News & Events
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The wine world spins at an amazing rate. Keep up to date with our constant news updates, or subscribe to our email newsletter to receive updates monthly.
Gismondi the well known wine critic writes in the Vancouver Sun... "...the Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 presents a delicious example of proper New Zealand sauvignon. Look for jalapeno, grapefruit rind, passion fruit aromas with a lemon and nettle streak. Rich, full and creamy, the palate is fresh and elegant with juicy acidity and plenty of passion fruit, gooseberry, smoky jalapeno, asparagus, lime and melon flavours. There is fine intensity and balance with a long finish. Try this with mussels." Anyone with a good mussels recipe out there? Please post it. Retails around $21 at good wine stores Score 90/100 In Alberta ask for CPC 726882 / In BC UPC 9421018070013
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Hello everyone,
Ever the innovators, Renaissance Wines are proud to bring you thier own video channel, courtesy of YouTube. The first edition "Grape Tapes" features a short (5 minute) video about the fantastic California Wines that come from Patz & Hall. Just click on the link, to hear about some great Pinot's & Chard's...
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Renaissance sales consultant Marion Webb tries her hand 'wax sealing' Belle Glos Pinot Noir at the winery during her visit there in January 2009. Don't leave your day job Marion ...
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This article hit yesterday in the San Francisco Chronicle in which our wonderful winemaker, Nick deLuca, was recognized as being a top winemaker to keep an eye on in 2009. Indeed, how one guy could make a Top 100 Cabernet (San Francisco Chronicle) a Top 100 Pinot Noir (Wine Spectator) and a Top 100 Syrah (Wine & Spirits) in the same year is truly amazing. We are very proud of him and his winemaking. We see this as yet another message to the trade that our brand is exciting and dynamic with compelling quality.
> Click here to read the article
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The Ayala Champagne marque is a new addition to the scene here in Canada. Now owned by the Bollinger group, Ayala is rapidly making a name for itself in the 'zero dosage' market. It is a gutsy move since Champagne with no dosage, can be overly crisp and acidic (no makeup to hide potential flaws). However, in the cellars of Ayala, ripe fruit and careful handling ensure a totally natural wine with lovely balance and lean structure. The Brut Rose however, was the big hit at our party --- a very pretty wine with modern style.
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In celebration of the Willowpark Wine Auction's 15th anniversary, Renaissance and Clarus had four top tier California suppliers in attendance, pouring their new releases. All proceeds for the auction went to the Willowpark Vintage fund. The fund is instrumental in supporting seniors housing in Calgary - a great cause for the ageing population like we have throughout the province. We enjoyed J. LOHR, CHALK HILL, DUCKHORN, JORDAN AND CAYMUS wines throughout the evening.
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On Saturday October 25th, Auction lots donated by Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd. totalled about $45,000 for the Honens International Piano Competition. It was a great evening with lots of food, wine and spirited bidding. Thanks so much to Empire Custom Homes for hosting this wonderful event. To follow the Honens 2009 Festival check their website at www.honens.com
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Sunday, October 5th was the 16th Annual Wild and Organic Brunch at Summerhill Pyramid Winery; a time honoured tradition celebrating the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.
As guests entered the winery they were greeted by Summerhill’s own Cleopatra who came out of the Pyramid to celebrate just to help celebrate this festive day. Stephen Cipes the owner was on hand and making sure that every guests glass was always full of the flagship Cipes Brut. About 150 guests made their way through the organic buffet which took place on 2 levels and included the famous Raw Bar, a seafood bar, home-made desserts and even a meat carvery featuring buffalo hip. Was a sight to behold and ensured no one left hungry! On to the famous Summerhill cork popping contest! Guests were invited to participate and given a numbered bottle of Cipes Brut. Guests took turn releasing their corks from the balcony on the patio while Stephen Cipes and his staff ran below judging the corks with the furthest distance. It is to be noted that typically the warmer the bubbly the further the cork should pop. The staff bottle was heated up a bit too much which resulted in no distance but a big shower for the on-lookers! The day was concluded with the prize ceremony for the contest and dancing to Ellen Churchill and the Red Hot Boogie Express for the remainder of the afternoon. Some of the staff along with Winemaker Eric vonKrosigk stepped away so that Eric could demonstrate how to saber a bottle of bubble using everything from a pizza knife to a side plate! A few of us even got to give it a try. By the end there were over 10 bottles of wine sabered and of course with this group nothing went to waste! Thank you to mother nature for cooperating with fantastic weather. Can’t imagine what next year has in store!
written by Holly Sells
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One of the key events, held each September in Calgary, is the SLOWFOOD Calgary Chapter's Feast of Field celebration of local foods and wines. Renaissance participates each year and this year it was spectacular. The weather was perfect for a lovely afternoon at Rouge restaurant just outside the downtown core. We tasted the latest releases from Tinhorn Creek vineyards, Summerhill Pyramid winery and our newest Canadian winery, Twisted Tree.
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Each year we try to pick 100 or so wines & spirits which show the diverse range of our portfolio. Then we invite our customers and friends to try them at our offices which are perfect for these types of events. The past week was a great success.
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Chris Condon, chairman and CEO of Trago Tequila, was recently visiting Canada to introduce his exciting line of super premium Tequila. The three types; Silver (unwooded), Reposado and Anejo are brilliant examples of the new wave of quality tequila being produced now in Mexico. Chris explained to us in great detail the philosophy of the company and the style of each type. Afterwards we tasted these beauties (and pretended to work after). We learned some interesting facts about the burgeoning tequila market - which is the leading premium spirit in percentage growth in Canada followed by Rum. We very much look forward to sharing these tequilas and these stories in the months ahead with our customers.
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During spring of 2008, we welcomed many of our California wine suppliers taking part in the Canadian wine tour. It is a great opportunity for the trade and the greater public to become acquainted with the latest releases from California wine producers. It was a fabulous day with lots of great California wine to try.
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When Burgundy supplier Luc Bouchard of Bouchard Pere et Fils comes to Canada there are not enough seats available to meet the demand for his wine. The current 2005 vintage is probably one of the greatest years, across the board for Burgundy (white and red). So we had a great deal of fun going round to our customers for ‘one on one’ visits together with Luc. This visit was with our customers/friends at the Wildwood restaurant in Calgary. Â
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