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In September 06, Jen and I went to Onterrible (as she calls it) for a cousin’s wedding. They live in Stoney Creek, just south of Hamilton out towards Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is the big wine growing region in Ontario, so we took the opportunity to visit some of the wineries. The one we enjoyed the most and spent the most time chatting with the staff was Thirty Bench. We left with a couple of bottles and this week we cracked one.

Thirty Bench 2002 Benchmark Blend.

From the label: This wine contains 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot. The wine was fermented in small bins using various yeasts to gain complexity, was left to macerate for a few weeks to soften its tannins, and was subsequently aged in french and american oak barrels for almost a year. You can enjoy this wine immediately after its release, but it will improve considerably with age.

From the website: Tasting notes of toffee, oak and stewed tomatoes on the nose.

We made the mistake of having it with spicy food, chicken, beans and yam fries. It didn’t stand up very well, not at all. It was fruity for me, exploding in blueberries and plums, and while it was probably fine with roast beef, pork chops, or a flank steak, it just couldn’t handle our spicy food.

Even though we didnt pair it properly, Jen was still disappointed with her palate on the decision. She thinks we should have drank it right away when we got home, or maybe they served us a ‘better bottle’ at the winery. Even still, she says if she tasted tonight what she tasted then, she wouldnt have bought that bottle.

It’s one of those things that happens when you go to a winery, you can get romanced into buying things that just don’t quite taste the same when you get home. We also picked up a Pinot Meunier Rose when we were there that, on site, tasted like Thanksgiving Dinner - cranberries and sweetness and excellence, however at home - it wasnt anything like that.

So we’re 0 for 2 from Thirty Bench so far. Beautiful winery, not so much with the wine.

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I’m putting this recipe here mostly for my own reference. I make it every couple of months and I’m always having to Google the recipe. I caught it on an episode of CityLine, made it once and have loved it since. I have used regular bacon, thick cut bacon and ham hock for the meat.

1 small smoked ham hock
2 cups dried split peas
1 1/2 cups carrot, celery, onion, diced
2 cloves garlic minced
8 cups water
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, place the ham hock, split peas, bay leaf, and minced garlic. Cover with water, and bring to a rapid boil.
Once boiling, skim and return to a simmer.
Simmer gently for one hour and 15 minutes.
Add the diced vegetables, season with salt and lots of ground pepper and continue to cook for another hour until the ham hock is fully cooked and the meat is easily removed.
Remove from heat, lift out the ham hock, peel away the fat, and remove the cooked meat.
Place the meat back into the saucepan with the cooked split peas. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serve.

Serves 8 – 10. [source]

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Avril Lavigne does GM Place on Friday night as a part of her Best Damn Tour.

She called in bright and early from Victoria this morning to pump things up.

This was the third interview this year I’ve done with Avril for her album, The Best Damn Thing. It’s maybe the 6th or 7th time I’ve interviewed her - including one for the launch of her debut album in Canada, one of her first interviews ever. They’re archived at buzzbishop.com

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One more day of fill in for Nat and Drew. Here's what's on air:

    - Nat and Drew's Daily Dirt:
       - another year, another American Idol scandal
       - we like Nicole Richie more than Christina Aguilera
       - here's the list of Genie winners from last night
       - even Posh Spice likes shopping at Target

    - Worried you pamper your kids too much? Dont worry - Jlo has you beat.  Her twins have a baby masseuse coming by twice a week.

    - It has now been scientifically proven. Women are better liars than men

    - Avril Lavigne is in town on Friday night and was on the air this morning

    - Here's something different for your morning java jolt - tea espresso. Or maybe try Screech's favourite, the Dirty Chai.

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Today and tomorrow I’m up at the crack of ass filling in for Nat and Drew. 5a - 9a… *yawn* .. here’s what I was yakking up on air this morning:

    - You can follow Chris and Christina as they plan their $95 000 Wedding at their blog.

    - Nat and Drew's Daily Dirt:
             - Madonna's new track has leaked online.
             - Jack Nicholson is helping Hillary Clinton play the sexy card.
             - Rihanna and Kanye are coming to town with the Glow In the Dark Tour.  We've got tickets this week and RiRi is already talking wardrobe.
      - You can get more good stuff (including topless Prince Harry pics) at LaineyGossip.com

    - Ellen was awesome on friday.  Yes, it's okay to be gay.

    - Are you a dirty cheater?  Clear your conscience by becoming Cheat Neutral.

    - Got a friend who loves to get their drink on? Get Cocktailopoly.

    - Victoria's Secret's new boss says the company image is too sexy.

    - Sippy cups made from plastic could leech nasty chemicals. Check out these sweet new ones made out of stainless. BTW, you can pick em up at Whole Foods.

    -More parent stuff .. fitted sheets make the best forts.

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Thanks to Chris Brogan for tweeting and blogging Merlin Mann’s Inbox Zero video.

Its basic, your nose is on your face type stuff, but while the video was rolling, I scrolled through my inbox and, got it to zero.

Now I need someone to do a Desktop Zero video. My crystal clean screen has files and bookmarks all over it.

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Earlier this week I put out a call for help with creating some banners and buttons to spread the word about Team Diabetes Easter Island and the effort to raise $10 000 for the cause.

My pal, Carolyn, did a little bit of grown up art while her daughter was colouring. Here’s one she came up with:

Here are some thumbnails of others she designed:

If you want to add one of these to your own blog, feel free to click out to the larger version, save-as and then please link back to this address (my donation page with Team Diabetes): https://ocp.diabetes.ca/pledge/cspledge.asp?prId=td&oId=1212656&tId=8410

And while you’re at it, double click on the larger image and make a pledge yourself!

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