We're not sure exactly how it happened, but somehow, we spent an entire evening at this year's Gourmet Food & Wine Expo and only tried two or three wines.
It's not that we're anti-wine, but there were so many other boozy beverages and tasty treats that attracted our attention that the four hours whipped by with barely any of the event's namesake tipple passing over our tongues.
Here, then, is a round-up of some of the non-grape-derived products that can be enjoyed from now until Sunday down at the Convention Centre.
Beer is represented in a big way at this year's show, with local craft breweries, a couple of out-of-province breweries, and several import agents all getting in on the action. The local contingent includes Cameron's, Mill Street, Cool, Nickel Brook, Steam Whistle and Great Lakes. Big Rock from Alberta and McAuslan from Quebec are also pouring their wares, and Molson is stealthily on hand under their Rickards and Creemore Springs brands. And on the import front, beers from Belgium, the UK, the US, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries are being offered at a number of booths throughout the aisles.
Amongst the harder stuff, our favourites were without a doubt the tequilas from Casa Tradición of Jalisco, Mexico being sampled by import agency Tre Amici. Two traditional tequilas in gorgeous hand-painted bottles are available for tasting: Clase Azul Plata, a silver tequila with a smooth and slightly sweet character; and Clase Azul Reposado, a much more complex spirit that is aged for a year in sherry casks, giving it a character similar to a fine single malt whisky. (Unfortunately, they aren't pouring the Clase Azul Ultra, which is an Extra-Añjeo tequila aged for five years that sells for $1800 a bottle, but they do have one of the silver, gold and platinum decorated bottles on hand to admire.) And if the straight stuff scares you, they're also serving La Pinta, a pomegranate-infused tequila with a natural and refreshing flavour.
Running a close second to the tequila, at least to our tastebuds, was Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider from Frelighsburg, Quebec. Much like ice wine, ice cider is made using apples that are left on the tree to freeze, with the result being a rich, golden nectar that is both tart and sweet, and which pairs beautifully with foie gras, sharp cheese, and many desserts.
Boozehounds were also congregating in the Spiritology Pavilion, where a wide variety of spirits are available including Hendrick's and Plymouth gins; Finlandia, Iceberg, Danzka and other vodkas; Patrón and Sauza tequilas; and many other alcoholic delights. And over in the French spotlight pavilion, a cute little fairy is offering samples of Pernod.
On the food side of things, a number of great restaurants have stations set up to serve tasting portions of deliciousness. Our highest recommendations go to the mac 'n' cheese with truffles from Acqua, the house-made duck prosciutto from Thirty Five Elm, the sous vide tenderloin beef and mashed potatoes from Far Niente, and as always, the oysters from Rodney's Oyster Bar. Other options include Big Daddy's Crab Shack, Jumbo Empanadas, Eight Wine Bar, Live Organic Food Bar and Canyon Creek.
There's also a interesting variety of packaged take-home food available for purchase, ranging from small artisanal producers to larger companies. Our favourite discovery was Northern Confections, a candy company and store in Wiarton that makes a wide range of fudge, chocolates, brittle and other sugary delights. For their latest product, they've teamed up with Steam Whistle Brewery to create a peanut brittle made with the golden pilsner beer and Ontario-grown red peanuts.
Other highlight vendors include: Matt & Steve's Tasty Beverage Co., purveyors of unique cocktail garnishes; SOHOT Sauces, hot sauces that pack a lot of flavour as well as a lot of heat; Purdy's, a chocolatier from Vancouver that's been making fine chocolates for over a century; the beautiful breads of Premiere Moisson; and Made in France, a gourmet shop from Ottawa selling $18 jars of abso-freaking-lutely amazing truffle mustard.
And yeah, there's some wine. For those who like that sort of thing.
The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo continues until Sunday in the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Admission is $15, and is limited to those 19 years of age or older, with no children or infants permitted.
