We have a terrific show lined up for you today. It may be a little chilly out there but guess what? We’re going to heat things up a little here today and warm our hearts talking about passion, and romance and wine and chocolate! Why? Because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Today we pay homage to February 14th, the most romantic day of the year.
We have all the bases covered with our esteemed guests, from a special bottle of wine, to delectable truffles, a unique and delicious chocolate “spirit” and to love and loving relationships.
And that is where we’re going to start, with amour, with our first guest. She is an international speaker, television personality, an educator and entertainer and she has a PHD in Sexual Health Education. Plus she is a relationship expert, she is Jessica O’Reilly, Dr. Jess, The Sex Doctor. Dr. Jess is here to fill us in on some do’s and don’ts for your Valentine. Some tips on keeping your relationship real and connected!
Oh and if you don’t have a Valentine this year, tips on enjoying this special day anyways! Love Dr. Jess’s approach. We watched a few of her videos. Definitely some awesome advice, for the new relationships yes, but also for the ones that have stood the test of time!
Listen to Dr. Jess on the audio podcast here. (5:26 minutes in the show)
Research shows the top 5 craved things across the board is…
CHOCOALATE!!! Proprietor Ingrid Laderach Steven joins us from Swiss-Master Chocolatier
Our second guest will know that better than anyone. She is Ingrid Laderach Steven, Swiss Master Chocolatier extraordinaire. Ingrid founded her store the Swiss Master Chocolate Boutique, 33 years ago and has been pleasing chocolate lovers with her stunning authentic Swiss chocolates ever since.
Fans include the likes of NASA astronauts and President Clinton! Ingrid to fill us in the different kinds of chocolate. Why is Swiss chocolate considered the best? Is it really an aphrodisiac?
Georgia’s Wine Pick. Viticcio Morellino di Scansano 2015
We’d now like to welcome from the glorious romantic region of Tuscany, Senore Duccio Dogi, Senore Duccio is the Sales manager for the producer Fattorio Viticcio. They have been producing wine for over 45 years among the rolling green hills of Tuscan wine country in Greve in Chianti between the historic and enchanting cities of Florence and Siena
Today Fattorio Viticcioboasts 120 hectares of estate owned vineyards among the hills in Chianti Classico and Maremma. Senore Duccio is here to tell us more about this stunning region, and the beautiful wines Viticcio produces including a very special release for Valentines Day!
Patrick Fee, Vice President Marketing, McCormick Distilling.
And in our final segment we’ll turn our attention to still on a chocolate note, but in an absolutely decadent spirit. It is the 360 Double Chocolate Vodka!!! And it is so delish. It is produced by McCormick Distilling, which is the planets first eco-friendly vodka.
To tell us all about it we’ll chat with Vice President of Marketing McCormick Distilling Patrick Fee.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Episode79FacebookCover.jpg463828Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2020-01-03 17:09:002020-01-23 09:56:10On this week's audio podcast. Chocolate and wine! The ideal couple. Start a love affair this Valentine's Day!
The Chronos Observatory. What is often mistaken for a silo on the side of the renovated barn, is in fact the Chronos Observatory. Inside the observatory is a deep space telescope capable of viewing interstellar bodies in significant detail.
The Wine Ladies dressed in Joan Kelley Walker fashions and about to enjoy some Calamus Ball Falls Red and White wine.
Love wine and fashion? Well one lucky mother and guest will join The Wine Ladies May 19th at Calamus Estate Winery and receive an unbelievable experience plus fashions from Real Housewives of Toronto star Joan Kelley Walker’s new fashion collection!
YOUR winery experience will begin in the 100 year old barn tasting room with a sampling of three (3) Calamus Estate Winery’s most popular award winning vintages. After that then join us on the stunning brand new patio restaurant for farm fresh salad, an our arrow head wooden charcuterie board and choice of fresh stone oven pizza. Plus a special service from a Dutch wooden shoe…..
Grand Opening Weekend Party May 18th and 19th, 2019
You will also walk away with a collection of Joan Kelly Walker Fashions to complete your Mother’s Day experience.
Please make sure that you are available to attend and claim your prize on Sunday, May 19th, 2019. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Calamus Estate Winery is located ate 3100 Glen Road Jordan, ON L0R 1S0 Phone: 905-562-9303
President and owner Peter Van-Helsdingen of Calamus Estate Winery leads a wine tasting in the 100 year old barrel room.
A selection from the Joan Kelley Fashions available at Walmart.ca Proceeds from the sales donated by Joan to the Breakfast Club of Canada.
3.Tag your drinking partner! (Each friend you tag = One entry) Unlimited tags and entries. We will randomly select a winner from the comments below, so stay tuned here and turn on post notifications to see our winner announcement. Contest ends – Sunday, May 12th, 2019 at noon EST. Our winners will be contacted through Instagram DMs & announced in our Instagram Stories. The prizes will be shipped directly to you.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/MothersDay-Instagram-contest.jpg10801080Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-05-07 12:46:452019-05-07 18:30:48Marvelous Mother's Day Contest! WIN Over $600 In Prizes!
Guests: Joan Kelley Walker and Peter Van- Helsdingen
Coming up on today’s show, we salute all the moms, grand-moms and mothers to be, with their very special day just around the corner Mother’s Day of course, a tradition by the way that started 105 years ago in 1914! The creator of the holiday was social activist Anna Jarvis, from Virginia, who after her mom passed away worked tirelessly to establish a special day for her and other mothers of course. And it was actually Woodrow Wilson who finally took notice, clever man and he’s the guy who declared every second Sunday in May a national holiday aptly named Mothers Day!
President Woodrow Wilson and first lady Edith Bolling Wilson are seen in Washington on May 15, 1918. Wilson proclaims Mother’s Day, May 9, 1914
We are going to share with you a few ideas on how to help make your mom’s day a little extra special, with our two very fabulous guests today as always.Plus for one lucky Mom, we will be giving away a Marvelous Mother’s Day Gift including wine, a wine experience and fashion ! Valued at $600!!
Click here to enter!
And speaking of fashion and mom’s our first guest, many of you already know her from the hit TV Show The Real Housewives of Toronto. She is a celebrity, an entrepreneur, journalist, philanthropist, and a fashionista. This lovely lady recently launched her own fashion line the Joan Kelley Walker Collection which combines her passion for philanthropy and her long time love of fashion. Proceeds from sales of the Joan Kelley Walker Collection towards feeding Canada’s children through the Breakfast Club of Canada.
Joan will fill us in on how she juggles motherhood and the various roles she has taken on, we’ll learn more about how she got started, her new collection, her life as a TV star and more!
Joan Kelley Walker Collection available at Walmart.ca
Next, we welcome Peter Van-Helsdingen of Calamus Estate Winery to the show. Peter and his wife Rosalee realized their life long dream of owning a winery with their recent purchase of Calamus Estate Winery, located in Niagara, producing award winning wines. They are so thrilled and passionate about the winery, some of the beautiful additions that they have made including a 3 tier deck over looking Balls Falls. Peter and Rosalee have been very generous in their contribution to our Marvelous Mothers Day prizes. We are going to chat with Peter about that, about his wines and the super cool Observatory they have there right at the winery!
Easy sipping table wines. The Balls Falls White, notes of green apple, and apricot.Balls Falls Red, medium bodied blend of mostly Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Calamus-Estate-Winery-Observatory.jpg8391145Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-05-07 09:02:102019-05-07 12:28:39On this week's audio podcast... Calamus Estate Winery and fashions by Joan Kelley Walker
Listen to CEO and winemaker Chip Forsythe, Rebel Coast Winery.
There is nothing non disruptive about this company and CEO winemaker! The name says it all! Rebel Coast Winery. It’s all about Weed Wine. How is it made, taste’s and what’s the high?
When cannabis became legal in California they knew if anyone was going to make weed wine it would be them. But the problem was cannabis and alcohol cannot be sold under the same roof, or even in the same bottle. So, they came up with a simple solution. They make their wines in Sonoma, remove just the alcohol and replace it with fast-acting THC. Each glass has 10mg of THC, meaning you can enjoy it at a dinner party and still be able to talk to everyone. Removing just the alcohol had a great consequence too. Traditional wines have ~150 calories per glass, and our cannabis wine (without the alcohol) has only 49.
Smells and tastes like wine. Alcohol replaced with THC. No HANGOVER. Fast acting Sativa. Only 49 calories per glass. Turns out removing the alcohol also removes the calories! Yeah!
Cannabis, The Next Distrupter! Growing And Going Green Has Arrived. Exploring Cannabis Wine, Cocktails, Edibles and More! We are delving into uncharted territory today with a focus on what is trending big time these days in Canada and the US. It is being touted by many as the biggest disrupter since the end of prohibition! That can only be the legalization of cannabis. On today’s podcast we get the goods on the beverage buzz.
Non alcoholic beverages infused with THC!
How is this all going to work? What is and will be their availability? What does it mean to the wine and beverage industry with respect to wine and weed and wine and cocktails? Are they complimentary or competitors? (cannabis wine and drinks) Also on the show todaya med-tech company which has developed a unique and enhanced platformon which consumers can enjoy cannabis.
Bernard Walsh at a recent visit to Oakville Ontario showcases his whiskies at the 1st ever Irish Whiskey Distillery Feature. Feb 2019
In 1999 Bernard Walsh and his wife Rosemary founded The Hot Irishman Company an innovative Irish Coffee.
The company named changed in 2007 to Walsh Distillery and The Irishman Whiskey was introduced followed by Writers’ Tears in 2009. Working with a small team Bernard has brought his whiskies to 40 nations worldwide, including Canada.Today he has created one of Ireland’s largest independent distilleries. The distillery is unique for being manually operated and for distilling all three styles of Irish Whiskey – pot still, malt and grain- in the same house.
His recent visit to Toronto captivated us with his Irish charm and delightful range of Irish Whiskies available at the LCBO just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day.
If you are lucky you can get them while they are still all available.
The complete range of Writers’ Tears currently available at the LCBO. Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Irish Whiskey $46.95 Writers’ Tears Red Head Single Malt Irish Whiskey $64.95 Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Cognac Finish $99.95 (while quantities last) Writers’ Tears Limited Cask Strength Irish Whiskey $178.60 (while quantities last)
The complete range of Writers’ Tears currently available at the LCBO. Click to order,
Press luncheon Walsh Whsikey Distillery, Toronto Feb 2019
Press Luncheon with Bernard Walsh, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute on University Avenue, Toronto.Walsh is the exclusive supplier showcased in an initiative at the LCBO known as the ‘Distillery Feature’ which launched at participating Whisky Shops on February 7, 2019. As support, Walsh has distilled 7 different expressions that were introduced together and available for a limited time
Bernard Walsh of Walsh Distillery and the makers of Writers’ Tears Irish Whiskey visits Oakville, Ontario. Feb 2019.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/R6QBoIwQ.jpeg30244032Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-03-11 11:26:212019-03-12 13:00:19Meet the "Hot Irishman" and maker of Writers' Tears Irish Whiskey, Bernard Walsh. Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day!
Whether Irish or not, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrated worldwide!
Saint Patrick’s Day is a day of people dancing and singing in Irish pubs, like the one of our favourites in our home town, O’Finn’s Irish Temper. Watching parades and drinking lots of green beer, Irish whiskey and munching on Irish stew.
Do you know which city has the largest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade?
1.New York City, 2.Dublin, 3.Sydney, 4.Boston
Saint Patrick’s Day New York City Parade
Meanwhile in Chicago the GREEN goes to the extreme as they actually have a river dyeing ceremony. Just before their parade 45 pounds of eco-friendly vegetable dye is dumped in the Chicago River. The whole river turns a bright limes green colour.
Dyeing of the Chicago River, Saint Patrick’s Day
Starting off with our first guest, Tyler Born from O’Finn’s Irish Temper.
Owner Tyler Born, O’Finn’s Irish Temper
Tyler and his brother Erin are the owners of O’Finn’s Irish Temper pub located in our home town of Oakville. They have taken the Irish pub to a new level. It’s upscale but still has the warmest hospitality, non pretentious, simply upbeat and great fun a “step up pub”. The huge focus is on fabulous fresh food and weekend entertainment.
Irish Whiskey is the focus next with Bernard Walsh of Writer’s Tears.
Bernard Walsh, founder Walsh Whiskey Distillery and producer of Writer’s Tears Whiskey.
What would Saint Patrick’s Day be without Irish Whiskey? We welcome back to the show Bernard Walsh,founder of Walsh Whiskey Distillery. Producer of the multi-awarded “Writer’s Tears” Irish Whiskey. We learn a little bit about this unique old Irish Whiskey with a superb flavour and history.
Up next,Patti Jannetta Baker daughter and producer of “Memories of Louis Jannetta and the Imperial Room”.
Next we switch gears just a bit…
Singer, song writer, actress and daughter Patti Jannetta-Baker of the late Louis Jannetta joins us on the show next. Patti is producing an incredible evening celebrating her father Louis Jannetta. She is bringing to life her father’s book King of the Maitre’d’s, My Life Among The Stars with an amazing event taking place March 23rd., “Memories of Louis Jannetta and the Imperial Room.”
Our radio show “Taking Life One Sip at a Time” is an radio audio podcast on which we share with the audience our passion and sense of adventure for delectable and fascinating foods, wine, spirits and lifestyle discoveries. Our motto “everything in life somehow comes back to the vine and to live life large and with integrity is intertwined with a variety of guests from around the globe… Chatting with celebrity chefs, celebrity winemakers, exotic food purveyors, artists, musicians, sports personalities, lifestyle advocates and fashion icons be sure to tune in for an hour of lively topical and educational conversation.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AudioPodcast03122018SanitPatricksDayAD.jpg10801080Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-03-10 12:57:452019-03-12 10:38:37Think Green! Ya! Saint Patrick's Day! On this week's audio podcast with The Wine Ladies
International Women’s Day, or IWD is an annual celebration of women’s achievements,
On March 5th we were honoured to be the emcees for an IWD event, Zonta Celebrates in support of the Oakville Hospital Foundation with funds specifically directed to the issues of women’s health.
A global celebration that is marked around the world with festivals, conferences, fundraisers and fun runs. This March 8thmarked the 108th anniversary of IWD. With the first gathering happening in 1911 in the city of New York supported by over a million people from Switzerland, Denmark, Austria and Germany.
The mandate of IWD is to rally for gender equality and to honour and celebrate the achievements of women across the globe. Gender equality in the wine business we thought. Hmm… how are we doing ladies, in this traditionally dominated male industry? We recently had the opportunity to explore that very question.
100 years
Zonta International is a global organization of more than 29,000 members in close to 1,200 Zonta clubs in 63 countries. Since 1919 these ladies, advocates for women’s rights, have been working together to improve the lives of girls and women, for 100 years!
The Zonta Club of Oakville, one of these esteemed clubs hosted this spectacular celebration and fundraiser. It was an extraordinary evening, of passion and compassion with close to 600 guests in attendance.
Catriona Le May Doan
The highlight of the evening was when keynote speaker two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner, the fastest women on ice Catriona Le May Doan approached the podium.
She spoke of her victories and her challenges both on the ice and off, in her past and in the present. As a woman in sport, was it a level playing field? Here’s what Catriona had to say “It was for me in my sport but in the last seventeen years, the inclusion of women in other sports and teams has made an improvement but still has a way to go”. And for us in the world of wine, is there equal opportunity? We personally have seen a greater presence of women in our field. Back in 2002 when we started there were far fewer ladies. Fast forward many more female wine makers, viticulturists, sommeliers, marketing executives and writers are populating the business. Plus…. do women have better palates? Ah, the $64,000 question! We learn from Catriona that she too has a great love and appreciation for a fine glass of red wine! Besties forever!
The Wine Wall
Speaking of wine, over to the Wine Wall, what a fabulous collection of wines, wine baskets, and wine related accessories all auctioned off to the highest bid in our silent auction. A big thanks to the many sponsors and private individuals for their generous donations!
Marilisa Allegrini at La Poya vineyard, Allegrini, Valpolicella, Italy
For this International Women’s Day, we thought we would introduce you to one remarkable woman in our field.
She is Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Allegrini, one of the most respected and highly acclaimed wineries of Italy located in the storied wine growing region of Valpolicella. Allegrini is world-renowned in particular for their exceptional production of the iconic wine Amarone. She is known as the “Voice of Amarone” and has been often described as a “Wine Star”.
Marilisa is the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of one of the most respected and famous wine magazines in the world, The Wine Spectator. Since the early 1980’s Marilisa has been traveling the world sharing her passion for both the wines of Allegrini and the region of Valpolicella.
We had the opportunity to meet with Marilisa and asked if she would tell us a little more about the company and her role.
We learn that the Allegrini family has been involved with grape growing and winemaking since the 1500’s handing down grape growing and winemaking traditions over six generations.
Its roots lie in a small village Fumane de Valpolicella located just north of Verona in north-eastern Italy. The family played a prominent role in the local community as one of the most important landowners, involved in agricultural work and upholding local traditions.
The company took a proverbial giant step in growth with the 5thgeneration Allegrini at the helm Marilisa’s father Giovanni.
‘It was” Marilisa goes on to explain with great admiration “the intelligence and hard work of her father. An instinctive man with respect to the land and innovative winemaking practices. That was integral in leading the way to modern winemaking and earning the reputation Allegrini enjoys today. Allegrini and Amarone della Valpolicella!
Just one example of many, he was one of the first producers to change the style and the methodology of making Amarone. Once little known, with a profile reminiscent of a port, to the prestigious and delicious wine it is today produced with dried grapes.
Today we discover that Allegrini’s Amarone, with son Franco as the winemaker since 1983 is considered the benchmark and the style new winemakers look to emulate.
Allegrini was also one of the first to develop several cru vineyards including La Poja, reviewed here below.
As we continue to chat Marilisa emphasizes how it is all about the land. How connected she and her family are to both the history and present of Valpolicella. The company’s holdings are impressive. They include several of the villages in the original (classico) region of Valpolicella. The company’s philosophy is to produce single vineyard wines made with local grape varieties.
The tireless Marilisa, a world-traveling ambassador for Allegrini and Valpolicella. She has been credited with taking an already famous company to new heights. And as a bold and brave CEO, along with brother and winemaker Franco, they’ve taken on new challenges and exciting acquisitions! To Tuscany, first in Bolgheri and then Montalcino.
We had the opportunity to enjoy two Allegrini wines at a recent get together.
The first one of particular pride and joy to Marilisa, with a special connection to her late father, the wine La Poja.
La Poja is a single vineyard spectacular wine, which comes from a specific parcel of land, the prestigious La Grola vineyard in the Valpolicella Classico area. Marilisa tells us that not long before her fathers passing Giovanni acquired this parcel. A piece at the top of the famous hill of the La Grola vineyard, 2.65 hectares “at great financial effort”. He believed so strongly in this location and the characteristics of the soil. 78% chalk and with great mineral content in its ability to produce exceptional wines with great structure and aging potential. Today La Poja is the crown jewel of “Grand Cru expression” of Allegrini. It rounds out their stupendous line up of wines including their Valpolicella, Palazzo della Torre and their iconic Amarone to name a few.
La Poja, single vineyard, single varietal made with 100% Corvina.
Elegant, rich and full bodied, seductive on the nose with intense aromas of black currant, juicy cherries, hints of spice, velvety on the palate with blackberry, cherry and hint of liquorice flavours ending with a luscious lingering finish.
We so enjoyed this full bodied, delectable wine! With a seductive nose of blackberries, spice, hints of vanilla and milk chocolate, a rich intense mouth filling red wine, lots of black fruit, with hints of smoke and a chocolate-mocha flavour on the palate. We loved it!
We hope you all have the opportunity someday to enjoy the wines of Allegrini and the fruits of this amazing historic winemaking family! Hats off to Marilisa, and to all the ladies out there forging their way in this 108thanniversary year of International Women’s Day!
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/54201330_2167999163287691_2228024528297000960_o.jpg12001800Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-03-08 05:57:212019-06-05 07:02:48Honouring International Women’s Day with Wine, and Women of the vine!
Welcome to The Wine Ladies Taking Life One Sip at a Time, here on our audio podcast interviewing folks from all over the world about wine food and lifestyle!
We have a fantastic show for you today dedicated to all the women around the world. We honour you today ladies in celebration of International Women’s Day happening on March 8th.
This is the 108th Anniversary of this very special day that celebrates the achievements, raises awareness and rallies for change for us ladies in all parts of the world and areas of life!
Thousands of events will take place across the globe, from concerts to conferences, to runs and festivals. It is truly a special day for us all to come together.
On our show today we are thrilled and so proud to have the opportunity to chat with 3 remarkable women. To hear their stories, learn about their triumphs and challenges.
Our three guests on the show… Catriona Le May Doan, Kristina Shea and Marilisa Allegrini
Olympic Gold Medalist in 2002 Winter Olympic Games. During her career, Catriona Le May Doan broke 13 world records. She is the keynote speaker, March 5th for Zonta Celebrates International Women’s Day in support of the Oakville Hospital Foundation.
Our first guest…a true champion! You all know her. She has broken records, in fact over her career she broke 13 world records and won two gold medals at the Olympics. She is the fastest woman on ice. She is Catriona Le May Doan
Join us March 5th and perhaps share a glass of wine with our champion!
BID ON FABULOUS WINES IN SUPPORT OF THE OAKVILLE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION.
A VERY BIG THANK-YOU TO OUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS TO THE WINE WALL.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR, RAPID-DOSE THERAPEUTICS KRISTINA SHEA
Kristina Shea
Our second guest, she too is brilliant, gorgeous, smart, an innovator in business and a supreme advocate for women, Kristina Shea.
She is the Head of Marketing & Communications for Rapid-Dose Therapeutics, a Canadian med-tech company.
She will share with us three products that address very important needs of women today. Such as ample sleep. There is some incredible research on this topic. The importance of B12, with latest research on this too you will want to hear. Plus, energy, or how to energize oneself. AS well as the importance of a good night’s sleep. How does insomnia impact our overall health?
All this deliverable in a unique and most effective way, called QuickStrip.
MARILISA ALLEGRINI, VOICE OF AMARONE AND CEO ALLEGRINI
And to close off the show, another extraordinary woman. We turn to the world of wine.
Marilisa Allegrini. She is the CEO and owner of the historic wine producer Allegrini located in Valpolicella, Italy. She is the first Italian woman ever to grace the cover of Wine Spectator Magazine. Her winery was voted Italy’s Winery of the Year in 2016. She is known as the Voice of Amarone, been referred to as a Wine Star and truly is exactly that. All this in what has been traditionally a male dominated industry. We are thrilled to welcome Marilisa Allegrini to our show.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/InternationalWomensDay2019Instagram.jpg10801080Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-02-20 09:58:132019-03-07 12:26:24The Wine Ladies Audio Podcast...Celebrating International Women's Day 2019 With Three Remarkable Women! Follow Us At https://www.mixcloud.com/WineLadies/
For this International Women’s Day, 108th Anniversary celebration we thought we would introduce you to one remarkable woman in our field. She is Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Allegrini, one of the most respected and highly acclaimed wineries of Italy. It is located in the storied wine growing region of Valpolicella. Allegrini is world-renowned in particular for their exceptional production of the iconic wine Amarone. She is known as the “Voice of Amarone” and been often described as a “Wine Star”.
Marilisa is the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of one of the most respected and famous wine magazines in the world, The Wine Spectator. Since the early 1980’s Marilisa has been traveling the world sharing her passion for both the wines of Allegrini and the region of Valpolicella.
We had the opportunity to meet with the dynamic CEO of what today is regarded as one of the leading producers not only in this region but also in Italy as a whole.
We asked Marilisa to share with us the story behind Allegrini.
We learn that the Allegrini family has been involved with grape growing and winemaking since the 1500’s handing down grape growing and winemaking traditions over six generations.
Its roots lie in a small village Fumane de Valpolicella located just north of Verona. The family played a prominent role in the local community as one of the most important landowners, involved in agricultural work and upholding local traditions. “It was’, as she goes on to explain with great admiration, ”
how the intelligence and hard work of her father Giovanni an instinctive man with respect to the land and innovative winemaking practices was integral in earning the reputation Allegrini enjoys today”.
We’d like to feature one very special lady today on these pages. She is Marilisa Allegrini, the CEO of the family owned and operated Azienda Agricola Allegrini. Established in 1854 although Marilisa maintains it was many centuries before that her family was involved in making wine. It is considered a premier, and one of the most revered, award wining wineries in the historical and storied wine region of Valpolicella, Italy, also home of the iconic wine Amarone.
We had the opportunity to meet Marilisa on a recent visit to Toronto. She is a very special lady indeed, a woman of passion, and dedication, of brilliance and of grace. Here she shared with us a little history of Allegrini, the past, present and future. We also talked about Marilisa’s role as CEO, the role of women in general in this industry, the challenges and the opportunities.
Owner and Operator of Swiss-Master Chocolatier, Ingrid Laederach Steven, founded her upscale chocolate shop in Toronto in 1985. Considered a very active owner who is very much hands-on, it has been the secret to her success for all these years. For her, it’s just as much about the people as it is about the product and community to her is everything. Selling some of the finest in Swiss chocolates, she’s worked many, many years to develop a strong relationship with her suppliers in Switzerland, where she can then present the best products possible to her loyal customers.
We’d like to welcome to the show a very special lady. Our show today is all about Valentine’s Day, about love, passion and of course chocolate. Our next guest is definitely passionate about her business, as the founder of Swiss Master Chocolatier Boutique, now celebrating its 34th year anniversary.
Having served her delectable stunning array of Swiss chocolates to many a celebrity as well as the likes of NASA astronauts and Bill Clinton. She is Ingrid Laderach- Steven. She is here to share with us a little about her store, her story and will fill us in on, Why is Swiss Chocolate considered the best in the world? Is it actually an aphrodisiac? How heart healthy is a daily dose?
Ingrid is originally from Switzerland, and the Swiss know their chocolate. Swiss Master Chocolatier imports high-quality Swiss truffles, pralines, and many other products directly from Switzerland almost every day. And unlike most chocolate, which is filled with preservatives to give it an unnaturally long shelf life, Swiss Masters’ chocolate is made with fresh ingredients. “Our products are made in Switzerland for the domestic market, which means our products use fresh cream and fresh butter,” says Ingrid.
“Each person who walks through our door gets a chocolate so that they feel better when they walk out,” says Ingrid. “If everybody had a piece of chocolate and thought of all the wonderful things in life, this world would be a better place.”
Ingrid has been applauded over the years with many honors including a feature on the cover of the New York based Women of Distinction Magazine. She is also this month being featured in the recently published America’s Leading Ladies Who Positively Impact our World… Stories of Courage, Challenge and Triumph.
The Wine Ladies visited Ingrid in her Swiss Master Chocolatier Boutique at 2538 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Canada for a day of chocolate and wine tasting. Our wine of choice that day the recently release the Viticcio Morellino di Scansano 2015 available at VINTAGES # 574186, 750 mL bottle, $19.95 per bottle. Our truffles as recommended by Ingrid a milk mousse truffle, vanilla cream and hazelnut.
Ingrid’s sense of humour and joy for life shines through. “My products are always consistent when it comes to taste and quality,” Steven said, who imports high-quality Swiss truffles, pralines, and other products from the country. “But my clients are the real treat, because without them I wouldn’t still be in business today. That is why customer service is so important to me; making each of them feel comfortable when shopping in my store is a priority.”
Valentine’s Day is to express how you feel. They see written on a truffle, I love you, thank you. A little more personal they know what your thinking an extra personal touch. Happy Valentine’s Day!
The Wine Ladies visited Ingrid in her Swiss Master Chocolatier Boutique at 2538 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Canada for a day of chocolate and wine tasting.
https://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_1314-copy.jpg9601280Susanne Seelig-Mensehttps://www.thewineladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/WineLadiesLogoTransparent.pngSusanne Seelig-Mense2019-02-04 08:55:332019-02-14 07:55:50Meet Swiss Master Chocolatier Ingrid Laderach a true leading lady.
