Here's a chance for you to be involved in the judging process of the Best Label Design for 2010 for VQA Ontario wine packaging. Out of hundreds of entries, the selection was narrowed down to only 14 and I'd really appreciate your support for one of them in particular - Chateau des Charmes.
Please take a minute to cast your vote. It's fun and you just might help me pay for baby's new shoes!
Click on the link below to view the nominees and cast your vote today. Only one vote per computer:
http://www.ontariowineawards.ca/contest-best-label-design.php
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My new boy
Kind of embarrassed yesterday when a new colleague suggested that I hadn't done much on the blog about my new son Samuel. Got me to thinking that at the very least I better get a few more photos up. So here they are!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Gabriel sings for Samuel
A short while ago I wrote about the wonderful process of awakening to the sound of my son, Gabriel, singing.
Here's a little snippet (with apologies for the poor video quality - I'm still learning) of him enchanting my newborn son Samuel.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A good read and props to Chateau des Charmes (yes, they are a client!)
Watching a winery grow
ROD PHILLIPS, THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT. - In the search for the next great grape, a swath of 270 acres in Niagara-on-the-Lake is carrying the torch, so to speak.
Left to right: Château des Charmes, Sparkling Wine; Château des Charmes, Chardonnay; Château des Charmes, Aligote; Château des Charmes, Cabernet Franc. Photograph by: Pat McGrath, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — It’s always interesting to watch changes in the world of wine, whether it’s at the level of the international market, wine regions, or individual wineries.
A few weeks ago, I sat down with Paul Bosc Jr., from Château des Charmes, one of Niagara’s older wineries (its first vines were planted in the 1970s). If you’ve visited Niagara, you might well have seen this winery. Amid the vines, the château stands back from the road and, although it’s one of the grand architectural pieces of the region, its classic style contrasts with the modern, sleek lines of many newer entrants. As Bosc poured a glass of Château des Charmes ‘St Davids Bench’ Merlot 2007 ($29.95 and available only from the winery, but which I hope will feature in a Vintages release), I noticed the bottle had a new label. This one is cleaner and easier to read than the old and, ironically, de-emphasizes the château that is such a landmark. What the new label does, though, is suggest the outlines of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, the geographical features that enable the region to grow grapes.
Bosc says the new label stresses “a sense of place,” a phrase you hear more and more these days as wineries seek to identify their wines with where the grapes grow. The new label is part of a broad shift that Château des Charmes has undertaken, much of it in the direction of sustainable production. The new labels are made from recycled material and the winery’s bottles are now lighter: from a kilogram, they’re down to 650 grams, which saves energy and costs in production and transport.
There’s a lot of activity back in the vineyard, too. The founder of Château des Charmes, Paul Bosc Sr., was one of the earliest proponents of planting vitis vinifera grape varieties in Niagara — the varieties you most commonly find now (chardonnay, merlot, etc.). Before they were planted, it was often thought that they wouldn’t survive in Niagara’s climate).
Then, in the 1990s, Bosc Sr. discovered a clone of the gamay variety, one whose shoots grew upright (‘droit,’ in French). He named it ‘gamay droit’ and you can buy very good wine made from this variety in the LCBO ($16.95, No. 582353). This is the only registered Canadian vinifera clone.
Now — and this is potentially very exciting — Château des Charmes is going further. They’ve been crossing vitis vinifera varieties (they have a thousand different combinations) to see if they can find one that both thrives in Niagara and makes excellent wine. That thousand will fall to a short-list of couple of dozen, then to two or three serious contenders. The winner could be an important contribution to the region’s wine industry.
Château des Charmes Sparkling Brut, Estate Bottled
This is a 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, made in the “Traditional Method.” Look for well-defined flavours, excellent balance, a crisp and refreshing texture and fine mousse. Drink it before or during a meal. 12 per cent alcohol; $22.95 (145409).
Château des Charmes Aligoté, Estate Bottled 2008
This is a too-little known Burgundian grape variety that makes refreshing whites. This one is dry, nicely flavoured, has good structure and balance, and goes well with simple fish and poultry dishes. 12 per cent alcohol; $13.45 (284950).
Château des Charmes Chardonnay, Estate Bottled 2007
From an excellent vintage, this well-priced chardonnay shows well-extracted flavours and a clean, refreshing texture. Dry and medium bodied, with good structure, it’s a good partner for poultry and pork dishes. 13.5 per cent alcohol; $13.95 (81653).
Château des Charmes Cabernet Franc, Estate Bottled 2007
Cabernet Franc does well in Niagara, and 2007 was an excellent year for it. You’ll find quite plush fruit flavours, and good complexity and balance. This will swing to poultry and to red meats. 13 per cent alcohol; $13.45 (277236) (Château des Charmes stores now, LCBO next year).
ROD PHILLIPS, THE OTTAWA CITIZEN, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT. - In the search for the next great grape, a swath of 270 acres in Niagara-on-the-Lake is carrying the torch, so to speak.
Left to right: Château des Charmes, Sparkling Wine; Château des Charmes, Chardonnay; Château des Charmes, Aligote; Château des Charmes, Cabernet Franc. Photograph by: Pat McGrath, The Ottawa CitizenOTTAWA — It’s always interesting to watch changes in the world of wine, whether it’s at the level of the international market, wine regions, or individual wineries.
A few weeks ago, I sat down with Paul Bosc Jr., from Château des Charmes, one of Niagara’s older wineries (its first vines were planted in the 1970s). If you’ve visited Niagara, you might well have seen this winery. Amid the vines, the château stands back from the road and, although it’s one of the grand architectural pieces of the region, its classic style contrasts with the modern, sleek lines of many newer entrants. As Bosc poured a glass of Château des Charmes ‘St Davids Bench’ Merlot 2007 ($29.95 and available only from the winery, but which I hope will feature in a Vintages release), I noticed the bottle had a new label. This one is cleaner and easier to read than the old and, ironically, de-emphasizes the château that is such a landmark. What the new label does, though, is suggest the outlines of the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, the geographical features that enable the region to grow grapes.
Bosc says the new label stresses “a sense of place,” a phrase you hear more and more these days as wineries seek to identify their wines with where the grapes grow. The new label is part of a broad shift that Château des Charmes has undertaken, much of it in the direction of sustainable production. The new labels are made from recycled material and the winery’s bottles are now lighter: from a kilogram, they’re down to 650 grams, which saves energy and costs in production and transport.
There’s a lot of activity back in the vineyard, too. The founder of Château des Charmes, Paul Bosc Sr., was one of the earliest proponents of planting vitis vinifera grape varieties in Niagara — the varieties you most commonly find now (chardonnay, merlot, etc.). Before they were planted, it was often thought that they wouldn’t survive in Niagara’s climate).
Then, in the 1990s, Bosc Sr. discovered a clone of the gamay variety, one whose shoots grew upright (‘droit,’ in French). He named it ‘gamay droit’ and you can buy very good wine made from this variety in the LCBO ($16.95, No. 582353). This is the only registered Canadian vinifera clone.
Now — and this is potentially very exciting — Château des Charmes is going further. They’ve been crossing vitis vinifera varieties (they have a thousand different combinations) to see if they can find one that both thrives in Niagara and makes excellent wine. That thousand will fall to a short-list of couple of dozen, then to two or three serious contenders. The winner could be an important contribution to the region’s wine industry.
Château des Charmes Sparkling Brut, Estate Bottled
This is a 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, made in the “Traditional Method.” Look for well-defined flavours, excellent balance, a crisp and refreshing texture and fine mousse. Drink it before or during a meal. 12 per cent alcohol; $22.95 (145409).
Château des Charmes Aligoté, Estate Bottled 2008
This is a too-little known Burgundian grape variety that makes refreshing whites. This one is dry, nicely flavoured, has good structure and balance, and goes well with simple fish and poultry dishes. 12 per cent alcohol; $13.45 (284950).
Château des Charmes Chardonnay, Estate Bottled 2007
From an excellent vintage, this well-priced chardonnay shows well-extracted flavours and a clean, refreshing texture. Dry and medium bodied, with good structure, it’s a good partner for poultry and pork dishes. 13.5 per cent alcohol; $13.95 (81653).
Château des Charmes Cabernet Franc, Estate Bottled 2007
Cabernet Franc does well in Niagara, and 2007 was an excellent year for it. You’ll find quite plush fruit flavours, and good complexity and balance. This will swing to poultry and to red meats. 13 per cent alcohol; $13.45 (277236) (Château des Charmes stores now, LCBO next year).
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Memories of Pepper or how to cope
"Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide", wrote John Dryden.
In other words (not that Dryden really needs my help) - the margin between sanity and insanity is microscopic. Many years ago, I interviewed a number of patients at the St. Thomas Ontario Hospital. Even at that time, late '70s, that was the euphemism for Mental Hospital. I was writing an article for my newspaper and really wanted to understand what brought people to this end.
One particular person stands out in my memory. Probably because she stalked me for a while but also as a result of a special insight she provided. Her name, not making this up, was Pepper.
Pepper was committed to the OH by her family. She actually drove herself there, parked her car and delivered herself to staff thinking she was simply there for an interview. Weeks later she told of sitting in her room, seeing her car in the parking lot and being completely helpless in her desire to climb behind the wheel and drive back to her 'normal' life. Her insight was this - one person's ability to cope with seemingly routine tasks during the day can come crashing down with little or no notice. She advised that the only reason she was confined to quarters and I could drive away in my Datsun 200SX was my ability to cope.
See, Pepper wasn't nuts at all. In fact she was a pretty normal person except for the fact that she just could get her act together IN THE EYES OF HER CHILDREN!
So why am I writing this now?
Not so several years ago, a friend did me the great service of encouraging me to seek some assistance as they thought I was sliding down the slope to gloom. Recently, I had occasion to speak to someone in a similar situation and tried to share what had been helpful to me. Don't know if it worked 'cause being in our current situation - 2.5 year old son, 2-month old son, selling a house, finding a new home, keeping a business afloat and managing a life - is why I started this blog entry.
Like Pepper, I'm finding it a challenge to cope with all of this but mercifully, because I have had some good lessons, I can make my way through the day.
Don't know where you are now Pepper or even if you're still walking among us, but I am thankful to have met you and learned your lessons.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wake up singing
The German author Berthold Auerbach wrote, "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
This quote was resurrected from the dim corners of my memory two mornings ago when I was awakened from my slumber by the glorious sound of my son Gabriel singing as he awakened around 6:00.
Now, anyone who knows me well will acknowledge that arising from the bed with a song in my heart is a rare occasion. I am, in fact, a grump when I wake up and until the first jolt of caffeine begins to course through my veins I remain so. At my age it is hard to fathom this fundamental character flaw being rectified however just as Gabriel's innocent outlook allowed me to embrace his joyous cry a few months ago of "Oh boy. SNOW!" his morning song provides hope.
I challenge anyone suffering from the a.m. grumps to hold close the miserable attitude in the face of a 2.5 year old boy singing "Here we go round the mulberry bush on a cold and frosty morning". My cold and frosty mental state was immediately warmed and I found myself smiling as I crawled into the shower.
So that's my self-learning for the day. If we could all find a way to wake up singing can you imagine what a wonderful world it could be?
My intent is to try to wash away the dust of life every morning and again I have a little boy to thank for another important life lesson.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spring is the best
Tempting fate by posting this however my hope for Spring outweighs good sense.
This clump of snowdrops decorates a lawn on my street and on March 8 it made me stupidly happy to see them.
I know March can still whack the stuffing out of us and that this year has been an almost completely benign winter. This still pleases me however and coupled with the birdsong of the cardinal serenading us each morning, well how can you not feel positive.
This clump of snowdrops decorates a lawn on my street and on March 8 it made me stupidly happy to see them.
I know March can still whack the stuffing out of us and that this year has been an almost completely benign winter. This still pleases me however and coupled with the birdsong of the cardinal serenading us each morning, well how can you not feel positive.
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