On March 22nd, 2016 we explored an interesting and eclectic mix of red grape varietals that dominate the lesser known vineyards in Southern France. While these were bold wines, the winemakers’ restraints shone through to ensure a well- balanced profile suitable for a wide range of accompanying food. Our guest speaker was Alan Marginean from the Profile Wine Group, which represents one of the wines we poured - 2012 Les Vins de Vienne Saint Joseph Les Archevêques $47. Alan k

On September 28th, 2015, TVC celebrated its 40th annual Bordeaux tasting with the 2006 vintage. We tasted 2 Grand Cru Classé (GCC) wines and second (2e) to fifth (5e) growth wines mainly from the Left Bank. The average cost of the wines for this tasting is $79 (based on futures’ prices) compared to $6 in 1975! Our guest speaker for the evening was Michael Vaughn of Vintages Assessments. Many years ago, he was a TVC member! We enjoyed a lovely chilled 2013 Cheval Quancard Re

Today Chilean reds are considered some of the best in the world. In January 2004 at what became known as the Berlin Tasting featuring 2000 and 2001 vintages (this tasting was fashioned along the lines of the Judgement of Paris pitting French Bordeaux against California), Chilean reds took 1st, 2nd place beating out Ch Lafite Rothschild and Ch Margaux. Second place went to Chile’s Viña Seña, one of the wines in our lineup. In 9th place was Don Maximiano, another wine in our ta

As attendees arrived at the Faculty Club on October 21, 2014, they were treated to a wonderful reception wine, Tatone Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy, provided by Vinaio Wines of Toronto. It’s a medal winning wine carried by Vintages and labelled a Vintages Essential which means it’s available all-year round from Ontario’s Vintages stores and for the modest price of $15.95. Everyone who sampled it was very impressed with its full body, great depth of flavour and were stun

On September 16, 2014 TVC presented a tasting of 8 Left Bank Wines from 2004. Four were from Saint-Julien, two from Pauillac, one from Margaux and one was from Pessac-Leognan. They included 1 Grand Cru Classe, 3 second growths (2e cru), 3 third (3e cru) growths and 1 fourth (4e cru) growth. Derek Kranenborg was gracious enough to fill in at the last minute as our guest speaker. He also spoke at our May event featuring premium California Cabernet wines. We were delighted a

Australia is recognized globally for its rich, bold Shiraz wine. According to Janise Robinson, if black pepper is trademark of French Syrah, dark chocolate is that of Australian Shiraz produced from Australia's vineyards. The oldest Shiraz we presented for tasting on March 18, 2014 was 13 years and the youngest was six. Guest speaker for the evening was Lenny Panzer of B & W Wines. ​HOW THE WINES RANKED THE WINES 2001 Rockford Wines - Basket Press Shiraz $79 (South AU) “The

James Lawther, MW, wrote on Decanter.com that “The 2004 vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the best since 2001 … with a minerally balance and freshness, and long ageing potential.” The grapes benefitted from an Indian summer in 2004, which allowed winemakers to harvest at their desire during the last two weeks in September and into early October. The vintage is characterized by its minerality and acidity, which was achieved thanks to the contrasting day and night temperatures

The 2005 vintage in Burgundy has been described as one of the greatest red wine vintage for a generation. According to Janis Robinson there is one dominant characteristic of the 2005 vintage: their thrilling combination of ripeness and acidity. Robinson reports that “the fruit really does taste as refreshing as a sorbet” and describes the vintage as having “both the freshness of a cool vintage and the richness and texture more reminiscent of an overripe vintage”. Toronto Vin

Our guest speaker for the evening (September 17, 2013) was Tom Wilson, a former member of the LCBO’s senior management team for over 25 years.Tom was Vice President, VINTAGEs, the fine wine and premium spirits division of the LCBO, for 20 years from 1992 to his retirement in September 2011. During his stewardship of VINTAGEs annual net sales increased from $25.0 million to $25.0 million,an increase of 1600%. Tom has a business degree from York University and the Upper Certifi

On April 16th 2013, we compared four wines from Douro, three from Alentejo and one from Dão, all of which have scored at least 90 points and are drinking at their best today! Our guest speaker was long-time Toronto Vintners member, Larry Goldstein. HOW THE WINES RANKED THE WINES 2007 Chryseia DOC Douro $52 Applying Bordeaux wine-making methods to grapes which are traditionally destined for the production of vintage Port is the essence of the exciting Chryseia project. Chry

Rankings of our N. Rhone wine tasting