“THE GRAPES FOR HUMANITY – SAVE HOSPITALITY FINE WINE CHARITY AUCTION

 

 Over 300 lots of exceptional wines, winery tours, autographed bottles

guitars donated by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush

 

Monday September 28th – Wednesday October 7th, 2020
Online through
Waddington’s Auctioneers & Appraisers

Grapes for Humanity invites you to Save the Date for our “Save Hospitality Fundraiser” virtual fine wine auction September 28th – October 7th, 2020, presented by Waddington’s Auctioneers and Appraisers.  This special auction features not only some of the world’s finest and rarest wines, but also many lots of exceptional ready-to-drink wines from the finest wine regions.

“After years of enjoying their service, it’s our turn to serve them,” said Geddy Lee. “The Chefs, Sommeliers, Waitstaff, Delivery personnel, Farmers, Fisherman, Bakers and more whose livelihood has evaporated virtually overnight. Right now we must throw a lifeline to those who need us. I reached out to some fellow wine lovers and asked them to raid their wine cellars to help us raise funds to support staff and independent restaurant owners to weather this storm.”

At the top we have multiple vintages of first-growth Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundy, four vintages of the world’s rarest port, Quinto do Noval Nacional, 18 vintages of Australia’s most famous wine Penfold’s Grange, Pinot Noirs from the only two great growths of New Zealand Ata Rangi and Felton Road and 25 lots of the inaugural Cuvee of the Heart Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blended by Thomas Bachelder Canada’s leading winemaker from contributions of 30+ Ontario winemakers! The Ferragamo lot features a 3 litre of their best wine Il Borro plus a tour, tasting, a dinner and a three night stay at their Relais et Chateau resort in the heart of Tuscany. We have rare verticals from historic Ontario wineries such as Cave Springs and Henry of Pelham.

For buyers seeking immediate enjoyment, we have Malbec from the historic Patagonian producer Humberto Canale, Sancerre from the 500 hundred year old Joseph Mellot winery in the Loire, powerful rich wines from Bodega Numanthia in Toro Spain, some of British Columbia’s finest plus award winning wines from Pond View Estates here in Ontario and mixed lots from exceptional wineries.

Whether you are looking for something to savour with tonight’s dinner or some wine to treasure and hold for future enjoyment…this auction has it all and more. However, don’t take our word for it, peruse the Auction Catalogue.

Proceeds will directly benefit Ontario Hospitality front-line workers through the Toronto Restaurant Workers Relief Fund; the Bartender’s Benevolent Fund; and independent Ontario restaurants through savehospitality.ca.  To find out more about Grapes for Humanity, visit grapesforhumanity.com.

Vintage wines, collectible rarities, memorabilia, and once-in-a-lifetime wine experiences for the emerging collector as well as the aficionado, this rare opportunity offers exceptional wine from multiple producers, varying vintages, and unique experiences.

Bid once, bid often and prepare to delight in your purchase for a good cause.

To donate funds or for more information, contact: 2dry@rogers.com

What we can do to help California Wine Country?

Since the beginning of 2020, there have been over 8,100 wildfires in California, alone.   August 15 when fire activity increased extensively, there have been over 26 fatalities and 7,000 homes and businesses destroyed. This week, the California wine country was affected by the “Glass Fire”, which burned parts of Sonoma and Napa. The images are disturbing and the wine industry, as a whole, is with heavy-heart!

Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate to charitable organizations – see list below;
2. Book a trip in advance: support the wine country by visiting them;
3. Shop California wines: search for local shops, DTC winery shipments, order California wines in restaurants and bars; and
4. Show your support by using #WineCountryStrong on social media.

American Red Cross
California Community Foundation’s Wildlife Relief Fund
California Fire Foundation
Google (Scroll down and click “Yes, Donate”)
Humane Society of Ventura County
Salvation Army
United Way of Greater Los Angeles

Stay safe and show your support!

Liz Palmer

Moët & Chandon launches ‘Specially Yours’ personalized Christmas gift boxes

The gift boxes will be exclusively available in Selfridges, London in-store and online, priced at £49.99 for the Impérial and £58.99 for the Rosé Impérial.

The packaging can be personalized with a name or a message using up to fourteen characters. Gift boxes can be ordered by taking a bottle to a Selfridges personalization station in-store or selecting the relevant option online.

The gift box unveiling coincides with the launch of Moët & Chandon’s ‘London Calling’ campaign at the high-end department store. This will feature a Champagne bar and “concept space” featuring photographs of famous moments of celebration in London’s history.

The concept space is inspired by the design of the classic red telephone box, with space for guests to sip Champagne at a bar alongside the photographic exhibition.

Customers can choose from a range of Moët cuvées as well as Champagne cocktails, created in partnership with London bars Mr Fogg’s, Heads & Tails, Coupette and Disrepute.

A calendar of cocktail masterclasses will be held from 6 October to 25 November at Selfridges, co-hosted by Moët & Chandon’s Champagne Ambassador. These can be booked in advance https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/selfridges-oxford-street-london-6395244523

 

Vertical Tasting with Caroline Frey of Chateau La Lagune – Part 1

Vertical tastings offer a magnificent glimpse into the many facets of a wine’s personality and its many expressions over different weather conditions. It also offers a glimpse into the quality of the terroir and the site from which the grapes originate.

On September 28, 2020, I have the privilege of participating in a vertical “zoom tasting” and deep dive into Chateau La Lagune with Caroline Frey, winemaker, at her family’s Haut-Médoc third-growth estate.

Wines being tasted include

Chateau La Lagune 2015

Chateau La Lagune 2016

Chateau La Lagune 2017

Chateau La Lagune 2018 [100% Cabernet Sauvignon]

“Part 2” will include my tasting notes, the impact of vintage variations, particularly weather, and stylistic changes across vintages, along with personal quotes and my overall impression.

Judging for Women in Business 2020 – The Stevie® Awards

I’m delighted to be Judge, and on the “Media Awards Committee” in this year’s for Women in Business 2020 – The Stevie® Awards, which are the world’s premier business awards. Stevie Award judges include the world’s most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators.

Judging of the 2020 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business will be conducted by more than 200 members of seven judging committees through September. Jurors’ average scores will determine Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements.

I’m in the process of judging, and I’m quite impressed by the level of applicants and their accomplishments!

 

2020 Stevie Awards: https://stevieawards.com/women/media-awards-judging-committee