(Wednesday, June 27, 2018) — For our last tasting of the season so close to Canada Day, we thought it would be a great to celebrate something we can all be proud of; that is the ascension of Ontario wines to world class status.

Recently we attended a tasting that Moray Tawse has been hosting for a few years at his winery in Niagara. The Tawse blind tasting of Ontario Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs vs. those from Burgundy has been both a popular event and a surprise. In fact, one of the tasters we were seated with had been a Niagara chardonnay grape grower for close to 40 years and he was sure that his favourite Chardonnays in the tasting were from Burgundy, but they were all from Ontario!

Register online. Register by mail.

So, in the spirit of the judgment at Paris that launched California wines to world renown, we bring you a side by side comparison of 10 great wines from Ontario and Burgundy.

Our format for this tasting will differ from our usual approach. We will drink 5 flights of wine, comparing one Ontario to one Burgundy at a time. You’ll decide which you like best, and whether or not you believe it’s from Ontario or Burgundy.

And for this end of the season special event, guests are welcome at members rates, so please bring your friends!

First, the Chardonnays:

• Tawse Quarry Road vs Jean Marc Vincent 2015 Auxey Duresses Blanc “Les Hautes”
• Tawse Robyn’s Block vs Buisson-Charles Meursault Vieilles Vignes
• Southbrook Poetica 2012 vs Domaine Aladame 2015 Montagny 1er Cru “Les Coères”

Then, the Pinots :

• Tawse Quarry Rd 2014 vs Amelie Berthaud 2012 Fixin “Les Crais”
• Tawse Cherry Avenue 2012 vs Odoul-Coquard 2015 Morey Saint Denis “Aux Chezeaux”

For this event we will be guided by both Daniel Lafleur and Paul Pender of Tawse.

Daniel’s passion for wine evolved from his love of food. An avid cook since childhood, Daniel studied Marketing and Nutrition at Laval University and later became a professional culinary instructor. He then pursued his budding interest in wine to become a certified sommelier and prior to joining Tawse he worked at the LCBO for 6 years in a variety of positions including Product consultant and a Vintages writer.
Paul joined the Tawse team in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved Ecocert organic and Demeter biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016. He earned the title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011.

Date: June, 27th, 2018
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 88 people
Members: $80*
Guests: $80*

*Price including HST

GST/HST account: 844742619 RT0001
Business Name: Winetasters Society of Toronto

Cancellations accepted up to June 25, 2018 — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings evenings only). No reservations by phone, please. No mail confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis. For this event, non-members may attend at guest rates.