| Nationally published wine, spirits, food and travel writer Margaret
Swaine has authored over 2,000 articles for various magazines and
newspapers. She is a regular contributor to Toronto Life, ScoreGolf, Ski
Press, Chatelaine, Luxe, Mélange, Travelweek Bulletin, Food and Drink,
national newspaper groups such as CanWest, including The National Post and
Globe and Mail and internet sites such as GoMedia Canada and Gayot.com.
She is also the author of the first three annual Toronto Life Wine, Beer
and Spirits Guides reviewing all products carried by the Liquor Control
Board of Ontario. In February 2007 she was awarded the prize for the “Best
Article or Broadcast Emphasizing a Hotel or Resort” at the Travel Media
Association of Canada conference in London Ontario for her article “Nearly
Heaven” about Stonehaven Inn published in the Ottawa Citizen. Her article
on Czech spa towns won1st runner up in the annual ANTOR awards in 2006.
She is recipient of the 2003 Achievement Award from the Ontario Imported
Wine-Spirit-Beer Association and two Honourable Mentions from the Canadian
National Magazine Awards. She has been honoured with the titles of Dame
de la Jurade de Saint Emilion, Chevalier de L'Association Internationale
des Mâitres Conseils en Gastronomie Française, Dame de Floc
de Gascogne and Commandeur d'Honneur de Commanderie du Bontemps de Médoc
et des Graves. Ms. Swaine is a founder and first president of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada, a founder and past executive of the Travel Media Association of Canada and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. She has served as an expert witness in several wine disputes, and participated as a wine judge in global competitions such as at Vinitaly in Verona. She was founder and for many years host of The Toronto Life Wine & Dine Experience dinners. She has appeared on many radio and television programs and regularly travels the world. At present she is doing restaurant reviews for Gayot.com, a subsidiary of Gault Millau. A golf and ski enthusiast, she also writes on these subjects for various sport magazines. In addition she has completed the NAUI Level II Openwater Scuba Diver Course. For a complete bio click here: Margaret Swaine Hot Tips Check out my latest Toronto restaurant reviews on Gault Millau's North American website: www.gayot.com by clicking on Toronto or read my 72 Hour in Toronto piece by clicking on the 72 Hour Vacations link. New Zealand has delightful wine routes. The country now boasts over 450 wineries, many with top notch restaurants attached, fine lodges nearby and lots of golf courses (reputedly the most per capita in the world). Waiheke Island, a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland, with beautiful scenery and about 35 boutique wineries is a good place to start. Gisbourne and Marlborough are major wine areas with much to taste and enjoy. Check out the New Zealand website For specifics on wine go to New Zealand Wines |