Once again we seek to start our autumn tastings with an extraordinary red wine event. We will enjoy the wines from the famous Hermitage appellation in the southern Rhône valley.
It has been suggested by some scholars that the Hermitage hill has been planted with Syrah since 600BC! Though the evidence is circumstantial, if it is true, this vinous slope would be the oldest in the Rhône valley and, therefore, in the whole of France. The appellation's name traces back to a thirteenth century legend. As the story goes, the Knight Gaspard de Stérimberg upon returning from a religious crusade found this bit of geography entrancing. There was no building on the site, so he applied to the then Queen of France, Blanche of Castille, for permission to build a retreat. Permission granted, the knight occupied this simple structure as a hermit (ermite in French) for nearly thirty years. The chapel, built in honour of St. Christopher still stands at the top of the Hermitage hill and is the visual icon for the appellation. The modern appellation was established in 1937. The high cost of Hermitage wine is based on quality, historical precedence and the finite boundaries of the tiny hill itself. The words “over-supply” are not in the winery's vocabulary.

Guigal is a recent addition to the old houses of the Rhône. It was incorporated in 1946 by the patriarch Étienne who worked an incredible 65 harvests as a vigneron and cellar master until his death at 79 years old. Late harvesting and a model of high fruit extraction are signatures of this house. These rich, dark, Syrah-based wines are described by our famous producer as “powerful and tannic wine with aromas of blackcurrant buds and vanilla. A spicy finish with licorice. A racy and seductive wine. A perfect wine for putting down”. (There is a dispensation for up to 15% Marsanne to be added to the blend as some unplanned white grapes have made their way into the vineyards in historic plantings. Marsanne’s high glycerin content is said to have a positive effect on Syrah by adding a measure of richness to the mouth feel.)

Our plans to present a Guigal Hermitage vertical going back to 1976 were temporarily interrupted by the LCBO not importing any of this wine for over 5 years – only resuming this year. We believe that our wines have been “put down” for sufficient time to reveal their secondary aroma secrets and shed their tannic
cloaks. The vintage lineup is as follows 1976, 1978, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 2003 (RP94).

Please click here to open a pdf version of the tasting description if you wish to mail in your reservation.

As always with our tastings, this event will be strictly non-smoking, and we request your cooperation in not wearing any scented after-shave or perfume.

Attention All Members
At the first tasting of our 2010/2011 season we will be holding our elections for this year's Board of Directors. The following members of WINETASTERS have agreed to stand for election and ask for your support:
Peter Curran
Steven Elphick
Richard Flack
Alan Gardner (Chair)
David Hutchison
Michael Johnston
Charles Orchard
Walter Pylypczuk
Peter Woods
This allows us an nine-member Board of Directors for this year in accordance with our club by-laws. If there are any other members wishing to stand for election, they must be nominated by an existing member and present themselves before September 1, 2010.