“Experiment. Try new
things. Don’t be frightened.” — Jane Masters, Master of
Wine
Good words to live by
— especially, Masters believes, when it comes to one’s approach to wine. She believes people need a wake-up
call to all the amazing varieties and flavours of wine that are out there.
A wine club can be a good
way to help push yourself beyond your comfort zone. In addition to giving its members access to exclusive
wines, they are also a lot of fun. They offer a chance to socialize, through wine tastings, educational
series and wine tours, while also deepening one’s understanding and appreciation of viticulture’s many
facets.
One of Canada’s largest
and most popular wine clubs is Opimian. Founded in 1973 in Montreal, it has more than 20,000 members across
Canada and operates as a non-profit wine purchasing co-operative. Members receive wine catalogues featuring
different wine regions and varietals from which they can order. As Opimian’s general manager, Pierre
Chanzonkov, notes, “Your palate is like your fingerprint — it’s unique. You have to taste as many as you
can.”
Opimian’s range of
programs has something for everyone, from the neophyte to the oenophile. For those looking to dip their toes
in the water, the Opimian Select program is a good place to start. It allows one to try a minimum of 24
exclusive wines from Opimian, from different regions and different types, also suggesting food pairings and
tasting notes, all at a fixed price. The Cellar Offering program, which runs from October to July, features
more than 500 wines from around the world, and would be attractive to those familiar with certain regions and
varietals, but are looking to expand their repertoire. For the wine connoisseur, the Founders’ Choice program
would entice. It offers members a case (six bottles) every month from Opimian’s premium wine offerings. These
wines are selected by either Opimian’s Master of Wine, Jane Masters, or by the vintner specifically for the
Founders’ Choice program.
Opimian has local
representatives in every province so members can connect with fellow wine lovers in the local community. They
organize social events like tastings and talks and, should you have any questions, provide you with
assistance and support.
Members also have the
opportunity to take part in wine tours within Canada and to famous wine-producing nations. The focus of these
tours is on the winery, the vineyards and the people behind the wines.
» opim.ca » 1-800-361-9421
Q&A:
Jane Masters
Jane Masters is Opimian’s
newest Master of Wine. She graduated from Bordeaux’s famous Institut d’Oenologie and became a Master of Wine
in 1997. Jane has run the wine business for a large U.K. retailer and is a member of the Council of the
Institute of Masters of Wine and a panel chair for the International Wine Challenge.
Lifestyler sits down with Masters to discuss all things wine.
What made you want
to become a Master of Wine? What was the process like?
It’s the leading
qualification. You’re exposed to some of the best wines in the world. There’s the intellectual challenge as
well. It’s made up of three parts: Theory, practical and dissertation. The process is like being a detective,
trying to find out from what you can smell and taste in the glass... what it is and where it came
from.
Why are you and
Opimian a good fit? What is your role there?
They are
passionate about wine, they want to learn more... and are always on the lookout for new and exciting
wines.
I’m a consultant for
Opimian. We put together eight offerings a year; each offering is themed on a certain region or country and
consists of about 55 to 60 wines. I look out for and select the best wines we can find to fit in with those
offers. Then I write up the wines, the producers, the regions and the exciting things that are going on
there. I attend industry events like the Vinexpo in Bordeaux, the biggest wine fair in the world. I visit
wineries and suppliers and get them to dig out something special that they normally wouldn’t present to
people.
What is the most
important thing to do when you’re tasting wine?
To be objective. We’re all
influenced by the label and we have a pre-conceived idea, so even if you’re not tasting completely blind,
which is what I do when I’m selecting wine... just pay attention to all the senses, visually looking at the
wine, the aroma. The nose is really important. The texture and the structure on the palate is especially
important for the consumer, because not everyone goes around sniffing glasses like we do in the trade; they
do actually drink it... (laughs). Paying attention to all those things... attention to the length of
flavour and finally, the aftertaste in your mouth.
Masters' Top
Picks (Available exclusively through Opimian)
EXPRESSION RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2008
Casablanca Valley, Chile, produced by Villard
Estate
I love all the wines that
Thierry and now his son Jean Charles produce but this Chardonnay is absolutely stunning, rich and elegant at
the same time with lovely, balanced toasty notes.
TEMATICO RESERVA
MALBEC 2007
Vista
Flores, Mendoza, Argentina, produced by Mauricio Lorca
Argentina has developed
its reputation with the Malbec grape variety. Mauricio made a lovely concentrated, balanced wine that has now
developed some complexity with notes of cooked ginger, vanilla, dark chocolate, crushed slate and earthy
notes.
CLOS CANTENAC
2009
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru,
France, produced by Martin Krajewski
A great vintage
in Bordeaux, rich, concentrated plummy fruits and a touch of spice, this wine has huge potential and needs
time to mature in the bottle.
ALFA SPIGA
2005
Ribera del Duero, Spain,
produced by Bodegas O. Fournier
Jose Manuel
Ortega makes great wines in Chile, Argentina and Spain and for Opimian we have bought some from all these
areas. The Alfa Spiga 2005 has concentrated black fruit, tarry notes and aromas with firm tannins on the
palate already showing some development... It has future potential.
CHABLIS VIEILLES
VIGNES 2010
Chablis,
France, produced by Lamblin & Fils
A great classic Chablis,
this selection is restrained with mineral and green apple notes, resulting in an elegant long finish on the
palate.
CHAPMAN GROVE
SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
Margaret River, West
Australia, produced by Chapman Grove
This Sauvignon
Blanc offers an elegant lychee and gooseberry aroma combined with an herbal grassy flavour and a fresh, zesty
citrus finish. •
