Join Guild Director and Algonquin College Sommelier program Instructor Greg Nyman on Thursday April 26th as we taste cool climate whites, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux-style blends and other varietals from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Germany (plus a few other regions!) From light and ethereal to concentrated and full-bodied, this is your chance try several wines ahead of the upcoming Vintages release.

Thursday, April 26, 2018 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Vendange Institute 440 Albert Street, Suite C108

$50.00 for Guild Members and $60.00 for Non Members

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Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc with Fox Run Vineyards Winemaker Peter Bell
Thursday, April12, 2018 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Vendange Institute 440 Albert Street, Suite C108

$50.85 for Guild Members and $62.15 for Non Members
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The guild’s exploration of single varietals from the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York started last year with a Riesling tasting lead by Peter Bell, the wine maker for Fox Run Vineyards. For those of you that were fortunate enough to attend Peter’s tasting last year were treated to a selection of stellar Rieslings from the region and came away with a great perspective of the varietal in the Finger Lakes. We are delighted that Peter has agreed to return this year to showcase Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc, a varietal equal to that of Riesling in the region. Like Niagara, the Finger Lakes is becoming increasingly well known for making some outstanding cool-climate wines.
Peter is a highly respected and experienced Finger Lakes winemaker. Originally from Toronto, Peter earned an enology degree at Charles Sturt University in Australia and made wine for Hunter’s Wines in New Zealand. He moved to the Finger Lakes in 1990 and was winemaker at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars for five years. Since 1995, he has been winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards on Seneca Lake. Peter’s broad and varied contributions to the Finger Lakes wine industry have been profiled in the acclaimed book by Evan Dawson, Summer in a Glass – The Coming of Age of Winemaking in the Finger Lakes.
Peter is very knowledgeable and is an engaging speaker with a delightful sense of humour. He will bring a variety of Cabernet Franc wines from Fox Run and other wineries in the region that will showcase how the varietal is being produced in the Finger Lakes region.

Thu, March 29, 2018, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT

Vendange Institute, 440 Albert Street, #C108, Ottawa, ON K1R 5B5

$50 for Guild Members and $60 for Non Members

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Come explore the wines of Sonoma County, California USA. Sonoma County, California, stretches from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Mayacamas Mountains in the east, and is home to almost 60,000 acres of vineyards and more than 400 wineries. Within the borders are 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs, or appellations), each with its own distinctive characteristics. Located on the northern edge of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma County is the largest producer in Northern California’s Wine Country. Sonoma County wines enjoy global recognition and have won countless national and international wine awards. Hosted by Director Don Cook who lived 5 years in the heart of Sonoma.

Take a sneak peak, steal a whiff, and savour a soupçon… get an advance look at the February 17th release of Vintages’ wines.

As always, the Sommelier Guild has an opportunity to try selected wines in advance of the actual release.  This provides its members a chance to decide whether to buy a bottle, or two, when they come out the following weekend in LCBO stores.

This time, members will be able to explore wines from new or upcoming wine producing regions of the world.  There may also be  a couple of recent award winning bottles from our own Ontario backyard.

Have your say! Take a look at the Vintages catalogue when it comes out and consider making your suggestions to Sylvain Segard, the Guild Director hosting this event, by Monday February 12th and he will endeavour to include your choice on the tasting menu.

Cheers!

Purchase your ticket on Eventbrite.com.

 

Happy New Year!

The Guild is partnering with Algonquin College Restaurant International again to offer outstanding value for the first wine and food pairing event of the year.

Join us and explore flights of wine, each paired with small plate creations by the Chef and students of this “learning restaurant”.

As we recover from the expenses of the holiday season, we will focus on great food friendly wines that offer excellent value, chosen to compliment and contrast the menu.

The restaurant venue provides a wonderful relaxed atmosphere to meet and socialize with other members while being guided through the flights by Director Sean O’Regan.

Parking is free in the lot in front of the restaurant off of Navaho Drive. We hope to see you there.

Sign up early to avoid disappointment.

To register, visit Small Plates and Wine Pairing

Thursday, January 18, 2018 7:00–9:00 pm
Vendange Institute 440 Albert Street, Suite C108
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Join us for this exceptional first tasting of 2018 where we will have the rare opportunity to taste some vintage Ports from the late 1980s and early 1990’s. There will be a total of five Ports from this period including two Taylor Fladgates, a Dow and a Fonseca. In addition to these beautifully aged examples, there will be a flight of fortified reds from other regions including Banyuls, Madiera (Bual) and Maury with a younger vintage Port added as the ringer. Can you tell which fortified red is which? Have ever tried these other fortified reds? Join us for this unique, premium tasting which will be sure to warm you up on a cold January night. This tasting will be lead by guild director Rod Story.

Members: ($60+HST) $67.80
Sponsored Guests: ($70+HST) $79.10
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Vintages Pre-Release Tasting— Premium California and Holiday Gifting!
Thursday, December 7, 2017 7:00–9:00 pm

Vendange Institute 440 Albert Street, Suite C108

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Blanc de Blanc or Blanc de Noir? Blanc or rosé? Brut or non-brut? Vintage or non-vintage? Champagne or méthode traditionnelle? Whatever your preference, the festive season always demands sparklers that tickle the tongue and delight the palate in gustatory celebration.
Vintages has only one release in December and it always includes a great selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines to celebrate the season. Come and join the Guild at the Vendange Institute on December 7, 2017, for this special holiday Vintages pre-release tasting. Get a sneak taste at what will be in store for you to enjoy throughout the festive weeks leading to New Year’s Eve. Try something new or find a gem of value in the world of doubly fermented wines. The sparkling wines will be sourced from the December 9, 2017, release as well as some additions from earlier Vintages releases, Vintages on-line and the General List to round out the tasting.
All members signed up this event by Sunday, December 3, 2017, will be invited to suggest a few of their choices of sparkling wines. We will consider those requests as we make the final selections for the tasting, particularly looking at popular items based on multiple responses along with any intriguing thematic suggestions.
We invite you to join those who make this Guild Signature Event a regular feature of their wine life. The VPR is an opportunity to “try before you buy” a number of wines to be released by Vintages on the following Saturday. Taste some selected expensive, highly reputed wines that might not cross your palate otherwise and also have the chance to discover wines offering exceptional price/quality ratios and affordable lesser-known premium quality products that are well-made bargains. Note that this tasting will be all sparkling wines. Guild Director Rod Story will be leading this tasting.

Members: ($70+HST) $79.10
Sponsored Guests: ($80+HST) $90.40

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