THE WINE CELLAR
By Rick VanSickle
Recognizing
The Importance of Wine
sells like crazy,” he says.
Kemp has only been at St.
George’s a few months but has
already made his presence felt
with an aggressive wine program
that seems to have captured the
attention of members’ tastebuds.
His biggest task is yet to come
with the Canadian Open returning
next year.
His plan is to attend the Open
at Glen Abbey and get a feel for
what the professional tour players
are looking for in terms of wine
choice and work toward building
an even better selection than what
the club has now.
I like the fact that St. George’s
has a wine menu that is aff ordable
(starting at $28), has some
wonderful collectible wines, draws
from the main wine regions of
the world, jumps on the newest
trends in wine drinking (South
America) and includes some great
Canadian wines.
Your wine list should be a
refl ection of your menu and have
St.George’s Golf & Country Club, the diversity needed to match
the food your chef is whipping
Etobicoke, ON
up on any given day. The whites
off the list at St. George’s have it
all — oaky Chardonnays, crisp
T
hough far too young to appreci- an autographed American bill as a today. It truly is a well-rounded Niagara, all the way up to $950 Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings,
ate it at the time, I remember tip for leading him into our house list that appeals to anyone who for a bottle of Chateau Lafite- and interesting white blends.
clearly that night in 1968 when under cover of an umbrella. appreciates wine with a good Rothschild (Bordeaux) 1983 from The red list, as well, hits all
our house was crammed full of The party was a huge success selection from around the world the St. George’s cellar. the right notes with the lighter
Canadian Open revellers and at and Boros was one of the last to at all price points. In between is a vast selection of Pinot Noirs, sweeter Italian reds,
least one PGA star of the day. leave even though he was teeing Clubs, whether private or not, wines, many of which you won’t refined Bordeaux, big Shirazes
I grew up in Toronto’s west end, off early the next day (he had his are recognizing the importance find at the LCBO or Vintages. and a selection of full-bodied
very close to St. George’s Golf best round of the week Sunday at of wine in their dining rooms Kemp has put together one of the reds from Ontario. The selection
and Country Club in Etobicoke, the 1968 Open that finished on and bars. finest wine lists I have seen at a can easily satisfy anything on
host of the 2010 Canadian Open a Monday because of rain, and Robin Kemp, the new food golf course. His exquisite selection the menu.
and home of the 1968 Open. My was won by lefty Bob Charles). service manager and sommelier from California (“our members On top of all that is a great
father, Roy, was a member of the His drink was scotch, lots of at St. George’s, has put together are partial to California wines,” he selection of champagne including
Mississaugua Golf and Country scotch, as most libations in those in a short amount of time a says) is quite impressive with all Veuve Cliquot, Mumm’s and
Club, itself a frequent host to the days consisted of hard liquor and well-rounded wine list with an the major players from Napa Valley Dom Perignon.
Canadian Open in those days, very little in the way of fi ne wine, inventory in access of $100,000 represented, as well as many hidden No doubt there will be a lot of
and a friend to more than a few unless, of course, you consider in the cellar. gems that are just hard to find that going around come Sunday
PGA tour players. He decided, Baby Duck fi ne wine. While cocktails ruled the day anywhere, let alone Ontario. at the 2010 Canadian Open at St.
as an avid golfer and a good It was like that at most clubs back in the ‘60s, they’re now the Also successful, says Kemp, George’s. They may want to stock
neighbour, to host a party for back then. Vodka, gin, rye, private club’s lowest seller, says is the “by the glass” program up on the champagne. •
tour players and friends during Scotch, bourbon, beer and the Kemp, who puts most of his that allows diners to purchase
Canadian Open week. like were the staples behind the beverage energy into a dynamic wonderful wines by the glass. Rick VanSickle is a wine writer
The party was held on a rainy bar, with dinner, and after the list of wines that appeal to a The temptation with a program with weekly columns in several
Saturday night on the weekend of meal on the patio with a big, broad spectrum of members like that is to put two or three Canadian newspapers. He lives
the Open. Not a lot of tour players fat stogie. Wine was scarce and and guests. wines on ice or left opened on in Niagara with his family and
showed up even though play had certainly not something that was St. George’s has an eclectic the counter, but St. George’s has when he’s not drinking wine
been suspended because of rain at even considered in those bad list of wines from around the a broad selection of wines at he enjoys hitting the links. And
St. George’s. One player who did old days. world with special emphasis on different price points. It allows anytime he can combine the two,
arrive was the gregarious Julius Well, these aren’t the bad old California, Italy, France and a diners to try different pairings it’s a glorious thing.
Boros, a popular and entertaining days anymore. growing interest in Niagara wines. with the food without buying a If you have any questions, I’d
presence on the tour in those That’s why it’s so impressive to Prices range from $30 for a crisp full bottle. be happy to help. Contact me at:
days. I remember he handed me see the wine list at St. George’s Sauvignon Blanc from France or “Mike Weir (wine) by the glass rickwine@hotmail.com
44 Pro Shop Buying Show Guide-Fall 2009
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