All that said, I’m inviting you to become a member of the “Enlightened…

Notes on “Return To Terroir”

Last Saturday I attended "Return To Terroir" for the trade tasting of biodynamically produced wines. The tour represented about 50 of the top biodynamic wine producers in the world and included such well known names as Frog's Leap, Grgich Hills…
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Cheese Fondue – Traditional Swiss Style

The Zen Gourmand series of cooking demonstrations and tutored tastings continued on Saturday January 12th with an authentic Swiss Cheese Fondue and a tasting of three appropriate whites. Traditional convention pairs cheese fondue with wines…
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Linzer Torte & Champagne

Saturday Nov. 17th saw another successful evening of cooking demonstrations and a tutored tasting of sparkling wines with the Zen Gourmand. The evening started out with the wine tasting. The three sparkling wines tasted were the Peller Estates…
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Wine: An Introduction, by Joanna Simon

Wine: An Introduction, by Joanna Simon Yesterday, I was having lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a while and when the waiter came around to inquire if we were ready to order or if, perhaps, we wanted to start with something to…

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz – 2004

Last weekend I opened a bottle of Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz - 2004 to accompany a few racks of barbecued ribs. I found this Shiraz to be quite a suitable match. The official notes on this wine (as per Jacob's Creek) are: Bouquet: "The…
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Vin Santo & Pear Crostata

The Zen Gourmand's Cooking Class & Wine Tasting this past Saturday was a tremendous success and great fun. Thanks to all who attended. Your attendance, participation, contribution and support made for a wonderful evening. We started our…

01 POMINO VIN SANTO (FRESCOBALDI)

VINTAGES 661249 | 500 mL bottle Price: $ 33.95 Wine, Fortified Wine, Dessert/Fruit/Miscellaneous Wine 15.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 21 Made in: Tuscany, Italy By: Marchesi De Frescobaldi

20 BEES LATE HARVEST VIDAL VQA

LCBO 18499 | 375 mL bottle Price: $ 19.05 Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 12.8% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 17 This is a VQA wine Made in: Ontario, Canada By: NIAGARA VINTNERS INC. Tasting Note - LCBO "Medium deep yellow…

01 TOKAJI ASZU 4 PUTT DISZNOKO

VINTAGES 27177 | 500 mL bottle Price: $ 34.95 Wine, Still Table Wine, White Still Table Wine 12.0% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : 15 Made in: Hungary, Hungary By: Compagnie Medocaine Des Grands Crus Tasting Note - UNKN "A lovely dark golden…