Monday, September 14^th: Lunched at Southbrook with members of the Toronto Hunt Club. It was billed as a “Bordeaux and Burgundy” event, as we tasted Southbrook red Bordeaux varieties before lunch and with the meal prepared by Tony DeLuca and his wife Maria; and afterwards, to Cloudsley Cellars to taste Adam Lowey’s Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

Southbrook wines

Chefs Tony and Maria DeLuca

Southbrook apéritif sparkler

The menu

Adam Lowey of Cloudsley Cellars

Tuesday, September 15^th: Our friend Sally came to visit. She brought a bottle of Mas Codina Reserva Cava and a bottle from her local winery in Port Stanley (Lake Erie, Skye Chase Sauvignon Blanc 2024). In the evening we went to the Canadian Snowbirds Association concert at the Performing Arts Centre in St. Catherines after an early dinner at Fat Rabbit.

Dinner at Fat Rabbit

Comedian Bruce McCulloch, who was billed, couldn’t make it, but his spot was taken by comedian Simon Rakoff, who was hilarious.

Wednesday, September 16^th: Took Sally to a couple of wineries, beginning with 13^th Street to introduce her to the world’s best butter tarts, and then to Tawse.

Tawse tasting

Singing rehearsal for me this evening.

Thursday, September 17^th: Attended Le Diner de Vendanges prepared for our local chapter of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin at No. 8, a tiny, perfect restaurant on Pearl Street, Burlington. Chef Stephen Baldacoff prepared a superlative dinner to match the Burgundies we enjoyed.

Chef Simon Baldacoff

Friday, September 18^th: Tasted two Rennie wines made at The Crush Niagara.

Rennie Cabernet Franc Ripasso 2022
Dense purple in colour; lifted black fruit nose with oak spice notes; full-bodied, dry, juicy and savoury black fruit flavours; firmly structured, lively acidity. (90)

Rennie Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Heron Pond Benchland Vineyard)
Dense purple in colour; cedary, blackcurrant nose with oak spice; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted blackcurrant and dark chocolate flavours with evident but ripe tannins. A well-balanced and chewy wine. (91)

Dinner: steak with the Rennie Cab Franc.