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The Guild’s Holiday Gala – 15th Anniversary Gala |
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Sunday, 07 December 2008 |
Reported by Rutha Astravas
What a night! Guild Director Martin Carrière has outdone himself yet again, organizing a very impressive Gala at the Brookstreet Hotel for Guild members and guests. The premium wines were lovely matches with the beautiful and delicious courses. All in all, this evening proved to an exciting evening, with the opportunity to see Chef Blaikie and his team plate the food, hear his thoughts on each course, and ask him questions.
 Another highlight was awarding the Wine Person of the Year to Janet Dorozynski for her contributions to the advancement of wine knowledge among trade members and consumers, for contributions to the establishment of standards of excellence in the wine trade and to the development of the wide range of professional skills within the trade.
Janet is currently the Trade Commissioner for Canadian Wine, Spirits and Beer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for educating Canadian diplomats about Canadian wine and the industry and promoting Canadian products within embassies and throughout the world. She is a contributor and wine reviewer for VINES Magazine, and regularly judges at wine competitions throughout North America since 2001. She was recently invited by the Technical & Judging Committee of the International Wine and Spirit Competition to be inducted as a judge at this year’s competition in the UK.
 Janet is also an instructor in the Wine Business Management Programme at Niagara College, a Professional Affiliate of Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), and a member of the national advisory committee for the Governor General’s Award in Celebration of the Nation’s Table (Wine and Food). This spring, Janet was recognized at Cuvee by the Canadian wine industry as one of five recipients for her outstanding contribution to the wine and grape industry in the education of Canadian wine.
Previously, Janet had worked for over a decade in the Canadian and international wine industry: with Wines of South Africa in Stellenbosch, Winetelevision.com, the LCBO, and as Director of Research and Government Relations for the Canadian Vintners Association. She also taught at Algonquin College. Janet holds a Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in Wine and Spirits, for which she received a National Capital Sommelier Guild Scholarship in 2002. Janet has also studied wine and trained in Belgium and the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa. Congratulations Janet, on all of your achievements and for your ongoing and excellent contributions to the wine trade in Ottawa, in Canada, and internationally.
 The gala kicked off with some bubbly toasts, glasses filled with Domaine Chandon Brut from California ($24.90). This is a medium-bodied wine more than worth the price. It has a lot of citrus, apples, and toast on the nose, with good acidity, and a crisp, long finish. For those who still had some left, it paired well with the scrumptious tuna tataki appetizer.
Chef Blaikie and his team assembled a beautiful appetizer. In explaining this “goodbye to summer” dish, Blaikie humorously termed the greens “ice plant” for their scant availability in winter months. I was thrilled to have tried “kaffir lime dust” and crispy ribbons of fried pickled ginger. The different textures and flavours came together wonderfully. While oaked Chardonnay does little for me, Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay, 2005, Niagara ($25) worked well—many people really liked the match. The wine was heavily oaked, but also had a lot of sweet tropical and stone fruits, a nice creaminess and toastiness both balanced by a good amount of acid. This richness stood up well against the tuna (or watermelon, for the vegetarians).
The next course included a tantalizing Saskatoon berry and panko crusted cubic of red deer. I could’ve eaten a dozen of these morsels!! They were complemented by le coprin mushroom casoulette of firm beans, crisp leeks, sage, and garlic intensifier, and tawny reduction, paired with two 14.5% Pinot Noirs. The first, the Beaune- Marconnets, 2002, 1er Cru, Remoisset Père et Fils, Burgundy ($39.75) was a lovely wine with classic animal, beet, and raspberry notes. It seemed somewhat subdued but was elegant and well balanced, despite the high alcohol. The second wine was the very fruity Small Parcel ‘Rise and Shine Creek’ Pinot Noir, 2006, Kim Crawford, Central Otago, ($34.95—sold out at LCBO, $29.75 at SAQ). People praised its dark berry and herbaceous and earthy notes. It was very juicy and had a very long finish, and continued to evolve throughout the meal, rendering it the preferred match for the dish but also the vegetarian mushroom risotto. It really stood out, compared to the Burgundy, although this wine went very well with the meat. As a break, we were treated to a seasonally coloured Havana Crystal sorbet, à la mojito.
 The main course was rich and flavourful: cherry, apple wood smoked Eye of Angus beef with a “royal blue polenta puddle” candied salsify, and sunflowertawny port mirror. The alternative main was flavourful cubed tofu. Martin selected two high-octane wines: a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2004, Domaine du Grand Veneur, Rhône, 14.5% ($38.65). Many thought this wine was excellent on its own but was not the preferred match. It had many different berry and smoky, tobacco, and earthy notes. The tannins were ripe and firm but this wine could be aged longer as well. The other wine was Henry’s Seven SGV, 2004, Henschke, Barossa-South Australia 15% ($40.95), a blend of 60% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, and equal parts Mourvedre and Viognier. In comparison it was seemed very sweet, but paired well with the polenta, meat, and salsify. It had jammy and candied dark berry and floral notes. It was another medium+ bodied wine with ripe tannins and a lot of warmth.
 The grand finale was a very generous Tanzania chocolate demi-sphere served with brandied cherry lick, and utterly scrumptious toffee ice cream. Everyone was willing, but not all were able to finish the delicious chocolate mounds!! As a match we were served the Grenache-based Banyuls Cirera, 2005, Domaine Madeloc, Midi-France 17% ($21.75 for 500mL bottle). Sadly a few bottles seemed a little off. Like the Henschke, it offered massive fruit and vanilla aromas, together with ample body and alcohol. It paired effortlessly with the dish, bringing out the dark chocolate and spicy notes.
 A big thanks goes to Brookstreet hotel for hosting our gala this year and to Chef Blaikie who made us all feel right at home and for giving us his personal perspective on his creations. Un très gros merci à Martin who spent a lot of time putting this event together. I could not think of a better way to end the year and the Guild’s 15th Anniversary. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 04 January 2009 )
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The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets. |
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