Wine Appreciation Through Education

February 3: 12th Annual Guelph Wine Gala & Auction, River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich Street, Guelph ON. A food and wine walkabout featuring numerous wineries and a delectable array of sweet and savoury appetizers prepared by local chefs and caterers, 519 763-3000, www.riverrun.ca

February 3-4: Ontario Wine Society Icewine Weekend, White Oaks Inn & Resort, Niagara Falls ON. 416 921-9798.

February 5: OntarioWineReview.com presents The Baco Noir Challenge, Southbrook Winery, Richmond Hill, Ontario ON. Held over 4 nights, this is going to be "One Grape Event". And it all takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Southbrook Winery's century old Tasting Room. After all the Baco Noir tasting is done we'll kick back our heels by the fire and enjoy a few award winning wines from Southbrook, some Crystal Cork Award winners and nominees, along with some wonderful Balderson Cheeses. A full list of the wine being poured and the participating wineries involved are on the OntarioWineReview website www.ontariowinereview.com.

February 6: Toronto Vintners Club presents Red Wines of SW France. From the Burgundy region in January, we move to the SW corner of France next month to taste wines that are often been mistaken for Bordeaux. Jancis Robinson considers this part of the world to be great value for money. And one of the wines we'll be tasting has been labelled one of the top 10 in the world by English wine reviewer, Michael Broadbent. Plus, if you read the Back Page of our notice (attached), you'll discover the health benefits of drinking wines made in this part of the world. In addition to the lineup of wines, we'll also be sampling some regional appetizers at this event. 6:00 PM - Reception; 6:20 - Tasting. Toronto Vintners members take advantage of major savings at our events. Members usually pay $9 - $10 less per event to taste fabulous wines. www.torontovintners.org; 416-209-1442 (Club message line)

February 8: Scotch Tasting and Dinner, Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course, 143 Front Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON. Neil Middleton, International Order of Companions of the Quaich, 905 468-0802, nmiddleton@cogeco.ca

February 10 & 11: A Weekend of Wine & Chocolate in Lodi Wine Country. Lodi Wine Country invites you to 'Unwrap the Golden Ticket' in one of over 30 wineries at our 10th annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Guest will receive a chocolate bar and have the opportunity to win a Lodi Wine County Weekend Getaway or one of over 100 other prizes. Delicious Lodi wines paired with decadent chocolates will be available at all participating wineries. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Caner Society - Breast Cancer Research. Visit www.lodiwine.com or www.lodiwineandchocolate.com for information on special winery activities or to purchase advance tickets. Also, contact the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 367-4727, 2545 W. Turner Road, Lodi California.

February 12: OntarioWineReview.com presents The Baco Noir Challenge, Southbrook Winery, Richmond Hill, Ontario ON. Held over 4 nights, this is going to be "One Grape Event". And it all takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Southbrook Winery's century old Tasting Room. After all the Baco Noir tasting is done we'll kick back our heels by the fire and enjoy a few award winning wines from Southbrook, some Crystal Cork Award winners and nominees, along with some wonderful Balderson Cheeses. A full list of the wine being poured and the participating wineries involved are on the OntarioWineReview website www.ontariowinereview.com.

February 12: Terroirs et Signatures de Bourgogne Tasting, Montreal PQ. Details t.b.a. Dominique Landry, Sopexa Canada, 514 288-5802, dominique.landry@sopexa.com

February 13: Terroirs et Signatures de Bourgogne Tasting, Toronto ON. Details t.b.a. Anne Popoff, Sopexa Canada, 416 921-8400, Ext. 2, anne.popoff@sopexa.com

February 15: Terroirs et Signatures de Bourgogne Tasting, Vancouver BC. Details t.b.a. Mireille Sauvé, Sopexa Canada, 604 915-1554, m.sauve@august.ca

February 16: Healthy Heart Dinner, Black Prince Winery, 13370 Loyalist Parkway, Hwy #33, Picton, Ontario. Join founder, John Sambrook as he shares some interesting facts and observations on the subject of red wine and the benefit to your heart, while savouring a delicious meal expertly paired with Black Prince wines. Cost for the 4 course dinner including the wine is $75/person (taxes and gratuities extra). A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to support our local hospital. This is sure to sell out, call 1-877-470-9463 or email info@blackprincewinery.com reserve your seat before February 1st.

February 18-20: Canadian International Food & Beverage Show, International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga ON. Featuring 650 booths showcasing branded/specialty/niche/commodity food and beverage products for the hospitality industry; Drawing 10,000 visitors. Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, 416 923-8416, www.crfa.ca

February 19: OntarioWineReview.com presents The Baco Noir Challenge, Southbrook Winery, Richmond Hill, Ontario ON. Held over 4 nights, this is going to be "One Grape Event". And it all takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Southbrook Winery's century old Tasting Room. After all the Baco Noir tasting is done we'll kick back our heels by the fire and enjoy a few award winning wines from Southbrook, some Crystal Cork Award winners and nominees, along with some wonderful Balderson Cheeses. A full list of the wine being poured and the participating wineries involved are on the OntarioWineReview website www.ontariowinereview.com.

February 19: French Wine Connection Road Show, Sutton Place Hotel, 955 Bay Street, Toronto ON. Guy Bender, French Embassy, Economic Commission, 416 977-1257, Ext. 210, guy.bender@missioneco.org

February 19: 3rd Annual ViniPortugal Grand Tasting, Montreal PQ. Venue t.b.a. William Delgado, Portuguese Trade Commission, 416 921-0259, william.delgado@icep.pt

February 21: 3rd Annual ViniPortugal Grand Tasting, Toronto ON. Venue t.b.a. William Delgado, Portuguese Trade Commission, 416 921-0259, william.delgado@icep.pt

February 21: Australian Wine Society of Toronto Annual Shiraz Tasting, Toronto ON. Venue/Time t.b.a. -- Bernard Nottage, Australian Wine Society of Toronto, 416 207-9976, www.aws.ca

February 21: North American Craft Brewing Tour Festival, Willow Park Wines & Spirits, 10801 Bonaventure Drive SE, Calgary Julie Fitzsimmons, Willow Park, 403-296-1640, Ext. 248, julie@willowpark.net

February 21: Gourmet Wild Game Dinner, Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto Featuring wild game and South African wines Eleanor Cosman, South African Wine Society, 905-762-9161, sawsinfo@rogers.com

February 22: 3rd Annual ViniPortugal Grand Tasting, Calgary AL. Venue t.b.a.William Delgado, Portuguese Trade Commission, 416 921-0259, william.delgado@icep.pt

February 24: Lailey Vineyard 2005 Pinot Noir Release, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Join us for a tasting of a few of our favourite Chards, a sneak preview of the very young 06 Pinot Noirs from barrel, and the release of the much anticipated 2005 Pinot Noirs, all led by winemaker Derek Barnett. Cost $25 per person. To reserve a seat contact the winery, 905.468.0503, ed@laileyvineyard.com

February 26: Fujiwara Dance Inventions Fundraiser, Prego della Piazza, 150 Bloor Street West, Tornto ON. Lifford Wine Agency and the Board of Directors of Fujiwara Dance Inventions invite you to join us for a splendid evening of fine wine to complement Michael Carlevale's legendary Italian cuisine and silent auction in support of Fujiwara Dance Inventions. Tickets are $195, and a tax receipt for $145 will be provided. For more information, please call 416-593-4710 or email info@fujiwaradance.com.

February 26: OntarioWineReview.com presents The Baco Noir Challenge, Southbrook Winery, Richmond Hill, Ontario ON. Held over 4 nights, this is going to be "One Grape Event". And it all takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Southbrook Winery's century old Tasting Room. After all the Baco Noir tasting is done we'll kick back our heels by the fire and enjoy a few award winning wines from Southbrook, some Crystal Cork Award winners and nominees, along with some wonderful Balderson Cheeses. A full list of the wine being poured and the participating wineries involved are on the OntarioWineReview website www.ontariowinereview.com.