The Ontario Wine Society Presents The Unusual Varietals of Ontario At The Tasting Rooms at First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West Mezzanine Level Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2005; Reception 6:00pm, Tasting 6:30pm Members: $30    Non-Members: $40

"VARIETAL IS THE SPICE OF LIFE"

For most of us, a diet of just 3 or 4 foods would be unthinkable. Yet, when it comes to wine, many of us drink surprisingly, narrowly. There are more than 5000 grape varieties in the world, yet many of us never stray beyond a few favorites. With this tasting, it's time to expand your 'wine menu'. Although we don't have the 70 red and 40 white varietals harvested in California, we do have many in Ontario you do not know about or have not sampled. Well, what better time than now to learn the unique sensations we should come to expect with 10 unusual Ontario varietals, including a mystery wine.

Many of the wines such as syrah are making significant inroads in Ontario. Others, thus far have a limited supply. One (you guess before looking on back page), we purchased the last supply just as the devastating frost destroyed all the vines; so this varietal will not be sampled in Ontario again for many a year. What better way to end the tasting than over a dessert with a sweet Scherebe.

The Wine Doctor, Edward Finstein (a.k.a. Dr. WineKnow)

To take us through this tasting will be the "Doctor", host of " Vine & Dine" (PRIME TV), award-winning author (Ask the Wine Doctor [see back page**]), renowned wine writer (Food Network Canada, Bottoms Up, Life Tastes Good, National Post, Elite Wine/Food/Travel & many more), international wine judge(France, Italy, South America, South Africa, Australia), Professor of Wine (George Brown College), wine lecturer, appraiser & consultant. Ed will blend his expertise by pointing out the unique qualities of each varietal to hopefully allow you to discern and appreciate them in the future. Come join us and we will help get you through the January winter blues.

The wines to be tasted for this blind tasting are:

The Tasting Rooms will be preparing a special selection of appetizers that will, as always, superbly compliment these wines. Dinner is available after the tasting with selections from a special tasting menu.

ALIGOTÉ (Griset Blanc, Plant Gris, Chaudenet Gras)
From Burgundy. Taken over in popularity by Chardonnay. Travels well and is planted in Russia, Eastern Europe, Switzerland and now California, Chile and Canada.

AUXERROIS BLANC
The grape variety for white wine which is especially grown in the north-east of France (Alsace) is best called Auxerrois Blanc, in order not to confuse this type with the red Malbec which is called Auxerrois in the Cahors region.Some believe the Auxerrois Blanc is related to Pinot Blanc. There is also an Auxerrois Gris which is actually Pinot Gris from Alsace. Also grown in South Africa. The Black Prince 2003 Auxerrois was given an 87 in Tidings wine magazine Sept. 2004.

BACO NOIR(Baco 1)
A hybrid developed in France. Has been planted in Bugundy & the Loire. Is a crossing of the cognac grape Folle Blanche with a riparia. Also grown in eastern USA. Our reception wine from Willow Springs. Tony Aspler scored it 3/5.

CHAMBOURCIN
Is a French/American Hybrid. Its parentage is uncertain. The hybrid was produced by Jonnes Seyvil (Joannes Seyve) who often used Seibel hybrids produced in the 1800's. Has been planted in the Loire. The grape has been available since 1963.Primarily in Canada, some in France.

CHARDONNAY (BLANC) MUSQUÉ
A rare clone of Chardonnay native to the Macon region of southern Burgundy. So named for its, Muscat-like spiciness.

GEISENHEIM
The Geisenheim viticultural research station in Germany has developed a number of crossings. For the one we are tasting, one parent is the noble German Riesling and the fruit has more of a Riesling character.

SAVAGNIN (Salvagnin, Nature, Gentile [france], Edeltraube [germany], Formentin [hungary])
Is a rare vitis vinifera native to the Jura region of France. Pierre Galet maintains that Savagnin is identical to Traminer (I guess DNA should resolve this in the future) grown in Germany, Alsace, Hungary and Austria. Also Galet states that Gewurztraminer is a pink-berried musqué mutation of Savagnin.

SCHEUREBE
A comparatively new grape variety. Crossed in 1916 by Dr. Georg Scheu between Riesling (male) and Silvaner (female). Found favour in Germany. Especially good for making the slightly sweeter wines. Produces lovely, lush, spicy whites. Pronounced sh-oi-ray-ber or shoy-ray-buh). The 2002 Pelee Island Scherebe was given an 85 in the October 2004 Tidings wine magazine.

SHIRAZ (Syrah, Schiras, Syrac, Candive, Balsamina [argentina], Serine, Marsanne Noir)
Originally from Middle East (Iran or Egypt) and brought to Marseilles. In France, South Africa, Argentina, & popular in Australia.The Reif 2002 Shiraz was given an 87 in Tidings wine magazine Sept. 2004.

ZINFANDEL ('Zin)'
Established in California in the late 1800s. Originally thought to be a Hungarian variety. It is related to the Italian Apulia's grape: Primitivo. (and possibly the Plavac Mali of Dalmatia across the Adriatic). Using DNA profiling found it is an indigenous Croatian grape called crljenak kastelanski (tsirl-YE-nak kas-tel-YAN-skee). California's most planted red grape. Originally used to make 'jug' wines. Limited plantings in South Africa & Australia. Beautiful Ontario wine but all the Ontario vines have recently been destroyed by frost.

ASK THE WINE DOCTOR

Winner of the best wine education book in the English language for the rest of the world at the prestigious 'gourmand world cookbook' awards 2003 in Spain. The information in this book is timeless & covers many issues that have never been addressed before, as well as, all the regular stuff. They will be offered at a great price, and of course personally-signed!!!

Free parking is available at First Canadian Place. Enter from York or Adelaide Street and have your ticket validated at the restaurant. Please remind your guests that scented aftershave or perfume is discouraged.

For information only, call 416-921-9798, Reservations will not be taken over the phone.

Your cheque must be sent in an envelope postmarked no later than January 10. Cancellations will be accepted until January 13th, by calling the wine line at 416-921-9798