Liam Gallagher's Mexican Standoff

Liam Gallagher with The FA Cup

I had one of the greatest experiences of my life last fall, bumping into Liam Gallagher on his birthday. Never mind that "Definitely Maybe" was one of my most revered records during my formative years. Never mind that he was perhaps the last of the line of great and destructive rock icons that once defined the genre. Nope, what I was really stoked about was chirping one of Manchester City's most famed and ardent supporters. At the time United was once again top of the table in the Premiership, buoyed by a strong start from a new generation of United youngsters such as Tom Cleverly, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, and Phil Jones. A team that won the title with one of its oldest teams the year before was once again turning heads with a starting 11 that boasted an average age of 23. I asked Liam how it felt looking up at United once again, in spite of the billion dollars in oil money that had been spent to try and buy their way to the top. I half expected my next question would be for the bit of floor my face was sure to be pressed upon. Instead I was treated to the afternoon of a lifetime.

Perhaps having his wife and child sitting at the nearest table came to be my fortune, or perhaps curiousity about having a sports conversation with a Canadian that didn't centre around hockey. I'd like to think it was the tequila however, and a love of the beautiful game that lead to two rivals sitting down for an hours peaceful discourse.

Imagine my surprise as he heaped praise on Sir Alex Ferguson. His methodology for empire building was something he truly respected. Despite the fact that his City boys had secured the most star studded lineup on the planet, he remained unconvinced they had the intangibles upon which United had built 3 decades of world domination. When it came up he was celebrating his birthday, I insisted upon buying him a drink.

"Anything Patron" he said.

Now, I could have simply obliged, but thats really just not my style. I instead ordered up two Tromba Blanco's, and gave a brief lesson on why. While Patron is undoubtedly top class tequila, I have a personal resistance to overpaying on products that incorporate too large a branding cost into their product. It has nothing to do with the hipster aesthetic of avoiding products I see on billboards, rather simple Ukranian numbers crunching. In Odessa, they throw around nickles like they're man-hole covers, and this here Ukie has no interest in paying for billboard adverts when getting off my ass drunk.. Tromba however, is the kind of underdog story I find truly inspiring. Unlike the Avion's of the world, making their name from product placement in a past its prime HBO series, here was a great product, from the former master distiller at Don Julio, in a slick package, that simply sold itself. One drink in, and Liam was onboard for an hour of tequila shots and football talk.

We talked everything football. From the plight of the national team, to the failures of the modern footballer, to our vastly different experiences in having seen an Old Trafford Matchday live. Completely absent was the snarly ego that defined his musical persona, instead he was engaging, thoughtful and fully passionate about the game. You really have to give credit to City fans. 4 decades removed from their last trophy at any level, their's is a support of the most noble and loyal pedigree. Living in Manchester, the home of the world's biggest football club, whose legend has been built upon on an unparralelled degree of excellence, it would be easy to slide into a comfy red kit and join that most fantastic chorous. But instead City fans remain true to their childhood walks to Eastlands. Their blue colar, boyhood club. As a Hamilton Tiger Cat season seat holder, I can respect that loyalty. It comes from a place most sports fans cannot even fathom.

Sixty minutes and half a bottle of Tromba later, I felt I should probably allow his family some Liam time. It was the man's birthday afterall, and I was simply amazed at the courtesy he showed by indulging me so much. I wished him nothing but success in securing second place, and made my way home.

I was reminded of Liam's newfound tequila this morning, when Tromba's Canadian face came into One today to talk shop. Eric Brass is literally the driving force behind this brand's success. It was only a year ago that he was literally going around with bottles of Tromba in his backpack to venues throughout the city and in the process secured such prolific accounts as One Restaurant, the Thompson Hotel and Reposado. Over the next months it would be enjoyed by the likes of Lennox Lewis and Liam Gallagher and found an ever growing cult following. From those humble beginnings, I am happy to let you all know that Tromba has achieved that most unattainable goal in the world of spirits and has been listed by the worlds largest buyer, the LCBO. Thats correct. You can now enjoy this fantastic tequila in your own home simply by going to your nearest LCBO location. Its no small feat. And its very well deserved. But dont take my word for it. Or Liam Gallagher's. Just go get some.

Man vs. Man vs. Sandwich

The concept of the duel is as old as life itself. From crusty long-horned rams to dirty Spainiards with floppy swords, dudes of one form or another have settled their testosterone driven need for oneupmanship in this honorable tradition for thousands of years. Modern man also seems to have a particular fascination regarding glutony. From hot dog eating championships to unmentionable darkness of the dairy challenge to television accidents such as Man Vs. Food, we Homo Sapiens long to celebrate the prowess of overwhelming ones abdominal cavity. In this vein, Brandon Bassett (manager at Toronto's Marben Restaurant) discovered this poster, promptly slapped me accross the face with a particularly lengthy cut of corned beef, and a new duel was upon us.

For the folks at the Corned Beef House (located at John & Adelaide in Toronto), this was business as usual. This contest of colon-wrenching debauchery is a weekly event. The idea is simple enough. Its a game of man vs. sandwich. One mere mortal against 40 oz.'s (thats 2 and a half pounds for the mathmatically challenged) of delicious corned beef. To the winner goes a free lunch, to the loser a $30 bill to pay, and to both significant issues with your intestinal track. In spirit its not such a bad wager. Anyone privy to the super sandwich magic that goes on inside these hallowed walls knows that there isnt a better smoked meat deli in the city (we are no Montreal).

But I did not become this awesome without a sharp grasp of reality, and this was a contest neither of us were going to win. Unless of course we changed the game. It wasnt man vs sandwich. It was man vs. man vs. sandwich. Five pounds of corned beef to be spread evenly through 2 plates, each accompanied by 4 slices of bread, and a whole pickle cut in half. We would have 60 minutes to wage our battle, and in the end our plates would be weighted. To the winner, free lunch and satisfaction of victory. To the loser, 2 bills and the shame of defeat. To both, toilets that would be punching in some overtime on their timecards.

The Face of Fear

At last it was gametime. Jermaine, the admirable referee ushered in a silence of the room. The PA began to pump out a Michael Buffer introduction, giving way to musical atmosphere courtesy of the battle tested anthem "Eye of The Tiger". In his hands...our undoing.

In the mouth of madness

For the first twenty minutes or so, it was pretty smooth sailing. The energy of the crowd (which had indeed gathered to witness our gastronomic penis measuring contest), the words of encouragement from Jermaine, our most noble of hosts and the sheer deliciousness of the corned beef was enough to buoy us forward. The hardest part early on was indeed figuring out exactly how to eat this monstrosity. Truly it seemed most efficient to twirl the meat round my fork like it was spaghetti. I wish that wasnt true. But it was.

Eye of The Tiger

By the 20 minute mark, some new guests had joined the gallery. "Are you guys from Man Vs. Food or something?". Insulting, but fairplay given the foolish nature of our endeavor. In unison we mumbled yes, and thus began a new series of pictures, and twitter updates. Im sure it made their day. Brandon dropped a piece to the floor, which he grabbed and placed in a corner of his plate, marking it as "not to be eaten". A young lady watching intently noted that "If you had eaten that, you would have gotten laid tonight". Unfortunately for the young lady, that just wasn't meant to be.

Approaching the 30 minute mark, I sensed that Brandon's pace had slowed. I seized the opportunity for some psychological warfare (and some straight up old school showmanship) and began dancing around my stool. As if a man possessed I channeled my inner Ali and begain to chant "I'm gonna dance! I'm gonna dance! George cant hurt me. George cant catch me!" Either I had seen "When We Were Kings" a few too many times, or the pound of corned beef in my belly had began to induce delerium. You can flip a coin on that one.

The last 20 minutes was a sheer testament to spite and willpower. We had both aknowledged that the very taste of corned beef had become vomit inducing. Every swallow was a fight to supress the gag reflex. We had been reduced to eating the tiniest of portions at a time. Brandon noted that he even began choosing only the leanest morsels, in attempt to thwart the hardened battle axe of the fatty cuts. Suddenly the bread and pickle became our greatest ally, as we werent exactly full, but needed something, ANYTHING, to mask the taste senstation of the demonic corned beef. With less than 5 minutes to go, Brandon sealed his fate by noting pickle weighed in alot more than the beef either of us could still eat. It was a moment of cartoonish serendipity for myself, comeplete with the animated lightbulb springing up beside my head. While adverse to even the smallest bite of corned beef, I was however all over marving my entire pickle quota. Brandon on the other hand could stomach neither. The lesson here kids. Shut your mouth.

The Weigh In...and The Winner.

We stumbled haphazardly toward the counter to get the weigh in. Our plates were in virtual symetry, minus of course any remnant of pickle on my entry. Then it came in. A hair under 2 pounds of consumption, and 2 miniscule ounces clear of my opponent....I was victorious! Alas there was little to celebrate. Sure, Brandon was stuck with the bill. And sure, I had all the bragging rights entitled to the winner, the newly ordained champion of the hour. But spite Willy, is the word of your undoing.

I wont bore you with the agony of the hours that followed. You can imagine that well enough for yourself. What shouldnt be lost in all of this however is that this entire dance with debauchery came about and was made plausible by the overwhelming deliciousness of our hosts. I would strongly recommend NOT eating 2 and a half pounds of the stuff but the Corned Beef House puts out one hell of a sandwich. Their rueben is to die for. Or at least to moan in gluton induced sleep deprived agony for. And it means those of us who long for Schwartz's dont have to rely on the mediocrity of Caplansky's while we wait for Celine Dion to butcher Montreal's most iconic deli.  Its part of an overwhelming sandwich revolution sweeping this city. From the folks at Porchetta and Co. whose takeout shop was billed in the top 5 restaurants of the year in Toronto. To the Banh Mi Boys of Spadina. To the burger accolades dripping over top of the Burger's Priest. To the little known but super awesome Garage at Pusateri's in the Village. Toronto is a sandwich town without equal. Get it in ya!

The Sommelier's Guide To The Best Records of 2011

Welcome aboard the second edition of the Sommelier's Guide to the Records of The Year. A slight tweak in format to keep things fresh. Instead of pairing our best records with their star crossed beverage, I'll be going one for one, counting down each of the best records of 2011 along in tandem with the best respective wines I tasted this past calender year. In all it was not an incredible vintage on the musical side, especially following the phenomenal class of 2010. Yet still no shortage of good listens all in all. The class of wines however is about as fuckwitable as the Wu Tang Clan. Drink up drink up let me fill your cup.

1. PORTUGAL, THE MAN - In The Mountain In The Cloud 
PAIRING - 2002 Bollinger Rose, Champagne, France
The unmistakeable trajectory of this band is finally impossible to ignore. As complete an album as I've heard in years, the evolution of their sound has absolutely flowered into an experience thats both fresh and familiar in the same note. With every listen, the mountain becomes a new home which you never want to leave. Instant classic.

The Bollinger rose from 2002 is sinply luxury in every way. The world of spirits is littered with high end glamour products, not worth the money beyond the vanity factor to pay the price. Like Louis XIII, this bubbly wonder is the heavenly exception that is worth every considerable dollar. Delicious, as complex as the tower of Babel, and with the finish of a Mortal Kombat champion, this is hands down the best thing I have ever drank. 95 points.

Portugal, The Man - So American
Portugal, The Man - Got It All

2. THE BLACK KEYS - El Camino
PAIRING - 2009 Domaine Du Pegau Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone Valley, France 

Another band following that arc of a band rocketing to new heights from their years of launching through relative obscurity, for the 2nd straight year they deliver a classic record to adoring masses hungry for their infectious brand of blues rock. Reunited with Danger Mouse, they've taken the blueprint of Brothers and melded it with the stylistic ambience that made Attack & Release their coming of age. Little Black Submarines may be the best song they've ever recorded.

Robert Parker has given this young blockbuster a stratespheric score of 97 points. I wont go that high, but I will call this a legend in waiting. 10 years from now tis will be amongst the most prized wines on the planet. 95 points.

 The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines

3. COMMON - The Dreamer The Believer
PAIRING - 1982 Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France

I'll confess to not being Common's biggest fan. I've long respected his skillset, but I've just never gotten hooked by the vibe of his previous work for an entire album. Until his Christmas present to hip hop he unleashed upon us 2 months back. Finally he has tied his considerable talent and flow to a collection of tracks I just keep going back to. He also kicks some considerable ass in TV's Hell On Wheels.

Chateau Margaux is the epitome of the force behind Bordeaux's place as the most revered reds on the planet. This 1982 is showing signs of fading with age (based on 2 tastes 8 months apart) yet has all the muscle and grace that defines its appelation. 94 points.

Common - Sweet
Common - Lovin I Lost



4. SAIGON - The Greatest Story Never Told
PAIRING - 1982 Chateau Haut-Brion, Bordeaux, France

I would have never guessed a Saigon record would become a personal favourite, but this record is much more about the achievement of producer Just Blaze than it is a testament to the MC. Track after track of incredible jams begins to illustrate that any capable MC can reach the higher level in the hands of top class production. An AZ for a new generation. Make no mistake, this is the definitive arrival of Just Blaze. Sprinkle in some rock solid cameos from the likes of Jay Z, Q Tip and Fatman Scoop and you've got the surprise record of the season.

Another iconic Bordeaux running full stride into its Clooney years. Unlike Pauillacs and Margeauxs, which are cabernets for the entire world, wines from the commune of Graves remain cabernets distinctly for fans of the old world. You can literally taste the ground from which it came, especially in this distinguished age where its lucious fruit has now faded to grey, unveiling a new beauty, both gritty and warm. 94 points.

Saigon ft Faith Evans - Clap





5. BUCK 65 - 20 Odd Years
PAIRING - NV Tarlant Brut Zero, Champagne, France

One of the years earlier releases, this one has stuck with me the entire year. Likely the most complete Buck 65 records of his entire career, it rarely achieves greatness, yet never stops delivering a constant rush of solid and unique musical experiences that together raise the sum above its individual parts. By far the years best use of cameos, the result is singularly wonderful marriages each and every time.

Without peer, Tarlant is the pre-eminant value wine in all of Champagne. This racy wonder is a celebration of sparkling wine that bubbles all the way down to the peasants. Or at least the borgeoisie. 94 points.

Buck 65 - Zombie Delight



6. BAYSIDE - Killing Time
PAIRING - 2007 - Chateau De Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape, Rhone Valley, France

While bands like Alkaline Trio and Jimmy Eat World begin their descent into old age, Bayside has continually risen over the past five years as the most engaging and unique acts in pop punk. The dark twists and unparalelled songcraft continue once again, keeping the dream alive for the tragically hopeful meloncholy kids, whose headphone catharsis requires that special personal trainer.

I tasted my first bottle of my collection of 07 Beaucastel's, and I wont have another for 5 years. I'm already jonesing. Grenache's holy greatness giving sermon on the mount. 94 points.

Bayside - On Love On Life





7. PHONTE - Charity Starts At Home
PAIRING - 2004 Antinori Brunello, Tuscany, Italy

Phonte's undeniable charm elevates this record more with every listen. The Little Brother MC had a big year in 2011, not only with his debut LP, but with notable cameos for the like of The Roots and Pharoahe Monch. Here, he shines through a set of  R&B so smooth, breakfast cooks may attempt to use it to grease their pans.

A classic vintage and a classic producer, truly entering its prime. Equal parts power and finesse, it genuinely runs the full range of sangiovese's character from rich fruit to chalky tannins laced through bracing acidity.

Phonte - Sending My Love



8. BLUEPRINT - Adventures In Counter Culture
PAIRING - 2006 Bouchard Pere Et Fils L'Enfant Jesus, Burgundy, France 

After quietly slipping in the Blueprint Who EP at the end of last year, Print wasted mo time or momentum in unleashing his new full length and hitting the road throughout North America opening for Atmosphere. Once again you see an artist fully embracing new dimensions, with this synth driven hip hop opus. While it may not be his greatest, tracks like So Alive and Radio Inactive remind you at once, exactly why you took the time to know Al in the first place.

Red Burgundy is that elusive experience thats equal parts hedonism and poetry. Bouchard garnered yet another Winery of the Year award this past year and as one of Burgundy's most decorated houses, its little wonder their monopole, L'enfant Jesus, strikes those chords you never knew existed.  Drinking from a wine like this must be as the deaf, cured in attendance of the greatest of opera. Throw down some duck and call it a day.93 points.

Blueprint - So Alive





9. AMY WINEHOUSE - Lioness: Hidden Treasures
PAIRING - 1978 Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux, France

Odd to consider this a top 10 record. Thats either teastament to the thin class of 2011 or the class of Miss Winehouse herself, whose final years of alcohol abuse still managed to crap out a collection of tunes this enjoyable. While lacking the blockbuster appeal of her hits, on display throughout is an ability to simply electrify even the most uninspired efforts into something worldclass.

Pauillac is my favourite Bordeaux commune but Pontet Canet is more my financial reach rather than the noble neighbors like Rothschild. Getting to try one of the worlds most expensive wines, from a vintage older than myself was a true experience. 93 points.

Amy Winehouse Ft Nas - Like Smoke



10. THE ROOTS - Undun
PAIRING - 2006 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet, Napa Valley, United States

Its staggering to think that this marks over a dozen studio releases from The Roots and even more incredible, their penchant throughout their career for forging a catalog that never fails to deliver. They dont make your song of the year, but their records have been warming up rooms for decades. Yet another example of reliable, thought provoking musical theatre bouncing to a style thats all their own.

The best Napa Cab I have ever tasted. Their focus on creating distinct terroirs for each label brings an old world savy to the ripest of new world fruit. Nowhere is this as evident as in their Volcanic Hill vineyard, which echoes that same minerality as best exemplified on the volcanic slopes of Campania's Mt Etna. A stunning achievement. 93 points.

The Roots - Kool On



11. THE STEP KIDS - The Stepkids
PAIRING - 2005 Pontet Canet, Bordeaux, France

A shockingly slick and innovative debut record. Fresh, funky, and refined. Baby making music on LSD. You know that record that comes along once in awhile that you like almost exclusively because its cooler than you are? Meet another. 

The most stunning modern Bordeaux vintage thats presently drinking (much hyped 2009 & 2010's need many years before its worth popping cork), the value house in elite wine delivers Tesseron's best work to date. I have been thirsting over Pontet Canet's since the 2001 vintage and this one is every bit the equal of its $1500 a bottle neighbors. Yet at $100 you can drink the wine of kings without selling your car. Alas though, all this great wine is making waves...the 2009's are up to $200 on futures and you can tack on another $100 on that for the 2010's. The secret is out. 93 points.

The Stepkids - Suburban Dream







12. CITY & COLOUR - Little Hell
PAIRING - 1990 Louis Latour Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France

I'm a tad shamed by admitting this, mostly because as a human being, Dallas was amongst the more douchey folks I ever dealt with in the concert business. But his talent is unmistakable. He elevated each new Alexisonfire record, the more that they showcased his vocals. And while he may fancy himself emo's answer to Michael Jackson, he delivers a mature upgrade to the evolution of his dolo catalog with Little Hell. Electrifying his accoustic past comes to dazzling effect and at times is hauntingly remeniscent of Neil Young gems of yesteryear. I'm sad and shocked...but I like this record.

There's little in life as fragile as old burgundy. No decanter. No doddling over conversation. Just get it into your mouth while the ancient poet still has the lungs to speak to you. When its over, you will contemplate. Stunned even. Trying to put together the pieces of your mind having been blown away. 93 points.

City & Colour - Fragile Bird







13. BLU - Jesus
PAIRING - 2007 Les Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir, Niagara, Canada

If not for the shockingly poor recording, even by mixtape standards, this might have been the record of the year. Even in spite of the questionable sound quality, this record rains new blood into the hip hop vampire. Blu's knack for original lyrical style fused over tantilizing old soul and wall of sound era melodies makes him the most exciting young mc in the game where I'm standing. Cant wait for next.

2007 will long be remembered for Niagara wine lovers as the vintage our reds finally achieved greatness. The evidence is abound throughout the region, but the Clos Jordanne is a particular stunner, with all the classic character of Burgundy pinot, grown here at our doorstep. 92 points.

Blu - Lucky



14. THE AGGROLITES - Rugged Road
PAIRING - 2009 Kistler Les Noisettiers Chardonnay, Sonoma County, United States

The shortest Aggro record of their career but its hard to begrudge given their now bursting catalog and their commitment to touring. Their live show continues to be amongst the best in the world, and the new record adds new classics into the mix. Its amazing to think how a bands weakest record to date could still be so much better than most of whats out there.

Nowhere outside Burgundy itself can you find a chardonnay this perfect. So much complexity, so much buttery softness yet driven by a spine of minerality that commands attention both from the wine as well as the consumer. Breathtaking. 92 points.

The Aggrolites - Aggro Band Plays On



15. CUT COPY - Zonoscope
PAIRING - 2009 Westrey Pinot Noir, Oregon, United States

The hype machine drilled one of the records best tracks into commercial-use irritability, but make no mistake, this record is no one trick pony. Building from their impressive debut, this sophmore release oozes sensible pop through the dancable charms of the 1980's. At times the sounds border on too familiar but in all, its just very smooth from beginning to end.

I will admit some bias here, haven spent an afternoon slugging chardonnay with owner David Autrey during his last visit to Toronto. The fact that he shares my passion for burgundy grapes and has the same vision for his local region as I do here for Niagara takes nothing away from the simple truth that this is a world class pinot noir. Burgundy geeks take note. Home. 92 points.

Cut Copy - Take Me Over



16. THE DRUMS -=Portamento
PAIRING - 2006 Poggio Antico Brunello, Tuscany, Italy

While definitively a step back from their now iconic debut, this record still displays sufficient charm to keep you coming back. While they keep to form on this followup, I cant help but feel some extra time writing new material could have delivered us a better record and left the considerable scraps on the cutting room floor. But its their art, so what do I knowÉ

Perhaps not yet at its peak, but every bit the considerable monster that a tasty brunello should be. With wood oven pizza and San Marzano abound our fair city these days, I feel it would be wise to carry something like this around me, just to be ready. 92 points.

The Drums - Hard To Love


And that brings us to the end once again. There`s a bunch that didnt quite make the grade. Records from Talib, Lupe Fiasco, Face To Face, She Wants Revenge, Killer Mike, Cake, J Cole, Stephen Marley, Childish Gambino, August Burns Red, Fucked Up, REM, Bright Eyes, Raekwon, The Strokes and The Beastie Boys all posessed their respective charm. In contrast efforts from Rise Against, Travis Barker, Blink 182, Chuck Ragan, The Get Up Kids, Radiohead, The Moiuntain Goats and the Alkaline Trio all fell pretty flat. At least we have 2010.

Now get drunk and go dancing! Its Saturday night!

The Rhone & Revival

Its with a certain degree of shame and self-loathing that I realize it has been an entire calender year since I updated the webpages of the Red Devil. Nothing like launching ones blog to a gala tasting, the debut of the new Maker's Mark brand to its first Canadian audience, to the reception of a packed house in addition to print and radio media, spiking 2000 views for the first time, only to entirely stop updating content altogether. I know. I  genius. I only hope that any audience, still not entirely bored of the concept may trust that spending the past year getting certified as a sommelier, touring throughout the UK, and having my face engraved into a bottle of bourbon, will provide enough fodder and inspiration to reward their substantial patience with a tapas assortment of delicious wordbites to snack upon. Manchester United are 19 times and reigning champions of England. And The Red Devil is back online.

Without a doubt one of the most rewarding aspects of my life as a young sommelier is the opportunity to work alongside the Halpern Wine Agency when they host their frequent tasting showcases at One Restaurant. They are some of the best people in the wine trade and their portfolio is second to none in the Canadian market. I'm not going to lie there are worse things in life than stepping off of a plane from Cuba, and stepping into a tasting featuring the majestic Alexander Cabernet from Silver Oak. California cabs are probably the most overplayed wine style in North America (thank you Bay Street), but the iconic producers shed some light on this fascination. Given the right production, and enough time in the bottle, a top drawer California Cabernet delivers the type of complexity reserved almost exclusively for lighter bodied pinots, nebbiolos and sangioveses. Yet this trip through fancypants boulevard is driven by the most delicious of ripe fruit that draws so many to the world of full bodied reds. The Silver Oak, while definitely a wine priced for the One Percenters, most definitely qualifies. If you want to experience this trip on a budget, despair not however my frugal commrade, for Vintages just released the Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet. Approachable at $32, this guy will deliver in the same vein. Or you can meet in the middle with the new vintage of The Caymus Cabernet, also newly released by Vintages (though my advice with the Caymus would be to cellar for at least 3 years before drinking....all that ripe fruit needs to simmer down before really spreading its wings as a world class wine).

This week, the Halpern team delivered an even more exhilerating tasting event with their showcase of the Rhone Valley in France. 5 of the Rhone's top producers crossed the pond to deliver their wines to the Toronto market and it was one of my favourite wine events in recent memory. The inescapable buzz of the afternoon surrounded the accolades accompanying the 2009 Pegau Chateauneuf Du Pape, which Robert Parker has described as a hypothetical blend of the 2000 & 2003 vintages, scoring a nearly unprecedented 97 points. Laurence Feraud's new blockbuster was certainly up to the hype. Even in its relative infancy (Chateauneufs are amongst the longest legged animals in the world wine. These wines are so dense they need at least 5 years to begin to show their true colors, at least for a young a pallette as my own) this wine burst out with the rustic charms that encapsulate the epitome of the style. Smoked herbs and garrigue drive a bottom end that acts as Atlas to a globe of rich cassis, blackberries and kirch with a polar cap of peking duck. Laurence herself was every bit the equal as ambassador to her majestic wine. It was wine geek nirvana to get notes on the 2007 Feraud Chateauneuf I had tucked in my home cellar and to spend a few minutes waxing poetic on my favourite red grape, grenache. Its nice to hear that the product of generations of esteemed french winemaking shares your passion for the wines of Priorat, and it was invaluable to hear her insights into enjoying the grenache driven wines of the Southern Rhone. I confessed to my ideal preference of drinking Chateauneufs between the ages of 10 and 15. She challenged me to try them out at 20-25 to really see some magic. I dont know that I have the patience.

All this talk of Chateauneuf's still detracts from the greatest gift of the Rhone, which is truly rich value wines. While not Bentley's of the wine world, Chateauneufs are certainly the cadillacs, and the rest of us deserve a good drive now and again. Thankfully the Rhone is the ideal test drive in that regard.

Cotes Du Rhone is the primary example of value driven grenache-based french reds that continually provide the wines of the elite to the huddled masses. Examples from Feraud and Domaine De Crista were sterling tastings under the $20 mark. Yet the Southern Rhone's best value was presented by Michel Gassier. Unbelievably rich Gigondas and Vacqueyras were buzzing around the room, but for my money their real stars were their Costieres De Nimes. In particular the mourvedre dominant 2007 vintage, which was about as complex a wine as I have experienced under the $50 mark (way under). Both the 2007 & 2009 vintages, selling as low as $19 were simply stunning beyond their class.

Of course, you cannot talk Rhone Valley without talking the Syrah's of the North. This is where the wines of Paul Jaboulet took the stage. Its no surprise given the reputation of Jaboulet in the world of wines. Their Parallel 45 Cotes Du Rhone is one of the few LCBO General List wines I allow in my personal collection. At one point Michel Gassier himself came to their table confessing to have adored his trip to their house the previous year. Their Crozes-Hermitages and Petite Chapelle Hermitages were archetypal hommages to their respective terroirs. Unrepressive minerality and varietal specific pepper abound throughout notes of dark cherries and ripe berries. Yet perhaps the secret weapon was the only white wine of the day, the Jaboulet Crozes Hermitages Les Jalets Blanc. 100% Marssanne, this was a wine all about lucious velvet on a bed of sharp minerality. One of the best whites I have ever had under $30, its exactly why more people need to discover rhone valley whites. Bored of white burgundy? Give this a run for your money.

Bases on the response of the liscensees in attendance, these wines will be littered all over the wine lists of Toronto's best restaurants in no time. Do yourself the favour of getting onboard.

In closing, its great to be back. Drinking all that wine means nothing if I cannot share it with at least a few of you. Stay tuned as we are on the verge of announcing our second annual whiskey tasting featuring the best of Kentucky Bourbon and single malt scotch. You want to be there. And dont miss United's clash against Anfield scum Saturday morning. After the exalting comeback from 3 goals behind at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, the Red Devils are staring down their 20th English title. Believe.