County In The City - PEC Comes to Toronto

After an unbelievably fun wine tasting at Casa Loma with the Ontario Wine Society (OWS), I was really excited by the prospect of a (hopefully) repeat performance at County In The City. Same concept, different wine region (and organizer). I make it out to the Niagara wine region quite frequently but have only been out to Prince Edward County (PEC) once, so most of those wineries are new to me. Not having to organize a road trip to try and introduce myself to another handful of these and instead sample a whole bunch of them in one spot right here in Toronto was very exciting. Sign me up!

County In The City took place at the Berkeley Church and represented 14 different wineries from PEC pouring about 50 different wines. Details were a bit scarce on the website and just about the only information available was the ticket price ($39 in advance; $50 at the door, with all tastings included), date and location, and the free delivery option for purchases. I'm in between jobs at the moment, so this was a bit out of my range but luckily, I managed to score a free ticket (see Insider Tips below for details), so it was on! 

I went as somebody's plus one, so wasn't there right at the start of the event but came in halfway through around 7:30 pm. The first thing that struck me was that the crowd was incredibly different from the OWS event. While my friend and I were the youngest ones at the Casa Loma tasting, at the Berkeley Church I found myself surrounded by people in their 20s and 30s. There was a free coat check, which was great, but I had to go hunting for the wine order list so I could make notes (this wasn't handed to us with our tasting glasses). The layout was good, with tables around the perimeter and some floating tables in the middle for people to stop off at to fill out their order sheets or just finish their drinks. There didn't seem to be any order to the spots the wineries were assigned (i.e. these were not alphabetically arranged), but the event was small, so this didn't make a huge difference. I found the crowd a bit unyielding, as many people stuck around in front of the tasting tables and it was often hard to get through, but that's nothing the organizers could have done anything about. If anything, it just shows that the OWS crowd has better etiquette. There was also a live band playing, which was theoretically nice but the music was so loud that you had to shout to get your wine sampling request in, let alone talk to other people. I eventually gave up trying to have a conversation. Bit of an oversight, that.

As for the wine tasting itself, there were some interesting finds (including a white port and a really interesting Pineaux from special mouldy grapes, which I had no idea were made in Ontario). I was having a bit of an intense week, so went easy on the tastings and only tried 15 different wines. Had Casa Loma tasting buddy been there with me and we had the full 3 hours to run around, we could have very comfortably gone through the entire list of offerings (though we did have some practice with this before, so perhaps not everyone could). This would have been, however, impeded by the fact that there wasn't really any food to soak up some of the alcohol. To be fair, there was food at the venue and it looked great but (a) they were already sold out of half of the items by 7:30 pm, and (b) the cost was $5 for a very small sample. That, in my view, was a bit of a rip-off, to be blunt here. Either portions needed to be bigger or the price needed to be much lower. At $40 a ticket, one should hardly be expected to shell out another $20 to get some snacks. I don't care if it's just croutons, but at an event like this, some kind of a nibble should have been provided free of charge.

The verdict? It was OK but the event definitely has some growing up to do before it reaches the level of those put on by OWS. In fact, I was surprised the organizers had not teamed up with them. I had a nice time and was glad to discover some new wineries (and score some free tasting passes for future visits), but at the end of the way, I was glad I did not spend $40 on my ticket. Better luck next year!

WHAT: County in the City Toronto - PEC wine tasting

WHERE: Berkeley Church, Queen and Parliament

WHEN: April 25 - 5-9 pm

COST: $39 in advance, $50 at the door

INSIDER TIPS: You don't always need to win a contest to get a free ticket to an event. Sometimes you simply need to cyber-stalk (yes, I said it) the winner and ask them to take you! True story. I happened to see the winner announcement on Twitter and threw the idea out there on a whim, not really expecting anything to come from it. Instead, what started out mostly as a joke, landed me a plus one to the event that I was rather keen on checking out. As they say, ask and you shall receive! In any case, it doesn't hurt to try.

HotDocs20 - Part 2

The second part of my review of the HotDocs20 series is shorter, as my schedule got in the way and I didn't manage to make it out to quite as many screenings as when I had first started out on this mission. Here are my two cents on the handful of films I did manage to see:

Waste Land - Nothing will beat Chasing Ice in my books, but this was one of my other favourites. Beautiful and innovative, Vik Muniz's project really makes you question the value we place on our own worth in both work and life in general, and how art can change that perception. The film not only proves that you can make something beautiful from what others see as trash, but also explores what it takes for someone to want to change their life. Really want it, bad enough to actually do something about it.

The Cove - This was the most heart wrenching screening for me. Very difficult to watch. I was outraged and saddened by the fact that something like this could (and does!) take place, a fact made all the worse for the lack of reason behind it. Absolutely senseless. I was also quite in awe that there are people out there who will do anything to fight for those who are helpless. The lengths the people involved in the film went to to get this story told are mind-boggling. What a project!

War/Dance - I found it difficult to wrap my head around the realities of this film. You hear the stories and you know they're true (even if unimaginable!) but it's hard to comprehend the scale and the extent of what these kids actually went through. A bit unreal.

Men of the Deeps - This one was a very Canadian story, which was nice to see, and the director was in attendance for a Q&A. A very human film. Reminded me a little of Alistair MacLeod's writing. The character of Cape Breton is captured quite beautifully and the music/singing was lovely.

Overall, I managed to see 13 of the 20 films and gave away some of the unused tickets to my friends. At $20 for the whole package, this was definitely a steal and a great experience. I enjoyed the fact that all the screenings were on evenings and weekends, so you didn't need to take time off work to attend. The 2-week break in screenings 3/4 of the way through was a bit awkward and definitely broke my stride and took some wind out of my sails by allowing the rest of my social schedule to catch up with me. Would have preferred to do this all in one go.

On the bright side, the previews eventually got a bit more variety to them as the days went on and new films got added to the regular program while some of the previous ones had finished their runs. That was a relief because I really don't think I could have sat through the exact same set of previous 13 times over the course of a few weeks.

The 2013 HotDocs Film Festival opens tomorrow with solid programming, as usual. Many screenings have already gone rush (i.e. limited tickets only available at the door and you will have to line up early to snag those), also as usual. There are a lot of great documentaries out there and HotDocs does a great job of ensuring there is something for every taste. Check out this year's program and go see at least one. You'll be glad you did.

WHAT: HotDocs20 Screening Series

WHERE: Bloor Hot Docs Cimena

WHEN: March 24 - April 24, 2013

COST: Varies

INSIDER TIPS: Documentaries are not as boring as high school experience would lead you to believe. Many documentaries today are award-winning films that are just as enjoyable to watch as many of the feature films and infinitely better bang for your buck. The stories you see stick with you for quite some time and your horizons are broadened with each new documentary you see. Definitely make these a part of your regular entertainment routine. They can be a lot of fun (yes, even the heart wrenching ones).

Book Exchanges Like This Are Sure to Keep Toronto Reading!

I had quite a busy evening last night with multiple commitments in multiple parts of town, so I wasn't entirely sure which events I would actually make it out to in the end. I am really glad the Toronto Public Library (TPL) made my list. Now, I know this doesn't sound particularly exciting, but this was one of the best events TPL has ever hosted  (and believe me when I say I am very familiar with their events after nearly a decade as a former staff member). The Book Exchange was the 4th annual and one I would definitely keep on my radar for next year. And I highly recommend that you do, too!

Every year, TPL hosts the One Book program, which is essentially a city-wide book club that comes with a whole slew of complimentary activities and events across the city in an effort to keep Toronto reading. As part of this series, the Toronto Reference branch hosted a very special book exchange moderated by Misha Glouberman. Participants were asked to bring one of their favourite books that they could then swap with someone else at the event. Three local authors were in attendance as well - Ryan Kamstra, Emily Pohl-Weary, and Jim Munro - all armed with their favourites to swap.

The event was pretty small (about 20 people in attendance) but quite cozy and just about the most fun I've ever had at a library event. I was on my way to another engagement, so figured I'd pop in for a bit, leave my book behind, pick up a new one, and be on my way. Not so. This was a highly interactive event and I ended up staying for the duration, though had to run as soon as the official program was over and couldn't stay to chat more with some of the other attendees, since I was already late to meet up with my bowling league crew (that's a whole other story that's coming when the league is finished).

As far as book exchanges go, this one was top notch. Misha (who is hilarious as a moderator!) started off by letting the three authors (one at a time) pitch the books they had brought and after each pitch, those interested in acquiring that title were invited to pitch the books they had brought in an attempt to persuade the authors to trade. Much hilarity ensued when everyone took Misha's lead and crafted some pretty unique pitches, which he then summarized as only he (and perhaps Rick Mercer) can do. This was officially the first time I've ever heard someone refer to reading a particular book as "walking on broken glass but in a good way". And that's just one example! We were all laughing throughout the process.

When the author pitches were over, the floor was opened for the audience members to pitch their books and express interest in any trades that were still on the table. And as if that were not enough, TPL had generously provided an entire book cart loaded with books we could help ourselves to on our way out, all of them quality reads and not the $2-bin assortment found in your local bookstore. I came with one book to trade and walked away with four new titles to take home, one of which is a book I already love but don't have in hard copy, so I'm excited to be able to share it with friends now. Definitely two thumbs up for this one!

WHAT: Keep Toronto Reading Book Exchange

WHERE: Toronto Reference Library, Yonge and Bloor

WHEN: April 22 - 7:00-8:30 pm

COST: Free

INSIDER TIPS: If you're coming, make sure you bring a book and that it's one you've actually ready (one of those "you had to be there" moments from the event). Remember that people who come do indeed bring some of their favourite books, which they can be quite attached to, so as a courtesy, bring something that would be worth the trade. You're getting a quality read out of this, so make sure somebody else goes home with one, too.

Spring Into Parkdale - A Hop or a Flop?

I love community events and enjoy getting out for community festivals because it's a great way to get a feel for a neighbourhood. My regular forays in the direction of Parkdale tend to stop at Gladstone, so I was excited to explore a stretch of Queen West that I don't normally visit. Spring Into Parkdale had a beautiful poster that grabbed my attention and invited people to lace up their sneakers and grab family, friends, and neighbours to "enjoy jackpot deals, sample food & shop locally while browsing Parkdale's galleries, restaurants and shops!". Boy, did that sound exciting!

Unfortunately, as a community event, this was a bit of a flop, I'm afraid. I went on a Sunday afternoon but there were hardly any people out. The weather was on the chilly side, but still sunny and bright, so not really a factor in keeping people away. There were some tents set up at each end of the strip (at Dufferin and at Roncesvalles) that had some activities for kids and some event volunteers. A couple of families were there with their kids colouring but other than that, crickets. I was hoping to grab some kind of a map or brochure with information on what the different businesses were doing but didn't see anything like that available, so I set off walking.  I was heartened to see that all the participating businesses were displaying colourful balloons in the same colour scheme, so it was easy to pick them out. However, other than the stores that were offering sales (which were posted in the windows), there wasn't any information provided on what these businesses were offering, with a couple of very rare exceptions. I stopped by a few antiques and vintage shops but bypassed the bars and restaurants because with no crowds to blend into, I found the idea of walking in to ask if they were doing anything special for the festival really awkward. I love me some food and drink samples but I'm not about to walk into a bar and ask if they are giving any away. And besides, things were supposed to be happening on the sidewalk.

As a sidewalk sale, this event was more successful. There was a fair number of businesses participating judging by the balloons in front of their shops, so at least there is local business support and the event has the potential to grow into something bigger. Not everyone was on board with the "sidewalk" portion of the sidewalk sale and usually you had to actually go into the store to see what was happening. However, some did take part and those helped create at least a bit of a festival atmosphere. There were, indeed, some good sales on offer and lots of interesting antiques and vintage shops to explore, so that part was definitely worth checking out. But I was going in with the mindset of browsing and taking in the community festival atmosphere as opposed to hunting for antique furniture and that, unfortunately, was largely lacking. If you were going in strictly to shop, this would have been a good one - sales were happening but there were no crowds getting in the way.

WHAT: Spring Into Parkdale

WHERE: Queen St. West between Dufferin and Roncesvalles

WHEN: April 20 and 21

COST: Free

INSIDER TIPS: This is more of a shopping opportunity than a community event. If you are looking to check out some of the bars and restaurants on the strip, I would suggest going with a group of friends so you can pick a place and just hang out there for a bit.

She Does The City Does Clothing Swap

She Does The City publishes a lot of great content for women (particularly women in their 20s & 30s) and the general vibe is pretty young and hip in a modern/retro/hipster kind of way. So when they announced their first ever clothing swap, I thought chances were fairly high that the demographic at this particular event would be along the lines of something I might actually wear. Some friends of mine have hosted a couple of clothing swaps in the past but the problem with swapping clothes with your friends is that you already know everything they own and chances are, if they don't want it anymore, you probably don't either. Unless it's just a fit issue, in which case you could luck out. Point being, those can be pretty hit and miss and I don't usually go out of my way to attend.  However, when you bring a lot of strangers into the mix and target a certain demographic, the excitement factor goes way, way up. My hopes for this one were fairly high.

The Clothes X Swap was on my way to another event, so this was a no-brainer. I just had to carry more stuff, is all. $5 got you in if you brought at least 5 items to swap (clothes, shoes, accessories), $10 if you couldn't bear to part with anything you own and came empty-handed (which is still a great deal!). In exchange, you got a bag that you could fill with 5-10 items from the swap (the items themselves were free). In addition, there were a few tables set up for people who were selling some clothes and jewellery (all quite inexpensive), as well as a DJ playing tunes and some pop chips and vitamin water to load up on (hey, shopping is a sport and an exhausting one at that! Free shopping even more so). All unclaimed items at the end of the night were donated to charity.

The space was down a rather uninspiring street that didn't look particularly promising, but the entrance itself was well-marked and the set-up downstairs was pretty neat. There was mood lighting, decorations, and a very organized layout with racks, tables, and baskets to make our browsing easy. A mirror was available and there was a ridiculously clean (and pretty!) washroom that could be used as a change room. Everything was organized and people browsing through were quite respectful and courteous, so things stayed organized and nobody lost buttons or got a black eye when somebody tried to elbow them out of the way. It looked liked the volunteers didn't expect the event to be quite this popular, so the space was a little tight (but not too overcrowded, so it was ok) and they seemed to be struggling a little bit with keeping up with all the new clothing contributions. But they did a good job and I hope they host something like this again.

As for the clothes, my initial instinct was right on the money and the quality of the items available was quite high. Not everything was my cup of tea but many things were, and some of the things I got I'm very excited about! In all my browsing, I didn't see anything that was completely unwearable, so people weren't just dumping their unwanted crap there that nobody would want, which was really cool. Basically, it was really easy to walk away with something you liked. I was also surprised to see quite a few guys there, who were not shy about getting in there and going through everything. Definitely took me a little by surprise - I always associate these events with young women. Great event!

WHAT: Clothes X Swap - She Does the City Clothing Swap

WHERE: The Manifesto Space (Queen and Spadina)

WHEN: April 21 - 12-5pm

COST: $5-10

INSIDER DETAILS: Keep and open mind and have fun! This is a great opportunity to try something you wouldn't normally risk trying if you have to invest money in it. And pay it forward by bringing some great items you no longer want that somebody else might enjoy. If you haven't worn it in 2 yrs (you KNOW you have that in your closet!), you're not going to wear it, so give it up and let someone else take it out for a spin. The more space you make in your closet, the more you will enjoy the clothes you have left and, ironically, the fewer "I have nothing to wear" episodes you'll go through.

City of Craft - 2013 Edition

I went to City of Craft last year and remember it being rather adorable, so I thought I'd check it out again this year. At $1 admission, I wasn't exactly risking very much if I didn't like it. Not that I needed to worry about that, as it definitely lived up to my recollections. Hosted in a very well used church (seriously, there was a big crowd lining the main entrance hall waiting for their salsa class!), it was quite the sight with the sunlight streaming in and the space above the exhibitor tables strung with bright garlands. I don't hang out in churches much, so this was a pleasant surprise.


The exhibit was spread over two rooms - not huge but fairly sizable and pretty high quality. Knit toys and cloth dolls seem to be huge this season and I can definitely see the attraction (pocket zombies, anyone?). There were also a number of paper craft places, knit potted cacti, leather goods (wallets, card holders, etc.), pottery, art, and a caterer with some seriously delicious treats at a reasonable price. There was a great DJ playing super fun tunes (I saw a couple of people having a full-on dance party). And did I mention a 6-yr old who was selling some crafts with designs he drew himself?! Like I said, City of Craft is pretty adorable. I would recommend checking it out next year. It's a fun way to spend an hour.

WHAT: City of Craft 2013 (exhibit and sale)

WHERE: Trinity St. Paul's United Church (Bloor and Spadina)

WHEN: April 20 - 11am-6pm

COST: $1

INSIDER DETAILS: Just down the street from the church is my favourite used book store in the city. Drop by BMV if you're looking for something to do after the craft show. And if you get hungry, there are a lot of Korean restaurant just a little further west, which are generally inexpensive and fun.

These were drawn by a 6-yr old

My personal favourite - pocket zombies!

Malaria Isn't Funny but Rick Mercer Is! - A Night Out For Nets

As always, Twitter continues to be a constant source of events and activities for me. On this particular occasion, my news feed alerted me to a free event in support of spreadthenet.org. The event consisted of an advance screening of Mary and Martha with an introduction by none other than Rick Mercer himself. I've had a soft spot for Rick since I watched his "Talking to Americans" as a new immigrant, so this was a hard one for me to turn down. My (overdue) homework got parked for the night and I headed down to see what this was all about.

Upon checking in, my friend and I were handed some information on the organization itself, free tickets to the movie screening, and coupons for free popcorn+drinks. Movie night, VIP style! We noticed a curtained off reception area for the event off to the side and walked over to see what that was about but were told that this was a private event even when we mentioned we have tickets to the screening. So I never learned what was behind the curtain. It wasn't a big deal (since we didn't even know it existed until we saw it!), but I would have loved to know what it was and who it was for, since I didn't see any mention of it anywhere else. Unsatisfied curiousity is the worst! But oh well, we settled into our seats and got ready.

Rick doing his thing

There were actually some high profile people doing the introductions both from HBO and from Spread the Net. Rick Mercer managed to make his involvement with malaria relief funny (despite his claim that it was impossible) and impressive at the same time - how could you not love the guy?! I was quite surprised to learn that he is actually one of the founders of the organization, which is pretty cool. The other surprise came when I noticed there were a few empty seats in the theatre. It was hard to believe the room was not packed! If Rick Mercer can't bring on the swarm, I don't know who can.

As for the movie itself,  Mary and Martha is written by Richard Curtis (Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and stars Oscar® winner Hilary Swank and Oscar® nominee Brenda Blethyn. It tells the story of two mothers who find a way to make a difference by dedicating themselves to the cause of malaria prevention. When human life is lost on such a massive scale and so far away from our daily lives (malaria kills more children each year than all the American soldiers who have died in all the wars combined), it's very easy to become desensitized and very difficult to convince people care. Despite the fact that most see this as an unfortunate fact of life, there was not a dry eye in the theatre. The film almost had the feel of a home-shot family movie, which I think was intentional and helped bridge that gap between make-belief and reality. If you're going to catch the movie on HBO this Saturday (8pm ET/MT on HBO Canada), definitely stock up on tissues! Hillary Swank and Brenda Blethyn are impressive.

WHAT: A Night Out for Nets - Advance Screening of Mary and Martha

WHERE: Varsity Cinema


WHEN: April 18 - 7:00 pm

COST: Free

INSIDER DETAILS: This one's a tearjerker, so be sure to stock up on tissues if you're going to check it out. I also have one of the tunes from the movie stuck in my head without actually knowing what it is - watch out, it could happen to you too! And be sure to visit www.spreadthenet.org to learn more about the organization and the work they're doing. $10 can save a life.

This was a bonus we stumbled on on our way home - award nominations for crime fiction at the Indigo next door.

Those Were the Days! - Gadsten's Vintage Clothing Show and Sale

While my personal style doesn't necessarily reflect this, I absolutely love vintage. Just thinking about it makes me feel all warm and tingly, and brings on an unexplained sense of nostalgia for a time period I didn't personally experience. It is little wonder that the Gadsden's Artscape Wychwood Barns Vintage Clothing Show and Sale caught my eye.

The event poster invited folks to join them for "the GTA's top show and sale of vintage clothing, jewellery and fashion accessories, as well as old textiles, linens, fabrics and quilts" and promised "more than 30 top Ontario and Quebec dealers in vintage fashion and textiles." They had me at "vintage". I dutifully marked it down in my calendar and anxiously awaited the day.

The event was definitely popular - there was a steady stream of people through the door and a couple of vendors mentioned that it's been like that all day. Two rows of booths were set up down the middle, back-to-back, so you kind of made a big circle around all the vendors to take it all in. Because of the nature of the show (booths were set up as mini-shops that you go into as opposed to just counters you look at from the outside), the set-up was a little crowded. Everybody wanted to get in and browse the wares but there was only enough space for 2 or 3 people inside, so there was definitely some bumping and waiting involved. You get used to it though, and it becomes part of the process. Just remember to pack your patience!

As for the wares themselves, the range of styles was absolutely astounding - from classy and elegant to fun and whimsical to totally whack-a-doodle. But all of it fun! It's like going to an art show and a museum at the same time. You might not find pieces that are actually wearable (though I did see a few I loved), but you'll still have fun browsing. At least I sure did! And for those wishing to try things on, there was a make-shift change room set up halfway down the aisle. And if you chatted up the merchants, you could learn a whole lot about some of the nifty contraptions that existed back in the day and the social customs that went along with them. Good fun.

WHAT: Vintage Clothing Show and Sale

WHERE: Artscape Wychwood Barns

WHEN: April 14 - 10:00am-4:30pm

COST: $8 (you could get a coupon for $1 off online)

INSIDER DETAILS: Bring a purse that leaves your hands free to browse and if the weather allows it, leave your jacket at home or in the car if you drove. It's tight quarters in there! And take your time looking at the displays - the visual array can be overwhelming and make it difficult to notice something you might actually be interested in. If you're not sure what something is - ask the vendors! They're a wealth of information and some of the back stories are incredible. Finally, don't treat this like a shopping trip but more like a fun day out. Because all the items are one of a kind and the sizes take some mental calculations to translate into what you're used to, you might find it frustrating if you go with the purpose to shop. But if you just go to explore and keep an open mind, who knows what you might find.

Toronto Indie Arts Market - Shopping with a Cause

The Gladstone hotel plays host to all kinds of artsy and crafty events that are usually free or very inexpensive to attend. I normally find these pretty small and quick to check out, so tend to stop by if there are a couple of free hours in my day. This past Saturday, they hosted the Toronto Indie Arts Market, which took over most of the main floor with the three main event spaces packed with local vendors. It is an artisan market that promotes local art, crafts, food, fashion, small press, music, and more. I love local. I love cute. I love quirky. This was a no-brainer for me! 

Admission was $5, with part of the proceeds going to FoodShare. They did offer a number of ways to win free tickets to the event over the preceding week but I didn't manage to get my hands on any of those (for those of you thinking I win everything, how about them peanuts?). I personally consider $5 a small price to pay to help support those trying to make a go of it, so this was no great disappointment. And it warmed my heart to hear that they made enough on admission tickets to donate $700 to FoodShare. Yay for that.

The market itself was bigger than some of the previous art markets I had gone to at the Gladstone, since this one took up all three event spaces on the main floor. The rainy weather must've kept some of the people away and it wasn't too crowded, either, which made wading among the merchant tables a little easier. There were some really beautiful things there that I wanted to take home (there are a lot of creative and talented people out there!) but I can't have it all. In the end, I settled on a rather adorable card (that I'm quite in love with) and a sparkly new headband that I look forward to wearing out.

I believe this was the inaugural event and plans for an encore are in the works, so I would recommend checking that out when it happens. It's a cute market with a good cause.

WHAT: Toronto Indie Arts Market

WHERE: Gladstone Hotel

WHEN: April 13 - 10:30am-4:30pm

COST: $5

INSIDER DETAILS: If you plan on doing any shopping, I would recommend stocking up on some cash. Since the focus of the event is to support local, independent artisans, most of them will not have the capacity to process credit card payments. I'm pretty sure there is an ATM on site, but who likes service fees that can be avoided, right? Also, if you're not looking for anything yourself, it's never too early to start thinking of those Christmas/birthday/wedding/whatever presents. I rarely have to go on separate present-hunting trips since I tend to pick up things for my friends and loved ones whenever I see them, sometimes as much as a year (or more!) ahead of time. It saves me a lot of last-minute scrambling (you know how something always comes up at the most inopportune moment) and is a much more meaningful experience for everyone.

Queens of the Castle - 5 STARS Wine Tasting at Casa Loma

I've had quite an exciting week and one of the highlights was an evening spent living it up at Toronto's very own castle - as guests, not tourists. Five Stars at Casa Loma was billed as the wine tasting event of the year. I'm not sure I can endorse such a sweeping statement, but with 30 participating wineries pouring more than 100 wines that do well in Ontario (Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Sparklers), it was definitely one of the good apples and I was duly excited. However, at $70 a pop for non-members, the tickets were a bit out of my reach. Luckily, fate once again intervened and I managed to win yet another contest (I'm telling you, Twitter is where it's at!) for 2-for-1 tickets. The $35 admission price was much more manageable and my best friend and I put our big girl clothes on and headed over to schmooze with the local wine aficionados.

Our strategic planning session. Behold the wine list (on the right).

The event was a lot busier than I expected and the check-in process was a bit chaotic. The doors opened right at 6pm and there was a long line-up of people waiting to get in. But there was a self-run coat check and we got handed our tasting glasses pretty quickly, coming back to finish our registration process later when the crowds had cleared. We didn't really need to dress up - the crowd was a lot more casually dressed than I had anticipated. But hey, what girl is going to miss a chance to get dolled up and prance around a castle! Face - done, hair - done, proper shoes and real clothes :) 

The tickets included all wine tastings and a buffet dinner. The buffet dinner was actually more of an antipasto spread than an actual dinner, but it was delicious and protein heavy, so it definitely served its purpose. On the downside, it wasn't there all night and got taken away at least an hour before the end of the event, with absolutely no warning that this was going to happen. We went light on our first approach so as not to over-stuff ourselves and were going to return for second helpings. However, when we did, the food tables were completely cleared away. That wasn't very responsible planning considering the volumes of alcohol on the premises. Made me wish I had brought a bigger purse and some tupperwear!

The wine itself we were much happier with. When we checked in and picked up our tasting glasses, we were given a map and a list of the wineries and the wines they were pouring. This included prices per bottle, in case we wanted to place any orders (with free delivery included). With so may options, we knew we couldn't sample them all and needed a strategy. The one we came up with was a good one (we think) and worked very well for us. We both like bubbles, so we first made the rounds to try all 11 that were available for tasting. After that, we took a food break and went back to work our way through the most expensive wines on the list that we wouldn't otherwise purchase to try. So we made our way through the $35-50 wines (vintage Pinots are not cheap!), starting with the whites and moving on to the reds. Halfway through the night, we realized that we can actually try even more varieties if we didn't both get the same samples and just took a sip of each other's. With this approach, we not only wasted less, but also made our way through a much larger portion of the list.

In addition to the food and drink, we also got free tickets to the Niagara Food and Wine Expo (and we managed to score 5 of these, since apparently I've been on a streak lately of running into people I kind of sort of know and they weren't going to use theirs!), as well as a whole bunch of tasting passes for a few wineries. So we definitely got our money's worth out of this event! And it was just a ridiculously fun night. We both had a blast. Sampling so many different wineries in one location without having to drive in between was super convenient and we would do it again. Sadly, we lost our tasting list at the end of the night (with all the notes on what we liked), so I don't know the exact final count, but I'm pretty sure we made our way through about 40 different wines that night. Quite a step-up from our previous record when touring the wine country. Of course, this meant that I had mad munchies when I got home since we only had a light dinner. Nothing says class like frying chicken in your underwear in the middle of the night. If there were a movie of my finest moments, this one would probably make the bloopers reel.

WHAT: 5STARS Casa Loma - Wine Tasting Event

WHERE: Casa Loma

WHEN: April 10 - 6-9pm

COST: $70 for non-members (we got half-price tickets)

INSIDER TIPS: If you go to an event where you get goodies (such as tickets) to an out-of-town event, talk to the other attendees. Many people don't drive, won't go out of town, or just aren't available on that date. If you're nice to them, they might be more than willing to pass on their tickets to you. It doesn't cost you a thing and you suddenly get to pack a whole car with friends for a super fun road trip. And for an event like this, make sure you have a ride home! We were VERY happy to have one.