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We have recently joined forces nationally with the other Canadian Chapters of CAPS.
You can find the main web site here.
Welcome to the website of the Atlantic Canada Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers - CAPS - Atlantic. (updated August 30, 2012)
NEWS
Best Sommelier of Canada Gala Dinner
When: Tuesday, September 18th, 7:00
Where: Bluenose Ballroom, Delta Halifax, Halifax
Cost: $125.00+tax+tip/person (Non-By the Glass email recipients: $150.00+tax+tip)
Includes: Invititation to attend Best Sommelier of Canada Competition Finale (1:00-4:30), Pre-dinner Wine Tasting (5:00-7:00), 6 courses, 6 super-premium wines (all over $50 retail) including Champagne reception (and we don't mean sparkling wine. Real Champagne).
Book: HERE
This September, Halifax welcomes the country's top sommeliers for the Best of Sommelier of Canada competition. This bi-annual competition pits the finest wine professionals in Canada in a two-day contest to determine who will represent Canada at the world championships in Tokyo. Included in your dinner ticket is an invitation to the competition finale, and a pre-dinner wine tasting. Come taste and sip wine with the country's best wine professionals including all three of Canada's Master Sommeliers.
For more information
bytheglass@eastlink.ca or by clicking HERE
Methode Champenoise Master Class
When: Tuesday, September 18th, 10:00 am
Where: Delta Halifax, Halifax
Cost: $40.00+tax
Discover why Nova Scotia is poised to become the "Next Champagne". Benjamin Bridge is graciously flying in their lead consultant, Peter Gamble, to host a 2-hour Master Class on methode champenoise sparkling wines. This informative class is designed for wine professionals but may appeal to wine enthusiasts with a thirst for knowledge. This eye opening lecture and tasting featuring Benjamin Bridge's reserve methode champenoise sparkling wines and a super premium prestige cuvee from Champagne is certain to open your eyes to the potential of Nova Scotia to become the world's next great sparkling wine region.
Atlantic Canada Wine Symposium
This should be of interest to you all. It is a pretty important event. There are some very impressive speakers at this symposium. It's not just about Atlantic wine. There will be key speakers from Ontario, BC, and the Finger Lakes.
Always lots of interesting wine to taste...
http://atlanticwinesymposium.ca/
...has everything you need to know about the symposium
Those of you who are interested in being involved can approach the main organizers; Janice Ruddock: janice@tasteofnovascotia.com, or Conference Manager Sandie Currie: sandiecurrie@accesswave.ca
Upcoming Courses
The information for the next Sensory Development and Wine Styles Module (the new name for the first professional track course) is up under Education and Courses.
The winter 2012 course filled up right away, so another was offered right away, and a wait list is on for the next one.
Note that space for this class is limited to 16 people. Any additional will be placed on a waiting list and notified should space open up.
Here are a few details.
Course Title: Sensory Development & Wine Styles
Course Fee: $775.00 + HST (15%) = $891.25
Course Location: Dalhousie University Club (Alumni Crescent off of South Street, Halifax, NS)
Start Date: Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Couse Time: 5:30pm – 8:30 pm
Duration: 10 weeks
Instructors: Simon Rafuse, Mark DeWolf & Carman Mills
If you require any additional information or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Carman Mills at cmills2@dal.ca
Atlantic Canada Wine Awards
Last fall, we held the third annual Atlantic Canada Wine Awards. 91 entries were received and judged by a panel with many of the senior wine people in Nova Scotia, as well as a New Brunswick and a PEI Sommelier. The results were announced during the fall wine festival, at the Wolfville Market.
The wines garnered praise from the judges in all categories, and demonstrated the strengths of some new grapes, as well as the wineries' experience in blending.
The main category winners were:
Winery of the Year: Gaspereau Vineyards
Red Wine of the Year: Jōst Vineyards, Baco Noir 2008
White Wine of the Year: Domaine de Grand Pré, Tidal Bay 2010
Dessert Wine of the Year: Magnetic Hill Winery, Chocolate River Spiced Fruit N/V
Fruit Wine of the Year: Belliveau Orchard, Pear Wine N/V
Sparkling Wine of the Year: L’Acadie Vineyards, Vintage Cuveé Rosé 2009
Spirit of the Year: Jōst Vineyards, Muscat Eau de Vie 2010
Our press release content is here.
A complete list of this year's medal winners can be found
here.
Ongoing Results of our Restaurant Corkage Policy Survey can be found here.
CAPS/CCOVI agree on Sommelier Standard
CAPS is pleased to announce that the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) at Brock University has agreed to provide its support and endorsement of the CAPS Sommelier certificate program. The endorsement was confirmed recently by Isabelle Leschaeve, PhD, Director of CCOVI. She notes that "Sommellerie is an important component in the grape and wine value chain; they are the primary resource people for consumers that seek advice on 'the best wines to select'. Maintaining a high standard in sommelier education will ensure the training of highly qualified personnel needed by both the hospitality and Canadian grape & wine industries. Supporting such an endeavour fits within the CCOVI mandate to contribute to the advancement of the Canadian grape and wine industry through education, research and industry excellence."
They are also providing support by hosting, at CCOVI, a number of the modules delivered to those students currently enrolled in the program through Niagara College.
Two CAPS-Atlantic grads Gina Haverstock, and Alison Moyes have gone on to study Oenology at CCOVI and are actively working in the industry.
Here's a fun cheese/beverage pairing site: Wisconsin Cheese Cupid
CAPS Atlantic Monthly Tastings
The next Halifax based tasting is on July 17, at Larry Graham's place. It's the annual Rosé on his deck event. Bring a bottle of rosé and something to eat with it (cheese charcuterie etc.).
The current CAPS-Atlantic Board can be found here (password required).
The latest CAPS Atlantic news items can be found here.
Are you a member now? How to Pay Your Annual Dues
Check out the expanded Links section on the site - we are trying to link to every restaurant and business where our members work - this will provide you with an easy way to get to places with good wine lists. So if you are not there, please let us know!
The News/Calendar Page will help you plan your beverage tasting.
Words that are Blue can be clicked on to either contact the person, if it is a name, or link to a website.
The ads are all clickable links to the advertisers' web sites. We thank them for their support.
You can CONTACT us by email if you have any questions or have info to post on the site.