Drink and donate: Wine, food geeks raise aid for Haiti

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/01/2010 (6097 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

555A group of Ontario wine enthusiasts has organized Eat Drink and Give, an event taking place Feb. 9 at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall that will "celebrate local bounty while raising much needed money to help fellow citizens of this planet."

Local restaurants, bakeries, wineries, wine agencies, retail partners and others in the industry are donating their products and time to help raise money for victims of the earthquakes in Haiti. All proceeds from Eat Drink and Give will go to relief efforts, and will be matched dollar for dollar by contributions from the federal government.

When I first heard about this event I was a little skeptical, and had to get past my cynical feeling that people and companies sometimes participate in these types of events just to further their own brand. There’s also something a bit uncomfortable about Canadians getting dolled up, drinking wine and eating fabulous food "for the cause" while there’s so much direct aid needed in Haiti.

Having said that, I can tell you this is legit — it’s a good group that has created this event for all the right reasons. The money will get there and help people, and that’s the most important thing. The event’s website (see below) is constantly being updated as more people and groups come on board, so check back often to see how they’re doing. You can also follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/eatdrinkandgive.

Incidentally, if anyone in Winnipeg is/was considering holding a similar fundraising event, please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

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On a much, much lighter note, it seems Maynard James Keenan, frontman for alt-rock bands Tool and A Perfect Circle, is the subject of a new documentary called Blood Into Wine. In addition to making music, Keenan has a great passion for wine, as evidenced by Caduceus Cellars (www.caduceus.org), the Arizona-based winery he owns and operates. The film opens in select cities on Feb. 19, and the trailer can be seen at www.bloodintowine.com.

There have been a number of wine-related movies in the past decade, especially since the release and massive popularity of Sideways, but many have been pretty poor. While the documentary Mondovino had some great parts, it was pretty long. And hey, don’t even get me started about Bottle Schlock… I mean Shock. Here’s hoping Blood Into Wine makes its way to Winnipeg.

uncorked@mts.net twitter.com/thegrapenut

LINDEMANS 2009 BIN 95 SAUVIGNON BLANC (South Eastern Australia — $11.59, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Very pale in colour, the Bin 95 delivers pretty mineral, lime rind and green apple notes on the nose, without any of the green herb/grass/vegetal notes more prominent in New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. It’s a light-bodied, crisp white, with red apple and lemon candy notes on the palate. Relative to Kiwi Sauv Blancs, the acidity is quite soft, and the relatively low 10.5 per cent alcohol means there’s some subtlety to the Bin 95. A very good value. 87/100

 

VIÑA MAIPO 2008 RESERVA MERLOT (Rapel Valley, Chile — $11.49, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Plum and spice aromas show beautifully on the nose, as do light espresso, milk chocolate and white pepper notes. Medium-plus bodied and with light acidity, this Merlot is as smooth as smooth can be, with soft ripe plum and blueberry flavours showing nicely on the silky palate. I’m a fan — try solo or with marinara pizza or pasta. Killer value. 88/100

 

VIÑA HERMINA 2008 TEMPRANILLO (Rioja, Spain — around $12, private wine stores)

Cherry notes dominate the nose — think aromas somewhere between cooked and dried cherries. There are also some milder but pleasant earth, mint and barnyard notes here too. It’s a medium-bodied red, with cherry, cranberry and tart raspberry notes. There’s medium acidity, very light tannin and a relatively short finish on the Hermina as well. A pizza wine. 85/100

 

Wine website of the week:

Eat Drink and Give (www.eatdrinkandgive.com)

 

Information on the Feb. 9 Haiti fundraising event

in Toronto.