Wednesday December 7th – St Pauls’s, Bloor Street

Much has changed since 2019, the last time we were able to host our Annual Winetasters’ Holiday Party.  While not all of that change has been good, we have all been good (right?), and so we deserve a bit of holiday cheer!  Our cellar has had 3 extra years of rest and promises to provide us lots of treasures to enjoy.

So the famous Winetasters’ Holiday Party returns on Wednesday, December 7th!  As we have done for many years, members and guests will get the opportunity to taste a dazzling array of carefully chosen, and perfectly-aged vinous treasures from the extensive Winetasters’ cellar accompanied by seasonal fare.

Highlights will include:   Scharzhofberger Egon Mueller Kabinet 2007, Ch Haut-Brion 1990, Ch d’Yquem 1996, Grange Bin 95 1993, Ch Montelena 1996, Taylor Quinta da Vargellas 1987  … and more (see below).  In addition we have. as a feature wine. a hundred and two year old Madeira:   Malvasia Reserva Reserva Velha – Barbeito 1920 (there is a surcharge for this and quantities are limited).  Matched with them will be a selection of seasonal meats, cheeses, breads, veggies, and sweets – enough to make a meal and to perfectly complement the wines.

Alas, Osgoode Hall is closed indefinitely for renovations.  However, we were fortunate enough to find a beautiful and convenient alternative for our favourite annual event – the Great Hall at St. Paul’s, Bloor Street East.   The Great Hall was the original church on the site, built in the 1840’s.  It’s a lovely example of gothic architecture that is also conveniently located a short walk from Bloor Station and close to ample parking. We hope that you will all find this location a welcome new site for our event.

In the spirit of the festive season Toronto Winetasters is extending an invitation to members of Toronto Vintners Club to attend at member prices.

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 six serving tables. Each will have a selection of wines at the start of the evening, both red and white as well as “others” (Armagnac, whisky, port, etc). When you arrive you will be given a packet including a list of the initial set of wines and where to find them.   And then, as the first wines run out, look for top-quality replacement surprises throughout the evening. These will be prominently 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.

Note that some of the wines mentioned will be in the initial flight and some will come out later. You may have to be patient for your favorite wine to appear! Note also that for some wines we have only a single bottle available.

Your packet includes an initial allocation of 70 tickets to buy tasting samples (1 0z each). Pricing of the samples starts at 3 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, like:

• Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett – Mosel – Egon Muller – 2007
• Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Les Referts – Burgundy – Remoissenet Père & Fils 2007
• Château d’Yquem – 1er Cru Sauternes – 1996
• Château Haut Brion – Pessac-Leognan – 1990
• Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle – Rhone – 1992
• Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG, Italy – 2012
• Cabernet Sauvignon Estate – Chateau Montelena – 1996
• Penfolds Grange Bin 95, Australia – 1993
• Alion – Alion (Vega Sicilia) – Ribera del Duero – 2012
• Vintage Port, Quinta da Vargellas – Taylor’s 1987

See here for the current full list of wines.

Feature Wine – 1920 Malvasia Reserva Reserva Velha – Barbeito

Toronto Winetasters is known for its Feature Wine at the Holiday party: a very old Port or Madeira.  This year, to mark our return to Holiday Parties in style, we’ve dug deep into the cellar and are excited to pour a rare Malvasia Reserva Reserva Velha – Barbeito 1920.   This is a fantastic opportunity – it’s not every day you can taste a hundred (and two!) year-old wine!   Madeira is famed for its longevity and this will be a real treat.  For context: 1920 will be remembered as the year when the League of Nations was created, the 19th Amendment was passed in America giving women the right to vote, and a flight from London to South Africa took 45 days.  You will be tasting history!

The rare and valuable wine is in limited supply, so there is a supplementary charge and its first come first served!  You will reserve your sample when you register.

Santa

And, as you are all judged to be good, you’ll get a taste of a bubbly or two from Santa who will be appearing during the evening.

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 many 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 nearby (Sherborne or Yonge St)

The 411:
Location:            St. Paul’s Church 227 Bloor St E
Date:                    Wednesday, December 7
Registration:    6:00 PM
Tasting:              6:30 PM
Fees:                    Members of Toronto Winetasters or Toronto Vintners $150;  Non-Members $200.  HST Included
1920 Madeira   $50

More from 2019 archive:

December 7th – St Pauls’s, Bloor Street

Much has changed since 2019, the last time we were able to host our Annual Winetasters Holiday Party.  While not all of that change has been good, we all have been (right?), and so we deserve a bit of holiday cheer!  Our cellar has had 3 extra years of rest and promises to provide us lots of treasures to enjoy.

Alas Osgoode Hall is closed indefinitely for renovations.  However, we were fortunate enough to find a beautiful and convenient alternative for our favourite annual event – the Great Hall at St. Paul’s, Bloor Street East.   The Great Hall was the original church on the site, built in the 1840’s.  It’s a lovely example of gothic architecture that is also conveniently located a short walk from Bloor Station and close to ample parking. We hope that you will all find this location a welcome new site for our event.

As we have done for many years, members and guests get to be amazed by a carefully chosen array of perfectly-aged vinous treasures from the extensive Winetasters cellar. Some highlights are below.

Matched with them will be a selection of seasonal meats, cheeses, breads, veggies, and sweets – enough to make a meal and to perfectly complement the wines.

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 six serving tables. Each will have a selection of wines at the start of the evening, both red and white as well as “others” (Armagnac, whisky, port, etc). When you arrive you will be given a packet including a list of the initial set of wines and where to find them.   And then, as the first wines run out, look for top quality replacement surprises throughout the evening. These will be prominently 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.

Note that some of the wines mentioned will be in the initial flight and some will come out later. You may have to be patient for your favourite wine to appear! Note also that for some wines we have only a single bottle available.

Your packet includes an initial allocation of 40 tickets to buy tasting samples (1 0z each). Pricing of the samples starts at 3 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, like:

• Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett – Mosel – Egon Muller – 2007
• Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Les Referts – Burgundy – Remoissenet Père & Fils 2007
• Chateau Trotanoy – Pomerol – 1997
• Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle – Rhone – 1992
• Alion – Alion (Vega Sicilia) – Ribera del Duero – 2012
• Vintage Port, Quinta da Vargellas – Taylor’s 1987

Feature Wine – 1895 Bual Madeira – Yes that’s Eighteen Ninety Five!

Toronto Winetasters is known for its Feature Wine at the Holiday party: a very old Port or Madeira.  This year, to mark our return to Holiday Parties in style, we’ve dug deep into the cellar and are excited to pour a rare Vintage Bual Madeira – Cossart Gordon 1895  This is a fantastic opportunity – it’s not every day you can taste a nineteenth century wine!   For context: In 1895 Mackenzie Bowell (yes, really) was Prime Minister of Canada, Grover Cleveland was President of the US, Queen Victoria was on the throne.  You will be tasting history!

The wine is in limited supply, so its first come first served!  You will reserve your sample when you register.

Santa

And, as you are all judged to be good, you’ll get a taste of a bubbly or two from Santa who will be appearing during the evening.

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 many 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 nearby (Sherborne or Yonge St)

The 411:
Location:            St. Paul’s Church 227 Bloor St E
Date:                    Wednesday, December 7
Registration:    6:00 PM
Tasting:              6:30 PM
Fees:                    Members $150; Non-Members $200.  HST: Included
1895 Madeira   $XX

More from 2019 archive:

Although the story of the blind monk accidentally discovering sparkling wine is likely a myth, the heavenly experience of a quality sparkling wine is very real. To launch the holiday season in style, Toronto Vintners Club and Winetasters of Toronto have combined forces to offer their members a fabulous selection of sparkling wines from around the world.  The beautiful Wedgewood room at the University of Toronto’s Faculty Club will be the setting for the first time that these distinguished wine clubs have held a joint event. There will be food stations, 5 champagnes, 6 sparkling wines from places that span the globe, an expert-led-tutored tasting and discussion, and plenty of time to interact with friends old and new.    Sold already?  Sign up here,   or read on …

When one thinks of sparkling wine, champagne (which takes its name from the region of Champagne) is the first name that comes to mind but not all sparkling wine is champagne. Vintners around the world craft sparkling wines with products that offer a great diversity of styles, textures, and flavors. Like still wine, terroir is king, and both where the wine comes from and how the wine is made are two factors that distinguish one sparkling wine from another.

The grapes used to make the wine provide another distinguishing feature. In Champagne, you will commonly encounter wines based on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, either solo or in various blends. But, there are actually seven permitted grape varietals that can be grown in Champagne. The other four are Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, and Arbane, all white varieties that make up less than 1% of all the region’s plantings. One of the champagnes we will be serving is made with all 7 grape varietals. Many countries follow Champagne’s lead, basing their wines on Chardonnay, and/or the two Pinots, while others use grapes local to their region. For example, in the Alt Penedes region of Spain, you will encounter sparkling wine, known as cava, made with Xarel Lo, Macabeu, and Parellada grapes. You will experience a premium example of this blend in this tasting.

Unlike most still wines, sparkling wine production often involves the addition of a small amount of sugar, known as the dosage, and added prior to the final closure of the bottle. The amount of the dosage is one of the factors that determine a wine’s perceived sweetness. The labels will tell you what you need to know: Nature and Extra Brut are the driest; Brut, the most common indicator, is dry; and Extra Dry or Dry are actually on the sweet side for the modern palate. Tastes have changed through the years. Most people now seek out drier sparkling wines and that is the style you will encounter when you attend this event. In fact, 5 wines will be Nature / Extra Brut, 5 Brut, and 1 Extra Dry.

The size and nature of the producer also result in significantly different wine styles. Historically, huge producers dominated the market globally. In Champagne in particular, small “grower producers” are becoming more prevalent. These producers typically take a more artisan approach to making wine often with stunning results. It’s probably fair to classify seven of the event’s wines as being artisan. Obviously, Toronto Vintners and Winetasters have a soft spot for artists.

Lastly, most sparkling wine is not vintage-specific. There are many reasons why producers blend two or more vintages together when they make sparkling wine. For example, the objective may be to achieve a consistent house style from year to year. In recent years, vintage sparkling wines are becoming more common. It’s also becoming common for
producers to provide information on the harvest years included in the blend. Smaller producers often do not have the capacity to store multiple years of wine and their offerings are vintage champagne in all but name.

We will kick off the evening with a reception wine and then a blind tasting of two wines discussed by our experts. After that, you will be free to explore eight sparkling wines in any order you like and experiment with pairing them with the food stations that will be set up around the room. To make this event more fun, Toronto Vintners and Winetasters members can bring a guest at member pricing. We look forward to a sparkling evening with you!

The full list of wines, and their details is here

When, Where & How

The tasting will take place at:
Faculty Club Wedgewood Room, Univ. of Toronto,
41 Willcocks Street, Toronto

Please do not drink and drive.

Calendar, Pricing & Sign-up Details

Date:   Wed Nov 16
Time:   6:00 pm Registration, 6:30 event start
Cost:    $150 members;   $200 non-members  –
Members may bring one (1) guest at member price.

Sign-up: here

This will be an outstanding tasting of mature Barolo from 1998 – an excellent year.  Jancis Robinson wrote that the 1998 wines have more structure and potential than 1997 and some very fine, elegant wines.   Galloni wrote “The wines have always been perfumed and accessible, with an attractive softness to the fruit. Even better, the vast majority of the wines have never shut down to the extent that wines from cooler vintages often do. The 1998s are extremely consistent across the board, and that level of outstanding quality may very well end up being the vintage’s strongest attribute.”  Click here to sign up now, or read on…

We are featuring wines from both the Serralunga Valley and La Morra in the Central Valley. The greatest difference between these two divisions is the soil; while the Serralunga Valley has soils high in sand and limestone, the latter tends to be higher in clay. The sandy soils of Serralunga produce more intense wines that demand a longer aging period than the Central Valley Barolos, which are known for softer, fruitier expressions of the region. The commune of La Morra produces the most wine of the five communes.  You can have fun trying to pinpoint which is which.

Our line-up of producers is led by Ceretto, Marengo, and Ratti and we are also featuring Conterno, Pio Cesare, Rivetto, Revello, and Corino.    Here are a few tasting notes to give you an idea of what’s in store:

Marcenasco Rocche – Ratti (La Morra) 1998:  Medium red. Reticent aromas of cherry, plum, smoke and truffle. Sweet, vinous and tight; hints at the velvety texture to come but today the fruit is somewhat suppressed by the wine’s broad, sweet tannins. Still, this is a suave wine with a building, juicy finish.  91+ Tanzer, (2002)

Ginestra – Paolo Conterno (Monforte) 1998: Saturated dark red. Vibrant nose melds cherry, dried rose, smoke, camphor, tobacco and nutty oak. A step up in brightness and intensity; dense, concentrated and sharply delineated. Long, sweet and classy on the finish, with superb extract to support its ripe tannins. This is already delicious, but has the balance and material for a long life in bottle. 93 pts Tanzer (2002)

Here is the complete line-up

Barolo – Corino (La Morra) 1998
Barolo – Fratello Revello (La Morra) 1998
Barolo, Bricco Rocche Prapo – Ceretto (Serralunga) 1998
Barolo, Brunate – Marengo (La Morra) 1998
Barolo, Marcenasco – Ratti (La Morra) 1998
Barolo, Marcenasco Rocche – Ratti (La Morra) 1998
Barolo – Leon Rivetto (Serralunga) 1998
Barolo – Pio Cesare (Serralunga) 1998
Barolo, Ginestra – Paolo Conterno (Monforte) 1998

And to give you a little extra fun, we will also be pouring a Mystery wine, about which we will say no more!

We are excited to have Katherine Mellin as our speaker.  She left a law career for the world of wine to found and run a wine agency – Apparition Wines.  Her IWEG/WSET Levl II & III, Certified Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers speak to her oenoligical qualifications and the Piedmont Wine & Food Specialist Certification in Ian D’Agata’s 3iC Program speak to her love of Barolo.  She will be the perfect guide to lead us through the tasting.

The Location

The tasting will take place in the Burgundy Room, North York Memorial Hall (under the Library):
5110 Yonge St, at Shepherd
North York Centre Subway

The subway accesses the building directly.

This is a large and well-ventilated room.  We will be reviewing the table layout and seating to ensure suitable spacing in order to give the best COVID protection that we can to everyone.

Please do not drink and drive.

Calendar, Pricing & Sign-up Details

Date:   Wed Oct 26
Time:   6:45 pm
Cost:    $100 members;   $150 non-members
Sign-up: here

     La Morra

     Seralunga

The Wines 

Our tasting will feature eleven wines and your admission secures you a tasting portion of each.  (Unlike our holiday party it will not be possible to purchase additional samples).   You will start with the reception Champagne:  Laherte Freres ‘Rose de Meunier’ Extra Brut.  Consistently rated 93 or 94 pts by Galloni you can “…expect a taut, vibrant, yet also weightless style of Rosé. Red berry, mint, white pepper and chalk notes are all finely cut in this super-expressive, inviting Champagne.

The core of the tasting is nine wines from France (Provence, Bandol and the Loire), Spain, Sicily, Israel and South Africa.   The full list is below.  The most notable wine is probably the rare & very hard to find Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva 2011.  This is not your typical rosé, savoury and crying out for food.   In the  words of Luis Gutiérrez on jancisrobinson.com on the 2000, “Don’t expect to find bubble gum, cherries, strawberries or any other berries (or any fruit as a matter of fact) in this wine. Think more about autumn forest, mushroom, truffles, incense, flint, petrol, brioche, nuts, old woods….”  This will likely be quite the talking point in the tasting.

The French contingent is headed by the
Clos Cibon Cotes de Provence Chateau Cibonne Cuvée Marius Rosé, 2017.  The epitome of Provenale Rosé,  Josh Raynolds on Vinous gives it 95 pts, saying “… palate [of] vibrant red currant, bitter cherry, orange pith and candied lavender flavors that steadily deepen on the back half, with no loss of energy. The mineral and floral notes drive a strikingly long, incisive finish that shows excellent delineation and lingering pit fruit”.  

We also have two wines from the excellent Domaine Ott: their top cuvée Ch De Selle and their second wine by.Ott.  You can decide which you prefer(and which is the better value!).  From Bandol we have the Hecht & Banier Rosé.  Josh Raynolds says “it is medium weight, fleshy yet firm and dry, with more character than the pale colour suggests. The length is very good to excellent.”.   The French line up is completed by Reverdy Sancerre Pinot Noir Rose 2019. 

Supporting the  Viña Tendonia from “les autres pays”  we have wines four wines.  From Spain we have the Viña Tondonia headlined above   From South Africa we have the Ken Forrester Petit Rose, (Grenache and Viognier).   This is in the delicious red fruit end  of the rosé spectrum.  Italy is represented by Filipo Grasso – Ripiddu Etna Rosato DOC 2018, Sicily This volcanic wine is made from Nerello Mascalese.  Expect notes of tangerine sea spray and herbs.   Finally we have Ashkar Rose Blend 2019 , Israel. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, it is also in the fresh, floral, citrus strawberry style

For dessert wine we have a unique offering from Ontario: Pearl Morissette Hecate 2011 a fortified Cabernet Franc wine. They describe it thus “ This is a fortified wine that was aged for 10 years in barrel and it drinks like a delicious cross between a port and a madeira. Spicy and concentrated with fruit that has a chocolate tinge to it, as well as whiffs of sultry southern herbs and orange peel.”

Here is the full line-up

Laherte Freres ‘Rose de Meunier’ Extra Brut, Champagne
Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva 2011, Rioja Spain
Cibon Cotes de Provence Chateau Cibonne Cuvée Marius Rosé, 2017, France
Domaines Ott, Cotes de Provence, Château de Selle Rosé 2020, France
Domaines Ott, Cotes de Provence ‘By.Ott’ Rose, 2020, France
Hecht & Bannier Bandol Rosé, 2020, France
Reverdy Sancerre Rose, 2019, France
Ken Forrester Petit Rose, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
Filipo Grasso – Ripiddu Etna Rosato DOC, 2018, Sicily
Ashkar Rose Blend, Israel, 2019
Pearl Morissette Hecate, Niagara, 2011

In addition, we will be serving tapas to highlight the food friendliness of these wines

The Info

Date:  Wed, June 22
Time:  7:00 pm
Location:  Berkeley St Theatre (Canadian Stage),  26 Berkeley St, Toronto (SW of Eastern & Parliament)
Price:  Members $129  including HST & gratuity, Guests $149

CLICK HERE to sign up    Limited to 80 attendees

Our June tasting is a look at the serious side of Rosé. Savvy wine people know there is more to Rosé than popular patio pleasers. We have top Provençal wines like Ch Cibonne Cuvée Marius, however our selection is international with wines like Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rosado – and of course pink champagne.

To augment this serious aspect we will be pairing canapés with the wines to show their food worthiness. And being June in Ontario, there will be Ontario strawberries, paired with 2008 Royal DeMaria Icewine (aka Winter Harvest) to round off the event.

Wait, there’s more … this event will take place in the Berkeley Theatre.  No, you won’t have to audition! A special tasting deserves a special venue – the building is a stunning example of industrial Victorian architecture, and we will have access to several interior spaces as well as its courtyard.  We are finalising the details, look for more info and sign-up form on the web and by email soon.

Wednesday, 23rd March, 7 PM — Our March Winetasters@Home event is a tasting of Mature Argentine Malbec. We have a terrific selection of eight wines, including wines by Catena Zapata, Alta Vista, and top cuvées from Trapiche; and vintages ranging from 2006 to 2013. Of course, there will also be a mystery wine for a bit of fun. You can skip directly to sign up by clicking here or reading on for more information (and then sign up!).

The Tasting

Malbec has a long history in South-West France. However, in the late fifties and sixties other varieties began to be planted; today it still persists in Cahors and some of the satellites of Bordeaux.

It is Argentina, however, where Malbec has really shone, in both quantity and quality. Transplanted from France in the late nineteenth century it became the dominant red grape. Then in the nineteen-eighties, there was a move to replant with varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, in an attempt to elevate the region’s perceived quality.

Notwithstanding, Malbec can indeed make excellent wine in Argentina. As Jancis Robinson puts it:

“Good Argentine Malbec, and there is a great deal of it for Argentina is one of the world’s most prolific wine producers, is deeply colored, spicily rich with an exuberant juiciness and has as a trademark an almost velvety texture. Some Malbecs are made for long ageing but generally, the wines have much softer tannins than Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon, for example. With its high levels of alcohol and fruit, Argentine Malbec is not difficult to like. “

Our tasting features eight wines from six leading producers that showcase the range of styles. Some are one hundred percent Malbec and others are blended with ‘Bordeaux’ grapes and/or some local varieties, such as Bonarda; with the Malbec anywhere from 60% to 90% of the cuvée.

This tasting is an excellent opportunity to see the best of Malbec, transcending the tide of industrial $20 wine awash on the shelves of the LCBO.

The Complete Flight of Wines

• Vistalba Corte – 2006
• Malbec ‘Adrianna’ – Catena Zapata – 2007
• Malbec ‘Nicasia’ – Catena Zapata – 2007
• Malbec, Adolfo Ahumada – Trapiche – 2007
• Malbec, Fausto Orellana de Escobar – Trapiche – 2007
• Quimera – Achaval Ferrer – 2007
• Mendel Unus Malbec-Cabernet – 2008
• Alta Vista Alto – 2013
  and the mystery ….

Logistics

This will be another Winetasters@Home event, following our Google Meet semi-blind tasting format. We will follow the usual logistics with two pick-up locations, downtown (Queen & Church or Avenue Rd and 401. You will get a box with 2 oz bottles of the nine wines, which will allow two people to taste if they pour carefully, or one person to make a ‘more thorough evaluation’.

The cost of this outstanding tasting package is $125 (HST Included) for members (remember this can be shared between two people, so that’s equivalent to $62.50 each) and $180 for non-members (HST Included) – this includes free membership for a year.

Add-On

While this is a tasting, not a dinner event, for those who do not wish to cook that night, we have arranged a dinner option from Vintage Conservatory that can be picked up with the wine. The menu comprises three dishes that Chef Nick designed to pair with these wines:

• 1st – Phyllo wrapped salmon fillet, sun-dried tomato pesto, beurre blanc, roasted broccolini
• 2nd – Rigatoni alla vodka, gianciale and pancetta, tomato cream, house made rigatoni, basil, Parmigiano Reggiano
• 3rd – BBQ baby back ribs, 36 hour braised, house rib and BBQ sauce, apple fennel slaw with maple gojuchang dressing

The cost of the meal is $50 including gratuity, plus HST. So $56.50 all in.

Calendar Details

Date:   Wed March 23
Time:   7 pm
Cost (including HST):    $125 members;   $180 non-members (Meal $56.50)
Pick-up:  After 2 pm at either Avenue Road & 401, or Lombard St (Queen & Church)
Where: Your home.

So, mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 23rd, at 7 pm.  Oh, and sign up, click here!

Wednesday, February 23, 7 PM — Our February Winetasters@Home event is a tasting of Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007. This is the most famous appellation for red wine in the Southern Rhône, known for muscular, even beefy, wines.  2007 was an excellent, hot, year with the best wines still maintaining balance.  We have a terrific selection of eight producers, and there will also be a mystery wine.  You can skip directly to sign up by clicking here or reading on for more information (and then sign up!).

The Tasting — Traditional methods still dominate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and limits on yields and strict grape selection lead to a dependable preponderance of good to excellent wines – it is rare to find a bad example. Grenache usually dominates with supporting roles taken by Mourvèdre, Syrah, and, decreasingly, Cinsault as well as up to nine other varieties that are permitted but now play a minor role.

2007 was marked by a hot dry summer, leading to very ripe wines built on a large scale.  Perfect for a chilly February evening! Now fifteen years on, the best wines are well-aged and showing their best.  Josh Reynolds’s note on the 2007 Vieux Donjon gives an idea of the vintage style:

“Inky ruby. Strikingly elegant, hypnotic, bouquet of black raspberry, redcurrant, potpourri, garrigue and minerals.  Stains the palate with deep red and dark berry flavours and suggestions of smoky minerals, candied flowers and Asian spices. Impeccably balanced wine with a seductive finishing interplay of sweetness, power and precision. This will be a must buy for Rhone freaks.  93-96 pts “.

The complete flight of wines (all Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2007) —

• Le Vieux Donjon
• Cuvée du Baron – Château Fortia
• Domaine de la Solitude
• Domaine La Roquète
• Cuvée Bargeton – Patrick Lesec
• Privilège – Domaine des 3 Cellier
• Renaissance – Domaine de Cristia
• Domaine La Millière
• PLUS a mystery wine to hone your detective skills!

This will be another Winetasters@Home event (maybe the last?), following our Google Meet semi-blind tasting format. We will follow the usual logistics with two pick-up locations, downtown… and Avenue Rd and 401.  You will get a box with 2 oz bottles of the nine wines, which will allow two people to taste if they pour carefully, or one person to make a ‘more thorough evaluation’.

The cost of this outstanding tasting package is $138 (HST Included) for members (remember this can be shared between two people, so that’s equivalent to $69 each) and $190 for non-members (HST Included). The non-member price includes membership for the balance of this year and for our next year ending June 30, 2023.

3 Course Meal Add-on —

While this is a tasting, not a dinner event, for those who do not wish to cook that night, we have arranged a dinner option from Vintage Conservatory that can be picked up with the wine.  The menu comprises three dishes designed to pair with these wines:

1st
‘Cassoulet’, 36 hour braised Woodward duck, cannellini purée, grilled garlic sausage,
duck crackling, natural jus
2nd
Casarece bolognese, veal, beef, lamb and pork ragu, san marzano tomato sauce, garlic butter, Parmigiano Reggiano
3rd
Osso bucco, braised veal shank, porcini pomme puree, grilled asparagus, veal glacé

The cost of the meal is $50 including gratuity, plus HST. So $56.50 all in.

Date:   Wed Feb 23
Time:   7 pm
Cost (including HST):    $138 members;   $190 non-members (Meal $56.50)
Pick-up:  After 2 pm at either Avenue Road & 401, or Lombard St (Queen & Church)
Where: Your home.

So, mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 23rd, at 7 pm.  Oh, and sign up, click here!

Wednesday, Sept 22, 7:00 PM

We’re Back With A Bang!
(or a pop, anyway)

Event Summary 

Toronto Winetasters is delighted to announce our first in-person event since the start of the pandemic. Fittingly, we are starting off with a bang – a Champagne Dinner at Vintage Conservatory’s Yorkville Location.  To accommodate as many people as possible, we will offer the event on Wednesday, September 22, and a possible additional date of Tuesday, September 21. 

The evening will start with a mystery reception wine (but we will say it does have bubbles!) and then will continue with a four-course meal with a grower Champagne matched to each course.

Click here to register

The event will be held in a private room, with a seated capacity capped at 30 people per evening to enhance safety. To ensure compliance with COVID protocols, masks will be required when not seated.  In addition, members and guests will have to complete a short questionnaire and submit proof of completed vaccination before attending – details on the registration page.

As this is a private club, members may bring – at no additional cost-  additional wines from their own cellar to share with friends and to supplement the evening should they so wish.

Cost & Registration

As attendance is very limited for this premium event, only members may sign up. You can bring one guest. The cost for members is $215, including HST and gratuity; and the cost for guests is $265. (See below if you haven’t renewed your membership yet).

If we had you at Champagne, click here to register. Or, for more details of the event, read on!

Grower Champagnes

Our dinner features four ‘grower champagnes’. Today, many of the growers that formerly supplied the Grandes Marques for their blended wines have started to produce their own champagnes from grapes grown on their land. Not having to adhere to a specific brand style, these artisanal grower champagnes show a diverse range of styles and a wide spectrum of expressions. This individuality coupled with high quality has driven their increasing popularity.

Our dinner tonight features four such wines from four different producers that also showcase different styles.

The Food & The Wines

Champagne is the ultimate food wine, with great flexibility for pairing. Our dinner has been designed by Vintage Conservatory’s Yorkville Chef Sean to showcase these wonderful wines.

Menu

Beef Carpaccio, caper, cured egg yolk, parm aioli
Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Extra Brut 1er Cru
~~~
Seared Scallop, charred orange, confit tomato, basil breadcrumb
Bereche Reserve Brut
~~~
Fried chicken, smoked creme fraiche, caviar, haystack potato
R.H Coutier Tradition
~~~
AAA Guelph Beef Striploin, duck fat pommes pave, caramelized onion, red wine jus
Bernard Gaucher Prestige 2011 (disgorged 2021)

More information about the wines is below.

DIY At-Home Alternative

Closer to the event date, Groupe Soleil will provide a list of grower champagnes that you will be able to order to accompany the meal. If you are seeking grower champagne from the LCBO, the Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier 1er Cru Brut Champagne VINTAGES#: 65110 is available at several GTA stores for $94.

Vintage Conservatory (VC)– Yorkville

The VC provides a secure, welcoming, and controlled setting for wine enthusiasts to share their passion for wine, wine education, and renowned private dining.

All members and their guests are required to sign in upon arrival and will be escorted to their reserved seating. Masks are mandatory when circulating and are worn by staff at all times. The club recently added high-quality HEPA Air filtration for added comfort.

https://www.vintageconservatory.com/yorkville

Membership Renewal

This is an event for paid-up Members. However, a member may bring one guest. In approximately eight days we will open up the event for more guests. If you haven’t renewed your membership click here to do so.

The Wines

Winetasters sourced the wines through Groupe Soleil, a boutique wine agency that has built an extensive list of grower champagnes. Attendees will be able to order wine. Since the availability of these wines is limited, details will be provided on the event date.

Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Extra Brut 1er Cru

Since the 19th century, the LARMANDIER family have been cultivating their vines in the premiers and grands crus of the Côte des Blancs, at the very heart of the Champagne vineyards. Chalk is the keystone of these great terroirs.
The wine: Lovely classy green-gold color shouts Chardonnay. Minerals, chalk, a hint of spices, and fine, fine tension in the mouth. Moreish and complete, a fine long wine. SF: Lively and energetic. The palate is spicy and firm with a soft white pepper backdrop. An accessible and ripe style, fresh and poised at the same time. TH: Slightly closed nose with grapefruit. Pretty high-pitched lemon pith notes coming through. It’s a little uncompromising and hard for general champagne drinkers maybe, but this is a winner for those who like it honed, dry and persistent. Drinking Window 2018 – 2025 . Vendor tasting notes.

Bereche Reserve Brut

Two of Champagne’s rising stars, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche have been working alongside their father Jean-Pierre at their nine-hectare estate of Bérêche et Fils since 2004, and today they are putting an increasingly personal stamp on this thoughtfully-run domaine.

The Bérêche estate owns vines in several different sectors of Champagne, with the three primary areas being the immediate vicinity around Ludes and Craon de Ludes, the gravelly terroir of Ormes in the Petite Montagne, and the area around Mareuil-le-Port, on the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne.
The wine: The latest release of the NV Brut Réserve was disgorged in October 2019 with seven grams per liter dosage, and it’s based on the 2017 vintage. Exhibiting a glass bouquet of citrus oil, oyster shell, fresh peach and toasted nuts, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and tensile, with lovely depth and concentration, fine energy and a long, penetrating finish. Score: 92 points — William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, 2020

R.H Coutier Tradition

The Coutier family has been in the village of Ambonnay since 1619, with fifth generation vigneron Antoine Coutier at the helm. While Ambonnay is thought of as Pinot Country, Coutier’s nine hectares are made up of 1/3 Chardonnay. Antoine’s grandfather took the daring step of planting Chardonnay in 1948 – unheard of at the time – and today Coutier is lauded as the premier grower of Chardonnay in the village.
The wine: Disgorged with 6 grams per liter of dosage. The nose shows a fuller cream richness with some toast, nuts, apples, and pear skins. The palate remains present and full with lemon, apples, pears, and a fun mix of cream and nuts. Vendor tasting notes.

Bernard Gaucher Prestige 2011

The vineyards are located in Aube, near Arconville, Urville, and Ailleville, in the heart of “la côte des Bar”. A part of the vineyards is their property and the other part is rented. They use two kinds of grapes: Pinot Noir but also Chardonnay.
The wine: Notes from a different vintage: The nose shows a cream, rustic cracker, green apple, light citrus, and mirabelle plum. The palate is focused and light with candied apples, cream, and yellow plum. Try this with grilled Eggplant Rollatini. Vendor Tasting notes