Ontario Whine Awards

Who? Sheena, flying solo

What? 2006 Ontario Wine Awards Consumer Tasting Night

Where? The Distillery Historic District, Fermenting Cellar

When? Tuesday, June 13, 2006 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

How? A long and winding story, complete with the tragi-comic antics of an oversold event, the hubris of one who waited too late to call, and the heroic tale of a man with an ill-gotten sponsorship ticket...

What a fun time, though would have been way funner with a wine-enthusiast pal attached at the hip, but only one ticket surfaced through the clandestine network of the post-Gomery world of arms length essential public services...

Sheena's heart skipped a beat walking into the candlelit historic property. Towers of glasses glistening in the glow, dozens of tabletops with full bottles at her beck and call, hunks of good Quebec cheeses sliding off the plates, winemakers and their trusted marketing mavens standing at attention, waiting for inspection.

The first choice was the most intimidating. Recognizing the limited time span, and the requirement to get herself home, the tasting had to be ruthlessly strategic. Pouring out all but the most superb would be mandatory. Anything on the LCBO general list stricken from the list like a redundant North American call centre in the global economy. When in doubt, never panic. Go straight to the bubbly. First thing tried was the non vintage Peller Cristalle. The 2005 Gold Medal winner and while lovely, a little pricey at $30. Sheena has a soft spot for Rosé Bruts, so the Henry of Phlegm Cuvee Catharine was a quick second spot. Probably my fave Niagara bubbly right now.

Moved on to reds next. The highlights:

Inniskillin 2003 Pinot Noir (Montague Estate). Not normally a fan of Inniskillin, but this was the prettiest pinot of the night. Deserving of the gold. Deep dark cherries.

Southbrook 2004 Triomphus Syrah. Big, full, smokey with beautiful deep garnet colour. And the hottie winemaker who I first thought was Ben Johnson didn't hurt...

Best thing of the night: Creekside Lost Barrel Red 2002. Yowza. Perhaps a reason to actually spend $45 on a Canadian wine. If there's any left for sale..

Two mood ruining moments. Why do people wear strongly scented colonges to a wine tasting event when your nose is supposed to be your best friend? And why do old guys like to pretend that the table top is their neighbourhood bar and stand around pontificating with every miniscule sniff and swirl in front of the wine maker when people are standing behind them with empty glasses. The winemaker doesn't actually care that you get a nose of peanut butter and banana off the stem of the glass. Just STFU and back away from the table.