CAPS Ontario unveils revamped Best Ontario Sommelier Competition 2019
Redesigned April event features tasting opportunities for pros, trade and amateurs in full day of activities at largest wine event of its kind
The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (a.k.a CAPS Ontario) is delighted to unveil its largest and most diverse wine and food event of its kind in the province, the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition 2019 taking place Sunday, April 14 at The Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th floor, Toronto from 11:00AM to 11:00PM. A perennial favourite amongst oenophiles, the sommelier community and the food, wine and hospitality industries alike, this year’s event has been redesigned and revamped from top to bottom, boasting a full day’s agenda of exciting wine and food-related activity geared to everyone from the wine novice to the wine aficionado.
Pros versus those
This year’s event is distinguished by an expansive and ambitious new approach with the beloved Wine Tasting Challenge, for which CAPS has partnered with Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. At three sessions between 11:00AM – 1:00PM guests are, for the first time, invited to sip and swirl side by side with the pros and blind taste with the best, in two different levels of tasting competition.
“For the first time ever we’re offering a whole new competition experience, where both professionals and amateurs can try their hand at the art of blind tasting to win great prizes and of course, bragging rights,” said Sara d’Amato, wine critic, consultant, educator and president, CAPS Ontario. “We’re keen to open up the event to anyone who has an interest in the somm community or the world of wine and gastroculture, who wants to fulfil a fantasy of tasting alongside the pros. It’s bound to be a sell-out, and an exciting and entertaining way to spend a Sunday, indeed.” Tickets here. Spaces are limited.
Paired to perfection
Guests will have the opportunity to taste VQA Wines of Ontario and wines from the world’s best wine regions paired perfectly with a tempting selection of foods from the regions, curated by the province’s best and beloved sommeliers at the first-ever, International Food & Wine Tasting Fair kicking off the festivities. Thereafter at 1:00 PM the action moves to the grand ballroom where Ontario’s top five sommelier finalists compete — and perform — one by one, in front of the live audience. Sommeliers will be tested on their wine knowledge and theory, the excellence and finesse of their service skills and their ability to taste and identify wines in a white-knuckle, blind taste test. Bubbles and the famed silent auction follow on the mezzanine, with themed prizes at the raffle and auction tables. A pre-gala evening walkabout tasting offers wines of the world and the best of VQA Ontario. At the day’s close, Ontario’s Best Sommelier will be crowned in a gala reception and awards dinner featuring an onstage presentation of prizes.
International partners make the difference
The hospitality industry has truly come to the table to support BOSC2019 with wines and prizes provided by the following partners: VQA Wines of Ontario, Wines of New Zealand, Wines of Argentina, Wines of South Africa, Wines of California, Wines of New York, Robert Mondavi Winery, Napa Valley Vintners, Wines of Germany, Inniskillin Wines, The Vancouver International Wine Festival and gala dinner partner, Lifford Wine & Spirits. Media partners of CAPS Ontario are WineAlign.com and The Siren Group Inc.
CAPS Ontario
Passionately dedicated to service, CAPS is committed to building a strong community of sommeliers; fostering the growth of the flourishing industry is key to its success. Through professional development, competition and strong trade relations CAPS accomplishes its goal of cultivating and promoting the profession. Knowledge, empathy, keen insight and consistency are the skills its members possess to deliver the intuitive service and the enriching, indulgent experiences they provide.
The BOSC 2019 event is a fundraiser benefit in support of CAPS Ontario, the non-profit organization that funds educational programs and competitions for Ontario’s sommelier community. BOSC is a licensed event and attendees must be 19 years to participate. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/best-ontario-sommelier-competition-bosc-2019-wine-tasting-challenge-registration-53186639671 and are selling quickly. Follow #BOSC2019, #Sommunity #CAPSOntario @CAPSOntario on Twitter and Facebook and @caps.ontario on Instagram.
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