Register at: www.winetasters.ca

We are excited to announce the details of our not-to-be-missed Annual Holiday Extravaganza on Wednesday, December 12th. Osgoode Hall will once again be the setting for the special event and it provides the perfect setting for our seasonal party. A landmark building in downtown Toronto, built between 1829 and 1832, the dining room at Osgoode Hall is unlike any other in the city. Huge chandeliers hang from the ceiling, stained glass windows, oak and volumes of old books line the walls. Complementing that setting will be food masterfully prepared by the restaurant team at Osgoode Hall. A variety of passed hors d’oeuvres and the famous Osgoode Hall restaurant butter tarts will be served.

The Wines

And of course – the wines! We think this is the perfect setting to unveil some vintage delights from our club’s cellar, including decades-old classics, special old fortified wines and many surprises making their appearance throughout the evening. We also pick a number of wines to reflect various potential anniversaries (eg 1988 for 30 years etc). This is the perfect event to come to for that special celebration! We will be also serving 1920 Madeira Malvasia.

During the evening look for wines in the anniversary collection like:

Guigal Cote-Rotie La Turque 1988,

Ornellaia 1998

If First Growth Bordeaux is your thing, we also have:

Chateau Lafite 1988

Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1995

The New World is of course represented with wines like:

Penfold Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Cain 5 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

White wine drinkers can enjoy wines like:

Puligny Montrachet Clos de La Mouchere, Jean Boillot 2004

Ridge Chardonnay Montebello 2008

In a sweeter vein we have:

Vouvray Moelleux Bourillon d’Orleans 1970 and

Taylor ’66 Vintage port.

We also have mature examples of terrific wines like:

Plan Pegau, Selectionné Laurence Féraud, Rhone 2005.

And for a night cap we will be pouring Laphroiag 11 yr-old, Ch Petrus Cask – Murray McDavid (bottled by Bruichladdich)

How The Event Works

It’s a walk around party, so you have plenty of opportunity to socialize. The wines are set out at six serving tables. Each will have half a dozen wines at the start of the evening, typically four reds and two whites or “others” (Armagnac, whisky etc). Most of the initial wines at each station will follow a unique theme which will help you find the right table. When you arrive you will be given a list of the initial set of wines and where to find them. And then, as the first 36 wines run out, look for top quality replacement surprises throughout the evening. These will be prominently identified at the various stations as the wines appear, so look out for the “pink” signs, or just listen for the buzz in the room.

Note that some the wines mentioned above will be in the initial flight and some will come out later. You may have to be patient for your favourite wine to appear! Note also that quantities of some wines are limited.

On arrival, you will be given an initial allocation of 40 tickets to buy tasting samples. The prices vary from 3 tickets to 25 tickets. If you find yourself drawn to higher priced wines and and need more tickets, they are available (cash or cheques only) at the desk for $1 each.

Feature Wine

Toronto Winetasters is known for its Feature Wine at the Christmas party: a very old Port or Madeira. This year we are pleased to offer 1920 Maderia Malvasia Reserva Velha Barbeito. As a feature wine with limited supply, it’s first come first served! You reserve your sample when you register.

Santa (the judge)

And if you are judged to be good you may just get a taste of a bubbly or two from Santa who will be appearing during the evening.

Booking

While this event is open to the public, membership has it's privileges. Members bringing 3 or more guests may all attend at the member price. We are limited to a maximum of 160 attendees so please book early!

Directions

Osgoode Hall is conveniently located at the west side of City Hall and a short hop from the Queen Street subway. Please remember that we do NOT enter through the ornamental gates on Queen Street. Rather, entry to the event is on the east side of the building facing City Hall. You will need to pass a security check to gain entry and we strongly recommend travelling by TTC.

Cancellations accepted up to December 7— Cindy Taylor (416-458-3147). No reservations by phone, please.

No mail confirmations will be issued—you will be contacted only if we are sold out.

Please respect that we operate our event as a scent-free environment to ensure we all get to fully experience this exceptional assembly of wines.

Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Location: Osgoode Hall 130 Queen Street West, Toronto (East Entrance facing City Hall)

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Registration

Members @ $130.00 each (incl. HST)

Guests @ $145.00 each (incl. HST)

Servings of 1920 Madeira Malvasia @ $30.00 each (incl. HST)