The Ritchies/Vintages auction, now in its seventh year, has gone from strength to strength. Sales hit around $3 million last year, and this year a second sale has been added in early December - just in time for those stocking stuffers.
The current market turmoil is likely to keep bidding in check so record-setting prices seem unlikely. On the other hand, if people have been flexible with their reserve minimums, it may well be possible to get a bargain or two.
Definitely worth a visit for fine wine lovers is the Pre-Auction Tasting Gala on Wednesday, October 22 from 7 to 9pm at the Carlu. Without doubt it is the finest public tasting in Canada and, though it's a heady $275 for just two hours, there are tens of thousands of dollars worth of the finest wines to taste.
This year's highlights are five Chateaux Margaux to sample, including the legendary 1959 and the superb 1970. Other stars include a magnum of 1961 Chateau Gruaud-Larose, a selection of 1990s DRCs, including La Tache, and a trio RP100 pointers from Guigal in the Cote Rotie. From California, there's a mini-vertical of mid-90s Dominus, a 1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, and the RP100 pointer, the 2002 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. Italy is represented with a couple of fine Barbarescos and a Chianti Classico Riserva from Antinori.
The crowd is a terrific social study of the archeology of wine appreciation, from passionate interest to conspicuous consumption. Expect everyone from serious wine geeks scribbling notes to braying Bay Street boys to earnest self-made men to the idle rich. There will be at least a few seriously overdressed, overbotoxed and over made-up women floating around as well, sipping perhaps three or four wines before growing bored.
The food is always superb, and you can finish things off with a sample of the 1989 Chateau d'Yquem.
The auction itself runs in two parts - firstly the weekend of the 24th to 26th of October, then a second round on the 6th and 7th of December. All sessions will be held at Ritches, 380 King St. E. near Parliament St.
If you can't make it, you can bid live over the phone or fill in and submit the absentee bidder form at the back of the catalogue.
Click here for more information about the Ritchies/Vintages Tasting Gala and Auction
