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The
LCBO
runs one hour tutored tastings and two hour wine appreciation courses at selected
stores across Ontario. They also put on cooking classes and a number of special events
such as food and drink pairing and product tastings from top winemakers. In Toronto, courses are held at
Yonge and Summerhill, Bayview Village Mall and The Kingsway. Online education is also available through
a video podcast series.
If you are interested in starting up your own agency in order to import
wine, spirits and beer into the Ontario marketplace, I highly recommend Steven
Trenholme's course entitled "Importing Wine for Pleasure &
Profit. Steven is a 30 year veteran of the Canadian beverage alcohol
industry. Refer to his website
for further details and the date of the next seminar.
TV & Radio
The
Thirsty Traveler is a travel series with a twist!
Kevin Brauch, the host, chronicles a weekly journey into the heart of the
world's greatest wine, beer and spirit producing regions including rich stories,
colourful characters and a culinary epiphany or two.
It explores the intimate relationship between local people and their
favorite alcoholic libations and revels in marvelous foods, stunning landscapes,
unforgettable people and fine traditions steeped in customs dating back
thousands of years. You can find the show on Food
Network Canada and on Fine
Living Network
GrapeRadio is a radio
show discussing wine related topics that is broadcast over the Internet and
retrievable as a podcast.
One or two shows
are produced on a weekly basis. The shows consist of the three hosts sharing
their opinions and experiences with the audience. Show topics review issues such
as the enjoyment of wine, wine news and industry trends. The hallmark of the
show will be guest interviews with winemakers, vineyards owners, wine retail /
wholesale leaders, restaurateurs and sommeliers.
Tony Aspler talks
about wine on 680 NEWS radio on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Oakville based wine
ladies, Georgia and Susanne, have various radio and web TV offerings.
See website for details.
Sommelier Courses
The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) is a national
non-profit organization with chapters in a number of provinces across
Canada. The CAPS
Ontario chapter is based in Toronto. Its goal is to strengthen working
relationships between members, wine professionals, consumers and the hospitality
industry. It offers a Toronto course at George
Brown College The sommelier certificate is recognized in all 44
countries with which CAPS is affiliated.
The
International Sommelier Guild provided a accreditation program for would-be
sommeliers across North America. The Toronto course takes place in
November 2011 at Liaison
College Culinary Arts - Downtown Campus.
On-Line Education
There are four interrelated UK sites coordinated by Vine UK which between
them contain a monstrous amount of information:
History of Wine has sections on
historic impact, science and wine, the wine timeline and geography.
Tasting Wine has sections on wine
and taste, tasting techniques, serving techniques, and the science of wine.
Vine UK has sections on types of wine,
wine and food, winemaking and storage.
Wine Regions of the World
has sections on individual wine regions, wine and climate, sample vineyard tours,
and vineyard seasons.
As alternatives to the above, Professional
Friends of Wine and Lisa Shea's Wine
Intro both include a free online wine education course.
Finally,
if you are a port lover, The Port
Wine Institute is a useful reference source, and their Port
Wine site is worth a visit too.
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