Melinda Doolittle - My Funny Valentine

I was looking for a version of this song to post for you and I discovered this from American Idol. Melinda Doolittle blows this song out of the water.

Her version of this classic is incredibly moving. Each time I have listened to it I get goosebumps every single time. I only wish it was a full version. I would more than likely be in tears at the beauty of her interpretation.

Melinda also reminds us that a Valentine need not only be a lover.

Enjoy Melinda, her voice and her oh so beautiful spirit along with a glass of La Grande Dame, Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Two extraordinary women in their own genres. A perfect match!

Happy Valentine!

Ah qui, nobody sings about l'amour quite like the french. Open a bottle of Cru Beaujolais, a Morgon or Fleurie perhaps. Something light-hearted and oh so debonair. C'est magnifique!

Au revoir pour nous.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Scotland and then some continued!

Continuing on from my last blog, here a just a few more photos of bonnie Scotland. I promise not to be wordy!! I have more photos that I will scan and post, for instance the photo of me in Robbie Burn's wee bed and at the pub he frequented, also climbing Ben Nevis. Let me tell you now that was no small feat! I was suddenly shrouded in mist so thick I couldn't see my own hand right in front of my face! More on that later.

Enjoy these few photos!!

What's a photo of Scotland without a sheep. This was on my way to Balmoral Caslte.

Awesome isn't it! This is Loch Lomond on what was an overcast day. Wait a second, now that I think about it, it's overcast most days in Scotland. They have sunshine and then a bit of rain and then windy and then........all four seasons in one day. You don't go to Scotland for the weather. It wouldn't have its appeal if it were a blazing, scorching, sunshine of a place now would it. Well it wouldn't for me. I always expect and look forward to the ambience of the scottish weather. It is after all surrounded by water. Oh look there I go again, and I promised not to be wordy. I just can't seem to help myself.
NEXT!

This is Glen Coe which you pass through enroute to Fort William and Ben Nevis. Is this not just fantastic! The three mountains on the left are known as The Three Sisters. And I took this picture. Love it!

Once again enroute to Fort William. In this photograph you can get a sense of the size of these mountains. To the right of centre is a house that sits curbside to the motorway. You can also see the burst of sun rays off in the distance. From where I was standing taking this photo it was misty with rain.

Glorious St. Andrew's, home of the famous golf mecca of the world! This is a ruin that I photographed at dusk.

In the near future I will be offering a trip to Scotland and its distilleries. Keep tuned in!

Cheerio

My Bonnie Scotland - Whisky country and then some!

Bonnie Scotland! Where the air is fresh and the whisky is bountiful!

The photos you are about to look at are from a holiday I took many moons ago. I was on a driving trip throughout Scotland. I went up one side, down the other and directly through the middle.

From the lowlands of Dundee, Robbie Burns country, where I lay in his bed to the Highlands of Fort Williams and Ben Nevis the highest mountain in all of Britain, which I climbed to the top, Scotland is a stunningly beautiful country. It is often said that Scotland is a miniature version of Canada.

Imagine if you will not only was I manoeuvring along twisting and winding roads that you cannot avert your gaze for one second, I was also navigating on the left hand side of the motorway and seated on the right side of the car. Oh and did I mention it was a stick shift I was driving. Are you impressed with me!!!

What made me look for these photos was because I was in the LCBO the other day having a wee look 'round when I saw a whisky that I hadn't seen on their shelves before. It was the single malt whisky Royal Lochnagar.

I was instantly transported back to my trip. I remembered that I had been to this distillery long before Jacqueline had any vision or inclination towards being a sommelier. Yes, this was back in the day when (as you read in my very first blog entry Guess who's coming to dinner) I only partook in the hops beverages. Well, beverage, singular. I wasn't adventuresome back then. You know, stick to your brand and all! I was loyal!
Upon arrival home I kicked off my boots, whipped off my coat and left it where I stood as I rushed to my book case shelves in search of my trip down memory lane. I could hear the bagpipes playing, roaring in my head, beckoning me to the book case. Okay, so I've embellished a little but what the hey. I was really excited to search out the photos.

Now when I say photos I do mean as in get the film developed, pick them up in a week's time photographs. I took them all myself with my Canon Sure Shot camera that my mum had bought for me. As I look back at them they are pretty good if I do say so myself!

The reason I was at this distillery was because it is approximately one mile away from Balmoral Castle, the Scottish Highland home of the Royal Family, which is where I was heading. The first picture is of the countryside en route to Balmoral. These trees suddenly came upon me as I turned a corner. They were as far as the eye could see and as tall as you can imagine. They almost seemed like cyprus trees that are planted down the Rhone Valley to slow down the mistral winds.

The second photo is of the Royal Lochnagar Visitor Centre. The third photo is of whisky moonshine caves that were abound in the 19th century. The fourth photo is of the actual distillery.

Royal Lochnagar dates back to 1826 and was awarded its Royal Warrant in 1848 after a visit from her Royal Highness Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
"The event came about after the distillery manager John Begg (somewhat cheekily) dropped a note to their Royal Highnesses directly inviting them to pay a visit and sample the delights of the distillery (and rather impudently, he mentioned that if they didn’t arrive by 6pm they would miss the distillery in operation. To him, there was no question that he would extend the routine to accommodate his royal guests). What happened next was quite extraordinary – without fanfare, Victoria and Albert paid an impromptu call and were suitably impressed. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. The Royal connection has meant that the distillery has played host to a string of famous visitors, many of them British prime ministers taking an hour or so off between meetings with the monarch of the day at Balmoral."

This is thee Royal Mail Box at the entrance to Balmoral Castle. Of course it's on the side of the grounds which we the commoners are allowed.

If you look at the sign to the right hand side it says Balmoral Private Estates No Admittance. It's a good thing I didn't see it before I entered on the other side. LOL!

Oh look there's that sign again!

This is a part of the Dee River. Remember the photo of Prince Charles with wellies on up to his thighs, fishing. This is a part of that river.

As we know it's all about the water in whisky. What topography it flows threw and around, imparts the many different characteristics we've come to know when describing a whisky. For instance minerally, peaty, mossy, fern like, heathery, medicinal, iodine, are just a few of the desciptors.

From the gentler style of the Lowlands to the bold and beautiful of the Highlands there is most definitely a whisky to suit every palate. The choices are vast and varied.

It truly is funny how you just never know where your life may lead you!! Who knew that I would one day recall these photographs and look at them from a totally different set of eyes....and palate!

Look for the signs (and the posted ones.......OPTIONAL). You just never know where they may lead you!

As the scottish say "What's for you won't go past you"!

Cheers

Jacqueline

Ladies Only---Sorry fellas, next time, I promise!

It has long been a dream of mine to put on an event about wine that would be for women, about women and produced by a woman, me. The reason being is that women tend to be far more intimidated by the world of wine. I really want to help you overcome this fear and to introduce you to a world that has brought so much fun and joy into my life. I often find that women shy away from ordering wine in a restaurant or in a mixed group environment for fear of looking silly. Ladies I am here to set you free from this moment on!

Did you know that women purchase more wine than men! Yes this is true! Women also are known for the word of mouth factor. We like to share our new and great finds with other people. Marketers know this about us and that is why the wine industry targets their selling towards women.

I read a book a few years back called "The 80% Minority" which stated that in 2003 women controlled 80% of the consumer dollars in North America. Astounding isn't it. Women today are still the major consumers / purchasers of goods and services. We do most of the research when it comes to new purchases be it cars, houses, where to vacation. The list is endless. Surprised?

Did you know that women are pretty darn good at wine tasting! This is not a bias on my part. You will hear men in the industry say this too. It is honestly not meant in any way other than to let you know and encourage you not to be afraid by it all. It truly is fun and enjoyable.

It was a woman by the name of Dr. Ann Noble of the University of California Davis who set out to describe the aromas of wine by compiling words /descriptors and organizing them into what is now famously known as "The Aroma Wheel". This wheel is an amazing tool when one is first learning about wines and spirits. It helps to teach us the vocabulary of wine and to increase our knowledge of wine aromas and descriptive terms. The more we practice at it the more our verbal descriptors and knowledge expands.


How about the Champagne region of France and Veuve Clicquot. Now this was one savvy business woman. She is also credited with creating a technique known as riddling. You can read more about the Widow Clicquot in my blog.



Their are so many very talented winemakers who happen to be women. It is my desire to showcase them and their talents to the world.

The Ontario Wineries Tour Guide Book lists 18 women who are winemakers. 18!! Natalie Spytkowsky from Rosewood Estates for one! You can read more about Natalie in my blog, Rosewood Estates.


At the top of this blog I mentioned my dream. I am currently working on an upcoming event of women winemakers and women in the industry! So ladies if you are interested and would like more information please email me at info@divineindulgence.ca. It's very exciting!!

And fellas, if you have a female in your life that you think would be interested please do let them know. Or better yet buy a ticket and surprise them with it!! I promise to have a show for you too because you need to know about these fabulous women!! Ladies first though.

$10.00 of the ticket cost will be donated to the Women for Women Organization, http://www.womenforwomen.org/. This organization helps women in war torn countries re-establish themselves. It provides them with education, vocational skills, income generation and micro loans financing etcetera. It's a fabulous organization. Please check out their website.

Spread the word!! It's going to be fun!!

Salud!
Jacqueline

The Wine Princess

Good morning,
I just have to share this with you. My sister-in-law is the bees knees! She is one of these people who listens when you speak. She is also observant when you are out shopping with her. She will remember something you said you liked a year ago, tuck it away in her mind, then keep her eyes and ears open in the hopes of finding that special something for you.

I spent last week-end with her and she had picked up a "couple of things for me". Oh did I mention she also has a great sense of humour. Have you seen the People magazines that are out right now that recollect things like people of distinction i.e. Martha Stewart going to jail? There are also the ones that recall an era. Yes, she had picked up the one that related to my era. And no I'm not going to say what era! After all, a lady doesn't talk about age! All I will say is that it is brilliant! A trip down memory lane!

She gave me the perfume that I love and have been out of for sooooo long! She also made a donation to an animal shelter for me because like her I love animals!! The next gift I couldn't help but laugh and laugh and laugh. Have a look at the picture below.

Now talk about funny. I LOVE THIS APRON!! How fitting for me. I love the necklace and the crown. I love the shades she is wearing and the bangle on her wrist. I love the fancy dress and the correct way she is holding the glass of wine. I love that she is swirling the wine and has her lips pursed in the manner that we do when tasting to draw in air to release the aromas. I love that she is a WINE PRINCESS!!

My sister-in-law has two sisters that are equally funny and great people to be around. Her one sister had bought her a book, a funny book of course, with little sayings about women and life and things. I especially liked two pages. The first is a woman in the kitchen with a bottle of wine and she says " I love to cook with wine, and sometimes I even put it in the food." I howled. You've got to love that wine humour. The next one is a lady with a glass in her hand and she says " I'm on a gin and tonic diet. So far I've lost two days!! Funny, funny, funny! (No I don't condone this type of drinking it's just about the humour!).

I hope you all have a wonderful person in your life as I do in my sister-in-law! Laughing is good!

Have a great day everyone!

Cheers
The Wine Princess

p.s.note to self...must get crown for my next tasting

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to 2010. As I think back over this last year I am instantly struck by the thought "Where did the year go"? What have I done.....or not done with my time or what should I have done. The questions are endless. One thing is for sure it was an invigorating year filled with many highs and also as is life, some lows.

As I was reflecting on the past year and anticipating this coming year I came across a scroll that was hanging in a Tibetan shop with a phrase from the 14th Dalai Lama. I purchased the scroll and in now hangs on the wall by my computer as a daily reminder. I thought I would share it with you. I hope you like it as much as I do!

The True Meaning of Life

We are visitors on this planet.

We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most.

During that period we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives.

If you contribute to other people's happiness you will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.

Beautiful, don't you agree! I especially like the part about ninety to one hundred years. So I've got quite a way to go yet. Good thing I like to drink wine with its health benefits (in moderation of course) or so they say!

So my promise to you this year is to open you up to many new experiences be they wine and spirits, culinary, music, theatre and just wonderful people that I come across in my daily life that I personally think you should know about. The world is our oyster!

I want to wish you all joy, happiness, love and prosperity in this new year and years to come!

Here's to 2010! And lots of blogging!

Jacqueline