The rooftop of the TIFF Lightbox was filled with Notable young professionals for our Wines of Chile tasting last Wednesday. The Chilean section of the LCBO is a favourite among wine-loving YPs, with Chile’s diverse selection of wines a result of the county’s unique geography and climate. The balmy evening was civilized and sweet, as guests sipped and savoured a selection of 12 of Chile’s finest red and white wines, paired with an ample, seemingly free-flowing supply of delicious eats a la Oliver and Bonacini.
Dressed to impress, some YPs came straight from work (the event kicked off at 6:30), while for others it was evident they had either stopped home to change or done the infamous office bathroom wardrobe/hair and makeup transformation. Unless, of course, they wear cocktail dresses to the office. Notable guests in attendance included Trade Commissioner of Chile Juan Antonio Figueroa and special celebrity guest Christopher Waters, Editor of VINES Magazine.
Table One was presented by Concha Y Toro Winery, with their Marques de Casa Concha Wines and the Vina Maipo. From Concha Y Toro Winery, our decided favourites included the 2009 Serie Riberas Gran Reserva Carmenere, Cachapoal Valley, which is available in the Vintages section of the LCBO and retails for $16.95. If you prefer white, another favourite was the 2010 Vitral Reserva Chardonnay from Casablanca Valley. It retails for an affordable $13.95 from the LCBO on the General List. These wines were paired with things like beef empanadas, juicy sliders and jerk chicken and iceberg lettuce wraps that we couldn’t get enough of.
Table Two showcased Concha Y Toro’s Casillero del Diablo Wines, including the 2011 Casillero del Diablo Reserva Merlot from Rapel Valley, which is currently available from the General List at the LCBO and retails for $12.95. Another fave was the Casillero del Diablo Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca, Limiri and Rapal Valley, available for just $9.95 in the LCBO’s General List. The palette was pleased further with pairings like smoked haddock fritters, duck confit and dried fig pate with shallot marmalade.
We invited guests to partake in a Twitter contest midway through the evening, asking them to tweet us their favourite wine selection with the hashtag #TasteWOC. A Lucky Notable reader won a case of her favourite Chilean Wine, delivered right to her home, and two others won tickets to the Gourmet Food and Wine Show happening in November.
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