{"id":1633,"date":"2014-01-09T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-09T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2014\/01\/09\/newsletter-220-more-promises-more-disappointment\/"},"modified":"2014-01-09T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2014-01-09T05:00:00","slug":"newsletter-220-more-promises-more-disappointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/2014\/01\/09\/newsletter-220-more-promises-more-disappointment\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #220 &#8211; More Promises! More Disappointment?"},"content":{"rendered":"<table style=\"height: 38px; width: 460px;\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3><strong>Ontario<span style=\"color: #990000;\">Wine<\/span>Review Newsletter 220 <\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong>January 2014<br \/><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<td align=\"right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-781\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_side_owrglass.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"31\" height=\"70\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h4><strong>Ontario<span style=\"color: #800000;\">Wine<\/span>Review: <\/strong><em>More Promises! More Disappointment?<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h4><strong>Grape Guy\u2019s Picks of the Bunch: <\/strong><em>5 to Start the Year off Right<br \/><\/em><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h4><strong>Bi-Weekly OWR Updates<\/strong><strong>:\u00a0 <em>Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more<br \/><\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h4><strong>Wine Event Spotlight: <\/strong><em>Winter is Most Definitely Here<br \/><\/em><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-782\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_nav_archives.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" \/> <strong>Ontario<span style=\"color: #800000;\">Wine<\/span>Review:\u00a0 <em>More Promises! More Disappointment?<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong> <\/strong>There was a certain amount of optimism over the holidays coming out of the wineries of Ontario as the Wynne Liberals, who lead this province, announced a new initiative to get Ontario wines into the hands of more Ontarians \u2026 or at least that\u2019s how they are selling it. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In case you missed it, Kathleen Wynne and the Corrupt Liberals (sounds like a great 90\u2019s band) have released their latest McGuffin on the land, an announcement that Ontario VQA wine is to be sold at farmer\u2019s markets throughout the province.\u00a0 It\u2019s all part of their 75 million dollar plan to support the local wineries and help them grow.\u00a0\u00a0 The timing couldn\u2019t be better, for them anyway; this announcement comes just before a soon-to-be scheduled by-election in Niagara.\u00a0 Funny, how it is only now the Premier and her troops have decided to finally help the wineries of Ontario \u2026 seems rather convenient.\u00a0 I starting to experience a little d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu about this though; didn\u2019t they use this same technique to grab a couple of seats in the last election?<\/p>\n<p>Now, before you accuse me of being anti-Liberal, I\u2019m not.\u00a0 Before this government completely let me down I would have counted myself among them, but my personal politics aside, I\u2019m not anti-Liberal, I\u2019m pro-Ontario Winery \u2013 and anything that can help these hard working, passionate folks get their wines into more hands of the Ontario populace, the happier I am.\u00a0 I want more Ontarians to know what a scant few (in comparison to the Ontario population) already know: Ontario makes damn fine wine \u2026 period \u2013 full stop.<\/p>\n<p>So if that\u2019s the case, why would I be calling this recent announcement by the Ontario Liberals a McGuffin (\u201cthe central focus of a film [or story] in the first act, and then declines in importance as the struggles and motivations of the characters play out\u201d \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MacGuffin\" target=\"_blank\">Wikipedia<\/a>).\u00a0 Could it be that we\u2019ve heard these kinds of promises before?\u00a0 Haven\u2019t promises been made by previous administrations to loosen laws and extend availability only to dry up once elections have been won and time has passed?<\/p>\n<p>Do not the sins of past governments both Liberal and Conservative lay at the feet of those currently in power?\u00a0 Remember the BASR report?\u00a0 The promise of corner store sales?\u00a0 The dismantling of the LCBO?\u00a0 All these past promises hang heavily over this province.\u00a0 How soon we forget and how quickly we become elated at the thought of yet another chance at the brass ring fo wine sales outside the usual restrictive channels.<\/p>\n<p>My favourite part of this promise (read here: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/news\/queenspark\/2013\/12\/16\/ontario_to_allow_wine_sales_at_farmers_markets.html\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Star version<\/a> \/ <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/ottawa\/ontario-wines-can-be-sold-at-farmers-markets-wynne-says-1.2467030\" target=\"_blank\">CBC version<\/a>) is the creation of a \u201cwine secretariat to come up with ways to reduce red tape and help growers and wineries be more competitive\u201d.\u00a0 Could this plan include the LCBO?\u00a0 It sure looks that way.\u00a0 This government has continued to lean heavily on the LCBO for all their proposed \u201cfixes\u201d and \u201chelp\u201d to the Ontario wine dilemma: Wynnne already sites the Liberals major achievements in this field as Specialty Outlets (VQA boutiques in LCBO stores) and Grocery Store Kiosks (run by, the LCBO) this does not broaden the availability of choice, it just strengthens the hold the LCBO has on this province; so I have no reason to believe this government won\u2019t lean on them again to launch the \u201cFarmers\u2019 Market\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n<p>If they truly want to help the wine industry in this province stop handcuffing them as to where they can sell their wines.\u00a0 Give them actual retail space like the Wine Shoppes and Wine Rack stores that Peller and Vincor hold onto like gold (because they are).\u00a0 Let them sell their wines not just at Farmers\u2019 Markets but at festivals and events where you can sample the wine before you buy.\u00a0 Nothing makes attendees of festivals more annoyed than our prohibition era laws, that keep them from buying bottles of their favourite wines tasted at expos, festivals or events.\u00a0 It\u2019s mind boggling and baffling to any who have attended wine shows in other countries.\u00a0 Let wineries actually sell their wines at these events \u2026 I promise, no one is going to open the bottle in their car on the way home; no more so than they would after purchasing it at an LCBO store.<\/p>\n<p>And so that it\u2019s not just my voice of dissention you hear, allow me to bring winery owner Daniel Lenko into the conversation, as he posted his thoughts on Facebook:\u00a0 \u201cOk, this could get long winded.\u00a0 I think in general wine producers in Niagara are supportive of this olive branch being offered. Why not?\u00a0 This is the start of something, and anything is better than nothing.\u00a0 Here are the pitfalls:\u00a0 1) You can&#8217;t sample wine before 11am legally, and farmers markets primarily occur in the early morning hours.\u00a0 2) Can I have a stand-alone store in the &#8220;PATH&#8221; and call it &#8220;The Farmers Market &#8220;.\u00a0 I will offer produce as well.\u00a0 Or is this too civil?\u00a0 3) I can&#8217;t warehouse anything offsite so that means that I must drive pallets of wine back and forth daily to Niagara, how environmentally irresponsible.\u00a0 4) And hold on a second &#8230; Why is it that [Cellared in Canada] wines can be sold ANYWHERE in private stores and wines grown and vinified in Ontario can only now, 25 years later, be available at farmers markets. It really feels like I am a second class citizen here\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>But of course this is just one man\u2019s opinion, now it\u2019s your turn.\u00a0 Take to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> (Ontario Wine Review) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a> (@TheGrapeGuy) and let me know your thoughts on the matter.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-783\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_news_grapes.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"22\" height=\"21\" \/> <strong>Grape Guy\u2019s Picks of the Bunch: <\/strong><em>5 to Start the Year off Right<br \/><\/em><\/div>\n<div><em><br \/><\/em><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Cave Spring 2012 Chardonnay, Dolomite &#8211; $16.95<\/strong> (W)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cavespringcellars.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.cavespringcellars.com<\/a><br \/>The Dolomite series is showing quality and value up and down the line, from Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc to Riesling and Sparkling, and now the Chardonnay is following along the similar lines.\u00a0 I really dug the last version of the Dolomite Chardonnay (which was the inaugural vintage of Chard in this series);\u00a0 but this one, also very good, seems to be made in a different style.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to say it was the vintage but both \u201910 and \u201912 are hot vintages.\u00a0 While the 2010 had mineral and fruit this one leans heavier on the creamy aspects of Chardonnay: vanilla cream and pineapple puree accost the nose initially, leading to a palate that\u2019s tropically tinged with vanilla and butter on the finish.\u00a0 The palate also carries the added weight of lime pith, that signature mineral of the Dolomite line and of course that Ontario acidity \u2026 it\u2019s another good Dolomite wine from Cave Spring, and at this price it\u2019s an easy pick up by the half or full case.\u00a0 Price: $16.95 \u2013 Rating: ****+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hillebrand 2012 Trius Cabernet Sauvignon &#8211; $14.95<\/strong> (W, L)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hillebrand.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.hillebrand.com<\/a><br \/>This wine is so young and yet already a winner of a prestigious honour at the Intervin awards.\u00a0 If you couldn\u2019t make Cabernet Sauvignon from 2012 grapes \u2026 well what can I say, it was a beautiful year for the later ripening grape varieties, and this wine shows how value can go into a good bottle of wine.\u00a0 Cassis, blackberry, cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla, all make an appearance on both the nose and palate, all well-integrated with the tannins and balancing acidity \u2026 this one\u2019s just an all-round good wine and one you could easily cellar for a decade; and at this price why not try, but do drink a few along the way.\u00a0 Price: $14.95 \u2013 Rating: ****+<\/p>\n<p><strong>Malivoire 2012 Gamay \u2013 Small Lot &#8211; $19.95<\/strong> (W)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.malivoire.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.malivoire.com<\/a><br \/>Stop the presses, Malivoire has done it again.\u00a0 Come to think of it, when it comes to Gamay, that\u2019s nothing new for this producer \u2026 during my Gamay week videos they had 2 spots in my top 6 and could have easily taken up a third.\u00a0 This best barrel selection is stunning (once again).\u00a0 Smoked black cherry and hints of vanilla hit the nose, while on the palate it\u2019s friendly and fun with touches of black licorice and silky tannins loaded with cherry juice \u2026 there\u2019s also the perfect amount of acidity to compliment the long finish.\u00a0 Price: $19.95 \u2013 Rating: **** \u00bd<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rosehall Run 2011 Chardonnay \u2013 JCR, Rosehall Vineyard &#8211; $29.95<\/strong> (W)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rosehallrun.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.rosehallrun.com<\/a><br \/>It\u2019s been awhile since a Rosehall Chardonnay has struck me like this one \u2013 I was totally blown off my chair and had to keep re-trying it to make sure it was as good as first thought \u2026 it was \u2026 and with each subsequent sip I fell a little harder.\u00a0 There is so much going for this wine it\u2019s like sensory over-load: honey aromas followed by floral, dried apple and apricot, fig, vanilla oak and butterscotch \u2026 I thought there\u2019s no way all this translates to the mouth, but I was wrong.\u00a0 Silky smooth on the palate, the floral, apricot and honey follow onto the tongue and so does the butterscotch and dried apple \u2026 there\u2019s also some mineral notes that show up for good measure.\u00a0 This is a totally delicious and age-worthy Chard from the folks at Rosehall.\u00a0 One of the best Rosehall Run Chardonnays I have had in quite some time, drink now for the flavours or hold 5+ years for the intensity and intricacies to come.\u00a0 Price: $29.95 \u2013 Rating: **** \u00bd <\/p>\n<p><strong>Thirty Bench 2012 Riesling &#8211; $18.95<\/strong> (W, L)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thirtybench.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.thirtybench.com<\/a><br \/>This three vineyard blend from the Steel Post, Wood Post and Triangle vineyards is a very expressive version and one of the best blended Rieslings that Thirty Bench has put out in quite some time.\u00a0 It\u2019s fruit driven with peach and lemon zest, but also has a really precise mineral core that turns chalky and dry on the finish, but still manages to keep the fruit intact \u2026 it\u2019s a great high wire act that really pays off.\u00a0 Price: $18.95 \u2013 Rating: ****+<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Availability legend:\u00a0 W (Winery) \u2013 L  (LCBO\/Vintages) \u2013\u00a0 OL (On-Line).<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-784\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_news_bottles.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" \/><strong> Bi-Weekly OWR Updates<\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><em>Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more<br \/><\/em><\/div>\n<div><em><br \/><\/em><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The Weekly Wine Videos<\/strong><\/span><br \/>Just  as the name suggest \u2026 every week I&#8217;ll introduce you to another fabulous  Ontario wine that you&#8217;ve just gotta try \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC102i-SF5A-4AHhH79TiVqg\" target=\"_blank\">Check out the YouTube Channel  Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Sparkling Wine Week<\/strong><\/em><br \/><strong>Video #49 \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/_zZ2yIDyNEg\" target=\"_blank\">Jackson-Triggs 2010 Brut &#8211; Entourage Grand Reserve<\/a><br \/><strong>Video #50 \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/pUSqGMp7xGw\" target=\"_blank\">Hinterland 2011 Blanc de Blanc<\/a><br \/><strong>Video #51 \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/4KhSTUYzofI\">Angels Gate 2011 Archangel Brut, Chardonnay<\/a><br \/><strong>Video #52 \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/-T39Mbbi2M4\" target=\"_blank\">Chateau des Charmes Brut<\/a><br \/><strong>Video #53 \u2013<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/bLc2cJli46U\" target=\"_blank\">Featherstone 2010 Joy<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>First of 2014 &#8230; Video #54 &#8211; <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/pCjpSckMrh4\" target=\"_blank\">Tawse 2012 \u2018Spark\u2019 &#8211; Riesling Limestone Ridge<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">NEW<\/span> \u2013 Quench By Tidings \u2026 #Wine Wednesday<\/strong> (<a href=\"http:\/\/quench.me\/quench\/thirst\/winewednesday\/\" target=\"_blank\">see them all here<\/a>)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/quench.me\/thirst\/winewednesday\/winewednesday-wines-holidays-domestic-sparkling\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wines for the Holidays \u2013 Domestic Sparkling<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/quench.me\/thirst\/winewednesday\/winewednesday-wines-holidays-bubblies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wines for the Holidays \u2013 Other Bubblies<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/quench.me\/thirst\/winewednesday\/winewednesday-whats-port-call\/\" target=\"_blank\">What\u2019s the Port You Call For<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/quench.me\/thirst\/winewednesday\/winewednesday-heres-sweet-new-year\/\" target=\"_blank\">Here\u2019s to a Sweet New Year<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>On the Road with the Grape Guy<\/strong><br \/>(<em>Trips, tours and tastings \u2013 join me as I review the highs, and sometimes, the lows<\/em>)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/repot-from-amarone-families-tasting.html\" target=\"_blank\">Amarone Families Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-vinexx-tasting-october-23.html\" target=\"_blank\">Vinexx Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-e-j-gallo-portfolio-tasting.html\" target=\"_blank\">E &#038; J Gallo Portfolio Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-wine-australia-media.html\" target=\"_blank\">Wine Australia Media Tasting, Mini-Thematic<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-deutz-champage-tasting.html\" target=\"_blank\">Deutz Champage Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-tenuta-s-anna-lunch-and.html\" target=\"_blank\">Tenuta S. Anna Lunch and Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-kwv-lunch-and-tasting.html\" target=\"_blank\">KWV Lunch and Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-mark-anthony-brands.html\" target=\"_blank\">Mark Anthony Brands Portfolio Tasting<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-dave-and-i-open-96-december.html\" target=\"_blank\">Dave and I Open a &#8217;96<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-great-estates-of-niagara.html\" target=\"_blank\">The Great Estates of Niagara FAM tour<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-cono-sur-dinner-at-far.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cono Sur Dinner at Far Niente Restaurant<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/report-from-ornellaia-25th-anniversary.html\" target=\"_blank\">Ornellaia 25th Anniversary Lunch at Barbarian Steak House<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/report-from-napa-valley-taste-of-time.html\" target=\"_blank\">Napa Valley: A Taste of Time &#038; More<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/report-from-annual-taste-of-italy-in.html\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Taste of Italy in Toronto, 2013 Edition<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/ontheroadwithgrapeguy.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/report-from-wines-of-chile-annual.html\" target=\"_blank\">Wines of Chile Annual Tasting<\/a><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Lost and Found (blog):<\/strong><br \/>(Wines that got &#8220;lost&#8221; in my cellar &#8211; some are Treasures others Trash \u2026 Find out what happened)<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/owrlostandfound.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/marynissen-estates-2002-cabernet-franc.html\" target=\"_blank\">Marynissen Estates 2002 Cabernet Franc<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Taste it Again Grape Guy (blog)<\/strong><em><br \/>Find out what has happened to some of my favourites over the years<br \/><\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/tasteitagain.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/calamus-estate-2007-meritage.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calamus Estate 2007 Meritage<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/tasteitagain.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/konzelmann-estate-winery-2006-shiraz.html\" target=\"_blank\">Konzelmann Estate Winery 2006 Shiraz<\/a> <br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/tasteitagain.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/lailey-2008-old-vines-chardonnay.html\" target=\"_blank\">Lailey 2008 Old Vines Chardonnay<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What I\u2019m Drinking Tonight (blog)<\/strong><em><br \/>When it\u2019s not an Ontario wine, here\u2019s what I\u2019m pulling out of the cellar<br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/michaelpinkusgg.blogspot.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>New Posts Added<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/em><strong>Vintages Release (blog)<\/strong><em><br \/><\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/grapeguyvintages.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/saturday-january-4-2014-vintages.html\" target=\"_blank\">January 4, 2014 \u2013 Vintages Release Report<\/a><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/grapeguyvintages.blogspot.ca\/2013\/12\/in-store-discoveries-appearing-on_30.html\" target=\"_blank\">In-Store Discoveries \u2013 January 4 &#038; 18, 2014<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Advertising<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/1aI3oVO\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/niagar-festivals.jpg\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.niagarawinefestival.com\/page\/icewine_home\" target=\"_blank\">Icewine Festival &#8211; January 10-26, 2014<br \/>see all the details of what&#8217;s happening here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Advertising<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-786\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_nav_events.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" \/> <\/em><strong>Wine Event Spotlight:\u00a0<em> <\/em><em>Winter is Most Definitely Here<br \/><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>It&#8217;s a winter wonderland out there so get out there and tour the wine region of you choice to stay warm and toasty.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Ontario<span style=\"color: #990000;\">Wine<\/span>Review\u2019s                                     bi-weekly newsletter is devoted to   the       love,           enjoyment     and           promotion    of    the   wines     of   Ontario   and       the wineries     that  make      them. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em> <\/em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-787\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_nav_askgg.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" \/> <strong>What can  the Grape Guy do for you \u2026 <\/strong>Michael                                     Pinkus (Grape Guy) provides a  variety    of      wine         related          services      that      you   might   be      interested   in       taking   advantage    of:\u00a0      he  gives             lectures,       leads        seminars,    conducts   tastings,     sets         up  tours;        consults,        selects    and        judges.\u00a0  He  also       gives       interviews,              broadcasts,   podcasts  and         writes.\u00a0  <a href=\"component\/option,com_contact\/task,view\/contact_id,1\/Itemid,90\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Contact the Grape Guy if you require any of  these services or have any questions<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-788\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_news_passiton.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" \/> <strong>Psst, Pass It On<\/strong><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> \u2026 keep the good wine flowing. Forward this newsletter to your mom in                                     Milton, your son in Smith Falls, or any       other        family        member    or       loved     one     that   you    know   needs      good wine        advice.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-789\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/ico_nav_lingo.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" \/> <strong>Socially Speaking \u2026 <\/strong><br \/> Follow Michael Pinkus, the Grape Guy\u2019s (almost) daily <strong><em>Tweets<\/em><\/strong> at <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/TheGrapeGuy\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">http:\/\/twitter.com\/TheGrapeGuy<\/span><\/a> . <br \/> You can become a friend on <em><strong>facebook<\/strong><\/em>: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/?ref=home#%21\/mepinkus\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/?ref=home#!\/mepinkus<\/span><\/a> .\u00a0 <br \/> Those who are \u201c<em><strong>Linked In<\/strong><\/em>\u201d can find Michael at <a href=\"http:\/\/ca.linkedin.com\/pub\/michael-pinkus\/14\/704\/4b8\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">http:\/\/ca.linkedin.com\/pub\/michael-pinkus\/14\/704\/4b8<\/span><\/a> .<\/p>\n<p>To contact us with feedback, article ideas, comments, concerns or  questions \u2013 email <a href=\"mailto:michael@ontariowinereview.com\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">michael@ontariowinereview.com<\/span><\/a> We look forward to hearing from you!<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">\u00a9                                     OntarioWineReview.com 2014. All     rights           reserved.     You     may     use     the           content of  this          newsletter by     including   full    credit       to      Michael             Pinkus,     Grape Guy     and a link to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ontariowinereview.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">www.ontariowinereview.com<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OntarioWineReview Newsletter 220 January 2014 \u00a0 OntarioWineReview: More Promises! More Disappointment? Grape Guy\u2019s Picks of the Bunch: 5 to Start the Year off Right Bi-Weekly OWR Updates:\u00a0 Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more Wine Event Spotlight: Winter is Most Definitely Here OntarioWineReview:\u00a0 More Promises! More Disappointment? There was a certain amount of optimism over the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-owr-newsletter-archives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1633\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.michaelpinkuswinereview.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}