Calling Gordon Ramsay!!

They say if you put it out there into the universe you can make it happen. So I'm doing just that. If you know Gordon or you know someone who knows Gordon tell him Jacqueline would like to speak with him.

Okay maybe he needs some incentive. Let's see, how can I make him want to speak with me. I know, I am scottish too! Mmmm....... no now that I think about it I remember watching one of his programmes and someone said that they were scottish in the hopes of making a personal connection........Gordon said he didn't give a @#%^. He was not impressed.

I like food and wine. Okay again boring. I must appeal to his competitive side. By jordie I've got it!

Gordon I too run marathons and I bet I am faster than you! What's your best time? I saw you on George Stroumboulopoulos "The Hour" say you have run 10 marathons. Hey George can you hook me up? Gordon seemed to like you. Perhaps I can interview you both together! What are your favourite wines and what is your "BEST STORY EVER"?

So are you up to the challenge? I dare you!

Cheers
Jacqueline

p.s. Gordon, my dad was a professional footballer in Scotland too. He was the shortest goaltender in the league at the time but his ability to jump awarded him a great reputation and was known as Tiger. He was a great athlete which is where I get it from. Does that make you nervous?

Malivoire

Malivoire

Winemaker: Shiraz Mottiar
Location: Beamsville

I remember when Malivoire first moved onto the block. Its new innovative design and of course their farming techniques wowed us all. Now here we are more than 10 years later and we are still wowed.


On approach to Malivoire winery you are taken by the landscape. Its gentle sloping hills are a welcoming view. The winery itself is totally unique. It is housed on a continual set of Quonset huts (quonset huts were designed for the U.S. navy during WWII) and built on a 30 foot hillside. Malivoire uses a gravity fed system whereby each level of winemaking is on a different floor. This is a much more gentle way of processing the grapes and the resulting wines that are to come.




Martin Malivoire recognized early on the similarities between his vineyards and the vineyards of Burgundy and Alsace. He chose to plant a few of these same grape varieties and do them really well instead of planting any and everything just because you can. This bold step has definitely paid off. All of his vineyards are now certified organic.





Upon entry into the show room you are taken by this fantastic chandelier. It resembles the roots of a vine. It is beautiful. You are then struck by the view above and beyond where your eye is drawn. Through the glass above you can see the fermentation tanks over head. Totally awesome! You really must see it in person.

The wines were as suspected, delicious. I tasted many. The 2008 Rose was fantastic. The 2007 Chardonnay is wonderful. The 2007 Gamay Noir, tantalizing. What really caught my fancy though was the 2008 Chardonnay Musque. It was lovely! It was fruit forward, apricots, lively, with an ever so slight frizzante. Great on a hot summer day!

Since 2005 the winemaker has been Shiraz Mottiar. He is doing a fantastic job of keeping the reputation going.

Always innovative and always looking toward the future Martin Malivoire is an entrepreneur with his finger on the pulse.

I love the new label design. It is like the wines, spot on!

Well done!

Hints Answers... who are they

So who are the people in the photos in the Blog Where would we be....

1. Our very own Moses Znaimer Innovator Extraordinaire who now owns 96.3 FM Classical music station and Zoomer Magazine.
2. The amazing musician Glenn Gould whose musical talents brought him and Canada world wide attention.
3. If it weren't for Mr.Alexander Graham Bell where would we be. Enough said I think!

Adios

The Accidental Tourist

A funny thing happened on my way to Niagara.............I got lost!!! Yes, ashamed to admit it but as they say things happen for a reason. The more I zigged the more I zagged. The more I zagged the more I stumbled. The more I stumbled the more I discovered! Here is a day in the life of an accidental tourist!

This lovely creature was happily grazing as I drove by. I screeched to a halt and reversed to take a picture. I couldn't resist getting out of the car. As I approached the fence Blondie (that's what I've named her) sauntered over to me and I was greeted with a large snout happily staring, leaning towards me.

Baby Vines!

Teenagers!

A reminder of our historical past, present and future

I cannot resist a dog doing what dogs do best. I love seeing dogs lying on the grass. They just seem so at ease and in their element.

I met this lovely man and his dog on my way (when I finally got back on track) to Rosewood Estates Winery (that's the next blog). This is Victor with his 4 month old german shepherd puppy named Marty! We had an extremely delightful conversation.


There were other horses with Blondie that day and as she approached me
their curiosity was aroused and so they too toddled on up to say hello.

What I won't do for a photo! I attempted to jump a bit of a gully and well you see the results. Clay soil. Where am I in Niagara?

Under construction. Going to be living large in Niagara. Note to self!

As I approached a 4 way stop this place was on the corner with this giant giraffe overseeing the intersection. Quite the welding project. It actually was wonderful to see.

If only I'd have gotten the eyes. Darn!


Actually living large in Niagara. NOTE TO SELF AGAIN!

The Niagara Escarpment (I think). Beautiful isn't it!


Polyculture in Niagara. Cherry trees.

Is that the Beamsville Bench in the background?

Speaks for itself.

More of our History. The home of Laura Secord.


More Laura Secord. This is the front of her home.

I did eventually get on track but I am so glad I stumbled all the way back. It was a great day. It's good to stumble sometimes.

Cheers

Jacq.

Guest Etiquette

My friend Sandy has this saying painted on her dining room wall. I love it! She is such a wonderful host and a fabulous cook!

There is nothing nicer than being invited to dinner. All you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself. Well not so quick.

1. As the Ode to a Guest blog says, r.s.v.p. as soon as you can (either way, if you can or cannot attend).

2. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions let your host know. Please don't ask what's on the menu. They'll probably tell you but let them do it.

3. If dinner is at 6:00p.m. then arrive at 6:00p.m. Please don't be early. We've all been there when you are the host and at the last minute oh my gosh I forgot to get happens.....you rush out to the store only to arrive back home and the guests are early. So please guests, arrive at the designated time.

4. If you bring a host gift such as a bottle of wine or chocolates don't expect that they will be opened that evening. Your host has probably already planned everything. It is just that, a gift.

5. It's always nice to offer assistance to your host albeit pouring wine, mixing salad, what ever they need. They may not need it but......it's good manners.

6. Be engaging! It's always good to remember to keep the conversation light, positive, neutral. It's also an excellent time to practice your good listening skills!

7. The host will always initiate each course (unless you are told otherwise).

8. It is impolite to ask for more please! It's always best to wait for the host to offer.

9.Be aware of your alcohol consumption. You don't want to leave a lasting impression that you did not intend.

10.Don't overstay your welcome. Linger about 2 to 2.5 hours after dinner is completed.

11. When you depart thank your host(s).

12. It's always nice to send flowers the next day with a personal hand written note thanking for a lovely evening.

Tallyho!

Jacqueline

Hints

Okay so here are some hints as to who the canadian innovators on my blog "Where would we be if.......

First one owned a t.v. station now owns a magazine and a radio station.
Second one was a piano player extraordinaire.
Third one--BCE Takeover Bid to own this company--which is his last name.

The Innovators of Niagara are coming!!!

Cheers!
Jacq.

Ode to a Guest

You've been invited
I hope you're delighted
As I am thoroughly so

I can't hardly wait
And do anticipate
A wonderful evening by jo!

r.s.v.p.
a.s.a.p.
Just as soon as you can
As the date has been set
And joyfully planned

Your company is required
To begin the show
So please let us know
If you will be a yay or a no

Enchante
Jacqueline