By Jamie Drummond
Charles Baker, Chris Waters, Bill Redelmeier, Norm Hardie, and Jeremy Day
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This Saturday past a group of wine lovers and wine experts gathered at Toronto’s Cafe Taste to witness an Ontario Chardonnay vs. Riesling showdown.
Which grape deserves the title of Ontario’s darling white?
With animated guest speakers Norman Hardie (Norman Hardie Wines), Charles Baker (Charles Baker Wines), Bill Redelmeier (Southbrook Vineyards), Christopher Waters (Vines Magazine) the afternoon was damn good fun.
Zoltan Szabo, Caroline Murphy, and Sonya Graci enjoying Jeremy's selections.
Angela Aiello and Chris Waters attempt to cool off with a little Riesling...
Sara d'Amato, Taylor Thompson, and Charles Baker discuss the relative merits of both varietals.
Spot the wine buffs in the crowd... Cava's Chris McDonald, i-Yellow Wine Club's Angela Aiello, and The Ritz Carlton's Taylor Thompson!
All present had the opportunity to taste a selection of Wine Geek Jeremy Day’s personal picks of Ontario’s best of both varietals.
Which grape won out at the end of the day?
Watch our video to find out…
The Wines:
The welcome wine:
2007 Sparkling Riesling “Starstruck”, by Calamus Estates
The Rieslings:
2009 Süssreserve Riesling, Rosewood Estates
2009 “Nadja’s” Vineyard Riesling, Flat Rock Cellars
2009 Triangle Vineyard Riesling, Thirty-Bench Wines
2009 Riesling, Charles Baker Wines, Stratus
2008 CSV Riesling Reserve, Cave Springs Winery
2010 Quarry Road Riesling, Tawse Winery
The Chardonnays:
2009 Natural Ferment Chardonnay Reserve, Rosewood
2009 Robyn’s Block Chardonnay, Tawse Winery
2007 Victoria’s Block Barrel Chardonnay, The Grange
2009 “Triomphe” Chardonnay, Southbrook Estates
2008 “Old Vines” Chardonnay, Lailey Vineyards
2009 County AND Niagara Chardonnay, Norman Hardie
Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, writer, judge,and educator Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… and he thinks that was the perfect way to spend a hot Summer afternoon.
This video is made possible through the kind support of Fortessa Canada/Schott Zwiesel
