Page 66 - Journeys | 2020 & 2021 Collections

If you want to know what a people believe, read their books; if you want to know who they are, drink their wine.
After decades of traveling with you and reading
your thoughtful feedback, this couldn’t ring truer. Numerous guests have told us the delectable wines we sample and world-class wineries we visit on journey stand out as a highlight. As we venture from small village to bustling metropolis, from land to sea, and from familiar to exotic, wine serves many functions: storyteller, dining companion and conversation starter.
We recently had the privilege of sitting down with acclaimed Sommelier, Gianmarco Zentena, who shared three wines he recommends among the many we experience on journey. Surrounded by countless exquisite vintages in the wine cellar he manages in Toronto, Ontario, it would have been difficult not to get caught up in the rich viticulture – as well as Gianmarco’s excitement. “What is unique about these three specific wine varieties is the role creativity and curation has played in their inception. In the case of the South African Pinotage, it didn’t come into being until a professor at Stellenbosch University crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsault in 1925. With Touriga Nacional, it’s thanks to Roman advancements in farming that these vines can survive on the verdant, hilly banks of the Douro River valley. Carmenere was thought to be extinct in France
before resurfacing in Chile, brought over during the 19th century. It is because of this careful curation that the world of wine is as diverse as it is today.”
It is this spirit of curation that inspires us
in everything we do. From designing our robust itineraries, to choosing the wines we sample, we strive to curate every element of your journey so that it is immersive and enjoyable. We invite you to enjoy our wine selections for 2020. All three wines are available both on select journeys as well in stores across Canada, and we are confident you will enjoy them.
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Toronto Sommelier, Gianmarco Zentena
Gianmarco added, “Tasting a wine is great, but visiting the winery where it is produced adds a whole new dimension to the experience. I am honestly a little jealous of your guests!”