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Recommendations for Nana: the Whites edition

September 2, 2019 / Mel / 1 Comment

When I first started this blog, my goal was to document delicious yet affordable wines. This generally meant bottles in the $10-$16 range. As my salary increased and I was able to justify spending money on wine “for educational purposes,” that range got a little higher. But now that I am working for myself as a freelance translator, I am back on the lookout for amazing wine deals. Whenever I find a winner, I immediately classify it mentally in my Wines-To-Tell-Nana-About list.

My Nana and I at the National Arts Centre
She hasn’t changed a bit!

Beaujolais Biodynamics at Domaine de la Bonne Tonne

August 23, 2019 / Mel / 1 Comment

Ever wanted to live on a vineyard in France? Wake up in the morning to the smell of espresso and fresh-baked croissant, open the windows and gaze upon vineyards and majestic Mont Blanc in the distance? Eat delicious, locally sourced food and drink organically grown wine made in your backyard? Work, eat, drink, sing and dance with locals, and make friendships for life?

Keeping it all in the family in the Beaujolais – Part 1

July 9, 2019 / Mel / 0 Comments

Green rolling hills, row upon row of vines, tractors trundling their way past market stands are filled with every summer fruit imaginable – shiny red cherries, plump strawberries, and juicy apricots, peaches and nectarines. The sun shines warm upon your face, and a gentle breeze makes the tall grass sway. Welcome to June in the Beaujolais.

Facing My Fears With JAWS – Francis Coppola Chardonnay

May 23, 2019 / Mel / 0 Comments

I first saw the movie Jaws when I was eight.

I thought I was old enough to watch my first scary movie. Knowing it was a classic, one of those movies everyone just had to see, I thought I would give it a shot.

My mom tried to convince me otherwise. But for some reason I wouldn’t back down. “You’re on your own, kid,” was my mother’s response.

I ended up sleeping in her bed for the next three nights.

Related image — This scene from *Jaws* absolutely terrified me

Pizza and Brouilly wine — Pizza with Chateau de

Food sensitivities, pizza and wine

April 26, 2019 / Mel / 0 Comments

Travelling with people with food sensitivities can be tricky. When sailing, we are lucky that we have a galley kitchen on the boat and can make meals onboard to our tastes. But it means getting creative sometimes. Continue reading

Wine and chocolate in the Caribbean

April 4, 2019 / Mel / 0 Comments

Hello friends!

It’s that time of year again when I resurface from a hiatus!! We are nearing the end of our sailing season in the Caribbean. It has been a great winter of island hopping, hosting friends on board and enjoying a slower, simpler kind of life.

But all good things must come to an end, and our time in the Caribbean is no exception. And there is nothing more depressing for a cruiser than watching your boat come out of the water. Except maybe knowing that you are flying home to subzero temperatures and snow still on the ground. And then I seriously question all my life choices. And consume a vast amount of chocolate. And (obviously) drink wine. And that helps a bit. Continue reading

Wining in Valpolicella: an afternoon with Bertani

October 6, 2018 / Mel / 0 Comments

A year ago, I was in Italy, eating a ridiculous amount of pasta and pizza, and drinking copious amounts of aperol spritzes and delicious Italian wine. Looking back at those pictures makes me want to drop everything and get on a plane. Maybe that explains the Italian kick I’ve been on lately. When planning our trip, I was a bit nervous about Italy. I had spent a lifetime hyping it up in my head. Would it live up to my expectations? It’s Italy—of course it did. It was everything I dreamed it would be, and more.

Have you tried this affordable bubbly red wine? The lowdown on Lambrusco.

August 26, 2018 / Mel / 0 Comments

Hello my wine-loving friends!

I know it must be a shock to see Wining with Mel re-appearing out of the blue like this after such a long absence. Five months, to be exact. Rest assured that despite the lack of posts, you have not left my thoughts. I have been battling a heavy dose of guilt for not writing. Did you think of me a little while I was gone?

It goes without saying that coming back to the “real world” after a year off – first traipsing around Europe, then sailing around the Caribbean – has been a bit of an adjustment. I have gone from a completely unstructured life on a boat to being back in an office 5 days a week. I have gone from wearing flips flops or going barefoot to donning high heels. Continue reading

Wining in Provence: AOC Palette and Château Simone

March 11, 2018 / Mel / 0 Comments

There is a certain sense of romance associated with the south of France, n’est-ce pas? The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, palm trees lining the Côte d’Azur (aka the French Riviera), groves of olive trees and fields of lavender. And vineyards, bien sûr.
Continue reading

Bordeaux meets Antigua

February 28, 2018 / Mel / 0 Comments

What do you think of when you hear Bordeaux? France, certainly. Row upon row of vines. Left bank and right bank. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Highly structured reds that cellar for years, even decades. Fried chicken. Wait, what? Continue reading

Wining with Mel