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20 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 24, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Visitors can sample, taste, learn and buy favourites Continued from page 19 College and the teaching industry to have an expert panel at an academic institu- tion that plays a key role in the industry," Ogryzlo said. Local winery owners say the show is Niagara's opportu- & Make Your Home Comfort More Affordable AIR LENNOX SALE CENTRAL & FURNACE ® Up to $ 1000 * Instant nity to put their wines before the Toronto market and build awareness. Calling it a "ripple effect," they say the people who taste their wines at the Toronto show are the same ones who will get in their cars and make the trip to Niagara. And they are ready with a strong and united presence that will be seen and tasted at this year's event. Lydia Tomek, winemaker for Hernder Estate Winery and Harvest Estate Winery, garnered a number of awards at last year's competition. A main attraction for Tomek was the chance to interact with consumers at the show. "It was just a great opportunity to see where Niagara wines level up with international wines," she said. Excitement is building for faculty and students preparing for the 2007 competition. "It puts our wineries in perspective of being judged with peers from around the world," says Barbara Leslie, Practicum Coordinator and instructor with the Rebate *10 Yea rs Parts & Labour Warranty Available NO PAYMENT! Financing *Call for Details NO INTEREST! As Low As 95 $ 39 /month FOR 6 MONTHS AND O.A.C. *OAC NO DUCTS · NO PROBLEM Save $350 on ductless air conditioners W E S T 7 locations to serve you better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 Niagara College Winery & Viticulture Technicians Program. "It is important that the judging be done here. This is Canada's largest wine producing area and this is the only teaching winery. We have the knowledge behind the wines," Leslie said. The judges are experts who taste the great wines of the world. They have that "taste memory" and can relate whatever they are tasting to internationally recognized standards -- their palates are pretty reliable, Leslie said. The tasting panel includes a veritable who's who of sommeliers, wine writers and journalists. Students training full time in wine and viticulture are involved in the set up and organization of the wine competition. Ogryzlo said it reinforces the learning that entering wines into competition is a part of verifying their authenticity and worldclass levels. "We are very pleased to have some of the top wine judges, sommeliers and wine reporters form a really great panel to provide some of the top level judging in Canada for the wine competition," Ogryzlo said. The judging runs from early morning through to the evening. "It's very intense." The judges are divided into two teams so a panel evaluates each wine. All wines are presented "blind" to the judges who are told only into which category the wines fit. The wines are broken down into grape types, style and sugar content. For visitors just learning about wines at the show, there will be tutored tasting and cheese seminars. Wineries and agents will present some of the finest wines from around the world and for the wine expert, hard-to-find wines will be available for sampling. Visitors can also purchase what they taste at the show. Admission to the show is $18 and can either be purchased at the show or online at www.towineandcheeseshow.com. Sampling tickets for wine, liquor and beer cost $1 and can be purchased at the door or on the show floor. For more information visit www.towineandcheeseshow.com or call 905-815-0017. NE E LI F TH O TOP $25,988** $38,950** $34,888** * * P r i c e s p l u s $ 2 4 9 A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , Ta x e s a n d L i c e n c e F e e s . $27,888** $22,888** 1-877-819-8138