CAPS Ontario In The News

Sommelier Showdown: Round Two Recap

Posted by Max Irwin on

Round two of the Fine Vintage Sommelier Showdown saw two new competitors go 'glass-to-glass' at Black and Blue Steakhouse where they competed in pairing wines with with a four-course luxurious menu. Guests decide which pairing was their favourite for each course with the winning Sommelier heading to the next round as the competition unfolds. CAPS Ontario Board Member and 2024 Best Ontario Sommelier, Christian Perrault Hamel (Harbour Sixty) faced off against Julie Garton (formerly of Liberty Group and Langdon Hall). Who came out on top? Find the full recap of round 2 on Vine Routes. 

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Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario announces winners

Posted by Max Irwin on

Toronto, ON. The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) -- Canada’s only national non-profit sommelier association -- is pleased to announce the winners of its 2025 CAPS Cup tasting challenge, held this week in three locations: the Vintage Conservatory on King St. in Toronto,  Gitanes in Ottawa and at Rosewood Estates in Niagara. A collection of the province’s best and brightest sommeliers and hospitality trade professionals competed against their peers in a blind tasting event of six wines, to win bragging rights and prizing donated by Ontario winemaker, Gianluca Di Loro of Di Loro Fine Wines....

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CAPS Ontario Announces Scholarship Collaboration with On Seven Estate Winery

Posted by Max Irwin on

CAPS Ontario Announces Scholarship Collaboration with On Seven Estate Winery CAPS Ontario is proud to partner with On Seven Estate Winery to support the next generation of Ontario wine professionals through a new education-focused scholarship initiative. On Seven Estate Winery, recognized for its pursuit of excellence and dedication to crafting memorable Niagara Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, has long championed the connection between Ontario wineries and the province’s dynamic food and beverage industry. In alignment with this vision, On Seven is offering a $1,000 scholarship to an aspiring professional pursuing formal, accredited wine education. In addition to financial support, the scholarship...

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Think You Can Be the Next CAPS Master of Port?

Posted by Max Irwin on

The MASTER OF PORT – CANADA 2025-2026 competition is exclusively for active sommeliers, members of Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers/Association Canadienne des Sommeliers Professionals (CAPS-ACSP).Candidates must be over 18 and have evidence of having worked for at least two years in establishments in one of the following roles in the on and off-trade: sommelier, maître d'hôtel, head waiter, restaurateur, wine store owner or wine merchant. Past winners of the MASTER OF PORT competition are ineligible.Monday September 22, 2pm EDTHere is the link for the competition:https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/mopcanada2025- The link will be live at 2pm EDT and will be open until 3.30pm EDT- Candidates only need an internet...

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CAPS Cup Returning for 2025!

Posted by Max Irwin on

"The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario chapter is once again inviting sommeliers, wine professionals and enthusiasts alike to put their blind tasting skills to the test in the 2025 CAPS Cup Challenge. Taking place simultaneously across three cities—Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara—on Tuesday, September 23 at 1:00 PM, this annual competition celebrates the art of tasting, analysis, and professional wine service in a fun, unpretentious environment."

See the full article in Vine Routes here!

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