Left: Virgin Vines? Top right: The producer of Rumble Fish and JACK also makes wine. Bottom right: Another Craig does good.
Things I learned at California Cruisin’, the Sante Wine Festival’s Golden State-themed wine tasting at the ROM:
- If you’re trying different wines, rinse your glass between tastings with either a little drop of the wine you’re about to try or nothing at all. Water is a worse pollutant than another wine.
- Francis Ford Coppola makes a good wine.
- The ROM is becoming my favourite place to party. I often enjoy jams at Casa Loma during TIFF, but mingling with beverages is much more exciting when there’s a giant Buddha in the room.
- Very few people know where Napa Valley is.
- One should be leery of anything that’s labelled “table wine.” It tends to be “low-grade” and “pedestrian,” but good for sangria or to bring to a party.
- Brie cheese should not be served chilled.
- It’s legal to order a batch of wine from a winery representative.
- Each wine at a tasting tends to have its own business card.
- Oka cheese was first made by the Trappist monks in the 19th century.
- In describing wines or cheeses, feel free to overuse the words “exquisite” and “elegant.” Everyone else does.
- It’s very difficult to not sound pompous when talking about aromas of gently crushed grapes or the nuances of lingering oak tastes.
- Paul Dolan, of the organic-friendly Mendocino Wine Company, promotes sustainable farming practices, uses solar and wind energy, and does not harm trees when he puts labels on his wines. He also can give wine presentations without notes.
- Robert Craig is of no relation to James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
- Virgin now has its logo on bottles of wine. No explanation was given as to why.
- I really disliked that movie Sideways. Hated it, even. This isn’t so much learning as it is remembering.
