Toast Canada’s 150th with nation’s best wines at Uncork Canada event

Uncork Canada thanks its many sponsors for coming on board to help offset this year’s costs. From left: Rick Wilkinson of the Picton Elks, Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMH Foundation, Ken Mayfield, branch manager of Scotiabank Picton, Bob Bird with the Rotary Club of Picton and Chris and Norah Rogers, owners of the Waring House. Rob Leek photo

The Rotary Club of Picton, in a continuing partnership with the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, is inviting wine aficionados to come be their own judge at a premier wine tasting event this month.

Uncork Canada, formerly the Wine Passport to Canada, is entering its third year in Prince Edward County. The event is presented by The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) in concert with Scotiabank Picton, Picton Elks Lodge, The Waring House, and Omnia Direct.

The tasting takes place on Saturday, June 17 from 3 to 6p.m. at the Crystal Palace at the Picton fairgrounds.

The event will feature hundreds of wines, ciders and meads from more than 200 premier wineries and vineyards from across Canada. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door for 12 tastings.

“These wines are sourced from the recent judging of the All Canadian Wine Championships and represent all wine making provinces,” said Bev Carnahan, ACWC Director. “This unique event offers the perfect opportunity for avid wine lovers to sample from hundreds of wines not available through the LCBO. There is only one bottle of each, so it is really a scavenger hunt for wine lovers.”

To see which wineries are participating in the All Canadian Wine Championships this year, go to www.allcanadianwinechampionships.com

Members of the Rotary Club of Picton will be acting as hosts, introducing guests to the great variety of wines available at the Crystal Palace, and offering up to 12 tastings so patrons can judge for themselves which wines they prefer.

The generosity of sponsors helps maximize proceeds for this event. which will benefit the Rotary Club of Picton and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.

“Rotary has a history of supporting the great work done by the Foundation, and we look forward to sharing and investing the proceeds back into our community on a number of fronts,” said Rob Leek, Rotary past president. “It is our hope that wine connoisseurs from across the province will join us in celebrating Canada’s great wines in support of a great cause.”

Mark Saturday, June 17 on your calendar. For more information and tickets, call 613-476-1008 ext. 4503 or visit www.uncorkcanada.ca Tickets are also available at the PECMH Foundation office in the hospital, at 403 Main St., Picton, through The Regent Theatre Box Office, or at the Crystal Palace for $40 on event day

“This walk around tasting of outstanding Canadian wines has such potential to grow significantly and become a highly recognizable social/charitable event not to be missed by those working in or associated with the wine industry, as well as wine lovers from Prince Edward County and beyond,” said Penny Rolinski, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “The hospital Foundation and the Rotary Club of Picton are looking forward to raising a glass in support of our County community with all of our attendees this June.”