Bordeaux after work @ Eight Wine Bar

The third Bordeaux After Work Party took place this past Tuesday September 20th at Eight Wine Bar. What a civilized way to finish an otherwise boring workday.

The Bordeaux Wine Council has a goal: to spread the joy of Bordeaux wine. These events are co-hosted with the popular iYellow Wine Club and aim to showcase the diverse wines that the region has to offer. Bordeaux wines are not only for the wealthy collectors who spend thousands of dollars for coveted bottles of cru classes. There is a Bordeaux wine for every budget and every taste.

The Bordeaux After Work Party is a series of 4 events. Once a month a downtown venue is chosen for 2 hours of tasting and socializing. This past evening,  the first 100 people to arrive received a free glass from the list of featured wines. Additional glasses were $5.  For yummy wine, that's a deal.

Sommelier station

the menu a la carte

This event had a new concept of a sommelier station. The sommelier du jour was Svetlana.  She was there to give you a small sample of the wines. You could then decide what you wanted to start with at the bar.

Fantastic idea!

Angela Aiello

The evening had a great vibe. The after work crowd sipped away the evening listening to funky beats, socializing inside this cozy venue.  I snapped a picture of iYellow Wine Club founder, Angela Aiello.  She looks like she's having fun! For more information on her events and for future Bordeaux After Work events, go to: www.iyellowwineclub.com

www.cosmotoronto.com/Eight-Wine-Bar

There were 5 wines to try throughout the evening: 3 reds, 1 white and a dessert wine.
All the wines are available at the LCBO. My picks for the night:

Eight Wine Bar

mmm wine

White
Chateau Ferran Blanc 2007 $21.00

A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. Dry white wine showing some oak with orchard fruit flavours. Well balanced and enjoyable. Nice wine for the money.

Red
Chateau de Panigon 2005 $16.95

A solid dry, red wine for under $20.
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 2005 is considered to be a wonderful vintage in Bordeaux. This wine had good fruit, tannin and a medium finish. Definitely a crowd pleaser.

Dessert
Chateau Liot 2007 $19.00

A delicious sweet white wine with elements of honey and dried apricot while maintaing nice acidity. Best served cool. The wonderful thing about sweet wines coming from Bordeaux is that many of them are affected with what's called Botrytis or "noble rot". Don't be fooled from the name. This "rot" is a good thing. It shrivels up the berries so the flavours are super concentrated. The Chateau Liot is a nice introduction to these wines of Sauternes and Barsac.

Wine menus

Like 2005, the 2009 vintage in Bordeaux was spectacular. From the reports coming, the wine world is now buzzing about 2010.  While these wines are silently sitting in barrels in France, eager wine drinkers all over the world are awaiting their arrival to the marketplace.

Nicolas from Tannin Fine Wine

Nicholas from Tannin Fine Wine is a Bordeaux expert. I've heard him speak French fluently with the most beautiful accent. Oui, c'est vrai. He was pouring a wine not featured on the list:
Chateau Desvin-Bel Air 2003 $19.95





I'm having a lot of fun at these events! Now how about an After Work Week Party! Or, a Before Work Party...ok ok, just any excuse to have a party. :)

For more information on future events:
www.facebook.com/bordeauxwine