The Deacon Attends the 2011 Wine and Cheese Show!

Why am I the only one who truly understands this event?

Just got in from the 2011 Wine and Cheese Show, and you need to buy a ticket and get out there ASAP. The Deaconess and I always crash the event and I can say without fear of hyperbole, this was 60 trillion times better than ever! I always get there early, and dive into the food with both feet, and today was no exsepshun! I plowed the Black Freighter into the side of Hall 5 of the International Centre, and hit the ground running and didn't stop for about 3 hours of high-end engorgement, including Dim Sum, oysters, veal, and tons of cheese and gallons of beer and wine, including my perennial faves, Rickard's White, and Creemore Pilsner. What made our visit better than anyone else's, was the fact that we were prepared...and I aint talkin' about condoms! We showed up with recently purchased solid maple glass holders with a built-in table that you can walk around with and eat and drink effortlessly, while freeing up a hand to flip the bird at any Keswickians you see. The Deaconess bought these little numbers at Crate and Barrel for about 10 bucks each. They're really lurch, cause you can hold about a thousand drink tickets and some serviettes against the bottom and still maneuver around without spilling anything. At least 20 people approached us and asked "Where did you get those? They're awesome!" I told them that they were supposed to get one free when they came in and sent them to the door, causing untold hilarity and amusing disappointment all round. This was a really nicely put together event and the organizers need to be commended, and if you like wine, cheese, or both, you'll think you've died and taken the last Go Train to Elysian Fields.

High points include seeing the ever-hot Ange Aiello of iYellow Wine Club and iYellow Wine School, who was getting ready to present one of her popular seminars, and blond mega-babe, Sue-Ann Staff, who's still recovering from nearly two dozen bee stings...(ahem). I guess it was a matter of catastrophic colony collapse... BTW...Sue-Ann has her own winery now, and it's about effing time! You can find this lurch and ever perky winemaker at Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, in Jordan. Your Deacon and Deaconess lub you and wish you well.

On other notes, I loved the Cabernet Franc I sampled from Viewpointe Estate Winery. It was very friendly and approachable and provided a soft mouthful of berry flavours; a very lively little wine that was drinkable without food. Imagine Justin Bieber if he was female and had talent. Viewpointe is another Lake Erie North Shore winery, like Colio, and I expect more great drinkables from them in the future. I think they can actually be huge...all it will take is a briefcase full of cash, left on the foredeck of the Black Freighter on a moonless night. You heard me.

Fielding had their usual delicious Pinot Gris, which is still my favourite Gris or Grigio ever, espeshully since much wine from this grape becomes jank and frivolous...sort of a Merlot Blanc. Make sure you check it out. Also noteworthy was Barefoot Bubbly. Another Pinot Gris but with fizz. For 12 bucks and change it was well worth the coin. 

We also bought really cool flying monkey t-shirts from Flying Monkey Craft Brewery. Check them out here.

All in all, a great afternoon. There's still time to attend, so get your info here. Kudos to the organizers and exhibitors. See you all next year, and make sure you buy one of those little trays.

Deacon Dr. Fresh

Samuel Johnson and Hunter S. Thompson rolled into one