iYellow Wine Club is known to host some of the most fun
wine events in Toronto, so I was excited to
attend their recent 54 Wines Summer Solstice event at the Liberty Village
Market Building.
This event was put together to showcase 54 of the best wines
from Niagara-on-the-Lake in a fun outdoor market setting. There was lots of
great food and wine to be sampled and the crowd was definitely in the mood to
celebrate the start of summer. They certainly weren’t disappointed!
from Niagara-on-the-Lake in a fun outdoor market setting. There was lots of
great food and wine to be sampled and the crowd was definitely in the mood to
celebrate the start of summer. They certainly weren’t disappointed!
This was much more informal than many tastings I’ve attended and the crowd seemed to appreciate the laidback, relaxed vibe. There
was no way we could possibly taste all 54 wines, but Shawn and I tried to sample a few
new-to-us wines and were really impressed with the quality of what we tried.
No formal tasting notes for this one – it just wasn’t that
type of party – so below is an overview of some of the wines we enjoyed trying.
type of party – so below is an overview of some of the wines we enjoyed trying.
The standout of the show for me was getting to meet
winemaker Derek Barnett and try one of his incredible Lailey 2003 Cabernet Francs. This
was only available to those who asked and I’m super grateful that I had the
opportunity to try it. I also enjoyed his 2011 Pinot Noir and 2012 unoaked
Chardonnay.
winemaker Derek Barnett and try one of his incredible Lailey 2003 Cabernet Francs. This
was only available to those who asked and I’m super grateful that I had the
opportunity to try it. I also enjoyed his 2011 Pinot Noir and 2012 unoaked
Chardonnay.
Stratus Vineyards had two wines on offer and I tried their 2012
Wildass Rosé, which was pretty fantastic. As regular readers know, I love a
good Rosé for the summer and this is one I’m hoping to pick up at the LCBO
soon. At $20, it’s a great entry-level Stratus wine.
Wildass Rosé, which was pretty fantastic. As regular readers know, I love a
good Rosé for the summer and this is one I’m hoping to pick up at the LCBO
soon. At $20, it’s a great entry-level Stratus wine.
Shawn tried the 2011 Small Talk white blend and
really enjoyed it – though the Peller 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Private Reserve was his favourite white of the evening.
really enjoyed it – though the Peller 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Private Reserve was his favourite white of the evening.
I was happy to see Niagara College Teaching Winery was there
with their 2010 Dean’s List Chardonnay – one of my favourite wines. This was
one I brought to my first #TOWineDinner to great success. I look forward to
tasting the next vintage of this one.
with their 2010 Dean’s List Chardonnay – one of my favourite wines. This was
one I brought to my first #TOWineDinner to great success. I look forward to
tasting the next vintage of this one.
Ravine Vineyard had a great Chardonnay on offer, which I look forward
to having again – this is a winery I really wish I’d had more opportunity to
check out. Definitely something to rectify in the future.
to having again – this is a winery I really wish I’d had more opportunity to
check out. Definitely something to rectify in the future.
Overall, this was a fun way to spend a Friday night and I was glad we got the chance to attend. Hopefully we can do another iYellow event soon.
To learn more about iYellow and see a listing of their events visit http://iyellowwineclub.com/
Thank you to iYellow for inviting us to attend as their guests for the evening.
Great post Krista, so glad you were able to make it out and enjoy one of our events! Cheers to seeing you again soon!