Having taken in the majority of the tenth annual SANTÉ Wine Festival this past week, I can honestly say I’m a little burned out.

International Wine Tasting

My involvement started late Wednesday afternoon at CARLU, where the festival’s international wine tasting showcased 74 wineries from 12 countries, including a strong showing from both California and Australia.

Despite it being a trade tasting – the public tasting didn’t start until 7:00 pm – the floor was a humdrum of activity as industry professionals wandered from table to table sampling various varietals and scribbling feverishly in their notebooks. I will mention, however, that of the group, I noticed surprisingly few people spit, which would indicate that despite the presence of numerous silver buckets, swallowing is just more fun when the venue sits atop a subway hub and there is more than enough food and S. Pellegrino to go around. One got the feeling by the warm glows and friendly banter that the event was a rather large success.

Of the hundreds of wines to choose from that afternoon, there were, no doubt, a few noteworthy ones. They were:

Dog Ridge

MVP Shiraz 2004

Australia

Fita Preta Vinhous

Preta 2005

Portugal

Sexy

Rose 2006

Portugal

Clos Du Bois

Pinot Grigio 2006

Sonoma County, CA

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

Shiraz Cab 2005

California Crusin’

Thursday night saw the Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) Crystal & Currelly Galleries alive with both the down tempo beats of DJ/VJ Christian Skjodt and the chatter of 400 oenophiles, sampling the offerings of 27 of California’s finest wineries. Surrounded by dinosaurs, sculptures and murals, the fashionable crowd mixed and mingled in gala-like fashion around sampling tables, on numerous oversized couches and in lineups for delicious tastes of Californian cuisine, crafted by Chef Ben Heaton of Globe Bistro, Chef Gordon Mackie of Far Niente, and Reds Bistro’s Chef Michael Steh. (The comments I overheard about the food included: “amazing” and “wow”.)

While the long food lines combined with my aversion to waiting ensured that my stomach remained empty save for a few pieces of what I admit were some of the most delicious cheeses I’ve ever tasted – God bless French Canadian monks and the Dairy Farmers of Canada – the night offered attendees a brilliant overview of what to expect from the Golden State in 2008. It was also successful in giving those with some foresight a sneak peak into a few wineries to watch for in the future. It also awarded one lucky wine-bibber an all expense paid trip for two to California, courtesy of Air Canada and the California Travel and Tourism Commission.

Now I do not claim to be a wine expert, rather just a foodservice editor who enjoys the fruit of the vine. Of California wines, however, I have never been a huge fan. What Thursday night did for me was open my eyes to a number of quality wines, all of which will grace my palate again in the near future.

They were (all Californian):

The Hess Collection

Artezin Zinfandel 2006

Sequoia Grove Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Robert Craig Wine Cellars

Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Paul Dolan / Parducci

Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Ironstone Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

It should be noted that the Starbucks table was as popular a spot as any in the house, offering attendees a much needed cup of coffee at the end of the night.

SANTÉ Down Under

In my opinion, the highlight of the festival took place on Friday night at the University of Toronto’s magnificent Hart House. Come nightfall the outdoor courtyard was breathtaking, it stone walls touched with pale blue lights and two white sails strategically placed at the end of the long walkway just before the entrance of the tent.

Celebrity chef Anthony Sedlak worked the Australian BBQ, serving mouthwatering lamb and polenta dressed in a tomato sauce and a side of mint pesto.

Both inside the tent and into the auditorium, 18 wineries from Down Under poured generous samples of what for the most part were big, fruity wines. Once again, attendees – the majority of who were carrying Starbucks gift bags – jotted notes and went back two or three times to visit their favourite tables.

Celebrity spotting: Bo Bridges (brother of Jeff Bridges)

The hits of the night (all Australian):

Yellow Tail

Bubbles

Wonambi

Shiraz 2004

St. Hallett

GST Grenach Shiraz Touriga 2006

Katnook Founders Block

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

SANTÉ Finalé

While probably the least appealing of the venues, Yorkville’s Hazelton Lanes hosted Celebrating the 10^th on the 10^th, the festival finale. Moving to the beat of a live jazz band, attendees sampled foods from Bon Appetit’s Executive Chef Cat Cora, Holt Café’s Corbin Tomaszeski, the Food Network’s Anna Olson and Spice Room and Manyata’s Chef Greg Coulliard and tasted wines chosen especially for the event.

Once again, the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s cheese table tantalized the eclectic crowd of swish and spitters and Starbucks handed out packages of coffee.

Come 11:00, the night had quieted down and the majority of the evening’s guests had moved on to various other venues around the city, no doubt with a list of wines to buy and every intention of doing it again next year.

Finalé noteables:

Cookoothama

Botrytis Semillon 2006

Australia

Villa Sandi

Prosecco

Italy

Grant Burge Wines

The Holy Trinity Pinot Noir 2003

Australia

Fonesca

Terra Prima Reserve Organic Port

Portugal