The inductees

Saturday, November 23^rd: Ubered to The Hamilton Club for a dinner to celebrate the 90^th anniversary of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. I was inducted to the order as an Honorary Member by the Grand Sénéchal Officier Commandeur Richard Ross. A glass of champagne as we entered, Famille Moussé Cuvée Eugène Blanc de Noir NV, followed by a glass of Cellier des Dames Mercurey Blanc 2020 before the induction of new members and myself. Delighted to find that my old friend Gaia Gaja attended, as her partner was being inducted into the Confrérie.

Gaia Gaja and me

Richard Ross performed the ceremony, placing the Chevalier’s tastevin with its gold and red ribbon (the colours of Burgundy wine) around my neck.

My induction

The dinner that followed was amazing.

Sunday, November 24^th: Joined Donald Ziraldo and Barry Chaim, plus their guest Yoichiro Nishi, whose company Nishi Shuzo manufactures honkaku shochu, sake, whisky, wine, liqueurs and spirits in Japan. We lunched at Table Rock restaurant overlooking Niagara Falls. I ordered lobster poutine and a bottle of Big Head Chenin Blanc 2021.

The view from Table Rock Restaurant

My lobster poutine

Tuesday, November 26^th: Dropped into Flat Rock Cellars, where Ed Madronich was having a pre-tasting of old library wines which will go on sale on Sunday. Here are the ones I had my eye on:

• 2006 Unplugged Chardonnay – $25.00
• 2006 Chardonnay – $25.00
• 2012 Rusty Shed Chardonnay – $50.00
• 2008 Seriously Twisted – $15.00
• 2008 Gewurztraminer – $15.00
• 2009 Riesling – $45.00

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Friday, November 29^th: Invited to dinner by Vittorio de Santo, owner of On Seven winery. With canapés we drank Victoire Champagne Brut followed by Lost House Vineyard Hillier Blanc 2019 Christian Block (magnum) from Prince Edward County, On Seven Devotion Chardonnay 2018, 16 Mile Cellar Tenacity Chardonnay unfiltered 2018, ICellars Pinot Noir 2018, Five Rows Pinot Noir 2013, finishing the evening with Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port.

My wife got a new front doormat:

Saturday, November 30^th: This afternoon my choir, A Cappella Niagara, performed a Christmas show at the United Church in Fonthill. It was well received.

Also tasted this week: Clarendon Hill Australis Shiraz 2003.