May 28, 2010

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! 

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

May 24, 2010

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.

May 11, 2010

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

May 10, 2010

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