Tuesday 12th – St Pauls’s, Bloor Street

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been naughty or nice as Santa will soon bring you the annual Winetasters’ Holiday Party. Last year our members were a thirsty lot. Santa learned his lesson and his sack will include extra wine and food this year. 

The cellar elves have been busy and already pulled over 100 bottles to bring to the event. There will be lots of Bordeaux and Burgundy as well as some special bottles from around the globe. We’ll provide further details in a future communication. For now, you’ll find some featured wines listed below. We need to also highlight that this year’s featured wine is a 1912 D’Oliveiras Verdelho Vintage Madeira. Tickets for this wine are $50 for a pour, which is at least 50% less than the wine’s fair value. There will be less than 40 pours available so register early if you want to make sure that you will get to taste this 111-year-old gem.

This walk-around event is once again in the Great Hall at St. Paul’s, Bloor Street East.   The Great Hall was the original church on the site, built in the 1840s.  It’s a lovely example of Gothic architecture that is also conveniently located a short walk from Bloor Station and close to ample parking. 

Sold already?  Sign up here, or read on ….

How The Event Works

It’s a walk-around party, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialize.  The wines are set out at five serving tables. Each will have a selection of wines at the start of the evening, both red and white. When you arrive you will be given a packet including a list of the initial set of wines and where to find them. Serving tables will be replenished throughout the evening. The new wines will be identified at the various stations as the wines appear, so look out for the “pink” signs, or just listen for the buzz in the room. Eighty percent of the wines are single-bottle lots only. After 20 or so pours they are gone.

Your packet includes an initial allocation of 70 tickets to buy tasting samples (~1 OZ each) at the serving tables. Pricing of the pour starts at 2 tickets.  If you find yourself in need of additional tickets they can be purchased at the desk at the event for $1 each (cash or credit).

The Wines

We’ll be posting more info closer to the event, but you’ll have a chance to sample some rare finds, such as:

Feature Wine – 1912 D’Oliveiras Verdelho Vintage Madeira

Toronto Winetasters is known for its Feature Wine at the Holiday party: a very old Port or Madeira.  This year we’ve dug deep into the cellar and are excited to pour a rare Verdelho Madeira.   This is a fantastic opportunity – it’s not every day you can taste a 111 year-old wine! Madeira is famed for its longevity and this will be a real treat.  For context: 1912 is remembered as the year when the Republic of China is established, Arizona becomes the 48th state, the Titanic sinks, and Woodrow Wilson is elected president. You will be tasting history!

This rare and valuable wine is in limited to less than 40 pours.

Admin

Register here.  You will receive a confirmation email.
Cancellations accepted up to December 1, 2022 – Cindy Taylor (416.458.3147). No reservations by phone, please.

As always with tastings, please ask your guests not to wear aftershave, cologne or perfume. We do get first-timers at our event who may not be familiar with our etiquette. A scent-free environment ensures we all get to fully experience this exceptional assembly of wines.

And, of course, do not drink and drive.  The subway is very nearby.

The 411:

Location:     St. Paul’s Church 227 Bloor St E

Date:           Tuesday, December 12

Registration: 6:00 PM

Tasting:     6:30 PM

Fees:                Members of Toronto Winetasters or Toronto Vintners $150;  Non-Members $200.  HST Included

1912 Madeira   $50