MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009
Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD) 750 mL $19.95

LES HAUTS DE CASTELLAS VACQUEYRAS 2009
AC, Rhône, France (Vignerons de Caractère)
177634 (XD) 750 mL $19.95

This magazine has been out for a while now, issue two is already available. However, it’s been difficult to find in Canada and shipping for the US necessitates dealing with shipping/duties/UPS which is always hell. However, I was very excited this week to find both issues at Indigo Bay/Bloor. It might be available at your Indigo too.

The magazine is terrific – the first issue is dedicated to ramen – and I’ve never read such dedication. It’s fastidious. The magazine is also written very boldly and brashly – liberal use of the f-word is sprinkled throughout and the writers are very opinionated. If you love food, definitely pick up this magazine!

This fascinating article in Nature looks at the way food is created by the flavours that many dishes combine. They noticed a big difference between the way Asian cuisine and Western cuisine approaches building tastes and flavours. Definitely worth a look if you’re a foodie. If the academic article is a little too long to read, Gizmodo distilled it into a short summary.

This article is from Lucky Peach – David Chang’s new magazine but was reprinted by Gizmodo.

CNN has a food blog called Eatocracy. Some of their regular anchors have been moonlighting there including Canadian Ali Velshi.

With Good Eats now off the air (and I can’t find repeats on Canada’s horrible Food Network), it’s good to see Alton Brown is keeping himself busy. While not hosting campy food reality shows, he’s now blogging.

BELLE GLOS MEIOMI PINOT NOIR 2009
Sonoma Valley/Monterey County/Santa Barbara County, California
130138 (XD) 750 mL $26.95

ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2006
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (Familia Zingarelli)
930966 (XD) 750 mL $21.95

Toronto Life has weighed in on the top Korean restaurants in the city. Their list has a few modern takes on top of the traditional ones, but still worthy places to check out:

Swish by Han
Jang Uh Plus
Cho Dang Soon Tofu
Tofu Village
Koko Share Bar

Cut Brooklyn is a company (more of a one-man show) that makes kitchen knives the old fashioned way. In this video by Made by Hand he talks about his craft:

Made by Hand / No 2 The Knife Maker from Made by Hand on Vimeo.

DOÑA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC 2009
Mendoza, Argentina
661819 (D) 750 mL $17.95

CORDELLA ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2009
DOC, Tuscany, Italy
251462 (XD) 750 mL $19.95