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May First ~ Wee Nips for
Morris Dancers, Marching Workers & Oppressed Wine Agents

The first day of May is most dichotomous. On one hand, while people around the world celebrate it as the coming summer, blue-collar workers proudly march showing their solidarity against the forces of oppression. Starting with the former, in ancient times, Romans marched in a procession to the grotto of Egena, where they carried out ceremonies honoring the revival of vegetation and to assure abundant crops. The Anglo-Saxons called it Beltane (Bright Fire) and it was considered the first day of summer. By the Middle Ages, English villagers would awaken at daybreak, gather blossoming branches and build a towering maypole in the village green. Come rain or shine, the truly dedicated assembled prior to dawn with their brightly coloured hankies, sticks, musical instruments, bells, decorated hats, ribbons for singing, Maypole weaving and Morris dancing.

A few years ago, I ventured into Toronto’s High Park (adjacent to the Grenadier Restaurant) at 5:45 am to witness first hand, along with a gaggle of geese, the joyous festivities of teams of Morris dancers. The ice-cold pre-dawn air swooshing into the park off Lake Ontario was not exactly my cup of tea. I desperately longed for a wee nip of something to warm my bones. Naturally, the mere idea of having anything with alcohol touch one’s lips on these sacred grounds would be enough to make park benefactor, John Howard, turn in his 1890 grave. Temperance was his tune.

For the intemperate, may I suggest from last month’s Vintages release, a very fine spirit that hails from Burn Stewart distillery: Ledaig 15-Year-Old Isle of Mull Single Malt (523068) at $99.95. Being so concentrated, it’s the perfect elixir for your hip flask. The pungent nose is spicy and gently sweet with smoky, caramel notes. Exactly the same rich flavours persist perfectly on the palate. At 43% alcohol, a little goes a long way.

For those who have slept-in, they can still catch the May Day Morris dance festivities noon today at Riverdale Zoo. Being less chilly, one can move on to something a bit more cheery. If a fine pricey Scotch is too elitist, try this winner from the Czech Republic: Carlsbad Original Becherovka (718676) at $25.95 also in Vintages. Clear light gold in colour; the delicious, intense, sweet but refreshing, herbal, ginger-driven, biscotti flavours go on and on.

If you are longing for summer fruit, you will win friends by passing around the half bottle of André Blanck Eau-de-Vie d’Alsace de Framboise (995605) at $39.95, which has a bruising 45% alcohol and subdued clear colour. On the intense nose has gorgeous, sweet, slightly candied, juicy, raspberry notes. Surprisingly dry and mouthfilling, it has bright, gently peppery, ripe raspberry flavours with a long, lingering finish.

At the other end of the May first spectrum are the workers of the world who are commemorating the American martyrs who died in the 1886 Chicago Haymarket Massacre. Isn’t it ironic that Ontario’s white-collar wine importers have lots in common with the working oppressed, now that the alcohol and gaming commission has teamed up with the LCBO to impose ever-more draconian measures on this group.

Up until recently, agents could import up to five cases of low-cost wines for sampling and requisite LCBO submissions. Not any more - the entire process is now banned, greatly increasing the real cost to everyone – agent and consumer alike – except, of course, to the LCBO whose profits have risen. Also, did you know that agents are only permitted to sell a very limited number of consignment wines (also arbitrarily restrained by LCBO) by the case – not the bottle? This forces you and I to buy bottles exclusively from Ontario wineries or LCBO stores! In addition, importers can’t have more than 240 bottles (including display items) in their possession at any time meaning that they can’t have samples of all the wines they sell!

Now the ultimate of injustices: Vintages is in the process of forcing producers to agree to give them a 25% rebate if 75% of their stock – 3 out of 4 bottles - hasn’t been sold in 90 days! Forget about selection or product continuity, the LCBO monopoly is clearly out of control. I can hear distressed cries of “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” or as the French might say “m’aidez”- as they try to figure out where this grotesque new restraint will be filed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Meanwhile, the saga of LCBO persecution against Lifford wines, which was apparently accused of having too many bottles of wine in their office years ago, continues forever. It seems that the imposition of enormously expensive penalties prior to being found guilty, along with the refusal to bring this case to closure, is a blatant attempt to bleed the owner dry. The time has come to scrap Ontario’s unfair, discriminatory regulations.

Fortunately, Lifford’s owner, Steven Campbell, is not a man to give up easily. He is currently assisting Pathways (a United Way charitable agency) organize a fundraising tasting of his entire portfolio of more than 50 producers with 19 principals in attendance (150+ wines). It takes place on Wednesday, May 5th, from 6:30 until 9:00 pm at the Capitol Event Theatre (2492 Yonge Street). To get an invitation click here and to see the list of wineries click here. Tickets are an incredible bargain at $50 and if you didn’t receive your invitation, call (416) 440-4101 (or 1-877-272-1720).

Also coming up the annual Austrian Wine Fair on Tuesday, May 4th. You can taste them; along with 180+ other Austrian wines from over 40 producers, for a mere $30. This sell-out, best deal in town takes place at the Arcadian Court (401 Bay Street) from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Advance registration is required - call 416-967-3348 ext 18 or email toronto@austriantrade.org. To see a special list of wines sorted by variety click here.

2001-2002-2003-2004 Tasting Note Database

Our tasting note database from December 31, 2000 to March 2004, covers every Vintages release product for the past 39 months. There are more than 6,000 notes in the database data. Just enter the name of the product, supplier name or CSPC number. Or you can search by type of wine, country of origin, even wine agent! Nothing could be easier. Also you can get information on the agent by clicking on the agent’s name, as well as current LCBO store inventory by clicking on "Check LCBO Availability", which will automatically tell you the number of bottles at LCBO as of last night.

To use our winefind.ca Tasting Notes Database: click here

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