The Wine Ladies

Keeping an opened bottle of wine fresh

Hello Wine Ladies!

I noticed your column in 24 a month or two ago and look forward to reading it now every Friday. I’d like to ask, once a bottle of wine is opened, and only half emptied, how long would it keep if re-corked, or had the air pumped out and capped?  Is the best place in the fridge, or store at room temperature? 

Crumbly cork! No problem say The Wine Ladies

Dear Wine Ladies,

This may sound like a silly question but I’m truly at odds on the best way to deal with a crumbly cork!  Last night, once again, while trying to open a bottle of wine the cork was dry and crumbly. The harder I tried, and the further I drove the cork screw, the more the cork crumbled and then finally ended up in fragments in the bottle. Is there a way to properly extract a crumbly cork?
Chris

The Noble Art of Sabrage and a hockey skate?

Dear Wine Ladies,

Sabering a bottle of sparkling wine with a hockey skate; how perfect for the winter Olympics this month! I enjoyed seeing that on your show last week with Daniel Speck. My question is about the Cuvee Catherine sparkling rose, or roses in general. How and when is the red wine added to the sparkling wine to give it the colour?

“Wine Diamonds” are a girl’s best friend.

Dear Wine Ladies,
At a recent dinner party I attended the hostess noticed a small amount of sediment that looked like tiny pieces of glass at the bottom of a bottle of white wine from Germany.  I was a little hesitant to drink the wine but one of the guests assured us the wine was fine and there was no cause to worry. What were those little pebble-like stones and are they really harmless?

Sun kissed California wines not for the faint of palate.

Dear Wine Ladies,

I have been a fan of California wines for over fifteen years, but have noticed lately that they seem to be packing a bigger “alcohol” punch, more now than ever before.  Is this my imagination, or am I just getting older and unable to handle it?

The Wine Ladies Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions. Happy New Year !

Well it’s been an unbelievable year, 2009 has, with a few challenges yes, but with many jubilations too. We’ve so enjoyed connecting with all of our radio show guests, our fans, listeners and readers, and fellow wine lovers and look forward to an even better 2010! 

Toast the New Year with the Champagne of Icewine….Sparkling Icewine!

Dear Wine Ladies,

My husband and I will be celebrating New Year’s Eve at a dinner party hosted by a great friend and superb chef! I have heard of icewines, although never tasted one, and just learned that there are also sparkling icewines.

Calorie counting Santa selects a glass of red wine for the holidays!

Dear Wine Ladies,

As I indulge in one of my favorite holiday beverages, an eggnog and rum cocktail, I take note of my clothing becoming increasingly tighter. With a number of cocktail parties and dinners yet to attend I wonder if a glass of wine (or two) might be a more prudent choice?  I’m sure that it would, but by how much I wonder? What is the caloric count of wine, and are some less fattening than others?  How would a mixed drink compare as well?

Riedel Bird Decanters offer dramatic flight of fantasy for your table.

Dear Wine Ladies,

What is a Bird’s decanter?

Tame the tannins with the Vinturi

Dear Wine Ladies,

I recently heard about a new product called the Vinturi that softens a wine instantly.  Are you familiar with it and does it work? Is this the same as the soiree you talked about a few months ago?

Zanatta Damasco Winery of Vancouver Island deserving of accolades

Dear Wine Ladies

In your Friday November 6, 2009 24 Hours newspaper column a question was asked about the white wine Zanatta Damasco as well as the Averill Creek Pinot Noir, both from Vancouver Island.

Allergic to red wine? Maybe yes… maybe no….

Dear Wine Ladies,

Could you please tell me what ingredients or process of winemaking some one could have allergies to?  I am not allergic to tannins or alcohol, and have been unsuccessful in finding an answer to why I am allergic to wine.  Could certain grapes specifically or certain regions be the problem? Thank you in advance.

Wines from Vancouver Island, the newest kid on the block, absolutely delightful!

Dear Wine Ladies,

I was recently introduced to a couple of wines which surprisingly came from Vancouver Island; one was from the winery Zanatta and the other from Averill Creek.

Witches Blood perfect beverage for Halloween!

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’ll be welcoming a gruesome crowd Saturday night for our first Halloween party at our new condo acquired just last month. 

The “other” white grape variety in Burgundy

Dear Wine Ladies,

I was told in Burgundy, the white wines are made with Chardonnay grapes that also go by the name Aligote. Are they both the same?

What’s he on about? There’s no bits of cork in the wine!

Dear Wine Ladies,

Last weekend, at one of our favorite restaurants, we ordered a bottle of wine with which we were very familiar.

Choosing wine for Thanksgiving feast

Dear Wine Ladies,

It’s our turn to host this year’s family Thanksgiving dinner with over twenty or so guests expected, each bringing a dish of some shape or form, or taste!
We’re in charge of wine selection and are wondering: What pairs well with turkey?

Let’s Talk Turkey! To decant or not to decant… that is the question!

Dear Wine Ladies,

We have been invited to my month-in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner, and I would like to surprise her with a decanter as a gift. She is just getting into wine and I thought she might enjoy this surprise instead of flowers or chocolates.

Don’t fear wine stones

Dear Wine Ladies,
At a recent dinner party I attended the hostess noticed a small amount of sediment that looked like tiny pieces of glass at the bottom of a bottle of white wine from Germany.  I was a little hesitant to drink the wine but one of the guests assured us the wine was fine and there was no cause to worry. What were those little pebble-like stones and are they really harmless?

Fires not a big problem for B.C.’s vineyards

Dear Wine Ladies,

What effect, if any have the fires in British Columbia had on the vineyards?

Bring on the Okanagan wines

Dear Wine Ladies,

As a fairly recent transplant from the west coast via a brief stint in Calgary and Saskatoon, I am dismayed by the lack of Okanagan wines found here on the shelves and across Canada. I recently discovered a stunner of a Chardonnay, although a little pricey, well worth it from what was in the bottle to the exquisite and innovative packaging.  It was called Perpetual, was luscious and creamy with an aroma of lemon, absolutely delicious. With the fall coming, I am wondering if this company makes any equally impressive red wines, and if so how would I go about finding them.

Derek

Throw out the old-use fresh wine for cooking

Dear Wine Ladies,

I usually use my left over, over the hill wine for cooking. Not exactly a gastronomic I’ve never noticed any ill affects of this, but my significant other feels differently. What’s wrong with using an old wine for cooking?  It’s not like you can tell the difference.

Rick

Calgary, Alberta

Granny will feel alive with a hit of Madeira

Dear Wine Ladies,

Our grandmother often enjoys a glass of sherry or port after dinner. Her 75th birthday is coming up and we’d like to surprise her with something a little different. Someone suggested we buy her a bottle of Madeira, which we have done but really know nothing about. Could you give us an idea of what Madeira is so we can sound a little more informed when she opens her gift? Thanks and much appreciated.

Julie

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Send back the wine….the protocol.

Dear Wine Ladies,

This is a question about wine and proper etiquette. I am currently dating a gentleman who continuously, while dining out, sends the wine he orders back, declaring the wine is faulty. This happens all the time and is very embarrassing! What is the proper protocol when it comes to this?

Andrea

Philadelphia, PA

How can I tell if wine needs to be decanted?

Dear Wine Ladies,

When it comes to decanting wines, how does one know whether it’s necessary or not?
I’ve also noticed there are different styles of decanters, is this just a question of taste?  Excuse the pun.

Connor

Detroit, MI

Any wine goes with Tempura

Dear Wine Ladies,

As a lover of very basic foods, I am most grateful to a friend of mine who just introduced me to one of her favorites, tempura.

Red blotches be gone!

Dear Wine Ladies,

I’d appreciate if you could recommend a product that instantly removes red wine stain off my shirt and tie. I’ve tried several that claim to do this, but haven’t had much luck in finding one that really works. 

Burn off the wine calories!  Join us for the Niagara Run

Dear Wine Ladies,

I have always been a great fan of Canadian wines and committed to burning off those Cabernet calories by taking in an extensive run a couple of times a week. Listening to your radio show last Saturday I was thrilled to learn about the Twenty Valley Niagara Country Run taking place in mid June. Is this run similar to the famous annual Medoc Marathon that takes place in Bordeaux? Could you please share a few of the details of the run with your readers? It truly sounds like an incredible weekend offering the perfect blend of great wine, food, and a little competition!

Rob

Ottawa, Ontario

My wine is cooked!

Dear Wine Ladies,

What does it mean when one says a wine tastes maderized?

The facts on rose wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

As a newbie to wine, just having graduated from wine coolers… sorry Wine Ladies, I have started to enjoy roses. My question is how do roses get their colour? Is it simply a blend of red and white wine?

A wine tasters guide; Swirl, Smell. Slurp, Swallow

Dear Wine Ladies,

What is the proper way to taste wine? Is it really appropriate to slurp your wine as you might a hot soup? According to a “wine expert” friend of mine, she says it is and maintains that all the experts do it. What do you say?

Anna
Calgary

Send back the bad wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

Last weekend at one of our favorite restaurants, we ordered a bottle of wine that we’re very familiar with. We felt a little awkward sending it back, but did it anyways. The server was fine with it but afterward we wondered what could have been the reason the wine tasted so badly.  Does it have to do with the cork?

Thomas

Wine rules for having a party

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’re throwing a party over the holiday weekend to celebrate the move into our new home, which we have finally taken possession of.  It’s been a long while since we’ve entertained and are unsure as to how much wine to buy. Is there some kind of formula to figure out how much we will need?

Mary

What fair trade wine means to you

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’ve heard a lot of fan fare lately about Argentinean wines representing awesome value to the consumer, which is great, but I also heard that Argentina is involved in fair trade winemaking. Is this true and if so, what does that mean exactly? I’d love to know more. Am I right about the good value?

John

The buzz about shochu

Dear Wine Ladies,

Just back from a weekend in the big apple and apparently the hottest trend right now in the way of cocktails is a drink called shochu. As a bartender on this side of the border I’d like to know more.
Any insight on this would be appreciated.

Jack

A gift for a wine geek

Dear Wine Ladies,

I’m in the market for a birthday gift for a “wine gadget geek” friend of mine. Have you ever heard of a soire? Apparently it’s some kind of special decanter that only partially decants. Would this make a good gift if it were to fit in my budget of around $25.00?

Lizzie

Vin Jaune France’s answer to sherry

Dear Wine Ladies,

I enjoyed reading about “green wine”, or Vinho Verde in last weeks column, but would now like to ask you about a “yellow wine” otherwise known as Vin Jaune. A wine we had never heard of until recently and found to be very interesting in flavor. What is Vin Jaune? Is this a place or a grape?

Bev

Put a cork in landfill waste

Dear Wine Ladies,

The Girl Guides of Ontario were involved in a recycling program of wine corks in conjunction with a company called Jelinek Cork Group a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I haven’t seen or heard any more of this for quite a while. Is there still a recycling program in place?  Are there any others?

Heather

Green wines are fresh

Dear Wine Ladies,

I’m interested in the Portuguese wine Vinho Verde, which your guest touched upon last week on your radio show.  I just caught the tail end, missed out on some of the info as well as the explanation for why it is referred to as “green wine”. Does it have to do with the colour or does it have the same significance as it does here in Canada? I thoroughly enjoyed a glass last evening and have to say that after tuning in, I’m really looking forward to exploring some of the other wines discussed, as they also fit perfectly into my current budget!

Brian

Who’s your daddy?

Dear Wine Ladies,

Just a quick question about my most favorite red wine grape, the ruling king of grapes, the almighty Cabernet Sauvignon! A friend of mine maintains that the Cab’s lineage is from the second rate Cabernet Franc, and another grape he was not aware of.  Tell me this isn’t true…
Thanks Wine Ladies

Geoff

The right glass makes bubbly last longer

Dear Wine Ladies,

A few weeks back in the Life Style section of the Globe, they were talking about budget sparkling wines for Valentines. In the photo I noticed they showed the wine being poured into one of those old coupe, dessert style glasses. I thought tall thin glasses were the best for bubbly? Are these others coming back into style?

Heather
Edmonton

NK’Mip Cellars in British Columbia

Dear Wine Ladies,

I heard that there is a winery in British Columbia that is actually owned and operated by an Indian Band. This is pretty cool! I’d love to know more!  How are the wines and do they make any icewine...my new found passion! Is it possible to purchase any of these wines on line?

David

Cooking with Alcohol

Dear Wine Ladies,

I am a culinary student and am part of a group project that is looking at cooking with alcohol. What are the reasons for cooking with wine, what does it do to the food and does the acidity in wine play a role? Help please.

Keith

Pad Thai, your choice white or red.

Dear Wine Ladies,

Next week I’ll be having the ladies over for an evening of wine, food and fun. I’ve decided to go with Pad Thai for something a little different. I have no idea which wine to pair with it. I normally drink red, but I know most of the girls will only drink white. Any suggestions?

Leesa

Not getting served? Help yourself to the wine.

Dear Wine Ladies,

A group of friends and I were out the other night at a restaurant (quite pricey) enjoying the food, but not so much the wine. It’s not that the wine wasn’t good, it was actually delicious, the problem was the server was less than attentive when it came to topping up our glasses.  It was very frustrating! So, we were wondering, is it bad etiquette to take the wine and pour it ourselves?

Deb and Dry! 

The 19th Hole

Dear Wine Ladies,

Tuning in to last Saturday’s show was like getting a hole in one; as an avid wine lover and a devoted golf fan it was great to learn so much about the Mike Weir and Greg Norman wines. My question is about the Shiraz you talked about from Greg Norman. Where is the limestone coast and what is the significance of a wine coming from that area, which I heard referred to repeatedly from both Greg Norman’s daughter and yourselves?

Tina

Screw cap wines….. cool eh?

Dear Wine Ladies,

Is it still considered in bad taste, or un-cool, to serve a wine with a screw cap at a dinner party? I’ve seen quite a few wines with screw caps lately from different wine regions including a highly regarded, and priced one called PlumpJack from California. Your thoughts? Do the screw caps make a difference?

Rebecca

Giving a decanter as a gift

Dear Wine Ladies,

We have been invited to my mother-in-law’s for a special dinner and I would like to surprise her with a decanter as a gift.  She is just getting into wine and I thought she might enjoy this instead of flowers or chocolates.

Would I be able to find one that would fall into my limited budget of around $35.00-$50.00? I’d like to share a few wisdom of words with my gift as well, if you wouldn’t mind offering a few tips it would be greatly appreciated.  Should all red wines be decanted and what are the main reasons for decanting?

John

Avoid red wine stains

Dear Wine Ladies,

Would appreciate if you can you recommend a product that instantly cleans up red wine stains on my shirt and tie when I’m out for dinner.

Thank You.

Pearly whites and red wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

Why do some people’s teeth get stained so quickly with red wine and others remain Crest white? I’ve heard it has to do with how porous your teeth are. Do some red wines stain less than others, or am I doomed to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio etc...?

Pierre

Dating drama with wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

Dating is stressful enough without having to feel like a wine connoisseur when the wine list arrives.  In my late twenties and knowing very little about wine I often feel uncomfortable when it comes to ordering the wine.  Should I try to bluff my way through and hope for the best or just fess up?

Jordon

Let us introduce you to Yecla

Dear Wine Ladies,

I came across an article that included “Yecla” wines among a list of other wines, Napa Cabernets, classified Bordeaux, Burgundies and some Zinfandels as wines that are often included in auctions and are worth holding onto. Is Yecla a wine, a place or a style of wine?  I am intrigued.

Jacob

Wine and cheese, the classic pairing!

Dear Wine Ladies,

I am hosting a wine and cheese bridal shower for my daughter and am not very familiar with wine information. There will be approximately 40 women. I would like to serve a variety of wines but have no idea what kind of wines I should buy. Can you offer me some suggestions?

Icewine, drink it now or later?

Dear Wine Ladies,

At the icewine festival this weekend I tasted a delicious Vidal icewine which I learned was aged in oak. Is this typical? Are icewines ok to age or should they be consumed when young?

Barry

The nose of a wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

Does the “nose” of a wine just mean its smell or is it more complicated than that?

Brian

Have your wife try some lighter reds first

Dear Wine Ladies,

As a true fan of red wine how it pains me to see my wife missing out on all the fabulous Cabernets, Shiraz’s and Malbecs out there for the tasting! Unfortunately she doesn’t see it, or taste it that way! I find myself often giving in and opting for the Chardonnay or the Pinot Grigio… again.  Are there any red wines in particular that a novice red wine drinker might be more likely to enjoy?

Graham

How to extract a crumbly cork

Dear Wine Ladies,

This may sound like a silly question but I’m truly at odds on the best way to deal with a crumbly cork!  Last night, once again, while trying to open a bottle of wine the cork was dry and crumbly. The harder I tried, and the further I drove the cork screw, the more the cork crumbled and then finally ended up in fragments in the bottle. Is there a way to properly extract a crumbly cork? I’m throwing a big birthday bash and don’t want to be fussing with floating cork! Thanks Wine Ladies!

Chris

Stones in my Wine?

Dear Wine Ladies,

At a recent dinner party I attended the hostess noticed a small amount of sediment that looked like tiny pieces of glass at the bottom of one of the white wine bottles from Germany. I was a little hesitant to drink the wine but one of the guests assured us the wine was fine and there was no cause to worry. What were those little pebble-like stones and are they really harmless?

Karen

Strength in Champagne bottles

Dear Wine Ladies,

What is the indentation at the bottom of Champagne bottles called and is its purpose to strengthen the bottle?

Tina

Wines for all occasions

Dear Wine Ladies

As a lover of very basic foods, I am most grateful to a friend of mine who just introduced me to one of her favorites, tempura. I’d like to be able to offer her a glass of wine the next time we have it, but I’m a beer drinker myself, and have no idea what to buy. Any suggestions would be appreciated, preferably not too expensive or overpowering. The last few times we’ve been together she’s ordered red wine – are there any reds that would also be appropriate?

Andy

Over easy or sunny side up?

Dear Wine Ladies,

Eggs are always on the menu in some shape or form when I’m brunch entertaining. Are there any white wines that would make for a good pairing?

Kyle

Keeping the bar bill under control during the holidays.

Dear Wine Ladies,

Over the next couple of weeks I will be inviting several clients out for dinner as a thank you for their business. I’m a little new to this and would like to know how I should handle ordering the wine, particularly because of my limited budget. I’m afraid if I ask the sommelier I might get stuck with a bill I really can’t afford.

Martin

Argentina’s signature grape varietal

Dear Wine Ladies,

What is the name of the grape that originated in southern France and goes by “cot” in that region? It is a very dark, almost black grape. Thanks Wine Ladies.

Gerald

What you need to know about red wine.

Dear Wine Ladies,

My husband says red wine should always be stored at room temperature whether it is open or not.  I heard that once red wine is opened it should be kept in the fridge, then brought to room temperature just before serving, who is correct?

Enhance your whiskey’s flavour with a special glass,splash of water

Dear Wine Ladies

Loved the show last week on whiskey! One of the topics I didn’t hear you cover was how to best enjoy whiskey; in terms of preferred type of glass, are the standard tumblers suitable? Is swirling the glass as you do in wine tasting a good or a bad idea and what does the addition of water do to the whiskey’s flavor?

Josh

Wine oxidization

Dear Wine Ladies,

I’ve recently started to really get into wine. I have a very general question about tasting; most wines generally come in 750 ml bottles and I would like to try two, three or even four or more varieties of wines in a sitting, especially to compare them. Since I usually have only a few ounces of each I would like to know how I can keep the wine fresh for longer. Does the oxygen affect it?

Helmut

Variety of sparkling pairings

Dear Wine Ladies,

I am planning on throwing a small wine and cheese party for the ladies that work with me at my salon as a thank you for their hard work and support throughout the year. This will mark my second anniversary! One of the cheeses that I will be serving is gorgonzola; my favorite. I’ve heard that serving an icewine would be best but am wondering if there are any other options that might work equally well?

Theresa

Acid: Warrior for clean wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

I recently heard from some-one who is quite the authority on wine that wines are 100% bacteria free due to the alcohol content. In fact I understand wine was the beverage of choice in lieu of water in former times specifically for this reason. If you could confirm this for me it would be greatly appreciated.

John
Keswick

Health benefits of polyphenols found in home-made red wine

Dear wine Ladies,

I make my own wine from juice concentrate and have a question with regards to my heart! With all the great news about the health benefits of polyphenols found in red wine, I was wondering if there’s just as much in home made wines as there is in commercial wines.

George

Are aroma and bouquet are interchangeable?

Dear Wine Ladies,

My partner and I are just getting acquainted with wine and are wondering if the terms aroma and bouquet are interchangeable? Secondly does the length of wine refer to its age ability?

Bruce

Ask the Wine Ladies: Northern Italian Grappa

Dear Wine Ladies,

My wife and I had a delicious grappa from Northern Italy a few weeks ago and are now keen on learning more about them. Might be a good topic for one of your shows? Where are the most popular ones made and are they made with wine?

Eric

How to foul good wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

Last weekend at one of our favorite restaurants we ordered a bottle of wine that we were very familiar with. It tasted foul so we sent it back. The waiter had no problem taking it back and bringing us another bottle which was fine Afterward we wondered what could have been the reason the first bottle tasted so bad. Is there a common explanation for this? 

Being candid on decanting

Dear Wine Ladies,

We have been invited to my mother in laws for Thanksgiving dinner and I would like to surprise her with a decanter as a gift. She is just getting into wine and I thought she might enjoy this surprise instead of flowers or chocolates. Would I be able to find one that would fall into my limited budget of around $35-00-$50.00? I’d like to share a few of words of wisdom with my gift as well, if you wouldn’t mind offering a few tips it would be greatly appreciated. Should all red wines be decanted and what are the main reasons for decanting? Thanks for your advice Wine Ladies.

John

Wines for the feast

Dear Wine Ladies,

It’s our turn to host this years family thanksgiving dinner with over twenty or so guests expected, each bringing a dish of some kind or another. We’re in charge of wine selection and are wondering what pairs well with turkey? We’d like to serve both a red and a white but are really at a loss on where to start!  Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Brenda

Wine for Goat Cheese

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’re slowly getting into selecting the right wine to go with the right food. We’ve discovered a wonderful goat cheese that is very delicate and creamy. What might be a good choice for a wine?

Adrianne
New York

Sherry will fortify trip to Spain

Dear Wine Ladies,

My wife and I would love to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary in the beautiful country of Spain. Besides all the great food, art and architecture, how does it fare on the wine stage? Do you have any recommendations for which area might be among the most interesting to visit? We have some relatives in the south west and thought we might concentrate there.

Leonard
Toronto

B.C. wine a good find

Dear wine Ladies,

I heard that there is a winery in British Columbia that is actually owned and operated by an Indian Band. This is pretty cool! Can you tell me more about it? How are the wines? Where can we buy them?

Derek

The Meaning of Meritage

Dear Wine Ladies,

The term Meritage is one I have seen on wines from California. What does it mean and is it a French word? I’m afraid French class was not my strong suit and I’m wondering how to pronounce it. Merci!

Brian

Different Options for Drinking Wine

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’re starting to enjoy a glass of wine or two most evenings albeit very moderately priced wines in the range of $10.00-$15.00 per bottle. Is it okay to drink out of tumblers or will this really take away from the wine? We do have our set of expensive crystal glasses but we’d rather not use them all the time.

Brenda

Let Wine Age Gracefully

Dear Wine Ladies,

We recently opened up a 1993 Barbaresco from Italy which we were very disappointed in. It was given to us about eight years ago and at the time we were told these wines, along with Barolos are known for their ability to age for up to twenty years! Are they? How do we know when to open our wines and if it’s too late?

Sharon

No lack of variety in world of wines

Dear Wine Ladies,

My husband and I have fallen into a trap, a wine trap that is. We’ve exhausted our palates with Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios from around the globe; from the old world to the new including Chile, Argentina, California and of course down under.  We’re searching for a new thrill; a new white wine, or a new grape.  Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

- Karen

The Skinny on Drinks

Dear Wine Ladies,

While approaching the 19th hole at a friend’s golf club we were all looking forward to a well deserved drink. As I am perpetually trying to lose five pounds, I wondered what would be less caloric; a glass of wine or a beer? I guess a margarita or a pina colada (my real favorites) would be out of the question! The fact is none of us really knew how beer, wine and cocktails compare when it comes to calories. What would have been the least fattening choice?

Dina

The origin of cheers

Dear Wine Ladies,

At a recent pub gathering a few friends and I we were in a particularly celebratory mood and proceeded to clink our glasses and boisterously announce “cheers” every chance we got.  I was just wondering how this custom got started? Why do we say cheers when we clink our glasses and can we only participate with an alcoholic drink?

Robin

Wine Cellar Aroma

Dear Wine Ladies,

My husband is quite proud of his wine cellar, which currently holds about 200 bottles, half of its capacity. Lately he’s been complaining about the cellar smelling like mould.

We’re guessing that is not a desirable aroma to have emanating from one’s wine cellar and are wondering where do we go from here? How did the mould get there? Any suggestions?

Dale

Ask The Wine Ladies: South African Wines

Dear Wine Ladies,

Up until now I’d never had the opportunity to taste any wines from South Africa but had a delicious white wine recently made from a grape that I believe was called “steen”.

This grape is new to me as well. What can you tell me about it?  Is it a new wine or just not very popular? Some-one recommended we try a wine called Lammershok that is suppose to now be available, saying it was made with this grape but we are unable to find it.

Allison

The Best BBQ

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’re throwing a party in the next couple of weeks to celebrate the completion, finally, of our backyard patio including a built-in barbeque and kitchen!  It’s been quite a while since we’ve entertained and are unsure as to how much wine to buy; is there some kind of formula to figure out how much we will need? Merci.

Giselle

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Dear Wine Ladies,

A small group of us get together every couple of months and more and more, wine is becoming an important part of our socials. Last month we had a super red called Chateauneuf du Pape which I heard has to be made of thirteen different kinds of grapes. Is this right? I was also wondering if a white Chateauneuf du Pape exists.

Oh, and I have to tell you, I totally enjoy tuning into your radio show and I love your regular guest Chef Darryl!

Lena

Keeping your Champagne Bubbly

Dear Wine Ladies,

Last weekend towards the conclusion of an incredible 21st birthday celebration I saw some-one putting the end of a spoon in an un-finished champagne bottle! Then they stuck it in the fridge!  My first thought was “why is there any champagne left at all” and my second was “is that suppose to keep the wine fresher for the morning?
Have you ever heard of this?

Max

Wine Pairing for Smoked Bacon and Gruyere Tart

Dear Wine Ladies,

I’ve got a favorite recipe that I discovered a couple of years ago for a leek tart, with Gruyere cheese and smoked bacon. A few ladies will be coming over for the long weekend and this will be on the menu for a light brunch item. I’d like to serve a nice white wine, not a Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc, something a little different. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Leesa

Ice Wine Serving Size

Dear Wine Ladies,

We are planning a small dinner party and I would like to offer an icewine at the conclusion of the meal. A little virtual shopping is leading me to rethink this due to the prices.  How many ounces is an appropriate serving for a dessert wine?

Helen

Sleepy Chardonnay

Dear Wine Ladies,

What does it mean when some-one says “a wine goes to sleep” for a while? Did I hear that right?

Douglas

Wine in the Freezer

Dear Wine Ladies,

I occasionally stick a bottle of wine in the freezer for a quick chilling, but am wondering if wine can actually freeze? What about hard liquor?

Kathryn

Austrian Wines

Dear Wine Ladies,

I really enjoyed your guest on the radio show and was fascinated to learn about some of the wines of Austria, formerly a place that never really entered my mind as a producer of great wine! How significant is Austria on the world stage?

Also one of the challenges I found while tuning in was trying to remember the names of some of the grapes which were unfamiliar to me, as well as the places they came from. Could you tell me the name of the award winning white wine Jamie Kennedy always has on his wine list? Is there also a red wine made more specific to Austria? 

Sheila

Screw Caps

Dear Wine Ladies,

As a total believer in screwcaps I am often tested repeatedly about my conviction. How do we rate as a nation in screwcap acceptance? I understand the Aussies are leading?

Jennifer

Wine Pairing for Pasta with Wild Mushrooms, Cream, and Mascarpone Cheese

Dear Wine Ladies,

We’re finally back on carbs (my wife and I have lost 45 pounds collectively) and we’re ready to dive back in head first entertaining with a fabulous recipe for pasta with wild mushrooms, cream and mascarpone cheese.

First of all we’d like a few suggestions for wine to go with the recipe and secondly what would you recommend to serve as an aperitif for when the guests first arrive? We usually begin with a white wine but are ready to consider something different.

Joseph

Talking About Port

Dear Wine Ladies,

Is Port considered a wine and how do they make it so high in alcohol? What is the range of alcohol levels found in Port?

Germaine