Educational events for wine, beer and spirit lovers

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This article was published 26/04/2025 (522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS Manitoba) is bringing local libation lovers a whole host of drinks-related events during MB Somm Week from May 5 to 12 at venues throughout the city.

CAPS Manitoba launched the initiative in 2023 as a way to get drinks lovers engaged through all manner of tastings — from casual walkabout events to sit-down masterclasses with sommeliers, winemakers and mixologists.

Things kick off May 5 with a Chardonnay tasting at Promenade Brasserie (130 Provencher Blvd.), where the $1,000 Rebecca Lechman Memorial Bursary will be presented to an up-and-coming wine/hospitality worker to further their education in the industry. Lechman worked at Jones & Company until her sudden death in March 2020, and was an avid Chardonnay fan. The event runs from 6:45 to 9 p.m.

On May 6, local cicerone Hailey Tennant, who is also the beer curator at the Common at The Forks, leads the Beer Sensory Lab, a tasting designed to help aspiring hop-heads get the lay of the land when it comes to different beer flavour profiles. The event is at Sookram’s Brewing Co. (479 Warsaw Ave.) and kicks off at 2 p.m.

In the evening, things move over to the Wine Bar at the Winehouse (1600 Kenaston Blvd.) for a tasting of eight Iberian (read: Spanish and Portuguese) wines led by Winnipeg sommelier Seema Pal, winner of the 2023 Best Sommelier of Manitoba award.

The following evening (May 7), Hy’s Steakhouse (1 Lombard Ave.) hosts Alistair Veen, owner of Naramata winery JoieFarm. The winery is not in the Manitoba market — at least not yet — so it’s a great chance to taste through the JoieFarm’s excellent offerings, along with some small bites, and learn about what’s new in B.C.’s Okanagan Valley. The event runs from 7-10 p.m.

On May 8, Solera (725 Osborne St.) hosts an agave masterclass with Ethan Grant of Montella Spirits & Wine from 2 to 4 p.m. Learn about all things tequila and the different expressions of agave-based spirits.

May 9 features another afternoon event, this time at TH Sampling Room (106-185 Carlton St.), where guests will take part in a guided whisky and cigar event led by James Burton of Truth Malters starting at 2 p.m. Admission includes tasting whiskies, a welcome cocktail and a premium cigar.

On the afternoon of May 10, Sharecuterie (160 Stafford St.) hosts Rosanna Pancotto of Loamanic Wine & Spirits as she leads a tasting of wines from Piedmont’s Barolo region. A range of the rustic, robust reds made from the Nebbiolo grape will be sampled from 2 to 4 p.m.

MB Somm Week closes out with the In Good Spirits cocktail competition, which returns this year to WAG-Qaumajuq (300 Memorial Blvd.) on May 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event features 18 local bartenders and mixologists crafting their most imaginative cocktails in the hopes of wowing both the judges and the public. Admission includes a welcome cocktail, small bites and samples of all of the competitors’ cocktails.

While you don’t need to be a CAPS Manitoba member to attend any of the tastings, members do get discounted admission to all events. Visit wfp.to/mbsommweek for more information and to buy tickets.

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Other drink events on the horizon:

• Low Life Barrel House (398 Daly St. N.) celebrates three years of beer and wine with a bash on May 3, starting at noon. Low Life core pours and special offerings will be available, and Hoagie Boyz will be on hand doling out dumplings as part of a perogy party. Also on tap: slushies and live music. Admission is free.

• Prairie Theatre Exchange has once again partnered with the Winehouse for PTE Pairings, a night of wine and food on May 22, starting at 7 p.m. throughout the theatre’s facility on the third floor of Portage Place. More than 50 wines will be poured alongside small bites from a range of local restaurants — including Aroma Bistro, Rose Coffee & Wine, Sharecuterie, Sugar Blooms and Cakes, Tito Boy, Faspa, For Us Bakery, Honey & Loaf and the Fairmont Winnipeg — with proceeds from the event supporting the stalwart theatre. Tickets are $120 at wfp.to/ptepairings and include a partial tax receipt.

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Wines of the week

Lupo Meraviglia 2022 Tre di Tre Rosso (Puglia, Italy — $22.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of Negroamaro, Aglianico and Primitivo grapes, this Italian red is dense black cherry in colour and aromatically offers lovely violet and chalky notes that come alongside deep plum, blackberry and red licorice notes.

It’s full-bodied and dry, with plush dark berry and plum flavours coming with an almost-raisined, dried fruit note, hints of chocolate and spice before chewy tannins and, at 14.5 per cent alcohol, a long, warm finish.

Made without oak aging, it’s fresh and ripe but with great depth of flavour Amarone/Ripasso fans will appreciate (and at a fraction of the price). Drink now or pop the cork in two-to-three years time. A very good value. 4.5/5

D.V. Catena 2022 Tinto Historico (Mendoza, Argentina — $24.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

A blend of 77 per cent Malbec, 20 per cent Bonarda and three per cent Petit Verdot grapes sourced from vines growing at 1,000-1,300 metres above sea level, this Argentine red is inky purple in colour, with blackberry, dark chocolate, blackcurrant, plum and violet aromas.

It’s full-bodied and dry but plush, with ripe, jammy dark berry and chocolate flavours coming with vanilla and spice notes (from around 12 months in barrel), modest tannins and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a slightly warm and punchy finish. Will please fans of plush California red blends, but fans of Argentine reds in general will also find plenty to like. 3.5/5

Canadian wine of the week

Malivoire 2024 Pinot Gris (Beamsville Bench, Ont. — $21.99, De Nardi Wines)

Pale straw in appearance, this Pinot Gris from the Beamsville Bench sub-appellation of Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula brings bright, fresh floral, peach, stone fruit and honeysuckle aromas with a slightly steely undertone.

It’s a dry, medium-bodied and fresh white wine that’s bursting with juicy white peach, pear, red apple and tangerine flavours, has a lovely viscous texture, a splash of lemony acidity and, at 12.5 per cent alcohol, a modest finish. In order to preserve the wine’s incredible freshness, the wine spent just three months in stainless steel tanks (no oak) before being bottled. Drink now. 4/5

 

uncorked@mts.net

@bensigurdson