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Festivals:
From Film to Organic!
©
Michael Vaughan 2001
National Post Weekly Wine & Spirits
Columnist
Saturday,
September 1, 2001
Come
Thursday, they’ll be popping the corks at this year’s Toronto
International Film Festival opening night premier of Last
Wedding (see http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2001/fschedules/description.asp?pageID=film&id=124
or for general information see http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2001).
One of my personal favourites, Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne is
this year’s “official” Festival sparkler of choice. It will be
giving birth to a new 200 ml rendition called Baby
Piper, which is perfect for the bar bound fans. It comes
complete with a two stars and will go for approximately $25 a pop at
certain licensees (i.e. Rosewater
Supper Club and Courthouse).
Unfortunately, the retail pack of four ($44.95) won’t surface at the
LCBO until next year.
Not
to be outdone, restaurants have been silently stocking up on various
goodies for their illustrious patrons. At Prego Della Piazza, for instance, the house bubbly will be Bollinger
Special Cuvée at $18 a glass (six to the bottle). Situated
beside the Four Seasons Hotel, it’s a regular destination for the
visiting glitterati.
Stars
have been known to drop a bundle on vinous delights. Diane
Keaton, while recently dining here on her own, decided to order a
bottle of 1995 Chateau Mouton Rothschild
which was served on the rocks! At $750 a pop, Prego sommelier Chris Saxton
admits that it was the most expensive “cubed” red he has ever served.
If
anyone in the wine biz knows the stars, it’s Martin Malivoire, owner of Malivoire Pictures a Toronto-based
special effects company. He also happens to own one of Ontario’s best
new wineries and admits that visiting stars have trouble resisting the
allure of icewine.
Both
Jackie Chan (whose new film Rush
Hour 2 has just hit the screen) and Sophia
Loren recently received Malivoire
1999 Riesling Icewine ($35.95 for 200 ml at winery). “They
loved it, it’s the quintessential gift for visitors to Canada,” says
Malivoire. See http://www.malivoirewineco.com/
Jackson
Triggs 1998 Proprietor’s Reserve Meritage
is the official wine of the Festival. Available on the LCBO General List
at $10.95, it’s a very decent buy – a still rather firm, somewhat
cedary, blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It scored
just beneath two stars (out of three) and would do well with a rib steak.
If your looking for a red with more stuffing, you might try the Jackson
Triggs 1998 Proprietor’s Grand Reserve Meritage, which was
released in the Vintages April 7th release at $22.95
(available at the temporary ROM LCBO outlet or at the winery).
From
film to organic wine and food, next Sunday’s 13th annual Feast
of Fields promises to be the best to date. ROM executive chef Jamie
Kennedy has created a collaborative Canadian
Heritage Menu, which will be prepared and served by some of Canada’s
leading chefs. In addition to dozens of culinary creations, many of
Ontario’s best libations, from the excellent Malivoire
1999 Marechal Foch ($18.95 – winery/December Vintages
release) to Henry
of Pelham Sauvignon Blanc ($12.95 – winery/October Vintages
release) will be served. It all takes place September
9th from 2-6 at the Country
Heritage Park in Milton (about 30 miles west of Toronto). Call (905)
859-3609 for tickets ($100). See http://www.organicadvocates.org/events.html#directions
and http://www.organicadvocates.org/feast2001.html
(for directions)
To get all the advance ratings today on
Next Saturday’s September
8th Vintages Release
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Copyright Food & Beverage Testing Institute of Canada
2004
Prior written permission is required for any form of reproduction
(electronic or other wise) and or quotation.
Contact Michael Vaughan at
mbv@total.net