FAQs about Toronto Vintners Club

Q: What types of events does Toronto Vintners offer?
A: We usually hold sit-down, blind tastings of 8 or 9 wines from anywhere in the world.  The wines may be of the same grape variety, e.g., all chardonnay, or they may be from a particular country or region, e.g., Canada or Burgundy, or we may feature a particular winery/chateau/ shipper.  From time to time, we also organized food and wine-paired dinners at a local restaurant.

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Q: How does Toronto Vintners differ from other wine clubs?
A: We taste wines from all over the world whereas most other wine clubs specialize in only one country. Recent tastings have featured Australian Shiraz, Alsacian Gerwurtztaminer, South American Reds, dessert wines from around the world, and annual Bordeaux and Burgundy tastings.

Q: Do you have a wine cellar or inventory?
A:Yes. TVC has built up an extensive wine cellar over the years through the LCBO's Vintages and Futures programmes. Many of the wines in our inventory are no longer available in stores or are cost prohibitive for individuals to buy for themselves. Through TVC's cellar, our members are able to sample some very fine and some rare wines.

Q: What is the cost to join and is there an initiation fee?
A: A single membership costs $30; two people living at the same address can join for $50. There is a one-time initiative fee of $35 per person which helps to stock our cellar. Click the membership link on the menu bar at the top of the page for more information about joining Toronto Vintners and to download an application form.

Q.  Can I join online?
Yes.  Go to www.onlineregistrations.ca/torontovintners/ to fill out an online application and use your credit card to pay for both new memberships and renewals.

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Q: Do you accept credit card payments for tastings?
A: Yes.  We use a third-party company to process online credit card transactions for both our events and our memberships.  A link is provided on the page with the event information.

Q: Do you sell tickets at the door
A: No, we cannot sell tickets at the door. To purchase tickets, go to the event page and click on the appropriate link.  

Q: What's the format of your tastings?
A: We usually sit down and taste 8 or 9 wines in a "blind" format. That means you don't know exactly what you are tasting until you have had a chance to sample all the wines and rank your preferences on an evaluation sheet. Most of the time now, we have a guest speaker who provides more insight and information about the wines or the wine growing region.

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Q: Where does Toronto Vintners meet?
A: We usually hold events at the Toronto Board of Trade (downtown centre) at 1st Canadian Place on King St. at the NW corner of Bay and King streets. For directions and to find the Toronto Board of Trade (downtown centre) in First Canadian Place, click here.  Sometimes, we may hold our events at another downtown location.

Q: What time do events start?
A: Tastings usually start at 6:00 PM with a reception wine and the formal tasting part of the evening starts at around 6:20.

Q: How long does a tasting last?
A: Tastings usually run an hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on whether we have a guest speaker and/or food. If people need to leave early, they do. Feel free to linger after the tasting and chat about the wines.

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Q: Do people score and rank the wines?
A: Yes, we score and rank the wines according to which wines we like best to the ones we like the least. It's done for fun but also helps you remember which wines you prefer in case there's a chance to purchase them. Each table then tallies the scores of its participants and then the table scores are compiled to produce an overall group ranking. 

Q: Do I have to rank my wines?
A: No, you do not have to hand in your ranking if you don't want to. There is no right or wrong way to rank the wines; differences mainly reflect individual tastes and preferences.  It's always interesting to see which wines are the favourites and which aren't and to compare yours to the group or the experts.  

Q: What should I wear to a tasting?
A: Where we meet has a dress code of "business casual" so please, no blue jeans. Many people come from work and are dressed in business attire but ties and jackets are not required. Avoid perfume or aftershave because it ruins your ability to smell the wine and will affect those around you. Even lipstick can affect ability to taste wine.

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Q: What if I don't know anything about wine?
A: We offer a "Newcomers' Table" with an experienced taster who can help educate you about the wines and who will guide you through the tasting. You can sign up for the Newcomers' Table as often as you like. Also check our Links page for information on wine education.

Q: What types of people join Toronto Vintners?
A: Anyone and everyone who enjoys wine or who wants to learn more about wine. Our members are men, women, young, old, and from every profession. What we all share is a love of wine.

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Q: Do you host any events other than wine tastings?
A: On occasion, we also organize food and wine-paired dinners and from time to time, a wine seminar.

Q: Are there opportunities to meet other members socially?
A: Great friendships have been made at the Toronto Vintners Club! What better a way to meet people who share your interest in wine? Many people sit and linger over their wines after a tasting, or go to any number of fabulous restaurants in the downtown area.