It all started with the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau – the third Thursday of November.
Continue reading “LE VRAI COQ AU VIN”LE VRAI COQ AU VIN
A WEE MEASURE OF FRANCE IN OTTAWA
It was with great fanfare that the LCBO announced the opening of its French wine boutique in Ottawa. Our wine scribe Jim Walker saw an opportunity to forge a mutually beneficial working relationship with the staff at the fledgling purveyor of French tipples. So, he and his wife Hélène decided to pay them a visit. To say it was an interesting experience would be an understatement.
Continue reading “A WEE MEASURE OF FRANCE IN OTTAWA”THE SUN SETS ON ARTHUR’S CELLAR
They did it! It took 16 years, but they finally did it. Our wine scribe Jim Walker relates in bone-chilling detail how the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, after inflicting many near-mortal wounds over the years, delivered the death blow to his once thriving Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club.
Continue reading “THE SUN SETS ON ARTHUR’S CELLAR”A PARTICULARLY PERNICIOUS PARTNERSHIP
Helen Keller once remarked, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” That’s what our wine scribe Jim Walker thought when he decided to take on a partner.
Continue reading “A PARTICULARLY PERNICIOUS PARTNERSHIP”SITTIN’ ON THE DOCK OF THE … LCBO WAREHOUSE
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”WHO KNEW COT, NÉGRETTE AND TANNAT?
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?”ANOTHER CASTLE IN THE LUBERON
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”FIZZ FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
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”A TASTING TO REMEMBER (OR NOT?)
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?)”THAT CHÂTEAU IN THE LUBERON
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”
Gentlemans Portion 