A childhood friend who grew up to be wine agent? How convenient.
Would you all have such friends. No? Lucky Alain! After regaling us with a few bon mots about the high jinks they got up together Martin got down to introducing us to some of the lovely wines he sources for the restaurant industry in Quebec. The view into the industry itself was fascinating and the wines selected to be tried by Nicole were a real treat.
In 2023, Nicole Faucher began serving as the Oakville Chapter’s new President and Chair. Nicole and husband Alain Careau opened their home for an intimate event with the simple goal to share their personal favourite wines. Having hosted many a family dinner, this wine tasting event was experienced like a family affair with everyone shoulder-to-shoulder (in a warm & pleasing way!) around their big dinner table.
The President’s Choices (Canadian supermarket shoppers will appreciate the pun), had no specific region or varietal or age. In all, 8 wines were poured – 4 white and 4 red. Catering provided by Acqua Fine Foods of Toronto was extremely plentiful with specific foods paired with every wine. Each wine was also paired with information about the winery and personal anecdotes when Nicole and Alain had enjoyed these wines in past. For example, it was said that “The Paua Sauvignon blanc from the Wairau Valley, New Zealand is a perfect Monday night wine!”. Overall, it was a great experience to taste the best wines from different regions around the world back-to-back.
Whites:
Pinot Grigio, 921, Collevento, Italy
Verdejo, Carramimbre, Spain
Sauvignon, Paua, New Zealand
Petit Chablis, domaine de Perdrycourt, France
Reds:
Domaine de l’Amandine, Cuvée Mathilde, Rhône, France
Pinot noir, Walnut Block, New Zealand
Toscana Rosso, Tuscany
Château de la Cour, St-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
Many thanks to Nicole, Alain and their friends Martin and Dianne.
Best in wine, food and friends