Grapes for Humanity's Chocolate and Wine Fantasy at the Four Seasons

On October 8, Grapes for Humanity is holding a sumptuous fundraiser called A Chocolate and Wine Fantasy at the Four Seasons (21 Avenue Road, 416-964-0411), as part of their ongoing program of aid to various humanitarian causes. Previous beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts are Community New Start, which helps to resettle Hurricane Katrina victims in Austin, Texas; One Sri Lanka Foundation, which has been building schools in the Jaffna Peninsula since the tsunami destruction there, and several projects dedicated to achieving self-sufficiency and human dignity for victims of landmines and their families.

The event is a five-course banquet prepared with Lindt chocolate by Four Seasons Hotels Executive Chefs Ashley James (Los Angeles) and Claudio Rossi (Toronto), with matching wines. Special guest Jean-Charles Boisset of JCB Wines will be in attendance; Ken Shaw of CTV News will emcee. It gets underway with a champagne and chocolate martini reception at 6:30, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

The wines to be served are DeLoach OFS Chardonnay 2007, Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Blanc 2006, Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos Blanc de Vougeot 2006, DeLoach Pinot Noir Vineyard Designate 2006, Jean Claude Boisset Gevrey-Chambertin 2006, Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2006 (apology to the purists; I could only find a picture of the 2005!), DeLoach Forgotten Vine Zinfandel 2007 and La Face Cachée Neige Première. Tickets are a formidable $500, with corporate tables of eight available for $4,000. For reservations, email Annette Quitevis or phone her at 416-445-9920.