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 - Somewhereness 2008 ... April 22, 2008

28 Apr 2008

 

If you missed it last year you missed your opportunity to try Ontario’s “Big Boys” … big as in expensive, these wines are not cheap, nor are they made cheaply.  These five wineries (Flat Rock, Malivoire, Norm Hardie, Tawse, Stratus) banded together once again to bring us Somewhereness – an expression of terroir.  This time they congregated in Leslieville at a gallery called Coupe Space – a smaller venue than last year and unfortunately a little more cramped.  Even though the wineries were spread out well this space was still a long narrow tube and the more noise that was generated by the crowd the more the noise would filter to the ends of the room; for example, at the back of the room I found it hard to hear what the guru of assemblage winemaking J.L. Groux, of Stratus, was saying to me.

Stratus …
Ironic that the master of Ontario assembled wines should make a single varietal wine that’s just out of this world.  Originally, this wine was destined for the white blend, but it seemed to develop so much unique character that when it came time to dump it in with the others they just couldn’t bring themselves to do it.  Good thing too or we’d have all been deprived of the ... (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 - Ontario Wine Awards Gala Evening ... April 26, 2008

27 Apr 2008

 

It was the night of a thousand stars … or at least a few dozen, as the Ontario wine world from coast-to-coast (Lake Erie North Shore to Prince Edward County) got together to celebrate Tony Aspler’s 13th Annual Ontario Wine Awards – and it truly was a night to remember.  A record number of wineries (69) entered this years competition putting up approximately 463 wines (if I heard the numbers correctly) – all vying for the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in 25 different wine categories … there here also 5 other categories:  Winemaker of the Year, Wine of the Year, Sommelier of the Year, Wine Journalism Award and Label Design Award.

Big winners included ... (Read more)

 

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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