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Stardust Rocks Le Dome April 13th, 2019. Feel the Power of Love. We invite you to join us!


Party like a ROCK STAR and celebrate changing the world for children, youth and families being helped by the
Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton
Saturday April 13, 2019
Le Dome Banquet Halls
Doors open at 6pm
Includes: Top Class Entertainment, Silent/Live Auctions, All Inclusive Host Bar, Swag Bag, Wine Wall and many more surprises!
#stardustrocks

We are thinking of dressing like the gals from the B’52’s Love Shack!
Providing Resources to Help Children, Youth and Families Thrive
“The Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton gave me the greatest gift of all, the gift of an education. I couldn’t have gone to school without their support and funding.“
Since 1990, with the support of generous, caring donors and sponsors, we have distributed over $5 million in support of the Halton Children’s Aid Society. We are proud that 100% of funds raised from donations are directed towards programs for our children and youth to make a significant, positive impact in their lives.
A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton’s fundraising activities and fund disbursements. The crucial programs supported by the CAFH are delivered to all children and youth in need within the Region of Halton.

Think Green! Ya! Saint Patrick’s Day! On this week’s audio podcast with The Wine Ladies
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.
Listen to Tyler Born at 4:47 minutes in the show.
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.
Listen to Bernard Walsh at 15:16 minutes in the show.
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.”
Listen to Patti Jannetta at 37:43 minutes in the show.
Excepts from our radio interview with Louis Jannetta on AM740 back in 2005.
Listen to Louis Jannetta at 44:29 minutes in the show.
About The Wine Ladies Audio Podcast
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.
Honouring International Women’s Day with Wine, and Women of the vine!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!
For more information on Allegrini wines and their availability please visit www.woodmanwinesandspirits.com
A glittering, golden evening celebrating International Women’s Day with Zonta Celebrates and Olympic Gold Medalist, Catriona Le May Doan.
