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CAPS Ontario

Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS/ACSP)

Welcome to Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) – Ontario Chapter

Passionately dedicated to service, we are committed to building a strong community of sommeliers and fostering the growth of our flourishing industry is key to our success. Through professional development, competition and strong trade relations we accomplish our goal of cultivating and promoting of our profession.

08/05/2025

🍷✨ MIX AND MINGLE ✨🎲
📣 Sommeliers, wine pros, and hospitality leaders 🙌🏽this one’s for you!

🗓️ Monday, August 18 | 1–4 PM
📍 Snakes & Lattes College | 489 College Street, Toronto

Step away from the floor and into a relaxed, high-energy space where industry meets community. Expect wine conversations, board games, and real connections with people who get it.

🎟️ Free for CAPS Members
💵 $15 for Non-Members
🔗 Link in Bio for tickets

Why join us?
🍷 Mix and mingle with sommeliers, buyers & beverage insiders
🎯 Learn what CAPS is doing to support the wine & hospitality scene
🧩 Enjoy a fun, casual setting with games, bites, and great people

🥂 Let’s raise a glass, roll the dice, and build something meaningful, TOGETHER.

📲 Tag your wine crew. You know who should be there! 👇

08/01/2025

Happy International Albariño Day!
Let’s with .ontario 🇨🇦

✨Zesty, coastal, and full of charm
Albariño is Galicia’s signature white, grown in the cool, misty vineyards of Rías Baixas in northwest Spain. Expect citrus, peach, and a salty snap that makes it a seafood lover’s dream.

✨ Why Sommeliers Love It:
✔️ High acid = food-friendly & ultra-refreshing
✔️ Aromas of citrus peel, white peach, melon & sea spray
✔️ A go-to for seafood pairings, from oysters to grilled octopus
✔️ Light to medium body with a crisp, mineral finish

📍 Did You Know?
• It’s one of the oldest grapes in the Iberian Peninsula
• Known as Alvarinho in Portugal
• Now thriving in California, Oregon, New Zealand & Uruguay

🇨🇦 While it’s not widely planted here, a few Canadian producers are beginning to explore Albariño’s cool-climate potential. Definitely one to watch.

🍽️ Perfect Pairings:
🦐 Shrimp ceviche
🧀 Ontario chèvre + lemon zest
🐟 Smoked trout on rye

✨Raise a glass to this crisp coastal classic, a grape worth discovering.
Happy Albariño Day 🥂

07/28/2025

📚ASI Book Club Pick #19: The Wines of Greece by Konstantinos Lazarakis MW 🇬🇷🍷

🌋⛰️🌊 This brilliant read dives into the heart of Greek wine, ancient roots to modern innovation. Lazarakis MW gives us a comprehensive lens on everything from indigenous varieties like Assyrtiko and Xinomavro to the diverse terroirs of Santorini, Naoussa, and beyond.

Essential reading for sommeliers and wine pros building Greek sections or expanding their global wine fluency. Packed with insight, history, and contemporary relevance. The Wines of Greece is a must-have in every wine library.

🙌🏽Thanks to for the great rec

[ wine, wine education, sommelier, books]

07/25/2025

🛑 New Episode: THE GRAPE NORTH 🎙️Episode 1: What should the next generation of Canadian Sommeliers understand about our evolving industry and terroir?

🎙️ In under 5 minutes, Clive Pursehouse, North America Editor at Decanter, offers a sharp, global perspective on the future of Ontario wine. It’s essential listening for every wine professional
🎥 Captured live at i4C Niagara, (thank you & ) this premiere episode of our Grape North: Vino Voices podcast explores why terroir matters more than ever in wine education, mentorship, and leadership.

🎯 Who should tune in?
▪️ Sommeliers expanding their cool-climate knowledge
▪️ Educators shaping tomorrow’s professionals
▪️ Industry leaders championing regional identity

🙌🏽 Clive brings an international lens to a distinctly Canadian story, delivering insights into a conversation that deserves more attention. Massive thanks once again! This is a must-hear for wine professionals and enthusiasts alike.

📍 At CAPS Ontario, we elevate the narrative of Canada’s wine professionals, support the development of future leaders, amplify regional identity, and foster meaningful education across the global wine community.

👀 Coming up in Episode 2:
🔜 “How do you see the Canadian wine industry evolving over the next few years?”
🔜 “The emerging stylistic identity of Ontario Chardonnay”

A forward-looking conversation that continues to spotlight the voice of Canadian wine.

🎙️🇨🇦 Canadian wine has a voice. Are you listening?

🎥

[cool-climate wine, Ontario terroir, wine education, Canadian wine industry, sommelier development, terroir-driven wines, wine podcast, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter magazine, wine mentorship]

07/22/2025

🎧 New Episode Incoming: The Grape North | Vino Voices 🍇 💭

CAPS Ontario was on the ground at , immersed in the conversations that matter. Tasting, sharing, and exploring the evolution of cool-climate Chardonnay.

🎙️ In this special episode, we sit down with Clive Pursehouse, Editor of Decanter, for an unfiltered conversation on wine, words, and why cool climate matters.

🇨🇦 Ontario is capturing international attention right now.Why? Tune in to find out.

‼️Don’t miss it. New Episode drops soon!

🙌🏽 Huge thanks to , , and of course, Clive, for his time and valuable insights.

📡 Stay tuned and be sure to follow .ontario to catch the full episode...

🎥
🎙️

[The Grape North Podcast, CAPS Ontario, I4C 2025, Cool Climate Chardonnay, Decanter, Clive Pursehouse, Ontario wine, Wines of Ontario]

07/12/2025

🍾Happy International Cava Day!
Let’s with .ontario 🇨🇦

✨ Cava, 🇪🇸 Spain’s iconic sparkling wine, is made using the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle), with aging on lees to develop texture and complexity.

🤓 Born in Catalonia’s Penedès region, Cava is traditionally crafted from Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada, with some producers also using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Expect a fine mousse, citrusy brightness, and, with age, notes of almond, toast, and hazelnut.

💬 “Cava” means “cave” in Catalan, a nod to the underground cellars where these wines are slowly aged.

🇨🇦 Bubbles on the Rise: The Local Sparkling Boom
Sparkling wine is one of the fastest-growing wine styles in Ontario. From Niagara to Prince Edward County, winemakers are leaning into the traditional method and extended lees aging. The province’s cool climate and limestone-rich soils? Absolutely ideal.

🙌🏽 Ontario fizz isn’t just competing, it’s thriving. From bone-dry brut to crisp rosés, there’s a local bottle to suit any celebration.

🍽️ Pair It With:
🧀 Ontario cheddar + green apple
🥘 Tapas-style grilled shrimp

🥂 Whether you’re popping a bottle of Cava or local méthode traditionelle, today is a toast to craft, terroir, and the joy of bubbles.
What’s in your glass? ✨

[wine,cava,wine education, sommelier, Ontario wine]

07/10/2025

🍷 Refine Your Palate. Elevate Your Expertise.

Join HOST 9112 : Sensory Development and Wine Styles

In this course, you’ll:
🔹 Develop your sensory evaluation skills
🔹 Identify wine styles and quality markers
🔹 Understand faults, spoilage, cork taint & corrective actions
🔹 Strengthen wine + food pairing strategies
🔹 Explore cooking techniques and wine service skills

Whether you’re training to be a sommelier or deepening your wine knowledge, this course is designed to sharpen your senses and build your confidence.

📅 Dates: July 14 – Aug 12, 2025
🕡 Time: Mondays & Tuesdays | 6:30–10:00 PM
📍 On Campus
📌 CRN: S86730
🔗 Register now via the Linktree in our bio

🫶 This post is also a reminder: trust your senses, train your palate, and taste the difference knowledge makes.

07/01/2025

🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day from CAPS Ontario! 🎉

Today we celebrate our incredible country 🙌🏽from coast to coast.
Canada is home to over 800 licensed wineries, with Ontario producing nearly two-thirds of all Canadian wine. From world-famous Icewine to stunning cool-climate reds and whites, there’s so much to raise a glass to.

Here’s to our land, our vines, our makers, and our sommeliers.
🇨🇦Cheers, Canada!🥂🎉

🍷🍁

06/26/2025

🍷✨ Cheers to a fresh new look!
We’re raising our glasses to ’s vibrant new logo 🙌🏽a bold reflection of the passion and unity that connect sommeliers across the country.

At CAPS Ontario, we’re proud to be part of this evolving national community, where excellence in wine service meets lifelong camaraderie. Here’s to the next chapter of collaboration, education, and celebration!

06/25/2025

from
ASI Book Club Recommendation #18
📚The Wines of Australia by Mark Davidson

This isn’t your typical regional guide, Davidson’s The Wines of Australia is a modern masterclass in Australian wine, blending deep history with sharp insight. 🇦🇺

From the First Fleet in 1788 to today’s climate-conscious winemaking, this book covers:
🔍 Regional geology & climate
🍇 Classic + emerging grape varieties
📝 Labelling laws & sustainability
🖤 Inclusion of First Nations in the wine narrative

The highlight? A curated list of 101 benchmark wines, perfect for tasting flights, study prep, or cellar planning.

Whether you’re a sommelier or educator, this one delivers real-world relevance with depth and clarity.
[ wine, wine education, sommelier, books]

Address

471 Jarvis Street, Ontario M4Y 2G8
Toronto, ON
M5A1N1

Website

http://on.sommelierscanada.ca/

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