On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from - New Zealand Preview ... May 1, 2008

12 May 2008

 

And with a simple flip of the calendar we’re into May and that can only mean one thing (besides spring is here) … The New Zealand tasting is just around the corner.  Every May Wines of New Zealand invades Toronto and puts on one of the premier events for wine lovers, and it is for that reason (amongst others) that they have been so successful in weaned us from their kind of Sauvignon Blanc onto their other aromatics (Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer) and also into some good reds (Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet-Merlot blends).  On May 1st, a first rate food and wine preview tasting was held at the LCBO Summerhill – a preview for both the New Zealand Wine Fair (May 15) and the Vintages release (May 24).  Twenty-eight wines were on for show and tell and taste.  There are some values, some high-end treasures and some value priced treasures.  Below I’ll let you in on my Top 9 (three in each category) … so let’s get on with it.

Values … (Read more)

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

Report from - Niagara Wine Weekend and Auction Kickoff ... April 29, 2008

01 May 2008

 

The countdown is now officially on, we’re getting closer to the Weekend of the Stars in Niagara – celebrity chefs, celebrity entertainers, celebrity winemakers … all come together for one unforgettable weekend in Niagara for the 2nd Annual Niagara Wine Weekend and Auction (June 13-15, 2008) which kicked off in grand style at Jump Restaurant on Wellington Street in downtown Toronto.  The best wines paired with the best food – it was a night of bests foreshadowing that the best is still yet to come. 

The key phrase about the event was said in the opening remarks of John Peller, Founder of NWA and President & CEO of Andrew Peller Limited; when referring to all these pieces coming together for the weekend he said, “It’s a case of one plus one plus one equaling five.”  It was a sentiment echoed by the other 3 who took the podium this evening.  1 + 1 + 1 = 5 is not a reflection on the state of our education system, nor was it a cry for help to get these folks into some remedial math program – what they meant was that this event is definitely worth more than the sum of its parts.  To find out about all the parts that will be coming together check out the website for all the details and the events that will be happening, including gala dinners, garden parties under huge tents, tastings, auctions and the Temptations and Pointer Sisters doing their thang … www.niagarawineauction.com.

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog

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