Nova Scotia sparkling wine has world-class taste | The Chronicle Herald

Nova Scotia sparkling wine has world-class taste The Chronicle Herald

Bruce Ewert, owner of L'Acadie Vineyards, holds a bottle of Vintage Cuvee at the winery near Gaspereau in Kings County. (TIM KROCHAK / Staff) Click on the Title to link to the story.......

Left behinds

Now the Rum that was left behind in May has been "claimed" but above are some items that should be claimed before they are stored for next year, value villaged or returned to sender.......

Tell me if they are yours... happy new de clutter year( we have to start getting ready for URN 2012)

Merry Christmas

Uncle Ron is pretty excited about Christmas...... He wanted to share one of his favorite gifts from an Academy member from Venezuela .... Merry Christmas and hope to Rum into sometime in the new year

Avondale Sky winery offers deft hand, extensive range | The Chronicle Herald

Avondale Sky winery offers deft hand, extensive range The Chronicle Herald

Eat, drink, be merry — and toast N.S. | The Chronicle Herald

Eat, drink, be merry — and toast N.S. The Chronicle Herald

(click the title for the link)

Renee Lavallee, the Chronicle Herald’s Feisty Chef, prepares traditional French Canadian tourtiere meat pie for Christmas Eve. The chef and wine lover says a Nova Scotia sparkling wine would pair nicely with tourtiere, if that’s on your menu for Christmas Eve. (PETER PARSONS / Staff)

NovaScotian Crystal ups capacity with Dartmouth location | The Chronicle Herald

NovaScotian Crystal ups capacity with Dartmouth location The Chronicle Herald

Vitamin-rich, diet-friendly oysters perfect for holidays | The Chronicle Herald

Vitamin-rich, diet-friendly oysters perfect for holidays The Chronicle Herald

Blomidon’s sparkling wines impressive | The Chronicle Herald

Blomidon’s sparkling wines impressive The Chronicle Herald

Roncipient of the 2011 Uncle Ron Reads Award Announced

Pictured above is Stephen Kimber (2nd from Left) with His partner Dona Rona Jeanie and Don Rons: Jeff, Theo and Mario.

Uncle Ron is getting ready for a winter of reading… And what book is he hoping to find under the tree? A book by Stephen Kimber, the Roncipient of the 2011 Uncle Ron Reads Award.

Stephen Kimber, a Professor of Journalism at the University of King's College in Halifax, is an award-winning writer, editor and broadcaster. He is the author of one novel -- Reparations (Harper Collins, 2006) -- and eight non-fiction books.

Stephen has also completed a book entitled What Lies Across the Water about the story of five Cuban intelligence agents sentenced to lengthy prison terms in the United States for infiltrating Miami exile groups plotting terrorist attacks against Cuba. This is not an ideological book on politics but a nonfiction narrative about The Cuban Five, the people, the families and their stories.

For more on Uncle Ron Reads and Tunes go to the Uncle Ron’s Tunes and Reads Page…..

Made With Love Mixology.... And the Winner is....

As we all know Sailor Jerry is a crew mate of Uncle Ron…. So he is excited to hear that at the  MadeWithLove Mixology event the winner used Sailor Jerry and Nova Scotia Honey Crisp apples to please the palate.  Not only that but the winning Mixologist  is connected to the Academy in a typical maritime way…. One degree of separation.  Check out Uncle Ron’s Blog for more on the event……  

The Bicycle Thief’s Jeff Van Horne was the Judge’s Panel winner with his Sailor Jerry 3 Way creation. He served Sailor Jerry spiced rum with a Nova Scotia Honeycrisp apple shrub, caramel foam and ginger syrup. For more on the story check out The Restaurant News ….

It’s the crema the coffee crop | The Chronicle Herald

It's just not about the coffee.... but RUM too!

Check out Gordon Steven's story here: It’s the crema the coffee crop The Chronicle Herald
Link to Rum Runners...

20% Off at Rum Runners till Sunday Nov. 27th

They have alot of cool stuff.... check out their link: Rum Runners at the Uncommon Group.

Don Ron Dave in Ottawa...

Check out Uncle Ron in Ottawa.........go to Uncle Ron's Travels Page

Uncle Ron has a suggestion for next year's Oyster Cloister

While Uncle Ron is very happy with this year's invited oysters he read an article in the Halifax Chronicle Herald and said HEY GET THOSE FOR NEXT YEAR.....

Oyster farmers make first million

After moving home to years of planning and preparation, Trevor and Michelle Munroe have turned his Eastern Shore dream into a reality
TREVOR MUNROE is obviously quite a smooth talker, having persuaded his wife to move from Halifax to “10 min-utes past Sheet Harbour" so they could start an oyster farm.
“I did not want to live down there, and I didn’t know anything about oysters," Michelle Munroe said.
“But we learned a lot."............ to see the article click here....

N.S. sparkle, rich Italian

From Nov. 10th Chronicle Herald's Sean Wood's Column features:

 Benjamin Bridge's Champagne style libation.... 

Donald Craig played key role in N.S. winemaking

From Chronicle Herald:
Donald Craig, who passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2011, was renowned nationally and internationally for his berry and ornamental research as a scientist at the Kentville agricultural research station.
Less well understood was the pivotal role he played in the foundation of the Nova Scotia wine industry.

Uncle Ron’s Oyster Cloister Orders

The phone lines have carried Uncle Ron’s wishes and the little jems are being raised out of the Maritime’s water as we type…. The tongs are prodding around the shallows, the boats are bringing in the cages… they are being graded and packed and oh boy some quahaugs and bay scallops too….

Here is where they are from:

Lonnie Langille’ lease on bend where Lazy Bay becomes Wallace Harbour… Not only oyster’s but quahaugs as well.

http://www.wallacebythesea.ca/

From The Elliott’s are my grandfather’s favorites from the Wallace Bay cradled Birch Island.

Tom Wood who fishes out of the boats he builds is bringing us some Fox Harbour’s

http://www.bigbayboats.ca/about/

Merigomish’s Phillip Docker is bringing us his Shandaph Oyster and Bay Scallops  

http://www.shandaph.com/

Malagash’s own Bay Enterprises…. Charles and Nancy Purdy’s are sending some Thrum Caps

http://www.webspawner.com/users/bayent/

From Ell Lake all the way down in Pubnico’s Nolan D’eon’s  Ruisseau Oysters

http://www.ruisseauoysters.com/

And from Nequac NB Amedee Savoie’s much loved Masion Beausoleil Oysters.

• http://www.maisonbeausoleil.ca/en/index.htm

Finally of course in a hands across the water sort of touch  Ted Boutilier has selected some Salutation Cove(PEI) and Caribou (NS)

http://www.futureseafoods.com/

Here are a few sites with some tasting notes…

http://www.maestrosvp.com/images/menus/OysterMenu_en.pdf

http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/fish/seafood/oyster-glossary.asp

THe Rum Pot for 2012 is topped!!!!

The moment the Academy are all waiting for is ready .... Rum Pot 2012 has been topped up.. the search for Artic Kiwi was successful at Sobey's tonight... wonderful Nova Scotia grown Artic Kiwi's by MacBerry Farms... and the rum to cover them is Don Ron and Rona's hand delivered Ron Santero Anejo Reserva(Cuba).....

Fine rum worth rumination

From Today's Chronicle Herald....
Fine rum worth rumination Lunenburg distiller’s spirits sit one year in oak barrels

Pierre Guevremont, owner of Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg, with his dog Matic and bourbon barrels from Kentucky.
Rum production is a long process, but the payoff is worth the wait.
A dozen Wild Turkey bourbon barrels from Kentucky arrived at the Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg on Thursday ready to be filled with the micro-distillery’s twice-distilled, 160-proof molasses and water mixture.. click onto the line above the picture to access the story.....

Boat builder toasts rum planks

Uncle Ron asked that we post this story out of today's Chronicle Herald: Boat builder toasts rum planks....

Rum Pot 2012 Bounty's Beginnings

This Summer Uncle Ron was pretty excited to be invited to Nova Scotia Cuba Association's  gathering at Don Ron Theo and Dona Rona Anna’s Casa where Maria de la Luz B’Hamel the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba was the special guest.  The Academy invited Maria to start the Rum Pot for 2012…. Here she is adding CRUZAN Aged Rum 151 Proof to Strawberries from Millen Farms Ltd. U-Pick – strawberries 80 Little Dyke Road, Glenholme, NS…   For more mighty fine products from Nova Scotia for your rumpot check out TASTE of Nova Scotia and Select Nova Scotia.

Check out Uncle Ron's Rum Pot Page for more on Rum Pot Fun....

Uncle Ron's Tee Shirt Sighting.....

This Just in....

Here is the first Uncle Ron's sighting.
Location:  Historic Queens Park Arena in New Westminster, home of the 24 time Mann Cup Champion New Westminster Salmon Bellies Lacrosse team.
Event:  Game one of the first leg on the Road to the 25th Mann Cup title. Yes the Bellies won, on the score sheet and in the alley.
Photo Credits:  Axel Sanderson (future Salmon Bellie) 8yrs
Camera:  Blackberry Curve
Get out there a where your shirt with pride and report your adventure.  I had one guy ask me where I got the shirt and wondered if he could attend the next Rum tasting. 
Have fun.
Don Ron Greg

Uncle Ron’s Academy is proud to present $1000 to Los Primos.....

During Don Rons Scott and Brian’s Show at Stayner’s Wharf on July 10^th Don Ron Art presented the funds raised at Uncle Ron’s Night to Don Ron Jeff who is also the creator of Los Primos which is a great program created to benefit the youth in Cuba and Nova Scotia via the great venue of music.... For more info on Los Primos check out their web site.. Uncle Ron would also like to thank CRUZAN and Stayner’s Wharf for supporting Los Primos....

Scott Macmillan and Brian Doyle Receive Uncle Ron’s Tunes 2011 Award..

On July 10^th at Stayner’s Wharf Scott MacMillian and Brian Doyle were presented with Uncle Ron’s Tunes 2011 award. Past award recipients Tom Roach (Piano Trios) and Jamie Gatti (Tonic). Presented the award which was supplied by On Foot Glass. They were rocking Stayner’s doing many of the tunes from their first Duo recording : Live Off The Floor.
For more information on Scott and Brian (and past recipients) go to Uncle Ron’s Tunes and Reads Page.

Jost Vinyards Summer Fest

Hey Sean Woods column (July 8th) in the Chronicle Herald makes note of Jost Vinyards upcoming Summer Fest( July 16^th) and reviews a few wines as well....
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1252174.html
and Jost's website... http://www.jostwine.com/

Uncle Ron's Swagger

Hey check out the new tee shirt on Uncle Ron's Swagger page

Yours for $25 with $5 from each sale going to Los Primos.

Uncle Ron's Night 2011 Observations and Opinions (results)....

The 8^th Annual Uncle Ron’s Night was a libation sensation/comestible digestible.. And a favorite has been singled out... The Academy should mention that this is a "preference" rating. The only judging process is sip and savour or sip and spit! Either way they are all RICO and all have their "applications", seasons and place....

Special thanks to Cruzan and Stayner’s Wharf for supporting Los Primos and Uncle Ron’s Night. Uncle Ron also asked that the faculty be thanked for organizing a fun fun fun night. As well the travelers who sought out and delivered the wondrous vessels of joy!!!!

Uncle Ron want’s to remind the Academy that the night is a neat pure, straight up, high ball of one, two and three finger fun.... It is not a scientific method nor is it’s method madness. People sample, talk, suggest, all night long. During the night preference changes and judgement becomes a balance between observation and opinion clouds and sun with fluid factors facilitating. The pallet refresher was Northern Spy apples from Barbour’s Farm in Malagash... recipes from the night will be posted... The nibbles were simply amazing..........................

Some observations... The top four are unique and according to the numbers stand alone... The number one preference of the night is first timer from the D.R: Punta Cana Ron Muy Viejo... Mucho Gracias Regis... Cruzan Black Strap is Number two and Goslings Family Reserve is number three. Black Strap has been number one twice and Gosling’s has been number one and been in the top three countless times... PYRAT is forth place ( PYRAT has been 2^nd the last two years).

Next there are some interesting groupings.. 5,6,7 and 8^th place are separated by four points. Ninth to twelfth is a three point spread... Some of these have been top three and always been in the top 12....

13, 14,15 and 16 ^are are spooning two pointedly.. One of which is from Nova Scotia’s Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg which was right beside the number one rum in 2005, Ron Zacapa 15 yo.

The message Uncle Ron would like to remind the academy is that if one more person remembered to leave their tasting sheet it could change everything.... If one person sampled # 14 first instead of #22 the results could be different... If somebody had Kibbe after rather than before sampling number 20 it would be different....... They are all "good dear good".

For the results of 2011 Uncle Ron’s Night to Uncle Ron’s Night Scoring Page.

Flagship Rum and Favorite Berth

CRUZAN con STAYNERS WHARF son NUESTROS AMIGOS.

The Academy is thrilled to proclaim that Cruzan Rum is the flagship rum for Uncle Ron’s Academy. The Faculty and Students do recognize that there are as many wonderful rums as there are rums..... But because of the support CRUZAN has provided the Academy with we are as happy as frosh during frosh week to proclaim CRUZAN as our flagship rum.
This year three CRUZAN rums are featured at Uncle Ron’s Night: Black Strap, Single Barrel and 9( spiced).

Likewise while there are many many wonderfully grand places to dine, listen to tunes, and sample rum because of the support Stayner’s Wharf has offered the Academy’s curriculum (Los Primos) ... The Academy is pleased to proclaim Stayners Wharf as one of our favorite "classrooms".

The Nova Scotian Crystal Glass Runneth Over .... and were not talking about rain

Never mind the rain... Look who has floated in over the last week!!!! Some winners and top finishers from years gone by and two frosh ... here's the list: Tres Cruzan Hermano!!! The #1 favorite in 2007 and 2008 Cruzan BLACK STRAP ,  Black Strap's aged brother and CRUZAN's Flagship rum: CRUZAN Single Barrel (Bottle number 546558 from Barrel # 8p171). Just wait till you taste the newest in the  CRUZAN family: CRUZAN 9 Spiced Rum. Check out the reviews for Black Strap, Single Barrel and Roger and Dave's review on CRUZAN 9 Spiced.

Just in the door is one of our favoritos Goslings Family Reserve  which was 3rd in 2010 and 2nd in 2008. Here is a review by Machete Rum.

Cuba keeps sending us the very finest: Ron Santiago 11 year old Anejo Superior. We cannot find a review on the 11 yo but here is Chip's reivew on Ron Santiago. 

YES....top 10 in 2010 and 2009 all the way from  Venezuela via Holland is  Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. A review by the Rum Dood.

The Sailor.. One of the Edmonton Campus' favs... Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum (9th in 2010 and 5th in 2009). Apprarently it the Sailor's birthday this week. A review by The Examiner.

New Page For Comestibles and Libations

Yes Uncle Ron has asked that we have a page dedicated to the food and drink that the Academy celebrates.... So check out and watch Uncle Ron's Comestibles and Libations page.....

Dos Nuevos Amigos con Un Viejo Amigo

One old friend and two new friends arrived the last couple of days and have been added to the celebrations.... Hand delivered from Ft. Myers (seriously) an old friend we can’t find in Nova Scotia: Myers's Original Dark Rum...... a review from Wine and Alcohol and the Bilge Monkey.  In from St. Lucia: St. Lucia Distillers Chairman's Reserve.. It comes highly recommend from both Uncle Ron’s Away team and also from Dave and Roger’s Rum Reviews.... The Mexico away team just got back and wonderfully selected Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva 15 year old. Check out the Chris Carlsson’s Spirit’s Review.

Uncle Ron Savours More Than Rum

Check out Sean Wood's column Wood on Wine in the Chronicle Herald: N.S. cider wins gold at competition  Not only is there a report on Tideview's success but also reviews on a number of Nova Scotia wines.

Rollin rollin rollin the ron keeps rollin raw hide!

Hola ...

Rolling rollin rolling rons keep a rolling raw hide!

The latest... Thanks to Don Ron Cyril One of our past winners all the way from Dieppe PYRAT Rum XO RESERVE

Another past winner suppled by The Celtic Corner direct from Guatemala Ron Zacapa Solera Reserva 15 Here is a review from The Examiner.

One of Cuba’s favorites Ron Cubay Carta Blanca .. Mojitos perhaps!!!! A little blurb...

And from Red Cap Marketing Inc. One of our past winners Brugal Ron Extra Viejo Gran Reserva Familiar.

Also from the D.R. via the Santo Domingo Campus, Boston, Halifax’s west end and Purcell’s Cove a first timer... Puntacana Ron Muy Viejo.

A second rum from Belize Via a big boat a bunch of happy ronas New Orleans, Victoria, Tantallon Parrot Travellers 3 Barrel Aged Rum. Another blurb...

From the Czech Republic highly recommended by the Calgary Campus, Via Calgary Victoria and Tantallon Bozkov Orginal Tuzemsky

Weekends are great because visitors come and some even stay

This weekend 1 Barrel , Ron Barcelo Ron Dominicano Anejo and Ron Dorado Arecha visited and decided to stay.

1 Barrel is from Belize and was discovered by Don Ron Bill in Edmonton ( Uncle Ron supports Alberta) It traveled to Calgary to visit Don Ron Mike and then arrived in Halifax thanks to Don Ron Gary.... Swimming is a great sport. A review from Roger and Dave and an opinion for Capn Jimbo’s Rum Project Forum.

The Barcelo Ron Dominicano is an example of how we do things... one of our industry partners (Atlantic Home Inspections) procured it via the barter system. Here is Chip Dykstra ‘s review in the Rum Howler Blog and a review from our friends at Liquorature: Whisky, Words, Wit.

And, (wait for it) another arrival from YES, CUBA... Ron Dorado Arecha... Don and Dona Geoff and Judy made this delightful little discovery.. Here is a web site (How’s your Spanish?) And a little blurb from a consulting company.....

Don't forget we need transport from Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria. We are also trying to procure PYAT and ZAYA...

Winter in Atlantic Canada..... Rum from the Caribbean... "Still" a match made in Heaven

Two arrivals this week.... Uncle ron warmly smiled when his eyes caressed the liquid sunshine that arrived ... Don and Donas were in Barbados and the British Virgin Islands. The first to arrive was Arundel 10 Year Cane Rum from The Callwood Distillery in Cane Garden Bay, BVI VIA sailboat, airboat and ashphalt boat. A review by our sailing freinds Roger and Dave's Rum Reviews. This was followed by Mount Gay Rum: Eclipse Black. The story is, when asked the cab driver would say "Mount Gay Extra Old... but you should try Eclipse Black"... So we will. here is a review by the Rum Howler and some interesting opinions from Capn Jimbo's Rum Project.

Don't forget that  transport is needed for liquid sunshine from the Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary and Boston campus'.

The vault..... Stores.... libary.... whatever.....

Hey Don and Dona Roners.... we have 19 rums in the libary now.... So this post lists what we have and what we are looking for:

A reminder if you're out and about keep a taste bud peeled and some transport needed (see below).....
Keep an eye on the blog.. it is up to 2694 views( time to get the web page started we figure)..
Also think about who should be recognized by Uncle Ron's Reads and Tunes Awards......

The line up so far (see posts and Uncle Ron's Rums pages for info on rums)
Ironworks Rum from the great new distillery in Nova Scotia located in Lunenburg, Ironworks Distillery.
DOORLY'S X O Barbados via ottawa
Santero Anejo Reserva all the from Cienfuegos, Cuba
Ron Cubay Anejo, Ron Mulata Anejo, Santiago de Cuba Anejo, Legendario Elixir de Cuba Carta Oro from VAradero , Cuba
Direct From Lahaina, Maui: Koloa Kaua Dark Rum, Old Lahaina Rum Dark, Maui Dark Rum.
El Dorado 12YO (Guyana) via St. Andrew's NB
Montilla Carta OURO, delivered direct from Brazil.
From Panama via Chile Ron Anejo Mitjans
Trader Vic's Private Selection Dark Rum found in Salisbury, New Brunswick.
Antillano Gold Polanco, Mexico City.
Renegade Jamaica 2000 Rum discovered at Cloud Nine Calgary Airport.
Brugal Gold Label, From the DR and souced in Ottawa.
Saint James Royal Amber, Martinique/France via Montreal.
El Dorado Deluxe Silver 6yo Guyana Via Ottawa.

Some of what we are looking for..
Cuba, Ron Varadero, Ron Carney or other discoveries.
PYRAT ( it is in N.B.)
Zaya
Diplomatico
Myers’s
el Dorado

We will be sourcing from the NSLC and the local speciality stores.. Like Smugglers Cove, Cruzan(s), Goslings, Havana Club, the Kraken,  and more... seems there are more spiced rums available now..

We know that there are a few on the ground from some of the away research teams so let’s get them in and we’ll post them... oh boy what fun....
So if you see something in an airport or store just call or get on line and see what we have..

Please note we need transport for rums that are on the ground on the Victoria, Edmonton Santo Domingo, D.R campus’

Golden Diamond.... Do you know what is in your walls?

Don Ron John is doing some renos in his house.... He came across this llittle jem in the Kitchen wall .. An empty mikey of Golden Diamond Rum. The fine print on the lable says: Licensed by Sandach Parker & Co. Ltd., Demerara British Guiana, McGuiness Maritimes Distillers Ltd. Bridgetown,  Nova Scotia D1 P2A.

What's really neat is the government issue warning lable that was still intact...... Be very very careful!!!! Heed This Warning and Save Paying a Penalty!!!!!
He figures it is circa 1964. The cost: $1.40.

All The Way From Barbados Via Ottawa.....

Barbados is a wonderful place... and they bottle some of the happiness there and send it all the way here... The latest arrival is DOORLY'S X O (the closest thing to a web page we found). The Academy found it at the corner of Rideau and Dalhouise in Ottawa.. Here are reviews from The Rum Howler Blog and Scottes Rum Page ( in the back ground is another Bajan original)...

Uncle Ron is very very pleased........... with The NSLC

One of Uncle Ron's Favorites is now Stocked here in Nova Scotia!!!! BRUGAL Anejo Ron Superior !!!!! Brugal was the first winner at the first Uncle Ron's Night in 2003( see uncle ron's scores page. A little history of Brugal  and the Rum Howler has a review.

And Uncle Ron had it here first..... THE KRAKEN In 2010 it was in the top 10 and "nosed" out one of our favorites Sailor Jerry (see uncle ron scores)... A review by The Examiner . Maybe a faculty meeting is in order to celebrate and review.....

Cuba Comes home again!!!!

SI...... In Cienfuegos last week Dona Ron Kay was recommended that Uncle Ron would enjoy Ron Santero Anejo Reserva...... we have found a review in Spanish but not one in English yet.....  and as you can see in the pic Dona Ron Kay is very happy with the shipment....

Direct From Varadero.............

Uncle Ron is more than pleased to welcome cuatro Cubano rones que acaba de llegar del varadero... All have been entertained and entertained at Uncle Ron’s Night .... they are: Ron Cubay Anejo ( review by Spirits Corner ) , Ron Mulata Anejo ( a little bit more info), Santiago de Cuba Anejo (review from the drink shop)and last year’s number one Legendario Elixir de Cuba Carta Oro (  a review from the Rum Howler ).

Uncle Ron is so Happy to hear the Sip and Shuck Is Friday Jan. 28th.

This is it.. Oysters, Quahaugs, Mussels, Wine, Beer, Sparkling Apple Cider.. and more and all from NOVA SCOTIA..... Friday, Jan 28th from 5:30 till 7:30 at the Delta Halifax

Not Sure Where They Are.. or Has Anybody Seen My Luggage

Yes It was a successful run to Lahaina... We found three rum's for Uncle Ron's Night .. The problem is United put the wrong tags on the guitar and luggage... It went to San Francisco... They have found the guitar but no word on the bag with THREE BOTTLES of Dark Rum in it.... see the pics for the rums and say a prayer.....the  Koloa Kaua Dark Rum from Hawaii, the Old Lahaina Rum Dark and a return visit from Maui Dark Rum (see Uncle Ron's Night 2009)