Wine is undoubtedly synonymous for it's use and connection to terroir. Winemakers & vignerons coined and use word ‘terroir’ to describe the various components that help grapes develop the look, smell and taste of a certain place. Wine is a powerful expression of place, each year wine is a large component of our Terroir Symposium. Terroir means something different to everyone but in the wine world ‘terroir’ is used to describe the various & often times unique natural factors that contribute in creating this taste of place, for example the sun, wind, soil, aspect, rain, climate, topography & biodiversity of the vineyard all play vital roles in shaping wine.
Every year Terroir Symposium unites talented winemakers, distributors, sommeliers and wine marketers from all over the world to explore wine and discuss the latest trends and research within the field. Partnering with Wine Country Ontario & VQA this year we’ll meet Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and discuss the trends and topics within our local wine community.
Love wine? Join us for one of our wine sessions outlined below.
#1 Orange Wine
What’s your skin in the game?
Ontario’s Vintner Quality Alliance (VQA) is about to approve regulations governing the production and certification of skin-fermented white Ontario wines, more commonly referred to as “orange” wines. Join John Szabo, Master Sommelier, and orange wine stakeholders, for a philosophical debate about skin-contact wines and the new legislation that will govern them, as well as an informative tasting, featuring Ontario wines with different degrees of skin contact. Prepare for an exciting blind tasting and heated discussion!
#2 Canadian Riesling Session
Long Live Riesling
The darling of many wine experts, is Riesling the single greatest white grape variety? Grown across Canada with 2,700 acres grown in Ontario, local Riesling stands out amongst the best. Join Riesling specialist Ursula Heinzelmann and Magdalena Kaiser of VQA Wines of Ontario as they moderate an interactive panel discussion focused on this noble white grape. Featuring Ontario Riesling while we explore different Riesling styles from other key wine regions.
#3 The Explosion of Canadian Fizz
Canadian sparkling wine is one of Canada’s most exciting wine trends. Join Eugene Mlynczyk, MW on a journey through the sparkling wines of Canada with a special focus on VQA Wines of Ontario. Discover the key styles and unique characteristics that local sparkling wines have to offer. Provincially and nationally our climate produces top bubbles with fully developed flavours, high acid and low potential alcohol, critical for great sparkling wine.
Photo Credit: Wine Country Ontario + Culinary Tourism Alliance