By Shannon Burrows
Owner, Argyle Wines Listowel
On The Couch wine-tasting parties
October 10, 2019

Sorry to be ‘that’ girl, but it’s time to talk about Christmas spirit.
The liquid kind that comes in a wine glass, that is.
Christmas is about 10 weeks away and as such, this is an important time to get wine orders in and brewing for holiday festivities, dinners, gift-giving and dealing with yuletide nuttiness in general. Christmas wine orders have been rolling in for some months now – earlier than ever before.
Crafting your wine at Argyle is a fun and tasty way to stock your cellar for a thirsty time of year, but did you realize you can do your Christmas gift shopping with me, too? Gift certificates for the wine lovers in your life are a given, but consider your relatives, friends, clients, employees, teachers/co-workers/mail carrier/dog walker/lawn cutter/snow remover/landlord/neighbours and everyone else who touches your life in a big or small way over the course of a year. Crafting a batch of your own delicious wine – anywhere from $4.34 to $7 per bottle – accomplishes just that. You get to choose precisely what style of wine you wish to give, and add your own personal touch with customized labels and co-ordinating shrink caps. Just watch the receiver’s face light up — and do make sure to save a bottle or two for yourself!
Wines take between four and eight weeks to craft depending on your preferred variety, so do keep that lead time in mind. The last bottling date before Christmas will be Saturday, Dec. 21. Now, on to the choices.
Argyle offers a wine for every taste and price point: Sweet fruit wines, semi-sweet wines, and traditional dry red and white wines. from fruity and light to crisp and dry to rich, tannic and full bodied, I’ve got a wine for everyone. If you feel daunted by the selection, don’t! With a few simple questions, myself, Chris or Brenda will narrow the field substantially, then help you navigate even further to the ideal choice. You are guaranteed one-on-one customized assistance each and every time you visit Argyle.
I’m going to highlight a couple in particular, because they are specially designed for the holiday season.

Dessert style wines
These richly decadent fortified wines (for which we won a gold medal in this year’s WineMaker Magazine international winemaking competition in Vermont) are an absolute treat over the holidays. You may be familiar with the term Port. Dessert style wines are similar in style – but only those which come from Portugal can be called a true Port. These dessert wines are just that – a delight to sip after dinner, around the fire or in the warm company of family and friends. On chilly winter evenings, they’e sure to warm your spirits. Flavours include traditional dessert wine, raspberry mocha, black forest, creme brûlée, toasted caramel and coffee. If you asked which is my favourite, I’d truthfully reply, “All of them.”

Cranapple Celebration
This long-standing best-seller comes to us at the end of summer each year in order to make it to your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables. This light white wine, with low alcohol and the sweet flavours of crisp green apples and white cranberries, tastes of home and holiday merrymaking. FYI, this is a favourite among business owners who wish to give their customers a little extra something special to show their appreciation. But, if you can’t bring yourself to share it, no one can blame you! It’s only available for a limited time and sells out without fail each year.

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

By Shannon Burrows
Owner, Argyle Wines Listowel & On The Couch wine tasting parties
September 12, 2019

Hold onto your sequins, we’re about to take a step back in time.
After an amazing summer, welcome back to Second Glass – I’m glad you’re here!
There’s no time to waste: I’m getting things off to a ‘roaring’ (pun intended) start. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the RJS Craft Winemaking Restricted Quantities 2020 lineup – Toasting the Twenties!
If you are unfamiliar with the RQ program, it’s a very exciting once-yearly release of top-shelf, limited-edition wines specially selected and crafted to be the creme de la creme. As both a consumer and store owner, I’ve had the delicious pleasure of trying four years’ worth of RQ releases now.
2020 is my favourite so far. I joined store owners from around Ontario in Mississauga this past weekend as we were invited to “Put On The Ritz” with RJS’ Toasting the Twenties lineup.
Seeing as next year is 2020, and RJS’ Restricted Quantities program will celebrate its 20^th anniversary, the Roaring Twenties in all its splendour was an ideal choice of theme. Each grape variety was selected, designed and packaged with benchmark quality, sophistication and authentic 20s garb and slang in mind. Please note the only way to guarantee you get your hands on one of these beauties is to pre-order.

The Darb & The Caterpillar’s Kimono

Kick off the new year with The Darb Bonarda Syrah and The Caterpillar’s Kimono Macabeo, both to be released in January 2020.
The first appealing thing about the 2020 RQ lineup (aside from the cool names and the fact there’s two releases in the first month!) is it includes wines I’d never tried before. Bonarda is a very popular grape in Argentina, and is paired with the familiar Syrah (aka Shiraz in other wine-making regions) in this dry, medium-bodied red. It’s all our favourite things about red wine in one delicious bottle – juicy, fresh, red and dark berry fruits, spice, smoke and medium tannins.
Macabeo, a grape out of the ordinary for many of us in North America, is a traditional Spanish variety. This dry white wine has a lovely elegance to it. I suddenly felt more refined just by taking a single sip! I loved the layers this wine offers – florals, citrus, apple, stone fruit and honey in a golden hue – with bright acidity and refreshing flavour.

The Big Shot

February offers The Big Shot, a Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend from Chile. This wine is just that – a big shot – with dark ruby tones and deep, robust flavour. I found this to be the most complex wine of the lineup, offering black currant, blackberry, herbs, tobacco and spice with noticeable but appealing tannin (which will mellow with age. If you prefer smoother tannins, I promise aging will be worth the wait). If you love a rich dry red, The Big Shot is absolutely not to be missed! I predict it will be one of the first to sell out.

The Cat’s Meow

March marks the arrival of my personal favourite of the bunch, The Cat’s Meow – a Pinot Noir and Shiraz blend from Australia. It’s no secret Pinot Noir is one of my life’s loves and interestingly, Pinot Noir is growing in popularity among the global wine-drinking population. The bouquet of The Cat’s Meow offers red and dark fruit – cherry, cranberry, strawberry and raspberry – vegetal notes and spice. It’s a juicy, ripe, savoury dry red wine boasting a lovely combination of Pinot Noir’s earthiness and Shiraz’s juiciness in a New World style. A note for my readers who appreciate a fine wine but struggle to find the ideal red: This is it. Argyle staffer/momma Brenda, who is rather persnickity (adjective: placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy) about her reds – they can’t be too tannic, too oaky or too heavy – loved this one.
In fact, she was kind enough to finish my glass for me.
I only allowed it because she’s my mom. Well that, plus I was the one driving.

The Deb (Debutante)

Finally, in April and just in time for rose season, arrives The Deb.
Coming to us from Spain, this unoaked, dry, medium-bodied rose is a toast to elegance and good taste. Fragrant, crisp and refreshing, The Deb is a floral, fruit-forward wine with notes of berries and rhubarb and made from Spain’s world-famous Garnacha (aka Grenache) grape. Rose is becoming such a big deal for a few reasons: A. It’s awesome. B. People are beginning to realize it’s NOT necessarily just a cheap, pink drink, that in fact roses comprise some of the finest wines from the finest vineyards in the world, and C. It’s super versatile, partnering easily with a variety of foods or as a solo sipper.
This wine is going to be on a lot of people’s radars this upcoming spring. I anticipate a super early sellout, so please pre-order to make sure you aren’t disappointed.
This coming Monday, I’m visiting London to taste the limited-edition 2020 Passport lineup. Meet me right here at Second Glass next Thursday, Sept. 19 when we’ll talk about some more exciting limited-release wines available at Argyle Wines Listowel come the new year.
Don’t forget, I’m holding an end-of-summer customer appreciation draw on Sept. 23 to make summer’s departure a little sweeter for one lucky Argyle client. Make any purchase at Argyle by then to be automatically entered!

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

January 2020

January 2020

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

By Shannon Burrows
Owner, Argyle Wines Listowel
On The Couch wine-tasting parties
May 10, 2019

I will never forget the first time I read the saying, ‘Let’s go wine tasting . . . on the couch.’ I think I quietly laughed to myself for days.
But how true though, right? So many of us love to kick back on the sofa (or chesterfield, another word that gives me the giggles), glass of wine in hand, in comfy pants, a messy bun or ball cap, and enjoy a little treat after a long week  — or if we’re being honest, sometimes just a Wednesday.
In this week’s Second Glass, I’d love to talk with you about On The Couch wine-tasting parties.
I’ve been getting lots of inquiries and bookings, so I am super stoked to write this blog and share the fun we’ve been having with OTC.
I founded On The Couch wine-tasting parties in 2018. It got its start from three key points: A) I’d been giving wine tastings with my friends, family members and even some special events for a while, with very encouraging feedback. I loved the interaction with people and helping them discover how to ratchet their wine enjoyment up a notch.
B) I’d been seriously studying wine for several years. I learned that wine education doesn’t have to be this pretentious, nose-in-the-air pontification. In fact, it’s better off without all that. Wine appreciation should be fun, easygoing and engaging.
C) Many Argyle Wines customers told me they’d love to host a wine tasting/wine-and-cheese party, etc., but they just didn’t know where to start. This is actually indicative of wine drinkers at large; Many don’t feel confident enough in their own wine knowledge, or they find the sheer volume of wine options completely overwhelming. They throw up their hands in defeat before they even get started because the task just seems too daunting.
Therefore, On The Couch wine-tasting parties was born.
Here’s what I do: I bring all the wine (different types and styles for variety), food (a hand-picked tasting platter offering a selection of goodies designed to match our wine list), tasing glasses and grids, water, palate cleansers, plates, utensils, napkins, door prizes and the like. Since its start, OTC has been met with such popularity, I’ve been able to upgrade not only my supplies, but also the wine list, and offer a customized seasonal tasting menu. Thanks to my other half Chris, my mother Brenda, my sister-in-law Kelly, one of my besties and fellow wine professional Raechel, even my brother Andrew (who didn’t taste the wine, but was more than happy to sample the snacks), while I tried-and-tested the pairings. They also put up with my obsessive comparisons over many weeks. There will be a future blog of thanks on my family of Guinea pigs 😉
Here’s what you do: As the host or hostess, your only job is to assemble your guest list, choose your OTC party package, and book the date. That’s it.
On party day, I will arrive a bit early to set myself up and assemble our tasting platters. Then I take you and your guests through your private, in-home, guided wine tasting. We’ll cover proper tasting procedures, food and wine paring, wine variety comparisons and so much more – in the comfort of home in the company of family and friends. We go as in-depth as you wish, or keep it light and easy if that’s what you prefer. This party is about you, after all.
These parties are perfect for all kinds of events: Birthdays, family gatherings, work functions, girls’ nights out, Christmas parties, pre-wedding tastings, or for no reason at all!
There are so many ‘best things’ about OTC, I couldn’t even pick just one, so instead here’s lots: There is always an amazing amount of laughter and fun. There are always tons of good questions, because no matter where you or your guests are on your wine adventure, everyone feels so much more comfortable asking in this environment. There’s always lots of delicious wines to try, and enough for refills, too! Hosts and guests are always encouraged to step outside their comfort zone; this is a zero-pressure opportunity to expand your palates and try something new to surprise and delight your taste buds. As a result, there’s always that awesome look on guests’ faces when they discover a new favourite wine – more often than not, by the one they least expect.
For more information on OTC packages, please see the On The Couch menu tab on this website, http://www.argylewineslistowel.ca. If you require a customized package for your event, please do contact me via email at argylewineslistowe@gmail.com, by phone at 519-418-6000 or by direct message on the Argyle Wines Facebook page and I’ll be more than happy to help. I can customize the platter to accommodate for dietary restrictions if necessary.
I look forward to speaking with you!

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

March 23, 2019
By Shannon Burrows
Welcome to this week’s Second Glass!
My thanks to everyone who called and commented on Argyle’s profiles online and in print recently. I appreciate you! It certainly has been an exciting month; March is soon drawing to a close. You have until March 30 to get in on Argyle’s customer appreciation draws. Make any purchase and you’re automatically entered for one of four prizes.
See you soon!

Stop and smell the rosé

It’s time to bring out the rosé-coloured glasses. Whatever you call it – blush, pink stuff, etc. – rosé (pronounced “rose-eh” – very Canuck friendly!) wines are a warm-weather must. Sadly, many folks are missing out on this resplendent spring and summer sipper because it’s a common assumption all pink wine is sweet.
Fear not, for rosé comes in all styles and we’re going to talk about a few of them here.

DRY
If you are a fan of dry, sophisticated wines, the En Primeur Winery Series Pinot Noir Rosé (Chile) is for you.
This gorgeous dry rosé has a prominent place on my wine rack each and every summer, thanks to its scrumptious berry and rhubarb flavours, aromas and elegant finish.
This wine pairs perfectly with patios (if sipping on its own), or with light summer fare such as grilled fish – I love this one with salmon! – or chicken.

If you have a love for all things French, the Cru International France Rosé might be just the ticket. This light-bodied wine includes not only those beautiful berry notes, but also that of citrus. Crisp and dry, try this wine with light salads, light pasta, rice and seafood.

OFF-DRY
If you find dry is too dry and sweet is too sweet, then the Cru International California White Zinfandel may be your warm-weather wine selection.
Fresh and light-bodied, this easy-drinking pink beauty is classic Cali style with berry and floral notes. It sails beautifully down the middle between traditional dry wines and super-sweet fruit wines. Match it up with seafood – lobster, fish – or even some light curries, as the touch of sweetness will complement the spice.

If you are the adventurous type, the brand-spanking new Winexpert Selection Pink Pinot Grigio (Italy) will no doubt catch your eye.
The Pink Pinot just hit shelves at Argyle Wines this month, and is quickly becoming the ‘It’ wine of the moment. It’s made from Pinot Grigio (and who doesn’t love Pinot??), but made in an off-dry (semi-sweet) style, similar to the White Zin mentioned above. We’re in the middle of processing a number of batches at the store, and initially, characteristics of strawberry and, believe it or not, pink lemonade are starting to come through.
It’s got a range of pairing potential, too: spicy food, light salads, seafood, goat’s cheese, chicken and even pork.

SWEET
If you love a glass of wine bursting with amazing flavour and juiciness, then the Niagara Mist or Orchard Breezin’ fruit wines will make your summer!
Perfect on their own or in a sangria mix (or paired with the pool, patio, cottage, beach, a book, trailer,  campfire, the list goes on…), the fruit wine rosé flavours include: stone fruit, raspberry dragonfruit, strawberry, blueberry pomegranate, wildberry and more. Beware: I’ve seen even the most devout non-wine drinkers crumble under the spell of these sweeties!

Whatever your choice, we are here to answer any questions you may have and are always delighted to be part of your craft winemaking adventure!

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

March 2, 2019
By Shannon Burrows
Welcome to Second Glass – I’m glad you’re here!
March 1, 2019 marked two years since I bought Argyle Wines Listowel. I’d been working out the idea of a weekly blog for some time, and this anniversary is an ideal time to begin.
Second Glass is the culmination of a few things: First, life inside my bottle shop is all kinds of awesome: Rewarding, humorous, touching, educational, emotional, challenging, fulfilling and often, all of the above and then some. No shortage of inspiration here. Next: Pre-Argyle, I enjoyed a 14-year-career in journalism. During that time, I penned a weekly newspaper column – the most recent under the title Second Draft. I’m excited to get back at it. Lastly, it’s my hope Second Glass is a way to connect; we’ll spend some time together, talk about wine, what’s happening at Argyle and have some fun along the way.
If I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting you in person, please allow me to introduce myself: I’m Shannon Burrows, owner of Argyle Wines and founder of On The Couch wine-tasting parties. I share life with my adorable partner/Argyle Wines production manager Chris, my fur babies Charm the horse and Diva the cat, a ridiculously lovable family and friends who keep life interesting. I love wine, (wine education, wine & food pairing, wine tasting, wine reviews, everything wine, basically), reading, cooking, cowboy boots, Star Wars and all things positive.

Get in on the giveaways!

With thanks to Argyle’s fantastic clients, I’m giving away four prize packs this month. Customers are automatically entered into Argyle’s draw anytime they make a purchase between March 1 to 31.
Four winners will be drawn at the end of March. If you’re one of the lucky winners, I’ll contact you by phone and arrange a time for you to collect your prize and get a photo taken for Argyle’s social media platforms. P.S. If you’ve been considering starting your craft wine adventure anytime soon, now is a great time! Argyle’s growth over the last couple of years has been nothing short of thrilling. Thank you for your wonderful support!

The Grape Exchange

The Grape Exchange is new at Argyle Wines. In a nutshell, anytime customers visit Argyle to bottle their wine, they have the option of exchanging a bottle or two of their wine for a different variety of equal value. This is a chance for our clients to try a bottle of something new, while the wine they leave in trade will go to another client. Thanks to Chris for the excellent idea.
Fine print: Exchanges must take place at time of bottling. All bottles traded in become the property of Argyle Wines until they are traded out. Maximum trade of two bottles per visit. Selection varies.

Weekly Wine Review

Wine and food pairing is a big deal at my house. In this section, we’ll talk about a wine variety, what it paired well (or didn’t) with. This week I tried a California Muscat (RJS Cru International, five-week wine) with red curry and beef with peas, (salt and pepper, oregano and garam masala to taste) over basmati rice. Chris’s British heritage ensures we eat a lot of curry, and I tried the California Muscat as an alternative to the fabulous RQ German Riesling – of which I am running frightfully low. I thought perhaps the off-dry Muscat would fare okay against the spice, but wasn’t sure how well it would hold up flavour-wise against this hearty dish.
I needn’t have worried. The sweetness complimented the spice well, and the flavourful Muscat was able to hold its own. Pre-food, the wine offered aromas of white flowers and citrus – specifically lime. I had only just bottled it, so while tasty in its youthfulness, it certainly hadn’t yet had a chance to develop. With the food, there wasn’t significant change in the tasting notes, suggesting decent balance between the wine and food’s respective components. I’ll definitely try it again with a Riesling, as well as the upcoming Winexpert LE Gewürztraminer, due out this month, just for the fun of comparison.

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

March 9, 2019
By Shannon Burrows
Welcome to this week’s Second Glass!
Thank you for visiting! I was touched by the amount of positive feedback received on last week’s debut blog.
I’ve been looking forward to this week for a while; pre-spring is one time of year when craft wine suppliers offer new and exciting products to retailers, and this week was a biggie. Coming off the delivery truck this week was the Pink Pinot Grigio – never before offered at Argyle Wines Listowel. This off-dry, limited release rose´ offers fruit and floral aromas, and strawberry-rhubarb flavours. This just sings summertime (and at a time when we desperately need it!) I ordered a ton, and I expect it will fly out the door.
Next is the Orchard Breezin’ White Sangria – a blend of peach, apricot and orange – the latest offering from the always-popular Orchard Breezin’ fruit wine line. In four weeks’ time you can have this newest delight in your glass. In other fruit wine news, after a super-fast initial sellout, the Niagara Mist Cherry Sangria is back in stock at Argyle.
If you prefer traditional wines, have no fear: The Restricted Quantities and Passport March 2019 releases – Monastrell and Super Tuscan, respectively – are on shelves this month. These sophisticated, top-shelf wines always sell out. Finally, also new to Argyle this year is Winexpert LE18, a third line of limited edition wines and its Gewürztraminer is on tap for March. Perfect for the distinguished palette and ideal for cellar aging. Give these wines a second look if you haven’t already enjoyed them in years past.

Don’t forget the draws!

Remember – any purchase during the month of March automatically enters you into Argyle’s draws. In thanks to my customers for an awesome two years, I’m giving away four prize packs at the end of this month. Good luck!

Weekly Wine Review

When coupling food and wine, a standard piece of advice is “What grows together, goes together.”
I rediscovered this principle the other night with homemade spaghetti bolognese sauce with fresh pasta. I poured some Italian old vine Zinfandel (En Primeur Winery Series, eight weeks). Italian food and Italian wine is pretty solid proposition, but it’s not so much the food and wine together that I want to talk about – as much as the wine itself.
This poor grape is still trying to shake a bad rep thanks to a few issues – mistaken identity and stylistic differences of opinion among them – and these questions come up all the time in my shop.
First, Zinfandel – a hearty red wine – is frequently confused with white Zinfandel (the sweeter, pinker and more popular style) but in fact the two are completely different. This has resulted in potential Zinfandel lovers missing out on a wine they thought would be too sweet. Next, many Zins, particularly from the New World, have historically been criticized for being overrated, out of balance and too “hot” (too high in alcohol).
If this has been your experience, give this grape another chance. California now produces some of the best Zinfandels in the world, and Zinfandel’s versatility means there’s likely a style you’ll enjoy.
I hadn’t had a Zinfandel in ages, and what a treat it was. I get a particular kick out of trying a wine not had in a while, and enjoying all the aromas and flavours as it gets re-acquainted with my taste buds.

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.

March 2, 2019
By Shannon Burrows
Welcome to Second Glass – I’m glad you’re here!
March 1, 2019 marked two years since I bought Argyle Wines Listowel. I’d been working out the idea of a weekly blog for some time, and this anniversary is an ideal time to begin.
Second Glass is the culmination of a few things: First, life inside my bottle shop is all kinds of awesome: Rewarding, humorous, touching, educational, emotional, challenging, fulfilling and often, all of the above and then some. No shortage of inspiration here. Next: Pre-Argyle, I enjoyed a 14-year-career in journalism. During that time, I penned a weekly newspaper column – the most recent under the title Second Draft. I’m excited to get back at it. Lastly, it’s my hope Second Glass is a way to connect; we’ll spend some time together, talk about wine, what’s happening at Argyle and have some fun along the way.
If I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting you in person, please allow me to introduce myself: I’m Shannon Burrows, owner of Argyle Wines and founder of On The Couch wine-tasting parties. I share life with my adorable partner/Argyle Wines production manager Chris, my fur babies Charm the horse and Diva the cat, a ridiculously lovable family and friends who keep life interesting. I love wine, (wine education, wine & food pairing, wine tasting, wine reviews, everything wine, basically), reading, cooking, cowboy boots, Star Wars and all things positive.

Get in on the giveaways!

With thanks to Argyle’s fantastic clients, I’m giving away four prize packs this month. Customers are automatically entered into Argyle’s draw anytime they make a purchase between March 1 to 31.
Four winners will be drawn at the end of March. If you’re one of the lucky winners, I’ll contact you by phone and arrange a time for you to collect your prize and get a photo taken for Argyle’s social media platforms. P.S. If you’ve been considering starting your craft wine adventure anytime soon, now is a great time! Argyle’s growth over the last couple of years has been nothing short of thrilling. Thank you for your wonderful support!

The Grape Exchange

The Grape Exchange is new at Argyle Wines. In a nutshell, anytime customers visit Argyle to bottle their wine, they have the option of exchanging a bottle or two of their wine for a different variety of equal value. This is a chance for our clients to try a bottle of something new, while the wine they leave in trade will go to another client. Thanks to Chris for the excellent idea.
Fine print: Exchanges must take place at time of bottling. All bottles traded in become the property of Argyle Wines until they are traded out. Maximum trade of two bottles per visit. Selection varies.

Weekly Wine Review

Wine and food pairing is a big deal at my house. In this section, we’ll talk about a wine variety, what it paired well (or didn’t) with. This week I tried a California Muscat (RJS Cru International, five-week wine) with red curry and beef with peas, (salt and pepper, oregano and garam masala to taste) over basmati rice. Chris’s British heritage ensures we eat a lot of curry, and I tried the California Muscat as an alternative to the fabulous RQ German Riesling – of which I am running frightfully low. I thought perhaps the off-dry Muscat would fare okay against the spice, but wasn’t sure how well it would hold up flavour-wise against this hearty dish.
I needn’t have worried. The sweetness complimented the spice well, and the flavourful Muscat was able to hold its own. Pre-food, the wine offered aromas of white flowers and citrus – specifically lime. I had only just bottled it, so while tasty in its youthfulness, it certainly hadn’t yet had a chance to develop. With the food, there wasn’t significant change in the tasting notes, suggesting decent balance between the wine and food’s respective components. I’ll definitely try it again with a Riesling, as well as the upcoming Winexpert LE Gewürztraminer, due out this month, just for the fun of comparison.

Thanks for joining me for a Second Glass.
See you next week!

Argyle Wines Listowel is located at 155 Argyle Ave. in Listowel. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours available by appointment. Follow Argyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and contact us at 519-418-6000 or argylewineslistowel@gmail.com. Proudly named 2018 Food & Drink Business of the Year by the North Perth Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.