Eatdrink #63 January/February 2017

44 www.eatdrink.ca
№ 63 | January/February 2017
wine
Getting it Right
Jamie Quai, of Quai du Vin Estate Winery
By GARY KILLOPS
The 12th Annual London Wine &
Food Show returns to the Metroland
Media Agriplex at the Western
Fair District on January 19th for
three days of wine, beer, spirits and epicurean
plates.
Ontario has been growing steadily as
a culinary destination and this event will
showcase, among others, the wineries,
breweries, restaurants and chefs who
support local and purchase from area
farmers.
“The London Wine and Food Show is an
amazing event! We have been proud to pour
our wines there since the very first year,”
said Jamie Quai, winemaker at Quai du Vin
Estate Winery, a 22-acre vineyard and winery
located 30 minutes south of London.
Quai went on to say, “My favourite thing
about the show (and other vendors have said
the same thing) is that the those attending are
just more interested in what you are doing. You
can connect with people. Some of the other
shows out there (while great) don’t seem to
linger as much in the minds of the guests after
they’ve left. London seems different.”
The Grape Growers of Ontario selected
Jamie Quai as the 2016 Grape King, an
ambassador for all grape growers in Ontario.
Jamie is the 61st Grape King and only the
Jamie Quai
Quai Du Vin offers traditional reds and whites, as well
as fruit wines, sparkling cocktails, sparkling wines,
icewines, maple wines and wine jellies.
second to be named from a vineyard outside
of Niagara.
“My wife, kids and I are attending events
all over Ontario for the 12 months of my time
as the Grape King. I’m presenting an award
at Cuvée this March, bringing greetings at
the Icewine Festival in January, new vintages
celebrations in the spring; there is always
something upcoming.”
This year the Niagara Icewine Festival falls
on the same weekend as the London Wine
&Food Show, so due to his commitments
Jamie will not be able to attend the London
show. Further Jamie’s sister, who runs the
winery’s retail end, is on maternity leave.
“We decided that rather than phone
it in, so to speak, we would take a
year off and return refreshed in 2018.
We absolutely love the show and wish we
could have done it justice this year.”
Show organizers describe the London
Wine & Food Show as an enticing mix of
local restaurants, wineries, craft beers and
spirits paired with tasting seminars, stage
presentations and entertainment. There
is something for everyone to sip, sample
and savour!