It’s not as though everyone is doing it, but chatting live online about your favourite pastime is all the rage these days. Discussions can be about food, sex, music and yes, wine. I join experts across Canada every Thursday at 2 pm ET to lead a group-think on the ubiquitous subject. Today we’ll be talking about fortified and dessert wines.
If you host it they will come. Shawn McCormick of Uncork Ontario is passionate about Ontario wine and was quite certain if he presented a live forum, people would show up to the party. Fifty-five minutes in he tweeted this:
Yikes! Over 90 tweets, replies, and RTs since 9:55 in #ONWineChat. Most twitter traffic from me since the #MarcMad final 2011 I think.
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Shawn McCormick (@UncorkOntario) February 07, 2013
— When asked why he chose to host the chat at this time, McCormick replied, “there’s been a #WineChat and a #BCWineChat for a while now. A few of us on Twitter were discussing why there wasn’t an #ONWineChat, so I decided to just start it and see where it goes. Why Wednesday night? I wedged it in between the other two wine chats, mainly because at some point we’ll likely combine chats with #BCWineChat for a two hour special on topics of similar concern.”
Photo: Robert Holmes, California Travel & Tourism Commission
A who’s who of Ontario vinophiles showed up to talk Ontario wine, from signature varietals to micro-climates. In the end McCormick noted, “Summary for #ONWineChat tonight? Do what does well in your micro-climate. Try to focus (not do everything). Make great wine.” Seems like the band of merry prankster wine geeks couldn’t let go either. The chat was slated to begin at 10:00 am EST but a few keeners jumped in early and despite Shawn’s call at 11:00 pm, the last post/tweet signed off well after midnight. Passion indeed.
But wait, there’s more. Wine romantics in British Columbia had their very own round table as well. Thanks to Tinhorn Creek’s Sandra Oldfield, BC Wine Chats also presents online Wednesdays at 8:00 pm PST and last night’s topic was “Will TED Talks BC Next Year Affect BC’s Food and Wine Future?” The Canadian wine train is steaming full-speed ahead. Time to get on board.
Okanagan wine-making region (Photo: Handout/Postmedia News).
The canada.com chat has thus far been an exhilarating and educational experience. Rod Phillips brings an unparalleled academic and pinpoint perspective. Gurvinder Bhatia shares a wealth of international experience and is a champion of the sui generis varietal. James Nevison loves his Sparkling wines, never wavers from his zeal and adds essential energy to the discussion. We have also been joined by many guest experts, including John Szabo, M.S., Rick VanSickle, W. Blake Gray, Craig Pinhey, Debbie Trenholme, Michael Pinkus and this week, Janet Dorozynski joins the panel.
Come join the chat, you might learn something.
Good to go!
