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Freckles

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Posts posted by Freckles

    Paris Wine Bars

    in France: Dining

    Posted

    Hello. I have to pick a place in the 3rd within the next 12 hours. A wine bar. For a group of about 8 people. Somewhere we can have a glass or two of wine, and where a few of us might be able to eat. Please let me know your favourite place since I have to email everyone with the address where we'll meet next Wednesday night. xox Freckles

    Bringing wines into Ontario?

    in Ontario: Dining

    Posted

    This was very helpful; thank you. Any idea where one could buy a wine box with moulded styrofoam inserts??? Thank you.

    If you have (or can obtain) a wine box with moulded styrofoam inserts I recommend playing it safe and using one of these (come in 6's and 12's) and checking the case. Better that than being forced to check them at the airport without special packing.

    When I travel, I take these boxes with me (empty) and now have a good supply.

    Bringing wines into Ontario?

    in Ontario: Dining

    Posted

    Okay, this question is related but different. A friend is visiting from Toronto. She wants to take 6 bottles back to Toronto with her in her carry-on luggage, and is happy to pay the duty, customs etc. on them. What does she do? Just tell them at Canadian customs that she's got these bottles and they make her pay when she re-enters the country? Is she even allowed to bring these extra bottles in with her, when she'll only have been in Europe for a total of 3 weeks?

    Thanks - Freckles

    Paris Wine Bars

    in France: Dining

    Posted

    THANKS! We've already visited the 1st and are now onto looking for a place in the 3rd. But Le Rubis sounds terrific, especially in the summer. I'll be sure to go with friends sometime when the weather heats up. - Freckles

    We have been frequenting Le Rubis for about 30 years or more, and I am sure it hasn't changed since the post war period.  Not a spot for great food or a large group. this is an experience in what a classic wine bar was, and is, in the truest sense.  In busy times, locals take their glass of wine outside, to better enjoy the smoke free air or whatever.  Paris must have been full of places like this in Hemmingway's time.  Give it a try.  JP

    Overheard in the wine shop . . .

    in Wine

    Posted · Edited by Freckles (log)

    I really love this site and appreciate all that I have learned -- and continue to learn -- from all of you. Thank you so much for your help!

    But I cringe as I read this thread. Yes, there are many people who know nothing about wine. It's an intimidating subject, and until a few decades ago, not much was drunk by Americans, Canadians and other nationalities who are most highly respresented on this site. I see how scared many people are when it comes to wine: yes, SCARED. They are worried that they will make a mistake, do or say the wrong thing, be laughed at by wine snobs. And as a result they avoid learning about it, enjoying it, having fun with it. Isn't that a shame?

    I think of my late parents -- exceptionally well-educated, well-travelled people -- who 'til their dying days pronounced Guacamole "Gwacka-mole" (rhymes with "Soul") They weren't ignorant or stupid; they just didn't grow up with Mexican food and by the time they were in their 60s and first began eating that cuisine, their minds were already full of other things. I would kick anyone's ass for making fun of them for something that I consider so trivial!

    Let's not add to the complex that so many newbies have about wine. Instead, let's congratulate them for having the balls to try something they know nothing about, and for daring to set foot in a wine store when many of them realize that they'll later be mocked by people like us.

    South African Wines

    in Wine

    Posted

    A dear friend is leaving Paris *sniff*, being moved to Jo-burg.

    She is interested in trying wines from South Africa and will, of course, learn plenty once she moves. She's taking an initial trip this week to get the "lay of the land;" please, what are a few really good, mid-priced South African wines she can gulp to whet her whistle and give her a preview of coming attractions? Some wines that are good value and "typically south African?"

    Many thanks.

    Freckles

    Paris Wine Bars

    in France: Dining

    Posted

    Hey. Wish you could join us, too, Paul!

    It was my pal's turn to choose in April, for the Second Arr. She picked off a list of wine bars she found on a website. A place called "Sans Souci" It turned out to be on rue St. Denis, a street famed for its sex-clubs, porn shops, hookers, etc! We were the only ones in there. We all felt pretty grim for the first 20 minutes. But the owner was so thrilled to have us -- 8 relatively clean-cut, non-strung out types -- in there, that he joined us, talked to us all about his wines, and we ended up having a great time!

    May was supposed to be the 3rd Arrondissement, but my co-organizer just learned that she is being transferred to South Africa in June. So, between my travel for work and her "I'm being transferred in 6 weeks time" schedule, we had to skip May.

    We hope to make it to a wine bar in the 3rd in June... I'll definitely let you know.

    And thanks for keeping tabs on us.

    Cheers. - Freckles :raz:

    Bringing wines into Ontario?

    in Ontario: Dining

    Posted

    okay. I called the LCBO when I was home and this is the pricelist they sent me (it doesn't include Canadian Customs costs):

    GST is 7% of the subtotal amount. Use the following levies in your calculations:

    $ 1.00 per 700-750mL bottle of Still Table Wine

    $ 1.25 per Litre bottle of Still Table Wine

    $ 1.75 per 1.5 Litre bottle of Still Table Wine

    $ 3.00 per 700-750mL bottle of Sparkling Wine

    $ 3.75 per Litre bottle of Sparkling Wine

    $ 1.50 per 700-750mL bottle of Port/Sherries

    $ 2.00 per 700-750mL bottle of Spirits

    $ 2.50 per Litre bottle of Spirits

    $ 3.00 per 1.14 Litre bottle of Spirits

    $ 4.50 per 1.75 Litre bottle of Spirits

    $ 0.25 per minis (50mL) various

    $ 0.05 per can or bottle Beer and Ale

    Will keep updating all of you as I learn more.

    Paris Wine Bars

    in France: Dining

    Posted

    Great. Thanks for the heads-up on the Thursday/Friday night info. Might try to give it a try and see what happens. Freckles

    Les Enfants rouges, les Enfants rouges, les Enfants rouges!  :laugh: You're gonna love that one! The lady that owns the place is really nice, and she has some of the best wines of the moment. But remember: dinners only on thursday and friday. Have fun!

    Favorite Wine Resources

    in Wine

    Posted

    And this is my last question in this topic.... I swear. I have literally dozens of bottles of wine that I've been given, and I have NO idea when to drink them. Is there any site that I can use specifically for discovering whether to consume or wait for any given bottle? I'm really at a loss.

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