Riesling & Co. World Wine Tour

Atop the CN Tower the wine trade of Toronto converged for a tasting tour of Germany's fabled Riesling's. Riesling the star in the German Wine armor was extremely well represented by the 13 wine growing regions presented by The German Wine Princess herself!
Writers, sommelier's, restauranteurs, educators and consultants packed the upper echelon of the CN,they ATE boy oh boy did they and their appetites never abated nor did the spread of culinary delights generously set out in true German style and generosity. Speaking of which, the rieslings and their vinifera compatriots demonstrated the uncompromising German winemaking focus, quality and here it is their inverted pricing model. A VINTAGE GERMAN wine of stellar quality, is quite favorably priced that is less expensive than is a current vintage?! Get your cheque books out!
This is the same country that successfully integrated the former Eastern Germany into it's own economy without a hiccup and is now front and centre in the EU's perpetual bailouts of her neighboring countries. They evidently know their economics; whether wine trade or global business practices. Capitalists take note. Maybe Strauss Khan's replacement will be a german? Just a thought. Back to the wines.
The array of world cuisine did extremely well in offering a more than subtle demonstration of the inherent food friendliness of German wines. They are GERMAN after all and what culture displays generosity at the table more so then they do? And this is a culture that imbibes as well as it feeds her guest, a culture that has a cheer for the start, middle and end of dining and imbibing. The groovy dude in traddy duds that welcomed the trade was a great touch to boot.

Here's to looking UP, way up ( in terms of quality and satisfaction, the most important factors of all ,where customers are concerned) to raising a glass of German riesling, pinot grigio, dornfelder ........ Danke. Ich will, dass trinken!

Amore Amarone

Veneto, home of Shakespeare's fabled lovers Romeo and Juliet is also home to some of the worlds most delectable wines. The Venetian winemaker's were on show yesterday at the Vintages "Amore e Amarone" event at Le Meridien Kind Edward Hotel in Toronto. A regal setting for some regal offerings.

Those of you not yet converts to these delights with which to tempt the palate, hailing from this region of beauty and abundance, really must start your explorations now. Especially as some of these wines are already rare enough to even dream of getting your cellar fully stocked; 6,000 bottle production volumes for some of these luscious lovelies. If that doesn't move you the prices will as quality NOT quantity sell in the mindset of the Veneto wine making collective. And that is music to every wine lovers ears from casual consumer to collector and connoisseur alike.

Who exactly was there and what did they have on feature? Stay tuned for a profile of each of the stand-out selections tasted!

NB: Grapesforhumanity Fundraiser and auction is this Thursday-only 30 tickets left!! Go to www.grapesfor humanity.org

Niagara Wine Route

Not too many of us will be complaining about the weather today nor were myself and friends whom travelled to Niagara on The Lake visiting the local gems on the Wine route. in particular Pillitteri Winery. Well let it be said that Charlie Pilliteri whom deftly steers the ship, definitely knows his passion; winemaking and what may be most important in current economics, his clientele as diverse as they may be.

Pillitteri wines are distributed worldwide to every continent. Managing to build both an avid and loyal following here at home in Ontario,Canada is no small feat. Typically skeptical Canadians look beyond their own borders assuming if it is imported then, THEN they have found something to spend their money on and perceive they have gotten the better end of the stick both in terms of quality and bang for their buck. Not so; I challenge anyone to find
A) a Winery more passionate about their craft and persistent in seeking to exceed the gold standards of winemaking whether they be Bordeaux,Burgundy or California
B) A winery and its staff more devoted to quality
C) A winery offering Excellence in Customer Service AND APPRECIATION, depluis, as does Pillitteri!!
Now there is a concept to follow Customer Appreciation. One might note that some as in all realms and industries hold a sense of earned customer loyalty even devotion. Not so with our friends at Pillitteri;the staff approach each and every guest to their estate with the courtesy and dedication to their enjoyment as any VIP would receive at Vegas.

Oh the wines well that is a tale of depth and richness of discovery that deserves ponding, introspection and revelry with your closest and dearest of friends and family or sunk into a couch next to a roaring fire, glass in hand and a classic novel deserving to be read and re-read at various points in life.

Imbibe,live,love and be sure to discover the jewells that await you at Pillitteri Winery, NoTL.

Ciao ciao!

Health and Wealth and Wine

While Toronto scrambles to re-assemble itself post G20, the rest of the civilized world, if we can call ourselves that in light of how some opportunists perceive the freedom for civil demonstration to be used; sad to think that while little children in the 'perceived' THIRD WORLD countries, starving though they may be, share their mere scraps of food with one another. Peacefully! But then, that just may be what inspired
PM Stephen Harper of Canada to extend $1 billion extra in maternal and child funding. Perhaps, just perhaps this pragmatic and now revered, economic IT Guy ( he is after all, rather a newish PM to have secured a stay to fiscal policy of G20 and G8 leaders) sees that the worlds future is in nurturing; mothers through safe childbirth and mothers and children to healthy, happy, prosperous futures. Future we will all prosper from one day if we give them their due chance.

Imagine, as John Lennon once prophetically called upon us to do, "..... IMAGINE ALL the people LIVING life in Peace".

Are we actually living the dream?
Let's hope so and raise a glass in celebration, preferably Champagne Bollinger Vintage if you have it, lucky sole, or at least sharing a glass of wine in hand, or bunch of grapes freshly picked for the children sitting amongst family and friends nourishing ourselves with Mother Natures finest and celebrating the Human Spirit. Here's to Mothers and their children. Thank you Stephen Harper!

Sabreing Champagne

Start and end every celebration on the right note; Sabre a bottle of Bollinger Champagne!

Whether waiting for guests to arrive, ending a meal or celebrating a bottle of Bollinger Champagne lifts every event from the ordinary to the extra-ordinary. After all, you ARE worth it!

Celebre!with Champagne

A bientot!

A day for Rose' Wines!!!

Wondering what to do or just dying to celebrate, it is Saturday after all.

Turn on some tunes by Roisin Murphy, grab a cork screw and hatch open a bottle of Rose. Feel like a little bubbly, grab a Cremant de Bourgogne Rose.

A newly received shipment of some fantastic South of France and Bourgogne wines

Overpowered ! Happy Father's Day to All the Father's of the World.

Sip'n'Savour Ontario

Thursday June 17th,2010 was not only another day of FIFA World Cup play but a day of discovery of some of Canada's great wine gems. Many wineries old and new offered an array of products in various ranges of style and price, always a critical matter to the hospitality trade and the end consumer.

To note, some pricing was reflective of the product and its respective quality while others were very aggressively priced while others simply begged the question: Are they serious?

They say that in marketing one should put oneself in the mindset of those whom you wish to market to. Note to wineries marketing and pricing gurus.

All in all Canada has earned her position on the world wine stage and as the French, Australian and Californians can and do utilize various strategies in marketing their wines so to must Canada.

A bientot! Drink,Dine in all the divine indulgences life has to offer!