Meritage Rankings

Flat Rock Sparkling Brut

We were joined by Ed Madronich, co-founder of Flat Rock Cellars in Niagara as our guest speaker who was terrifically knowledgeable about BC and Ontario wines. Flat Rock also supplied our reception wine - a lovely Sparkling Brut from 2006 which sells for $35.20 at the winery. I was very surprised to see their sparkling wine topped with a bottlecap like you used to see on pop bottles (or now on beer bottles) but Ed explained how sparkling wines are capped this way all throughout the aging process.  He explained that the cap is as effective as a cork and far, far safer when opening the bottle, even though it may not look ‘as nice’. Either way, the wine was a treat to taste.  Thank you so much Ed and Flat Rock Cellars!

The group's fav

And our Meritage wines showed very well too.  The group and our speaker weren’t in agreement on their top selection but overall, people enjoyed these complex wines. The group’s fav was a BC Meritage - 2004 Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Meritage  while Ed ranked the 2002 Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve from Ontario as his #1 (the group ranked this #7).  There was more agreement on the 2004 Burrowing Owl Meritage which the group ranked 8th and Ed ranked ranked 7th.  But here are the other rankings:

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A. 2007 Thirty Bench Benchmark Red	4	3
B. 2005 Creekside Estate Reserve Meritage	3	8
C. Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2002	7	1
D. 2004 Cedar Creek Platinum Reserve Meritage	1	4
E. 2004 NK'MIP Qwam Qwmt Meritage	6	6
F. Jackson-Triggs Sun Rock Vineyard Meritage 2004	5	2
G. 2004 Burrowing Owl Meritage	8	7
H. 2000 Sumac Ridge Pinnacle	2	5

Ted Turner's address at our 30th anniversary

I had forgotten that I had videotaped Ted Turner's address at our 30th anniversary tasting. Here it is. Very interesting how much things have changed for liquor laws in the province of Ontario in the past 30 years.  Listen to what Ted had to say. 



If you had read my earlier blog, you'll know that Ted passed away just a couple of months ago this year.  He is greatly missed.

Meritage Wines, November 16

Our last tasting of the year is Meritage wines. Meritage is a term used to denote high quality New World wines blended in the tradition of Bordeaux, crafted with specific “noble” Bordeaux grape varieties and are considered to be the very best wines from a winery. Expect full, complex wines with Bordeaux signature flavors - cigar box, rich fruits, with a hefty feel. A few of the wines we'll be drinking are from wineries whose Meritage wines beat out a few top French Chateaux (including second growths) in a recent Vendange Institute tasting of international premium reds.

Theme: Meritage (Click for details)
Date: Tuesday, November 16
Time: 6 PM
Where: Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks St., Toronto
Cost: Members $43; Non-Members: $57
Register / Buy Tickets


Please note that all ticket sales are final, whether paid by credit card or cheque.

1996 Barolo Rankings

We had a good turnout for our Barolo tasting on October 19 and were joined by Bernard Stramwasser, sommelier and co-owner of Le Sommelier Inc., as our guest speaker and also reception wine supplier. A lover of Barolos, Bernard spoke to us back in Nov, 2008 when we tasted 1997 Barolos. With his exceptional nose and keen palate, Bernard picked up some very interesting bouquets and flavours in the wines.

Sommelier, Bernard Stramwasser

Only one wine failed to show really well in Bernard’s opinion and that of most attendees - the Elio Grasso which Bernard described as Umami - soy sauce overtones.  It was a little over the hill but the other 7 wines still had considerable tannin and aging potential left even after 14 years.  The group and our speaker agreed on their #1 wine - the Marchesi di Barolo Barolo $44 from La Lorra which he said was a "most classic Barolo", "super complex on the nose - tar, roses, black cherries, loads of woods . . ." . Barnard ranked the Elio Grasso (Monforte d’Alba) at $49 as his #8 while the group ranked it 7th. The group ranked the Andrea Oberto Vigneto Rocche Barolo as #8 which Bernard ranked 5th.

The reception wine, supplied by Le Sommelier Inc. was a Schiopetto wine white from Fruili (Italy).  Robert Parker wrote, "A brilliant producer, Schiopetto is the reference point for just how flavorful, perfumed, and compelling dry whites from Friuli can be." Click the link for information.
http://www.lesommelier.com/wineries/entry/schiopetto/  To order, contact Le Sommelier at 416-603-7026 or send an email to vinfo@lesommelier.com.

A huge thanks to Bernard and Le Sommelier Inc. for making our evening so enjoyable!  Here are how the wines ranked.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A. Armando Parusso Barolo Piccole Vigne	5	3
B. Andrea Oberto Vigneto Rocche Barolo	8	5
C. Fratelli Revello Barolo	4	4
D. Elio Grasso Barolo	7	8
E. Mauro Veglio Barolo Gattera	3	3
F. Giacomo Ascheri Barolo Podere di Sorano	2	6
G. Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio	6	7
H. Marchesi di Barolo Barolo	1	1

2000 Bordeaux Rankings

Here are the rankings for the 2000 Bordeaux we tasted on September 21. Both the group and our speaker, Ian Hanna of John Hanna & Sons wine agency, rated the d'Armailhac highly but they differed on the least favoured wine. However, there wasn't a 'bad' wine in the group. It was just what people preferred.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A. 2000 Ch. Grand-Pontet, St. Emilion	2	6
B. 2000 Ch. Talbot, St. Julien	6	7
C. 2000 Ch. D’Issan, Margaux	5	8
D. 2000 Ch. D’Angludet, Margaux	8	5
E. 2000 Ch. Malescot-St. Exupery, Margaux	3	3
F, 2000 Ch. D’Armailhac, Pauillac	1	2
G. 2000 Ch. Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac	7	4
H. 2000 Ch. Pontet-Canet, Pauillac	4	1

October 19 - 1996 Barolos

Next month’s tasting is of the 1996 vintage - one of five greatest vintages of Barolo in the past 20 years and with 14 yr of aging, these wines should be drinking well. You are encouraged to register early as tickets are limited!

Theme:  1996 Barolos
Date:    Tuesday, October 19
Time:    6 PM
Where:  Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks St., Toronto
Cost:    Members $64; Non-Members: $89

Register / Buy Tickets

2000 Red Bordeaux / 35th Birthday!

We had a large turnout for our 2000 Bordeaux tasting on September 21.  By all accounts, everyone enjoyed the wines (rankings will be updated on our website and Blog very soon) and the speaker, Ian Hanna, educated and entertained us with some very interesting, amusing and personal tales of some of his visits to Bordeaux as well as giving us tips on what to look for in these wines and sharing his comments on each wine.   A tribute was paid to founding member, Ted Turner, who passed away on September 11.  Long-time, former member Bob Moore, pointed out that virtually every other wine club was started by someone who was once a member of TVC in its early days.  A memorial service for Ted will be held at St Mark's Church in Niagara-on-the- Lake next spring TBA. Donations in Ted’s memory to 'The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada' or Canadian Blood Services would be appreciated.

Because it was TVC’s 35th birthday, we gave away some lovely prizes!  Our guest speaker drew the first name out of the bag  -  and it was his own name! However, he graciously drew another prize winner instead:  a bottle of 2004 Ch. Beauregard (Bordeaux) went to Harry Xanthis.  John Macdonald, David Gotfrid and Stephen Tobe were the other lucky door prize winners of some lovely wine paraphernalia.  All were TVC members.

The reception wine, supplied by John Hanna and Sons Ltd., was a Spanish red wine, 2008 Bodegas Cataňo Hécula Monestrell available from Vintages (Product # 718999) for a mere $13.95! It was outstanding and great value for money!

Ted Turner - Person of the Year 1995

Edward (Ted) Giles Turner 

Ted Turner, June 2005

 

Husband, father, grandfather, and best friend.

May he drink with the Gods and dance with the angels. May he shine through the universe like he shone through life. His spirit burns bright with magnificent colours. He lived. He loved. He made a difference. Thank-you Ted.

Born May 12, 1932 in Toronto, Ontario. Passed away in Guadalajara Mexico on September 11, 2010 from kidney failure.  All who knew Ted could not help but be impressed by his intelligence, humour, and kindness. He was delightful, charming company, loved and respected by many in his chosen retirement towns of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and Manzanillo, Mexico. Ted founded, and was the former President/CEO of Hunt Personnel/ Temporarily Yours (1967-2001) He delighted in being, at various times in his life, an entrepreneur, actor, artist, photographer, and musician. He adored good food, great wine and was an oenophile who started the Toronto Vintner's Club.

An excellent humourist, Ted became a regular on Lorne Michaels comedy sketch show 'The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour' (70's) going on to host his own radio show 'Turning Point' on CFRB 1010 (80's). He was a lifelong learner who excelled at poker, snooker and bridge. Ted believed in giving back to the community, playing a jolly Santa Claus every year at the Manzanillo Children's Orphanage. He was also a board director for a number of prestigious organizations: The Canadian Stage Company, ABC Life Literacy Canada, Public Policy Forum, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Baron de Forester Society. Employment Industry selected Ted as Man of the Year (1988). Toronto Wine named him 'Person of the Year' (1995). He was the Canadian Employers Council delegate to the International Labour Organization, United Nations, Geneva in 1996 and '97.

Ted was a mentor to many; a strong and loving man who will be sorely missed. He is survived by: his adoring wife of thirty years, M. Patricia Turner, daughter Loren Turner (Patrick Hunter), stepchildren Leslie (Herb Nelson), Joe, and Amy Fritz, and grandchildren Benjamin Hacking (Kim Proctor) and Michael Fritz- Jones.

http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/Deaths.20100918.93243415/BDAStory/BDA/deaths

Bordeaux registration closed!

Ticket sales for our fabulous 2000 Bordeaux have ended! If you didn't get in, you'll be missing out on tasting one of, if not THE, greatest vintage ever.  Sorry!  You'll just have to read about it on our Blog.

Ted Turner, Founding Member Dies

We are saddened to learn this morning that Ted Turner, the founding member and driving force behind the Toronto Vintners Club for many years, died at his winter home in Mexico after a brief illness.  Our thoughts and sympathies go to his wife Trish, who attended many tastings with Ted, and to his family.  Ted was extremely affable and really well liked by all who met him.  He will be greatly missed.  Ted, we shall remember and raise a glass to  you on September 21st when the Club meets to drink 2000 Bordeaux at its 35th Birthday. 

Ted at the R sitting next to his wife Trish. Taken at the Club's 30th Anniversary tasting in 2005.

Ted Turner with Vanessa Clarke who took over TVC after Ted stepped down as President.

2000 Red Bordeaux / TVC's 35th Birthday!

We celebrate TVC’s 35th Birthday on Sept. 21 by offering wines from what’s been hailed by Robert Parker as "the greatest vintage Bordeaux has ever produced". Our exceptional line-up of wines includes seven Bordeaux from Left Bank sub-regions of Margaux, Pauillac and St. Julien as well as one from St. Émilion on the Right Bank. We have three 5th growth Pauillacs: Grand Puy Lacoste, Grand-Pontet, D’Armailhac; one 5th growth St. Julien: Chat. Talbot; a Grand Cru Classé from St. Emilion: Grand-Pontet and three Margaux: Malescot St-Exupéry and D’Issan (both are 3rd growths) and D’Angludet.

Because it’s our birthday, we are pricing this at only $60 for members. At this great price, however, we will NOT be serving appetizers so please eat something before you arrive at the tasting. Members have had an exclusive week to register first so many tickets have already been sold.

Anyone who wants to join TVC as a brand new member between now and December 2010 will be paid up until December 2011 and can attend at the reduced membership rate.  Here are the key highlights and links for our September tasting:

Theme:  2000 Red Bordeaux
Date:    Tuesday, September 21
Time:    6 PM
Where:  U of T Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks St., Toronto
Cost:    Members $60; Non-Members: $80
Buy Tickets / Register
Join TVC

Viogner Rankings

A small but appreciative turnout attended the Viognier tasting led by TVC’s Director/Wine Buyer, Michael Matthews.  The reception wine was a 2008 Valdrinal Santa Maria Verdejo ($18.50) from Rueda Spain supplied by Cellar D’Or.  To order this wine, go to http://www.cellardor.ca/Our_Wines.html.  The lineup of wines clearly demonstrated the versatility of this grape variety. The group’s favourite was a blend of Viognier and Marsanne: 2006 Treana Liberty School Viognier/ Marsanne from California  ($31 at Vintages). The mystery wine was an Israeli wine - 2006 Yarden Viognier ($29.95 at Vintages) which ranked 2nd overall!

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A. 2008 Creekside Estate Reserve Viognier (Niagara)	3	5
B.  2006 Yarden Viognier (Israel)	2	7
C. 2005 Condrieu- Guigal  (France)	5	4
D. 2007 Condrieu- Christophe Pichon (France)	4	1
E. 2006 Viognier -Edward Sellers (California)	7	3
F. 2006 Treana Liberty School Viognier/Marsanne (California)	1	6
G. 2007 Yalumba "Virgilius" Viognier (Australia)	6	8
H. 2007 Petaluma Viognier (Australia)	8	2

Viognier Wines - Summer Sipping

VIOGNIER (vee-on-neeay)

On June 15, Toronto Vintners Club presents Viognier (white) wines just in time for summer sipping.  Viognier is the most versatile of all the white grape varietals and one which offers flavour profiles that are unique, complex and nuanced by their origin of production.   The tasting will feature Viogniers from 5 different regions and includes one reserve wine.  Join us for a casual evening of light appetizers and wonderful Viognier wines. Note that all ticket sales are final! 

Theme: Viognier Wines – Summer Sipping

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Date: Tues. June 15, 2010

Time: 6 PM

Price: TVC Members: $48; Guests: $59

Location: Faculty Club, Univ. of Toronto, 41 Willcocks Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 1C7

Public Parking

Register & Buy Tickets

Bin End Dinner Evening

It's surprising how quickly 10 bottles of Champagne get drunk - and yes, it was real champagne and not sparking wine we served at our dinner at Trevor Kitchen & Bar! The moment I arrived at the restaurant, I recognized that it's on the site of what used to be Vines, Toronto first wine and cheese bar many years ago.

Although not always in very generous portions, overall the food was very good, particularly the beef dish. Executive Chef Trevor Wilkinson did a great job of creating special dishes to complement our wines. The Canadian Chardonnays and some of the German Rieslings had not held up very well over time but the reds - Burgundies, Bordeaux and the big bodied reds of California and S. America - were fantastic! Could have drunk a lot more of them!

A huge thanks goes to Chris Morris, TVC Director, who virtually organized the evening single handedly. He did a wonderful job and can't be thanked enough.  And we can't forget our winebuyers: Peter Muto, Michael Matthews and Larry Goldstein -  who over the past few years bought all of these wonderful wines.  And it was both a happy and sad occasion for Peter Muto who will be departing our club to move to another province to return to university for his law degree.  We can't thank him enough for all the time and effort he put into acquiring many of our wines for past and future events.  As he told me, "regrettably, I won't get to drink them in future."   We're also grateful to Michael Matthews, Director, for organizing the wine quiz. It was very difficult but two tables collectively amassed a lot of wine knowledge to get most of the answers correct and tied for first place.  Prizes were French truffles and other sweets.  And the winner of our draw for a bottle of Port was TVC member Colleen Bryan.

With the exception of one couple, everyone had a great time at our bin end (cellar clean-out) dinner.  As the saying goes, you can't please everyone all the time but the rest of us had a lovely evening. 

Double click the album to view larger sizes of the photos.

Final menu

Executive Chef Wilkinson has finalized our menu for next week. Here it is with some changes:

menu dégustation spéciale for Toronto Vintners Club

May 18, 2010

sushi pizza, ahi tuna tartare on crispy rice cake

potato pancake with crème fraiche & trout roe

Champagne

*

lobster bisque with lobster corndog & mustard cream

Chardonnay and German Riesling

*

ricotta gnocchi with venison ragout & sage

Burgundy and Bordeaux

*

dry aged ontario beef striploin with potato crusted sweetbread & horseradish subchoke pureé

Full bodied reds from California, Italy, Australia, S. America

*

fifth town aged goat cheddar with apple preserve & thyme flower honey

Port

Time & space running out!

Only 12 spots remain for our fabulous Bin End Dinner at Trevor Kitchen and Bar. The event represents tremendous value and exclusive opportunity because of the quality, variety and quantity of wines from around the world that we’ll be serving from our cellar. As well, the evening will include a fabulous 5 course menu, friendly company, fun, and some special prizes for a price that includes all taxes and gratuities! A world of wine & food; no passport needed. An evening not to be missed.

Bin End Dinner
Theme: Lots of Wines & Great Food!
Date: Tues. May 18, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: Members: $95 Guests: $120 (all inclus.)
Buy Tickets Note! All ticket sales are final.
Venue: Trevor Kitchen & Bar, 38 Wellington St. E., Toronto, ON M5E 1C7

Bin End Dinner, May 18, 2010

Every few years, Toronto Vintners Club offers its members a rare occasion to relax and enjoy a surplus collection of premium vintage wines from our extensive cellar, combined with a gourmet dinner prepared by one of Toronto’s foremost chefs.  We usually refer to this type of event as our "Bin End Dinner" or "Cellar Cleaning" as it helps to clear out the cellar to make space for new wines.  As a result - and this year being TVC’s 35th anniversary so why not celebrate? - you have an opportunity to taste some sensational wines left over from past events which didn’t sell out.  Our loss is now your gain!

We will host our spring Bin End Dinner at Trevor Kitchen and Bar in downtown Toronto.   Trevor Kitchen and Bar was voted one of the top ten Toronto restaurants in 2008 and 2009.  Chef Trevor Wilkinson has prepared a unique menu of sensational creations specifically for the Toronto Vintners Club to accompany the array of wines from our cellar.

Our cellar is brimming with scores of single bottles from all around the world and in particular, we have an overabundance of leftover Bordeaux and Burgundy!  Here’s just a small sampling of what we’ll be enjoying with dinner.  From France: 1999 Dauzac,5e (Margaux), 2004 Chateau Troplong Mondot St Emilion Grand Cru; 1999 Pavie Decesse, St Emilion; 2000 Vosnee Romanee Suchots; 2000 Nuits St George Les Boudots Rodet; 1999 Santenay 1cru Maladiere L Muzard; 1999 Antonin Guyon   Volnay, Clos des Chenes, 1er Cru;  2002Meursault Les Genevrieres 1er Cru, Michel Coutoux.  From Italy’s Super Tuscan region: 2000 Solaia; 2000 Ornellaia;  2000 Ardingo Calbello, Cantina Costanti.  From California:  2001 Cline Cellars, Big Break Zinfandel; 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, The Hess Collection (Napa); 2002 Chardonnay 'Les Pierres', Sonoma, Sonoma-Cutrer. From Australia:  2001 Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Leeuwin (Margaret River);  2001 Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon, Grant Burge (South Australia);  2002 Chardonnay Picadilly Valley, Petaluma.  From Germany: lots of Rieslings from Mosel and Reingau.  From Canada:  2001 Osoyoos Larose (BC); 1998 Pinnacle, Sumac Ridge (BC); 2006 Le Clos Jordanne  Grand Clos Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (ON).  From Spain: 2004 Alion, Ribera del Duero Tempranillo; 2004 Costers del Siurana  Clos de L'Obac. From South America: 1998 Quebrada de Macul, Domus Aurea; 1999 Chateau Los Boldos, Requinoa; 2006 Clos De La Siete.  And to finish our dinner, we will serve a glass of fine Port.

So how will this work when we may have only one bottle of a wine?  Each table will receive several bottles with the style or grape and quality as comparable as possible to other tables, to pair with the menu Trevor has prepared.  But if you see something better at another table, create some fun and meet more people by bartering or trading your bottle or a glass for another!  We’re sure you will find something fabulous to rave about for years to come and there is plenty of exceptional wine to go around, we assure you. Space is very limited and there are not many tickets left.

menu dégustation spéciale for Toronto Vintners Club
May 18, 2010

foie gras reuben with onion choucroute & russian dressing
Champagne
*
smoked duck terrine with vanilla poached apricots & duck fat brioche
Chardonnay and German Riesling
*
ricotta gnocchi with venison ragout, sage & reggiano
Burgundy and Bordeaux
*
smoked beef shortribs with potato crusted sweetbread, soft polenta & naturel jus
Full bodied reds from California, Italy,Australia, S. America
*
goat cheese cake with concord grape compote & rosemary caramel
Port

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
chef de cuisine: jesse vallins  executive chef: trevor wilkinson

Event Details
Theme: Bin End Dinner
Date: Tues. May 18, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: Members: $95 Guests: $120 (all inclus.)
Buy Tickets Note! All ticket sales are final.
Venue: Trevor Kitchen &Bar, 38 Wellington St. E., Toronto, ON M5E 1C7
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N Rhone Rankings

A glitch with the courier company resulted in our Rhone wines being delivered late to our tasting, but thankfully they did arrive!  We are grateful to the staff at the Faculty Club for allowing our attendees to browse their Group of Seven works of art and savour appetizers while the late arrival wines were being poured.  And also a big thanks to our guest speaker, Daniel Beiles for sharing his insights and knowledge about Northern Rhone reds and to the patience and understanding of our attendees regarding the circumstances.  Here are the rankings of the wines from the evening.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A.  Leon Barral, Faugères Jadis 2004	1	2
B. Franck Balthazar, Cornas Chaillot 2006	3	4
C. Franck Balthazar, Cornas Chaillot 2005	5	4
D. Jamet, Côte-Rôtie 2004	6	1
E. Jamet, Côte-Rôtie 2005	4	3
F. Domaine Yves Gangloff, Côte-Rôtie La Barbarine 2003	2	6
G. Domaine De Trevallon 2003	8	7
H. Domaine De Trevallon, 2001	7	8

The Rhone Ranger - Northern Rhone Reds

This month, Toronto Vintners Club returns to the Rhône wine region in Southern France, situated in the Rhône river valley. Northern Rhône is characterized by a continental climate with harsh winters but warm summers and is influenced by the mistral wind, which brings colder air from the Massif Central. Northern Rhône is therefore cooler than southern Rhône, which means that the mix of planted grape varieties and wine styles are slightly different. The primary grape used in northern Rhone wines is Syrah which is often powerfully flavoured and full-bodied. Aroma characters can range from violets to berries (usually dark as opposed to red), chocolate, espresso and black pepper. No one aroma can be called "typical" though blackberry and pepper are often noticed. With time in the bottle these "primary" notes are moderated and then supplemented with earthy or savory "tertiary" notes such as leather and truffle. We will be tasting some rather exclusive and expensive wines at this event. Click here for a full listing of the wines and tasting notes.  Since our French wine events tend to be extremely popular, you are advised to register early.  Please note that all ticket sales are final!

 
April Event Details
Theme: The Rhône Ranger - Northern Rhône Reds
Date: Tues. April 20, 2010
Time: 6 PM
Price: TVC Members: $80; Guests: $95 
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Location: Faculty Club, U. of Toronto, 41 Willcocks St. Toronto, ON M5S 1C7
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Map showing Public Parking

 

Change in Venue

It was announced at the March Chianti Classico event, that the TVC Board has decided to move to the University of Toronto Faculty Club for future events unless we can find another location that suits our needs.  While we enjoyed the central location and modern setting of the Toronto Board of Trade for the past few years, the fees charged to hold our wine tastings had become increasingly expensive. At the Faculty Club, our events will generally include appetizers and no corkage fees and we have received very favourable feedback about events we’ve held there in the past.  Thus, we feel we will be able to provide our members and attendees with a more pleasurable wine tasting experience and better value at the Faculty Club.  We hope you’ll agree!

The Faculty Club, located at 41 Wilcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, is well serviced by a streetcar that stops right at the corner of Willcocks & Spadina from the Spadina Subway station and once you know where the public parking is, the Club is easy to get to.  We will provide links to directions and parking with each event posting.


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Chianti Classico, March 23, 2010

Chianti Classico - A Taste of Tuscany

Next month (March), Toronto Vintners Club visits Tuscany and tastes Chianti Classico. Tuscany, known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture, is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and has been home to some of the most influential people in history, such as Petrach, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci. Gallileo, Puccini and other notables. So you might expect the region to also produce notable wines which it does. Classico wines tend to be medium-bodied with firm tannins and medium-high to high acidity. Floral, cherry and light nutty notes are characteristic aromas with the wines expressing more notes on the mid-palate and finish than at the front of the mouth. As with Bordeaux, the different regions of Chianti Classico have unique characteristics that can be exemplified and perceived in some wines from those areas. We hope you will join us for an evening of exceptional Chianti Classico wines.

Event Details

Theme: Chianti Classico - A Taste of Tuscany

Date: Tues. March 23, 2010

Time: 6 PM

Price: TVC Members: $59; Guests: $74

Location: Toronto Board of Trade, 4th floor (Downtown Toronto), 1st Cdn Place, King St. West (NW Corner of King & Bay St.), Toronto

How to Find the Board of Trade

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20 spots left!

There are only 20 more spaces available for our Chateauneuf-du-Pape tasting on February 16. See registration & event details at http://torontovintnersclub.blogspot.com/2010/01/2003-chateauneuf-du-pape.html

Register & Buy Tickets

2003 Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Next month (February), Toronto Vintners is tasting Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines from the 2003 vintage. Robert Parker Jr. describes the 2003 vintage as "wines with enormous concentration as well as remarkable intensity, along with high alcohol and tannin, that may turn out to be legendary . . ."  These wines have always been extremely popular with our club members and every tasting has sold out so you are encouraged to register early or you'll likely be disappointed. For a full listing of the wines we're tasting along with tasting notes, please click on one of the links below.

Event Details

Theme: 2003 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Date: Tues. February16, 2010
Time: 6 PM
Price: TVC Members: $70; Guests: $85
Location: Toronto Board of Trade, 4th floor (Downtown Toronto), 1st Cdn Place, King St. West (NW Corner of King & Bay St.), Toronto
How to Find the Board of Trade

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