Wine at Toronto's Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

Tutored and untutored wine tastings are a big part of the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, coming up this Thursday to Sunday, November 19 to 22, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Tutored Tastings are 90-minute sessions led by recognized wine experts. Also, Vines Magazine is presenting international wine tastings in the Fine Wine Tasting Lounge, accompanied by food pairings by Chef Stephen Ricci from Prime Steakhouse at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Of special note, some of the winners from the InterVin International Wine Awards will be available for sampling at the show.

The Tutored Tastings are ticketed events; consult the full brochure for registration details. Here's the basic schedule:

Friday, November 20

• 6:30-8 p.m.: Billy’s Best Bubbles, led by Billy Munnelly, $70; admission includes a copy of Billy’s Best Wines, 2010 edition.
• 6:30-8 p.m.: Eco-Wines, led by Alyson Carmichael of LCBO, $65
• 7-8:30 p.m.: InterVin Award Winners, led by InterVin Head Judge Christopher Waters, $80
• 7-8:30 p.m.: Taste Like a Pro, led by Gaetano Allocca of LCBO, $60
• 7:30-9 p.m.: Exploring Argentina, led by Carlos Trad of Wines of Argentina, $55
• 7:30-9 p.m.: Diversity of Portugal, led by Vini Portugal, $55

Saturday, November 21

• 12:30-2 p.m.: Exclusively Amarone, led by Antonia Ruscetta of LCBO, $80
• 1-2:30 p.m.: Top Scoring Wines 90+, led by an LCBO consultant, $80
• 1:30-3 p.m.: Go Local!, led by Nina Hofer of LCBO, $65 (Ontario wines)
• 2-3:30 p.m.: New Classic Chile, led by Master Sommelier John Szabo (pictured above left), $55
• 2:30-4 p.m.: Captivating Cabernet, led by Matthew Lane and Christopher Waters, $75
• 3:30-5 p.m.: Super Tuscans, led by an LCBO consultant, $90
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.: The World of Drinks, led by Kevin Brauch, "The Thirsty Traveler", $80
• 4:30-6 p.m.: Pinot Passion, led by Nick Keukenmeester, Lifford Wine Agency, $65
• 6-7:30 p.m.: What Grape Are You?, led by Edward Finstein, "Canada's Wine Doctor" (pictured top right), $55
• 7-8:30 p.m." Cutting-Edge Wines, led by John Szabo (pictured above left) and Zoltan Szabo, $90

Sunday, November 22

• 1-2:30 p.m.: Best of the Best, led by Paul Farrell of Vintages, $150
• 1:30-3 p.m.: Gord on Grapes, led by Gordon Stimmell of the Toronto Star (pictured top centre), $65
• 2-3:30 p.m.: Iconic Portugal, led by Vini Portugal, $60
• 2:30-4 p.m.: I've Never Heard Of..., led by an LCBO consultant, $60
• 3-4:30 p.m.: Bordeaux Spotlight, led by Tim Caney of LCBO, $130