National Capital Sommelier Guild
  • Home
  • How to Join
  • Upcoming Events
  • Past Events
  • Contact
  • Who we are

Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100

3/26/2024

 
On March, 26, 2024, we had an outstanding “best of” tasting event, featuring seven bottles from Wine Enthusiast magazine’s Top 100 best buys for 2023 list - including their # 4 - and three liquids from Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for the same year - including their #10. It was quite the night.

White
  • 2022 Clos Henri Estate - Sauvignon Blanc. Malborough NZ
  • 2022 Greywacke - Sauvignon Blanc.  Marlborough NZ
  • 2020 Cave Spring - Estate Riesling. VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario Canada
  • 2022 Robert Oatley - Signature Series Chardonnay. Margaret River, Australia
  • 2021 Caruso & Minini Naturalmente – Catarratto. Sicily
 
Red
  • 2020 Noble Vines 337 - Cabernet Sauvignon. Lodi, California
  • 2021 DeLille Métier - Cabernet Sauvignon. Columbia Valley, Washington State
  • 2020 Santa Carolina -  Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Cauquenes Valley, Chile
  • 2020 Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico
  • 2021 Silk & Spice -  Red. Portugal
  • 2021 M. Chapoutier - Les Vignes de Bila-Haut. Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France
  • 2021 Yalumba - Samuel's Collection Bush Vine Grenache. Barossa, South Australia  
Picture

Holiday Fizz 2023!

12/7/2023

 
The spirits of the holidays were in the air, and in the glasses, at the traditional Holiday Fizz tasting.  A range of fine Champagnes and sparkling wines released on the LCBO over the past several months were sampled and enjoyed. See the line up of what was tasted below.
Picture
Picture

Value Wines—$20 and Under

9/14/2023

 
No need to break the bank to enjoy a marvellous wine! On Thursday, September 14th, 2023 Guild Director & Sommelier Paul Gault hosted a showcase of "small money" wines that offer up "big value" on taste!
Wine list
  1. Val d’Oca Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG , LCBO – Stock # 340570, $18.90
  2. Deliboria 2022 Soave Classico DOCG, Pelican Grill (1500 Bank St), $19.99
  3. Otu 2022 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc,  LCBO – Stock # 17549, $19.95
  4. Paul Mas 2021 Single Vineyard Reserve Viognier, LCBO – Stock # 370098, $16.95
  5. Locust Lane 2021 Gewurtraminer, LCBO – Stock # 31738, $15.95
  6. La Delizia Pinot Grigio Rosé DOC, Pelican Grill (1500 Bank St), $17.99
  7. Bouchon Pais Viejo 2022, LCBO – Stock # 25297, $18.95
  8. Telmo Rodriguez “Al-muvedre” Tinto Monastrell 2022, Lollo (60 George St), $20
  9. Mellianum urelle Montepluciano d’Abruzzo 2021 DOC, Lollo (60 George St), $17
  10. Tom Gore 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, LCBO – Stock # 451336, $19.95
  11. Jim Jim 2019 Shiraz, LCBO – Stock # 682005, $19.95
  12. Intrigo Primitivo 2021, Cantina Gia (749 Bank St), $20
Picture

Event Report: Vintages Pre-Release Tasting — Illustrious Italians with Special Guest - Italian Wine Scholar Instructor Matt Webb

10/26/2018

 
Reported by Christian Marcoux
Vino Italiano con amore!
I wasn’t a big Italian wine drinker before attending this event. I only knew there were many types of grapes and styles, making it difficult to choose, and some are very expensive. However, thanks to the President of the Guild, Bill Ellis, and his special guest and instructor at the Italian Wine Scholar, Matt Webb, I have changed my mind.

This duo of Italian wine lovers made us taste 13 wines in four flight; the first of which was a flight of white wines. I was very grateful to have a chance to taste such amazing wine while receiving great insight from Matt about Italian winemaking and regions.

My three wine choices for Hidden Gem, Best Value and Best of the Night were quite challenging to choose. 
My Best Value wine choice is La Vite Lucente 2016, crafted from Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a pure black fruit Super Tuscany type wine, with rich aromas and flavors, showing its elegance as an easy drinking wine.

Picture
My choice for Hidden Gem is as the title says, a gem. Monte Del Fra Lena Di Mezzo Amarone 2013, apassimento style at its best is a pitch-dark wine that offers dense aromas of cherry and dried fruit, with well composes tannin. This approachable Amarone will please any connoisseurs and amateur of Italian wine.
Picture
The Best of the Night was like choosing between a Ferrari or a Maserati. As difficult of a choice to make, Oreno 2016 won first place at the finish line. No, it’s not because of its 99Pts rating by James Suckling. It is its amazing character and quality, tastes of dark fruit, spice and pleasant oak, with a silky finish that make this complex wine a noble attraction.

​Hope to see you at the next event. Ciao!

​Christian Marcoux
  ​
Picture

Vintages Pre-Release Tasting — Illustrious Italians with Special Guest - Italian Wine Scholar Instructor Matt Webb

10/25/2018

 
With Fall upon us, thoughts of drinking light fruity wines on the patio turn to thoughts of more robust wines paired with hearty stews and roasts next to a warming fire. The October 27th Vintages release is featuring premium Italian wines.

Joining Guild President Bill Ellis will be special guest Matt Webb who teaches the Italian Wine Scholar program at the Vendange Institute. Matt’s depth of knowledge on Italy and it’s wines will make this evening not only a great tasting and a good opportunity to taste new releases but will allow attendees the chance to gain a deeper knowledge of Italian Wine.

We encourage you to register early as all members signed up by Saturday, October 21, 2018, will be invited to suggest a few of their choices from the release. We will consider the requests as we make the final selection, particularly looking at popular items based on multiple responses along with any creative thematic suggestions.

The VPR is an opportunity to “try before you buy” a number of wines to be released by Vintages on the following Saturday. Taste some selected, expensive, highly reputed wines that might not cross your palate otherwise and also have the chance to discover wines offering exceptional price/quality ratios and affordable lesser-known premium quality products that are well-made bargains.
Members: $67.80
Sponsored Guests: $79.10 

Event Report: Vintages Pre-Release Tasting—Winemaking Families & Riesling—Have your Say!

9/28/2018

 
Reported by Christian Marcoux
Good day all, 

Yesterday was the First Vintage Pre-Release of the season at the Vendange Institute. The one and only Rod Story was the host of the tasting. Rod’s experience and connection to the world of wine was put to task by selecting interesting and lovely wines for the wine lovers in the room. 
One flight of four whites and two flight of four reds were served throughout the night, and Rod informed us that one special selection would be served at the end of the night. Now let’s get started!

The first flight provided a savant choice of interesting grape varieties. Two Rieslings - a Canadian and a German - were served to showcase the difference in taste and wine making. In addition, Rod surprised attendees with two types of grapes that are not typically sought out by the usual consumer. A Chenin Blanc from Château la Variere le Savetier Coteaux du Layon was served, as well as Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Blanc 2016, which is made from a blend of 60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Macabeu, and smaller amounts of Marsanne and Vermentino.

Both the second and third flights of wine were reds from around the world. From light to bold, and from chewy tannins to well balanced, Rod’s remarkable wine choices pleased our taste buds and were lovely discoveries that we don’t often have the opportunity to taste. 

Finally, Rod’s special selection was served by itself. It was a Massi Mazzano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2013, a classic Italian purebred, well made and elegant like Massi can do. This Amarone concluded our enjoyable night. 

Many thanks to Rod for his tasteful wine selection. Looking forward to the next National Capital Sommelier Guild event.
Best Value: Feudo Maccari Saia Nero D’Avola 2015 – Well-made and balanced, the group loved this one for its dark red fruit and its drinkability. A great Italian
Picture
​Hidden Gem: Burrowing Owl Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – Lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from British Columbia. Beautiful aromas and great body; success is not unknown to this Canadian wine. Great find.
Picture
Best of the Night: Masi Mazzano Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2013 – Amazing Italian ready to drink, chewy tannin, full body and wonderful finish. This beast will please any Italian style wine lover. 
Picture

Vintages Pre-Release Tasting—Winemaking Families & Riesling—Have your Say!

9/27/2018

 
The first VPR of the season will feature wines from four well known families of the wine world: Masi of Veneto; Colome of Argentina; Wente of California; and Perrin of the Rhone Valley. In addition to these wines there is a secondary feature of Rieslings plus the wines of the regular release. Come join us as we taste some of these wines as well as searching out some of the highly recommended wines that punch above their price point. In addition, we will try to fit in some other recommended wines from the release highlighting.

​You can check out the release here.

We encourage you to register early as all members signed up by Saturday, September 22, 2018, will be invited to suggest a few of their choices from the release. We will consider the requests as we make the final selection, particularly looking at popular items based on multiple responses along with any intriguing thematic suggestions.

The VPR is an opportunity to “try before you buy” a number of wines to be released by Vintages on the following Saturday. Taste some selected, expensive, highly reputed wines that might not cross your palate otherwise and also have the chance to discover wines offering exceptional price/quality ratios and affordable lesser-known premium quality products that are well-made bargains.

The tasting will be lead by Guild Director Rod Story.

Event Report: Finest Canadian Wines Tasting from Coast to Coast

9/14/2018

 
Reported by Christian Marcoux  

​​Last night the National Capital Sommelier Guild held an evening of Canadian wine tasting, discovering wine from our own backyard. Matt Steeves animated the event and poured fifteen wines from coast to coast, taking us from the magical regions of British Columbia to the maritime region of Nova Scotia. Each wine was unique and carefully selected by Matt to express the diversity of the wine crafted in Canada. 

Matt started with a selection of white wines from BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia, including Chardonnay and Riesling. The group was able to note the differences between each grape and the region it came from, taking into account elements such as ripeness, sun exposure and soil. 

The second flight offered two Pinot Noir and two Meritage from Ontario and BC. This flight revealed the good quality of BC Pinot Noir, such as Foxtrot Vineyard from the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. The group also enjoyed a Meritage from Icellars Estate Winery, a new Niagara winery that opened in 2010. 

The third flight provided bold BC wines, showing deep colors, full body and a lot of fruit. I believe this was the preferred flight of the night. Matt explained the bio climate difference in BC, which causes the grape to reach a high level of sugar and ripeness, and results in a rich and bold type of wine. 
For the fourth and last flight, Matt surprised us by showcasing three bubblies from Nova Scotia. Although not renowned for its bubbly, Canada has what it takes to produce well-made effervescent wine. All three bubblies impressed the group with impressive freshness and acidity, making these noteworthy choices for upcoming holiday season.  

Stating with last night’s event and onward, the group will select the three wines of the night, according to the following three categories: Best of the Night; Best Value; and Hidden Gem.  

Thank you to Matt Steeves for introducing these Canadian gems, as I am sure these were new discoveries for many in the group. Thank you to Julie as well, our friendly worker bee. 
Looking forward to seeing you at the next event.
Best of the Night: Burrowing Owl, Meritage 2014 from Okanagan region BC. An assemblage of 39% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Full-bodied with a long finish, this heavy weight gains victory at the first sip. The group enjoyed its bouquet, fruitiness and body. All harvested by hand and loved for two years, this wine shows the savoir faire of the BC wine region.
​
Picture
Hidden Gem: Equuleus, Meritage 2007 from Château des Charmes, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Château des Charmes owned by Paul Bosc created this Meritage from his best vintage, ensuring the conception of a unique and delicious wine. The group loved this wine for its full body and aging notes such as leather, soy sauce and mushroom. In addition, the Equuleus shows great structure for its age. Are you wondering what Equuleus means? It is the “Little Horse” constellation. Good luck finding it in the night sky.
Picture
Best Value: Petales d’Osoyoos, Meritage 2012 from the Okanagan region of BC. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, provides a classic and magical red wine. Osoyoos Larose winery is owned by Château Gruaud Larose in the Saint-Julien appellation, which was classified as a Deuxième Cru Classé in 1855. The Bordeaux style is reflected in the wine making of the Osoyoos Larose winery. The group loved this wine’s fruity aromas, balance and finish.
Picture

Finest Canadian Wines Tasting from Coast to Coast

9/13/2018

 
Following last year’s successful Iconic Canadian Wine tasting in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, the National Capital Sommelier Guild is hosting a follow up special tasting of premium Canadian wines, representing some of the many world-class wines Canada is producing each and every year from our nearly 700 grape-based wineries and 1,700 grape growers/vineyards across Canada.

Join Guild Director Matt Steeves while he explores (and pours) some of Canada's finest wines sourced from across this great country. Don't miss this opportunity to taste some of the finest wines (most wines priced between $40-$80) in one structured tasting with a group of passionate wine lovers. Benjamin Bridge, Icellars, Inniskillin, Foxtrot, Burrowing Owl, and Culmina are a few of the great wineries that we'll be exploring...
Members: $56.50
Sponsored Guests: $67.80

Prince Edward County With Winemaker!

6/12/2018

 
Tue, June 12, 2018 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Vendange Institute 440 Albert Street Suite C108 Ottawa, Ontario

In 2000 there was a cider producer. By 2004, five wineries. Today there are more than 50 wineries, distilleries, and cider and beer brewers making top quality elixir for those who love to travel. Nestled in the ‘Golden Triangle’ between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal is the much lauded Prince Edward County. Loved by chefs and sommeliers this tiny area has some of the most exciting things happening in wine and food in Canada today.

Join winemaker Mackenzie Brisbois as she takes us through the Trail Estate collection. We will learn first hand the pitfalls and prizes that come with making wine in the County.

Part two will focus on what journalists think is the County’s best grape, Pinot Noir. from the area’s smallest producers. These reds are winery only purchases collected by Ron Melchers and Carola Price from the areas’ smallest and most interesting producers.

Please join us for what will prove to be an enjoyable and educational night!

Guild Members $50.00+Tax
Sponsored Guests $60.00+Tax
<<Previous

    Archives

    March 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017


Taste. Learn. Share.


  • Home
  • How to Join
  • Upcoming Events
  • Past Events
  • Contact
  • Who we are