On Tuesday I joined Dan, Abtin, and three new friends at the King Street Vintage Conservatory. I hadn’t been to this new location before, just the old creaky space on Lombard. Pretty nice spot, and seemed very busy for a Tuesday.

Dan had organized a Burgundy vs. Ontario blind tasting of Chard and Pinot. We didn’t plan it super well and ended up with more Burg than Niag, but the Ontario wines showed up well. Most of them anyway — one participant brought Norman Hardie chard, I think as a bit of a joke/dig. I called it the second I tasted it. But the 2020 Hidden Bench Tête de Cuvée Chardonnay impressed, as did the Dobbin Estates. I kind of knew the HB was there, but think I would’ve had a good chance of calling it nonetheless. The Dobbin stumped me though — I guessed Macon. Really must remember to order some of their stuff.

Dan more or less called the wine I brought — a 2018 1er Cru Beaune — but the others mistook it for Burgundy. Fun event: lots of good food, amazing wine (obviously) and some fun competition.