Attend a unique, tutored wine tasting and small-plates dinner experience led by celebrity-sommelier, Veronique Rivest, double winner of "Canada's Best Sommelier", winner of "The Best Sommelier of the Americas' 2012", and top-12 finalist "The Best Sommelier of the World" competition 2007 and 2010.

Watch how it's done and practice how to do it while experiencing the rush of tasting six wines with skill and confidence then pairing those wines with a small-plates dinner. Novice and seasoned wine-lovers welcomed to a unique evening promising a highly enjoyable experience.

This fund-raising event supports and showcases Algonquin College Sommelier Graduate, National Capital Sommelier Guild Governor and former Algonquin Sommelier Program Instructor,Veronique Rivest, in her quest to win "The Best Sommelier of the World" competition in Japan, March 29, 2013. It will help defray lost income and expenses incurred during her six-year quest - all proceeds of the evening go to Veronique.

$100. + HST per person - Purchase tickets here - No tickets sold at door

Date:   Wednesday April 10, 2013
Time:   7 pm
Where:   Restaurant International (Algonquin College)
          Restaurant International 'H' Building, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean, ON

Free Parking - immediately in front of Restaurant International 'H' Building, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Nepean, ON

Get the dirt on New Zealand as it's not all about Hobbits, Sheep, Cricket or that flightless bird the Kiwi - it's also about their wine!

New Zealand wine is distinctive for its purity, vibrancy and intensity. The long ripening period - a result of cool temperatures - allows flavour development whilst retaining fresh acidity, a balance for which New Zealand wines are renowned.

You can read more about New Zealand wines & events at the New Zealand Wine website.

This structured wine tasting is to cover off as many varietals and regions as possible that represent the New Zealand wine story. We are especially thrilled to have the acclaimed Janet Dorozynski, Ph.D. AIWS as our guest speaker and moderator for the evening.

We hope you can join Janet and members of the New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand Wine Growers Association at the Vendange Institute to sample the wonderful wines that New Zealand boasts (and that are presently available in Ontario). Food items will also be prepared for your savouring pleasure.

Wines presented for the structured tasting:
• Mt Difficulty Target Gully Riesling, Central Otago
• Villa Marie Pinot Gris 2011, East Coast (regional blends)
• Kaimira Gewurztraminer 2010 Nelson
• Giesen the Brothers Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough (Wairau Valley)
• Sacred Hill Halo Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Marlborough (Awatere Valley)
• Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2011, Marlborough
• Hunter Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough
• Carrick Pinot Noir 2007, Central Otago
• Alpha Domus Barnstormer Syrah 2010, Hawke's Bay (Gimblett Gravels)
• Craggy Range Sophia 2009 (Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc), Hawke's Bay

PARKING: There is a parking lot adjacent to the building accessible from Slater Street between Bronson and Bay. Street parking is also available in the area at metered spots.

Enjoy this special preview performance of "Fly Me To The Moon", a comedy presented by The Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC):

"Have you ever had a workday go from bad to worse? Francis and Loretta are home care workers in Belfast. They take care of an elderly man named Davy, who has a passion for Frank Sinatra and playing the ponies. When Davy dies in the loo, Francis and Loretta tell one lie that leads to another and..." Read more here:

ANZWS is proud to present a private reception in the Fritzi Gallery at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre starting at 6pm until 7:30pm, at which time the theatre will open (show starts promptly at 8pm).

This event includes a selection of Australian and New Zealand wines and tasty foods prior to the show, as well as your $40 ticket to the performance.

This private reception will provide our current members not only an exclusive opportunity to meet and mingle with the very personable Australian High Commissioner at the official residence "Australia House" but will also enable you to share in her appreciation and knowledge of Australia's new and upcoming artists, with a vast collection of artwork (sourced from Artbank Australia) on display throughout this historic residence in Sandy Hill.

In January 2012, HE Louise Hand is the latest High Commissioner to reside at Australia House. Since her arrival, the residence has been transformed and rejuvenated, every room now boasts a refreshing vibrant energy that all will find appealing. Australia House was built in 1910 by William Davis and believed to have been designed by John WH Watts, it has been the official residence of every Australian High Commissioner since 1940, as well as hosts many Australian Dignitaries and any Australian Prime Ministers who visit Ottawa.

We hope you can join us and enjoy an evening with the High Commissioner, taking in some Australian art and culture whilst sipping on Australian wines and savouring on food items prepared by Residence Chef, Spencer Knight.

If you would like to renew or join our membership, what are you waiting for? Come on, be part of this evening and awaken your senses. Cheers!

Giddy up and register for a night out at the horse races!

Summer is well and truly here and we have reserved the patio private courtyard area at the Rideau Carleton Raceway, so dress casual, prepare to mingle, cheer on your winning horses and enjoy the harness racing as we have secured a prime position right by the track near the finishing line. We will be starting the night at 6.30 pm with bubbly followed by several Australian and New Zealand wines, food items will be served during the event. Some of our mates at the Australian High Commission, the New Zealand High Commission and Ottawa Swans Australian Rules Football team will be joining us, so lets keep on enjoying this stunning summer, sink back some Aussie wines and have a fun night out at the GG's!

Directions and also information for free shuttle service to the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino:

Shuttle Service for Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino
For your convenience a shuttle service is available from the Greenboro transit station to Rideau Carleton Raceway, compliments of OLG SLOTS. It runs every hour on the half hour from Greenboro to the facility from 8:30am to 12:30am and returns from Rideau Carleton Raceway to the transit station every hour on the hour from 9am to 1am.

Bang! Crash! Tap!

Bang! Crash! Tap! features a crew of two tap-dancers, a Beat Boxing Champion and one of Australia's most talented drummers. Bang! Crash! Tap! is a mind-blowing dance and percussion stage spectacular. Each member of the crew offers their talents to create a fun and energetic show that promises laughs, gasps, amazing moves and plenty of raw energy sure to get toes taping, heads nodding and chins wagging for the entire performance.

Info:

Schedule
Wed, May 30 @ 7:00pm - Show #13
Thu, May 31 @ 9:30am - Show #16
Thu, May 31 @ 11:30am - Show #21
Fri, June 1 @ 1:30pm - Show #39
Sat, June 2 @ 10:00am - Show #44
Sun, June 3 @ 12:30pm - Show #65
Sun, June 3 @ 2:30pm - Show #69

Visit the Ottawa Childrens Festival for info on this and more.

The New Zealand Wine Fair recently made its way across Canada, touching down in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto. As Ottawa is often overlooked for these types of events, I was delighted to take part in the trade tasting and a winemaker's dinner, which was part of the Infinite Dinner Series.

This year's Wine Fair has certainly reinforced that New Zealand as a wine region is at the top of its game, and that its best wines are yet to be discovered. While exports to Canada continue to grow at a steady pace, it is obvious that Kiwi winemakers are not resting on the laurels of their success with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but have ambitiously embraced innovation and are looking towards a future that will include other impressive whites and red grape varieties.

The main trade tasting featured wine from 23 producers and was, not surprisingly, dominated by New Zealand's current flagship white and red, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The standout Sauvignon Blancs included the (almost over the top) Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (to be released in Vintages in June), Churton Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (in Vintages this July) and Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Nelson, available through Churchill Cellars. In addition to the crisp unwooded Sauvignons, with characteristic gooseberry and tropical notes, there were a number made in the Fume Blanc style (i.e. partially or fully oaked). Some, like The Brothers Sauvignon Blanc 2010 from Giesen Estate (Michael Andrews Brands), with a modest five percent of the blend matured in older French oak, were intriguing and had a creamy richness. However, I couldn't help but wonder if there had to be a better way to diversify or invigorate the Sauvignon Blanc category, rather than subjecting this aromatic and crisp cool climate white to varying degrees of butter and toast.

The reds I tasted were mostly Pinot Noir, both from well-known Central Otago, as well as from lesser-known (for Pinot), but equally appealing, Marlborough. The Mount Difficulty Pinot Noir 2010, available through the Small Winemakers Collection for $43.75, and the TeMara Estate Mount Pisa Pinot Noir 2009, both from Central Otago, were particularly enjoyable, with the vibrant fruit and complexity one has come to love in Central Otago Pinots. The Rock Ferry Pinot Noir Bendigo 2009, also from Central Otago, and in fact most of the wines from this small winery looking to make inroads into the Canadian marketplace, also stood out and are worth keeping an eye out for (thelivingvine.ca).

The success and focus of the New Zealand wine industry, along with the overall quality of the wines, has been nothing short of remarkable over the past decade or two. We can see however, the desire to branch out and become known for more than just Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. It was in this vein that the self-pour format wine seminar for the trade highlighted some of the country's up and coming aromatic white varieties – Pinot Gris (and thankfully not Grigio), Riesling and Gewürztraminer, along with Syrah, whose plantings and interest from winemakers has been dramatically outpacing that of other white and red varieties over the past decade. The well-priced Waipara Hills Pinot Gris 2011 (vinexx.com) and Waimea Nelson Dry Riesling 2006 (churchillcellars.com) stood out for me among the aromatic whites, with a good buzz among the trade.

As for the Syrah from Hawkes Bay and Waiheke Island, the stunning Trinity Hill 2009 Homage Syrah from Gimblett Gravels (ccwineco.com) and John Forrest Collection 2007 Syrah (abconwine.com), also from Gimblett Gravels, both showed a "Northern Rhone" finesse and elegance, along with bright and spicy fruit flavors, which the Waiheke Island Syrah didn't have.

The multi-course dinner was held at SideDoor Contemporary Kitchen and Bar, with Executive Chef Jonathan Korecki at the top of his game. We began dinner with a glass of Oyster Bay Cuvee Rose NV "methode", which is what New Zealanders call sparkling wine. We also tasted wines from well-known producers Villa Maria, Babich and Coopers Creek, alongside the new kid on the block (for Canada anyway), Marlborough-based Rock Ferry. The torched Albacore tuna sashimi was a perfect companion for the fresh and lively Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Marlborough, which offers great value at $14.95. With the delicious roasted New Zealand lamb rack, we tried the Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2009, also from Marlborough and coming to Vintages, which drove home the point that Central Otago is not the only place where good Pinot Noir can be made in New Zealand

Visit the National Post at this link for the full article and all the links.

You can get more info on all their events at the New Zealand Wine website.

Honourable Guests, New Zealand High Commissioner Andrew Needs, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Bruce Soar, and Australian First Secretary Thomas Fuller were joined by Australian & New Zealand Wine Society members and guests to compare a selection of new released Australian and New Zealand wines paired with a fine array of delectable olives, pates and cheeses that Jacobsons had prepared.

This event is to pay homage to our ANZACS; in Australian and New Zealand this day of remembrance is marked by a national holiday to respect those who gave their lives, those adventurous individuals who were far away from home. On ANZAC day we have the opportunity wherever in the world to honour and respect the Australian and New Zealand service men and women who served their countries and also to think of those who are presently engaged in conflict zones around the world.

Wines Tasted:
    Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling - Aust
    D'Arenberg The Stump Jump Lightly Wooded Chardonnay - Aust
    McPherson Basilisk Cabernet Balzac 2005 - Aust
    Cariole Redstone Shiraz 2009 - Aust
    Momo Pinot Gris 2010 - NZ
    Sileni Cellar Selection Cabernet Franc Rose - NZ
    The People's Wine Pinot Noir - NZ
    Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red 2008 - NZ

In collaboration with the New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand Wine Growers we are thrilled and delighted to announce our Australian and New Zealand Wine Society launch. This was held in the elegant Quebec Room of the stunning Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

Honourable Guest New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Felicity Buchanan and Second Secretary Sarah Ireland were joined by by Australian & New Zealand Wine Society members and guests.

This stylish black tie event showcased a four course meal of New Zealand cuisine paired with select wines from New Zealand. Chef John Young and his team of culinary specialists designed and sourced a scrumptious menu of NZ mussels, NZ Lamb, designed a Pavlova with Passion Fruit Mousse and Kiwi Sorbet and finished off the evening with a fine array of Cheeses.

Australia Day was celebrated at this exclusive Members only event for the special introduction and meet and greet for the the incoming Australian High Commission, HE Louise Hand, this was very social event where all celebrated Australia Day, all foods were based on traditional menu from Australia paired by the Tracey Black and her creative team from Epicuria Fine Foods, pumpkin soup shooters, prawn skewers, lamb croquette etc followed by our sweet tooth cravings, lamingtons and of course tim tam's!

Wines Tasted:
    Petaluma Croser Sparkling Brut 2005
    Peos Estate Four Aces Manjin Chardonnay 2008
    Robert Oatley Pinot Grigio 2010
    Pike & Joyce Pinot Noir 2009
    Hewitson Miss Harry GSM 2009
    Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
    Step Road Shiraz 2005
    D'Arenberg, The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognoier 2005
    Penny's Hill McLaren Vale Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2001
    Black Noble Debortoli port
    Bundaberg Rum

Ring in the season early with the AWS!

Cafe Paradiso's unique atmosphere and professionalism guarantee that our special Christmas time event will be an unforgettable food and wine experience.

The Cafe's Taster's Menu has been specially prepared by the Paradiso's head chef and will be complimented by the wonderful wines selected specifically by AWS's experienced sommeliers.

Here is the planned menu:

Giddy up and register for a night out at the horse races!

Summer is well and truly here and we have reserved the patio private courtyard area at the Rideau Carleton Raceway, so dress casual, prepare to mingle, cheer on your winning horses and enjoy the harness racing as we have secured a prime position right at the track near the finishing line. We will be starting the night at 6.30 pm with bubbly followed by several Australian wines, food items will be served during the event. Some of our mates at the Australian High Commission and Ottawa Swans Australian Rules Football team will be joining us, so lets keep on enjoying this stunning summer, sink back some Aussie wines and have a fun night out at the GG's!

Directions and also information for free shuttle service to the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino:

Shuttle Service for Rideau Carleton Raceway Casio
For your convenience a shuttle service is available from the Greenboro transit station to Rideau Carleton Raceway, compliments of OLG SLOTS. It runs every hour on the half hour from Greenboro to the facility from 8:30am to 12:30am and returns from Rideau Carleton Raceway to the transit station every hour on the hour from 9am to 1am.

Most of us have lived in Ottawa for years and perhaps only once taken the Rideau Canal Boat Tour - likely when we had guests from out-of-town. What epitomizes summer more than a boat cruise along this famous waterway? This July we were able to sip some delightful Australian wines and nibble on a selection of appetizers as we glided along the Rideau Canal in the company of fellow AWS members and guests.

A previous board member and enthusiastic supporter, Meridy Foster, organized the last AWS Boat Cruise on the Rideau Canal in July 2008. In her memory we organized this special event for all members and their guests to enjoy.

The weather was wonderful, with a slight overcast that mitigated the full heat of midsummer in Ottawa. Breeze flowed through the cabin windows on all sides of the boat as people sampled the appetizers and sandwiches. The back deck was also enjoyed by people who watched the homes, buildings, and the various canal path bikers, roller bladers, joggers and walkers.

The wines were thoroughly enjoyed by a great group of people which included members, new members, and guests. New friendships were made and old ones renewed.

Wines from both the AWS Cellar and LCBO were tasted at this event.

IN MEMORIUM OF MERIDY FOSTER A year ago, the AWS Board lost a wonderful friend and colleague to cancer. As an Aussie, Meridy loved the water, so enjoying a glass of wine whilst cruising along the Ottawa river was an event she had planned for the AWS and hosted beautifully, she was determined to be there and her smile was radiant. In her honour and loving memory, we will continue her summer tradition and will hold our glasses high, she was an inspiration to all of us. Cheers to you darl, we miss you. 'A butterfly captures our hearts from the moment they appear. They are vibrant and graceful as their presence lifts our spirits. Gone much too soon, they will never be forgotten.'

The AWS was at its first Bon Appetit event which took place in Ottawa on Tuesday May 3rd at Landsdowne Park in Ottawa.

For those of you who may not know the Bon Appetit event is a food and wine show and features over 90 restaurants and caterers and dozens of wineries and breweries. This event attracts over 2000 people who come to sample all of the products, food and wine on display. It is labeled "the best cocktail party of the year" and was a fantastic way to showcase the AWS and all that it has to offer in the interests of charity. The event varies from a traditional wine tasting as it targets a larger audience that might not necessarily attend a wine tasting but who enjoy wine. The demographic is the affluent 25-45 age group, as well as foodies and wine enthusiasts; as such this was from all accounts a great success for the AWS and Bon Appetit organizers.

The Australia Wine Society (AWS) sponsored a booth at the Bon Appetit event with the aim of promoting Australian wine and our own Society. Our ambition was to expand our membership base and turnout to AWS events. We served 1 oz tastings during the event, from 5:30 to 9:00, and as you can imagine with this kind of turnout the Board of the AWS who were supporting the booth were kept extremely busy, offering guests wine and other tid bits of information about the AWS and the various wines being showcased.

The level of exposure was enormous as was the fun and other delights on offer. We had a great time and all enjoyed our Aussie wines, we had line ups for most of the event. All in all, it was a great first entrance and will likely be considered as a regular AWS fixture in the future, so be prepared for Bon Appetit 2012 and share in the fun for a very worthy cause.