On Thursday April 15 at Crush Wine Bar. Stephen Ranger, Toronto’s best wine auctioneer, ex of Ritchies, will be holding the reins and whipping up enthusiasm for some truly fine wines from private collections at what promises to be one of the biggest charitable auctions of the year.

Many big names will be on the slate - 82 Bordeaux, Cali and Tuscan heavyweights from the 90s & seriously old vintage port - but there will also be younger wines from the past decade so it won't all be hundreds per bottle.

Budding collectors should note that charity wine auctions are often a great source of value - you're up against fewer bidders and even though there's a reserve price (the minimum acceptable amount), bids often start well below market value. In this case, the COC will be presenting "over $250,000" worth of wine... which sounds to me like rather a lot to put on offer for perhaps a few dozen serious bidders - so I predict there'll be some value.

There will be cheeses and other "delicacies" as well as wines to taste both at the reception and while the auction is on. Tickets are $60.

For more info, see the Canadian Opera Company website.