Press Release: Canada’s Best Sommelier Competition 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2015, Toronto

On behalf of CAPS and Wine Country Ontario, we look forward to meeting Canada’s Best Sommelier in less than one week! Come out and support our national sommelier community – tickets are selling fast! Whether you are a member of the trade or interested public, your support and encouragement greatly appreciated. Proceeds will help send the winner to the Pan-American competition in Chile next month and/or the ASI World Competition in 2016. Event details for the action packed day March 8th can be found at: http://sommelierscanada.com/best-sommelier-competition-2015

A reminder that the viewing of our live final competition featuring our three finalists can is free to attend and will take place at Montecito restaurant in Toronto on March 8th from 10 AM to 1PM. Daypass tickets include lunch and dinner, the master classes, tastings and the gala where the winners will be announced. They can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/best-sommelier-of-canada-competition-2015-tickets-15650633466

*Discounts will be applied for CAPS members
*Please note the Daylight Savings time change on March 8th (clocks are moved up one hour). Please arrive at 9:45 AM.

Don’t miss out on our exclusive Master Class series on Sunday, March 8th from 2:15-4:45PM. Entrance is included in your daypass.

The Wines of British Columbia Master Class offers an exclusive opportunity for an in-depth exploration of not only history, geography, important varieties and wineries, but also a closer look at various sub-regions from Similkameen and Osoyoos to Peachland and Lillooet, along with the elements and issues that affect the current state of the British Columbia Wine Industry. BC wine educator, writer and consultant Kurtis Kolt, on behalf of the BC Wine Institute will present this educational overview along with a tutored tasting co-presented by renowned Canadian sommelier Véronique Rivest, through 8 BC VQA wines, from classic to contemporary styles, which illustrate the unique sense of place offered by BC VQA Wines.

Wines of Chile Innovation Master Class
with John Szabo MS

In honour of the Pan-American competition in Santiago, Chile April 2015.

Chile: Getting Down
Does the mention “Chilean wine” still conjure up the image of wood panelling and a tweed jacket? Times have changed. Join co head judges for CAPS Best Sommelier in Canada competition, Canadian John Szabo MS and Chilean Ricardo Grellet, in a Wines of Chile Masterclass that will examine how this conservative South American country has leaped from the 19th century directly into the 21st. Rampant experimentation, the rediscovery of “lost” varieties and ancient vines, innovative blends and intelligent perseverance are just some of the stories. A dozen wines will be poured to help tell the tale. An outsider was recently quoted as saying “Chileans look all structured and serious, even boring maybe, but there is a wild side to this culture”. So come prepared to lose your cravat, loosen the top button, and thrown on your red pants for this memorable tasting.”

Follow the events on social media and tweet and Facebook with us!
Use hashtag #CAPSCAN2015

If you are joining us from outside of Toronto, we can offer you assistance with your trip booking and special rates on hotel accommodation care of the Hyatt Regency. For bookings, please contact Lesley Chan at the Hyatt Regency T: + 1 416.595.2557 or Celine Smith Le Gousse: c.smith.legousse@gmail.com

Thank you to our generous sponsors of the 2015 Canada’s Best Sommelier Competition:

National Competition Principal Sponsor:
Wine Country Ontario – winecountryontario.ca

National Competition Major Sponsors:
Banville & Jones – www.banvilleandjones.com
Tolaini Estate – www.tolaini.it/en/wines
Wines of Chile – www.winesofchile.org
Inniskillin – http://www.inniskillin.com/
Louis Martini – www.louismartini.com

Location Sponsors:
Montecito Restaurant – www.montecitorestaurant.ca
Hyatt Regency Toronto – www.torontoregency.hyatt.com

National Competition Supporters:
British Columbia Wine Institute – www.winebc.com
Eska – www.eskawater.com
Moët & Chandon – http://www.moet.com/
The Vine – thevineagency.ca
Treasury Wine Estates – www.tweglobal.com
Oenophilia – http://www.oenophilia.ca/

If you would like further information regarding the competition, please contact Sara d’Amato, PR representative CAPS Ontario at sara@saradamato.com

CAPS National, CAPS Ontario, CAPS Atlantic, CAPS British Columbia, CAPS Manitoba and ACSP (Quebec) are all affiliated with Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, an organization representing professional sommeliers worldwide. www.sommellerie-internationale.com
www.sommelierscanada.com