Tasting Together

THIS IS NOT AN EPISODE OF TASTING TOGETHER - BUT TWO GUYS TALKING WINE - WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS EPISODE AND HAVE A GREAT 2025!Why don't we see more Ontario wine on wine lists in Toronto? We put that question to the Sommelier at the Fairmont Royal York - Steven Karataglidis. Steven has made it his mission to add a diverse range of Ontario wines on the lists at this prestigious hotel.You can follow Steven on social media at - @stevenkarataglidisMake sure you help the two guys reach episode 700 - You can support Two Guys Talking Wine on Patreon at www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine

Let's face it - André is old... and he has been doing the writing about wine thing for awhile... So this year he said he's not going to do the wine and holidays writing. Can Miroki make his heart grow three times bigger and change his grinchy ways? You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

On a nice October day - during the week Miroki was due to be wed - André forced her to drop all her plans to attend the grand cru culinary wine festival in support of UHN programs hosted by Halpern. 2024 was the 20th incarnation of this festival and raised 38 million in support of the new surgical tower at Toronto Western Hospital. That being said - Grand Cru is also a great place to taste some wines that may be out of reach for some...We had the chance to taste and chat with David Butterfield of his eponymous wineryTaste through the line up of Caduceus Cellars wines Discover whether or not California can rival the wines of Burgundy by tasting the wines of Racines next to the wines for Domaine de MontilleHave a very laid back conversation with Alexandre Leger of the iconic Domaine PonsotWe fought the mob to taste the Champagne of Pol Roger - but instead discovered the bubbles of Pierre PaillardThank you to Mika from Halpern for allowing us early access to the event to get some interview.You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

Miroki booked a last minute mini-moon with Eric, and chose to discover Cuba for the first time. While the beaches are nice, she learned of Cuba's notorious reputation for having bad food. But is it all it seems?On one side, cigars, rum, and piña coladas galore! On the other, rolling power outages, hitchhiking doctors and collapsing buildings.Despite booking at a resort, she chose to try walking in the steps of a local, spending days exploring and tasting in Varadero, Havana and Matanzas.Voices of Cuban residents shared their stories from various perspectives:Leonardo Bacallao from the Casa Particular (private rental home) Casa Colonial Abogados Leonardo y AngelaOsniel, a local tour guide of Cuban Compass ToursDavid Venegas, General Manager of Iberostar Playa Alameda (Instagram @davidsevcab)Filito Fujuyang, a street artist in VaraderoLa Guarida is a fine restaurant in Havana, converted from a 20th century home shortly after it was used for the Academy Award Nominated film Strawberry & Chocolate. Saint Elvira Church is a historic church in Varadero that accepts donations during weekdays between 9AM-12PM, and brings them to hard hit regions.Cuba Libro is a used bookstore and cafe in Havana that focuses on social responsibility. They accept donations, and bring them to underserved locations.You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

While Miroki was busy getting married a French Canadian Startup was busy appropriating Asian culture by creating a ready to drink bubble tea. This came to light on CBC during a segment on Dragon's Den where Canadian/Chinese actor Simu Liu raised concerns to the founders of Bobba. Miroki spent countless hours planning her wedding - was the payoff worth it in the food department?You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André at instagram @andrewinereview

André enlists some help from his friends to keep the lights on while Miroki is off getting married. They talk about Gilbert Proulx's appearance on Wall of Chefs, their love of the original Iron Chef, and Japanese cuisine.They are joined by Guillaume Frénéhard to talk about how the french learn about food.

Miroki and André take some time to go over the latest news they may have missed over the past few weeks ... It turns out that Torontonians eat A LOT of hot dogs at Blue Jays games... How are things going for the 2024 harvest in Niagara... The newest Michelin Guide is out - and André might be warming up to it. Is Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo just for tourists - or is it worth going out of your to visit? You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André at instagram @andrewinereview

In this episode André take a look at the origin of the famous Panino from the Italian Star Deli in Regina. https://www.italianstardeli.com/Here is the CBC story referenced in the podcast - https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.4191090/regina-deli-owner-cuts-off-his-legendary-mullet-from-heck-1.4191095Miroki visited Khoury's Fine Wine and Spirits on her recent visit to Las Vegas - What's it like slinging bottled in sin city? https://www.khourysfinewine.com/

Miroki has been on the road recently and couldn't resist the siren's song of the vineyards of Indiana and Michigan. She visited - Stranger Wine Co.Modales WinesOliver Winery & VineyardsThis is the end of Season One of Tasting Together - stay tuned for Season Two coming up next weekYou can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André at instagram @andrewinereview