There are those who think that a wine agent’s life is a great big bowl of cherries – slurping the finest wines, visiting exotic locales and dining in utter splendor. But nature loves symmetry. So, to even things out, she sent us the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Jim Walker, our wine scribe tells us about the joys of picking up his wine from the LCBO warehouse in Toronto.
Continue reading “SITTIN’ ON THE DOCK OF THE … LCBO WAREHOUSE”
Here our wine scribe Jim Walker recounts his first wine tasting experience that had real consequences. It wasn’t exactly a pretty sight, but the outcome was both favourable and flavourful.
Continue reading “WHO KNEW COT, NÉGRETTE AND TANNAT?”
Our wine scribe Jim Walker introduced Laure Pinatel-Gilles and her family’s Château de l’Isolette in his third contribution to Gentleman’s Portion. Here he continues Laure’s story and that of her storied vineyard.
Continue reading “ANOTHER CASTLE IN THE LUBERON”
Tis the season to be jolly and what better way to enhance the jollity than with a flagon of festive fizz, so sayeth our wine scribe Jim Walker. Here he recounts his experiences with bubbles of many types and origins as he sets the stage for the holidays.
Continue reading “FIZZ FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON”
It had been two long years since the old wine-tasting gang had convened. They were all double vaccinated and getting mighty thirsty. Our wine scribbler Jim Walker decided it was high time to trot on down to his cellar, select a few interesting bottles and host a little wine tasting soirée. The delicious details follow.
Continue reading “A TASTING TO REMEMBER (OR NOT?)”
Our wine scribe Jim Walker’s wife Hélène needed a new base for her popular O! France Tours de Provence. She found just what she was looking for – a château in the hilltop town of Goult in southern France.
Continue reading “THAT CHÂTEAU IN THE LUBERON”
Our wine scribe Jim Walker’s 60th birthday was fast approaching and his wife Hélène wanted to know how he wanted to celebrate it. “How about with a bunch of close friends in Provence,” he suggested somewhat facetiously. “If anyone would come,” he added. So Hélène got the word out and low and behold everyone thought it was a grand idea. And that was how a long, thoroughly enjoyable association with Beatrice Navarre and her bastide near Châteauneuf du Pape began.
Continue reading “THAT BASTIDE NEAR CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE”
Don’t you just hate it when one of your favourite restaurants closes its doors? Our wine scribe Jim Walker was confronted by this all too common occurrence during the wretched plague. Now all that remains is the lingering aroma of the world’s best onion soup and a treasure trove of memories. We know there are legions of other patrons joining Jim in his lamentations.
Continue reading “OH BLESSED BISTRO”
We’ve often wondered how our wine scribe Jim walker selects the wines he imports and presents to his Arthur’s Cellar wine club. No doubt he spends countless hours scouring trade magazines, studying vintage reports and endlessly sampling likely candidates, all the while working tirelessly and selflessly on behalf of his thirsty clients. Here’s how he decided on the wines from Domaine de La Gramière.
Continue reading “IT STARTED IN UZÈS!”
Many, many years ago our wine scribe Jim Walker fell in love with a voluptuous, full-bodied Australian. Glowing remarks extolling the many charms of the object of his affection had been broadcast far and wide. He was bound and determined to learn first-hand what all the fuss was about, even if it meant going to Australia. What could possibly have caused such ardour in our cold hearted ex-banker? Read on.
Continue reading “FAIR DINKUM DISCOVERED DOWN UNDER”
Gentlemans Portion 