Touted as Canada’s best consumer food and wine appreciation event, the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo enters into its 14th year at the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre from November 20-23, 2008.
The Expo embraces the style and sophistication of a cocktail party, offering visitors an extensive array of fine wines and specialty foods from around the world. Selections range from the top wines, beers and spirits available at Vintages and the LCBO, to hidden gems that are only available through Canada’s top wine agents. Visitors can also sample gourmet foods and signature dishes from Toronto’s best restaurants.
Ooh La La! France, this year’s theme country presented a unique and awe inspiring taste of what France has to offer in the world of wine and food. Charton Hobbs was providing tastings of my favourite Sauvignon Blanc, Henri Bourgeois Sancerre les Baroness. Just a quick note, if the wine is white and says Sancerre, it is a Sauvignon Blanc. This wine boasts flavours of Gooseberry’s and washed stone, reminding me of picking gooseberries in my grandmother’s back yard for her “To die for” pies.
Our booth was pouring two fabulous wines; Cockfighters Ghost Shiraz and L de Lyeth Chardonnay, both found at Lifford Wine Agency by the case. We even had hardcore Shiraz fans, dumping the remainder of their tickets to taste “The Best Shiraz at the Show”.
This year’s Fine Wine Area was surreal, boasting wines from Lifford Wine Agency, Calibrium International, Miguel Torres, Nokhrin Wines and Vintages, the wines certainly lived up to their fine wine status. Two Champagne’s impressed me, not only from a quality stand point, but also from their value pricing. Lifford Wine Agency’s Nicolat Feuillate Brut was exploding with aromas of fresh brioche with butter smothered in a lemon lime compote; Nokhrin Wines‘ La Maison Pierrel – Oressences Chardonnay’s flavourful peach mousse enveloped my mouth with thousands of tiny bubbles - definitely a memorable experience.
Tags: Calibrium, Champagne, Chardonnay, Food and Wine Expo, Gourmet, Lifford, Nohkrin, Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Sparkling Wine, Vintages