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March 3, 2010 • 10:42 am 0

Video Preview of our Innovative Seminars & Exciting Events at the upcoming Toronto Wine & Cheese Show

12 Innovative Wine Events & Seminars at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show, March 19th – 21st  at the Toronto International Centre

We are pleased to present a series of fun, unique and highly informative wine events and seminars at the upcoming Toronto Wine & Cheese Show.

David Lawrason and John Szabo offer you a sneak preview of the exclusive events and entertaining seminars in the following video links. Full details including the schedule and prices are listed below. Please note that full show admission is included in all event and seminar prices and limited space is available.

Events

Seminars


Chef and Sommelier  Food and Wine Pairing Competition $80.00

Friday at 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  Buy Now
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Buy Now

Six top Ontario chefs and their sommeliers take their best shot at matchmaking: one dish, one wine. You decide who’s nailed it and who needs to go back to the drawing board in this people’s choice awards. Master Sommelier John Szabo will introduce guidelines for successful pairing; guests will taste, enjoy and vote on their favourites. End the evening with “How Sweet It Is” a selection of desserts matched to dessert wines, ports, Sherries and spirits. Winner announced at the conclusion of the evening.

Great Ontario Wine & Cheese Pairing $55.00

Friday at 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Buy Now
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Buy Now
Sunday at 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Buy Now

The Dairy Farmers of Ontario present The Great Ontario Wine and Cheese Paring. Join Award Winning Sommelier, Zoltan Szabo to explore and savour Ontario’s burgeoning artisan cheese offerings and the finest Ontario wines! At each station you will be guided by a cheese specialist and sommerlier.

Sunday Sparkling Brunch $50.00

Noon – 1:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Guests will enjoy a European-style brunch featuring the main sparkling wines of Europe – including French Champagne, Spanish Cava, Italian Prosecco and Moscato d’Asti – plus other intriguing bubblies. They will be paired with a wide range of fruit, cheese, meat, seafood and pastry creations to get your Sunday off to a fine start.

Seminars

Seminars for Friday March 19, 2010

Navigating the New Wine Media $20.00

David Lawrason, WineAlign Critic
12:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Toronto Life and WineAlign critic David Lawrason will lead a panel discussion on the emergence of on-line wine reviewing and social media through websites like WineAlign, Facebook and Twitter, and how wine producers and agents can use them to improve their marketing efforts. Fee donated to Grapes for Humanity.

Name that Flaw $20.00

John Szabo, Master Sommelier and WineAlign Critic
2:00 p.m.  Buy Now

Master Sommelier John Szabo and Dr. Geroge Soleas, head of the LCBO’s Quality Assurance Laboratory will lead an informative seminar on common wine flaws. The audience will blind taste (or maybe just smell) to identify them, while Dr. Soleas delves deeply into their causes and remedies. Participation fee will be donated to Grapes for Humanity.

Does Organic Wine Taste Better? $50.00

John Szabo, Master Sommelier and WineAlign Critic
3:30 p.m.  Buy Now

John Szabo will lead a panel discussion and tasting of organic and bio-dynamic wines. The mysteries of these ultra-organic specialties will be revealed by Scott Jones, vineyard manager at Southbrook Winery, Paul Pender, head winemaker at Tawse Winery, and Mark Cuff of The Living Vine, a leading importer of organic wines in Ontario. The tasting will highlight the complexity, depth and sense of place that make organic wines unique.

Making Sense of Wines $40.00

Anne Martin, Canadian Living Wine Columnist
5:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Sommelier and the wine columnist for Canadian Living, Anne Martin will lead an entertaining tasting that explores the smell, taste and texture of wines of various styles and major grape varieties.

Canadian Gold $60.00

David Lawrason, WineAlign Critic
7:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Presented by Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards, chief judge David Lawrason will pour Ontarion and B.C. top drops that achieved gold medals in 2009, with insight as to what competition judges look for in blind tastings.

Seminars for Saturday March 20, 2010

Making Sense of Wines $40.00

Anne Martin, Canadian Living Wine Columnist
1:00 p.m.  Buy Now

Sommelier and the wine columnist for Canadian Living, Anne Martin will lead an entertaining tasting that explores the smell, taste and texture of wines of various styles and major grape varieties.

Into the Cellar $60.00

Gordon Stimmell, Toronto Star Wine Critic
3:00 p.m.  Buy Now

Toronto Star wine critic Gordon Stimmell discusses wine ageing and cellaring, with four pairs of wines of different styles, one from a recent vintage, one from a mature vintage.

90+ Points $60.00

David Lawrason and John Szabo, WineAlign Critics
6:00 p.m.  Buy Now

WineAlign critics David Lawrason and John Szabo present a selection of eight top scoring international wines currently on the market. The tasting and discussion will revolve around what critics are looking for in terms of quality, and what makes these wines deserving of 90+ ratings.

Seminars for Sunday March 21, 2010

Into the Cellar $60.00

Gordon Stimmell, Toronto Star Wine Critic
12:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Toronto Star wine critic Gordon Stimmell discusses wine ageing and cellaring, with four pairs of wines of different styles, one from a recent vintage, one from a mature vintage.

The Wine Price Challenge $50.00

Steve Thurlow
2:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Steve Thurlow will lead a tasting of wines at various price points to demonstrate the relationship between price and quality. Wines will be tasted blind with guests guessing the price before labels are revealed. Prizes offered.

Italy’s Best Reds & Terroni’s Traditional Southern Italy Food $75.00

John Szabo, Master Sommelier and WineAlign Critic
3:30 p.m.  Buy Now

Master Sommelier John Szabo teams up with Toronto’s favorite southern Italian restaurant, Terroni, to offer an afternoon of great food and wine. Terroni’s chefs Giovanna Alonzi and Fabio Moro will be cooking up six specialty dishes from the bottom of the boot while John presents six of Italy’s best high-end reds.

Limited space is available. Book online now or visit towineandcheeseshow.com. Please note that admission to the show is included in all event and seminar prices.

For more information contact Filomena Feltmate
Call: 905-842-6591 ext 260

Email: ffeltmate@metrolandwest.com

Filed under: Events, News , , , , , , ,

February 22, 2010 • 11:11 am 0

Cuvée Awards 2010 – by John Szabo

Cuvée Awards 2010

The winners of the 2010 Cuvée awards were announced on February 19, 2010 at the Fallsview Casino during the annual Cuvée Gala. The wine industry was out in full force and the gala organizers did an exceptional job in drawing in cooking talent from across the province – easily the best culinary experience at these awards, at least in my limited history.

What makes the Cuvée awards a little different from most competitions is that they are judged entirely by winemakers. Each participating winery is asked to enter their three best wines. According to the press release, “This year, 45 winemakers tasted over 200 wines from 56 wineries to determine the winners. In addition, during the judging process, judges are asked to indicate if wines merit a Cuvée Gold designation, demonstrating international standards for excellence in quality.”

Not surprisingly, many of the usual achievers figure among the winners. Here is the full list:

Cuvée Award Winners 2010

Red Wine / WINNER

sponsored by Scott Laboratories

Inniskillin Wines

Reserve Series Cabernet Franc 2007 GOLD

Limited Edition Red Wine / WINNER

sponsored by Sun Media Niagara Publishing Group

Niagara College Teaching Winery

Dean’s List Pinot Noir Canadian Oak Project 2007 GOLD

White Wine / WINNER

sponsored by Scott Laboratories

Flat Rock Cellars

Reserve Chardonnay 2007 GOLD

Limited Edition White Wine / WINNER

sponsored by Vines – Sun Media Niagara Publishing Group

Creekside Estate Winery

Reserve Viognier 2008 GOLD

LCBO Red Wine / WINNER

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

Proprietors’ Reserve Meritage 2007 GOLD

LCBO White Wine / WINNER

Creekside Estate Winery

Pinot Grigio 2008 GOLD

Sweet Wine / WINNERS

sponsored by Bruni Glass Packaging Canada

Konzelmann Estate Winery

Vidal Icewine 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

Strewn Winery

Vidal Icewine 2006 2ND PLACE GOLD

Reif Estate Winery

Vidal Icewine 2007 3RD PLACE GOLD

Limited Edition Sweet Wine / WINNER

Mountain Road Wine Company

Vidal Icewine 2004 GOLD

Sparkling Wine / WINNERS

Hillebrand Winery

Trius Brut Rose NV TIED FOR 1ST PLACE GOLD

Maleta Estate Winery

VIEW Old Vines Dry Sparking Riesling 2007 TIED FOR 1ST PLACE GOLD

Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

Cuvee Catherine Rose Brut NV 2ND PLACE GOLD

Cave Spring Cellars

Dolomite Brut 2006 3RD PLACE GOLD

Chardonnay / WINNERS

Flat Rock Cellars

Reserve Chardonnay 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

DeSousa Wine Cellars

Chardonnay Reserve 2007 2ND PLACE GOLD

Riesling / WINNERS

Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Small Lot Riesling “Steel Post Vineyard” 2008 1ST PLACE GOLD

Rosewood Estates Winery

Natalie’s Riesling Süssreserve 2008 2ND PLACE GOLD

Gewürztraminer / WINNER

Rosewood Estates Winery

Gewürztraminer 2008 GOLD

Sauvignon Blanc / WINNER

Creekside Estate Winery

Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007 GOLD

White Assemblage / WINNER

Legends Estates Winery

Diva (Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc) 2008 GOLD

Viognier / WINNER

Creekside Estate Winery

Reserve Viognier 2008 GOLD

Cabernet Sauvignon / WINNERS

Kacaba Vineyards

Kacaba Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

Hillebrand Winery

Showcase Cabernet Sauvignon Clark Farm 2007 2ND PLACE GOLD

Cabernet Franc / WINNERS

Inniskillin Wines

Reserve Series Cabernet Franc 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

Tawse Winery

Van Bers Cabernet Franc 2007 2ND PLACE GOLD

Meritage / WINNERS

Thirty Bench Wine Makers

Small Lot Benchmark Red 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

Vineland Estates Winery

Elevation Cabernet 2007 2ND PLACE GOLD

Southbrook Vineyards

Poetica Cabernet Merlot 2007 TIED FOR 3RD PLACE GOLD

Wayne Gretzky Estates

Estate Series Cabernet Merlot 2007 TIED FOR 3RD PLACE GOLD

Pinot Noir / WINNERS

Tawse Winery

17th St Pinot Noir 2007 1ST PLACE GOLD

Cave Spring Cellars

Pinot Noir Estate 2007 2ND PLACE GOLD

Gamay Noir / WINNER

13th Street Winery

Sandstone Vineyard Old Vines Gamay Noir 2007 GOLD

Merlot / WINNER

Peller Estates Winery

Signature Series Merlot 2007 GOLD

Red Assemblage / WINNER

Wayne Gretzky Estates

Estate Series Shiraz Cabernet 2007 GOLD

Syrah/Shiraz / WINNERS

Fielding Estate Winery

Syrah 2007 TIED FOR 1ST PLACE GOLD

Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery

Proprietors’ Grand Reserve Syrah 2007 TIED FOR 1ST PLACE GOLD

Toney Aspler Cuvée

Award of Excellence / WINNER

sponsored by Tony Aspler

Jon Ogryzlo, Dean, Food and Wine Sciences at Niagara College

Jon Ogryzlo – for spearheading the creation of the Niagara College

Wine Visitor & Education Centre.

Cuvée Award of

Excellence in Viticulture / WINNER

sponsored by the Grape Growers of Ontario

Albrecht Seeger, Seeger Farms

Cuvée Gold Awards

Sweet Wine

Château des Charmes Wines

Cabernet Franc Icewine Estate Bottled 2007 GOLD

Dan Aykroyd Wines

Signature Vidal Icewine 2006 GOLD

White Wine

Mountain Road Wine Company

Reserve Chardonnay 2006 GOLD

Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery

Reserve Chardonnay 2007 GOLD

Strewn Winery

Chardonnay Barrel Fermented Amalgam 2007 GOLD

Red Wine

Kacaba Vineyards

Kacaba Vineyards Proprietor’s Reserve Syrah 2007 GOLD

Filed under: Events, News, Wine , , ,

February 16, 2010 • 10:08 am 2

Sneak Peek of our 2D barcode technology

Here’s an illustration of what we will be unveiling at the upcoming Toronto Wine & Cheese Show .  Stay tuned for more details on the show and our seminars in the coming weeks.

Illustrations for Wine & Cheese Show

Filed under: Events, News ,

February 8, 2010 • 4:41 pm 1

WineAlign partners with the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show

We’re pleased to announce that our WineAlign critics have created a series of fun, unique and highly informative wine events and seminars for the upcoming Toronto Wine & Cheese Show. Stay tuned for more details about some innovative technology we’ll be unveiling at the show which runs March 19th to 21st at the International Centre.

Toronto Wine And Cheese Show Ad

Filed under: Events, News

December 21, 2009 • 7:56 am 0

Le Clos Jordanne Showcases 2007s – By Lesley Fraser

Lesley Fraser

There was considerable buzz in Toronto in anticipation of Le Clos Jordanne’s recent media launch of their 2007 wines at Sassafraz restaurant in Yorkville. With many winemakers and pundits calling the 2007 vintage the best Ontario vintage in living memory, all were keen to taste through the line-up of what is one of Ontario’s most exciting producers. (Reviews of those released through Vintages are at WineAlign.com)

Le Clos Jordanne  is the boutique lovechild of two global giants: Canada’s Vincor, now owned by Constellation Brands, and Burgundy’s powerful Boisset family. The unwavering goal from the beginning (first vintage 2003) was to produce wines that would rank among the world’s finest: Burgundian-style wines that express their unique Niagara terroir.  Armed with high standards and generations of tradition, LCJ approached the project from scratch: they bought the best sites they could find (thanks mother companies!) and planted Boisset clones, taking complete control of the wine from start to finish, without having to rely on or cajole contracted growers.

It was a treat to taste through the 2007s, not the least because winemaker Thomas Bachelder, his assistant viticulturalist and winemaker Sebastien Jacquey, and Jean-Charles Boisset are such engaging and informative presenters. They spoke with something close to awe about the 2007 vintage: warm and dry, the crop was smaller than normal and so were the grapes, ensuring flavour intensity and varietal character. Hot days and cool nights resulted in ripeness that’s balanced by fresh acidity and terrific aromatics, especially in the pinots. In the reds, the big tannins will need considerable time to resolve — these are definitely wines for the cellar.

Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2007

In keeping with Burgundian tradition, we tasted the reds before the whites, starting with the Village Reserve. Bachelder sometimes refers to it as the “sacrificial lamb,” offering it up first to non-believers to prove what’s possible and prep them for what’s to come. From there we moved to the single vineyards: the muscular Talon Ridge, the perfumed La Petite Colline and the over-achieving Claystone Terrace (which often rivals Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard and neighbouring  Le Grand Clos). We finished with Le Clos and Le Grand Clos. Both are fantastic and neither is anywhere close to expressing its full potential. These are complex, elegant and distinguished wines that now set the bar for Ontario pinot.

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2007

The whites, although somewhat overshadowed by the pinots, are great expressions of what is possible in Ontario chardonnay. Again, we started with the Village Reserve, then moved through the Talon Ridge, Claystone Terrace, Le Clos and Le Grand Clos. Made in the traditional oxidative style of Burgundy (no stainless steel for these guys), they have Niagara’s typical perfume and more tropical fruit than you’d ever find in white Burgundy, but Bachelder hopes that trait will quiet down as the vines mature and develop more complexity. No more than 10–15% of the wine is aged in new oak – unlike many other new world producers who mask chardonnay’s character with excessive amounts of oak, LCJ uses new oak judiciously, as seasoning. For them the goal is to age the barrels till they’re a few years old — at which point the barrels work to preserve the intense minerality and acidity of the wines.

The 2008 and 2009 Vintages

Bachelder took time to discuss the newer vintages now in barrel at the winery.  The 2008 vintage was more difficult with plenty of rain at harvest, making it more typical of Niagara and perhaps Burgundy as well.  Careful viticulture and sorting was necessary, but Bachelder and Jacquey report that the perfume is explosive and there is great definition between the different vineyards. These will be wines for short- to mid-term cellaring.

David Lawrason of WineAlign tasted the 2008 range in early December from barrel and reports that the pinots are lighter weight and paler but show classic sour red fruit fragrance, and are built like 2006.  Although not released until 2010 they it could be a vintage to enjoy sooner than the top pinots from 2007. The whites from 2008 are racy, complex and very stylish – an exciting vintage.

Surprisingly, for those who lived through the 2009 vintage it is very promising. Despite the seemingly endless summer rain, September’s weather was ideal, and the fruit that was harvested was the cleanest Bachelder and Jacquey have ever seen – there was no rot whatsoever. The long, slow ripening was ideal for both the pinot and the chardonnay, and although they’ll need time in barrel to round off, they could prove to be classically old world in style.

David Lawrason reports that the colour, density and freshness of the 2009s make it one of the best vintages he has tasted. He predicts that debate will rage for years as to which is better – 2009 or 2007.

This is all very exciting stuff – to think that something already so good will only get better as LCJ continues to experiment and understand their vineyards, their acreage is maximized, and the vines get older and the vineyards articulate their distinct terroirs.

Filed under: Events , , , ,

February 27, 2009 • 3:55 pm 0

Anne Martin on BT Today!

Filed under: Events, Featured Articles

• 3:53 pm 0

MeshU on April 6th!

MushU is on April 6th!

Filed under: Events

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