Interview with a Vampire

This interview I gave to TVCOGECO a few years ago has similar questions to the one below for the Vankleek Hill newspaper. You will learn here some of my secrets. :)

Arbor Gallery in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, is moving forward with its new vision as the cultural centre of the community. This year they will be offering two wonderful events. One is a “house concert” and the second is a very special kind of wine tasting course taught by Dany Gagnon. I met with Dany recently to discuss his wine tasting event and here is an excerpt of that interview.

YOUR TITLE IS “WINE EXPERT” CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

I was born in Quebec, but moved to France at the age of 19 and spent the next 30 years all over Europe working with and studying under various wine growers. in 2010 I move back to Quebec and soon after decided to share my knowledge and passion about wine by offering wine tasting courses. Currently I’ve given courses to over 11,000 people.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE A COURSE IN VANKLEEK HILL?

I really like the energy of Vankleek Hill and respect that people here are concerned about their health, and try to eat organic, locally made food. Wine is just like food, it comes in many different qualities, and these characteristics have a definite impact on people’s health.

Some people have already experienced a few of those negative effects in the form of skin reactions, headaches etc. They may think it’s just the sulphites in the wine, but actually there are many factors at work. This is why it’s important to know about how wines are made so that you can make healthy choices. No other wine tasting course that I’m aware of touches upon the health issues.

WHAT ELSE WILL YOU BE TEACHING?

Many people get into a kind of rut, a habit of drinking the same type of wine over and over. Often they’re not aware that they may actually enjoy a much wider variety because they have never educated their palate. So, one of the things we’ll do in this course is broaden your tastes by offering you samples of wine you may never have even considered trying. I’ll also be suggesting wine pairings and will bring some canapés, chocolate and ice cream so that you can taste for yourselves.

CAN’T WE JUST GO TO THE LCBO AND ASK THE SOMMELIER?

A sommelier has very different training than I do and often when they recommend a wine they are basing it on 3 things: your taste, pocket book and the food you’re serving. The health issue is rarely addressed. I know wine from the roots of the vine to the final tasting of the consumer. I am like the missing link between the winemaker and the wine consumer. There is also something else I do that is quite different.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN A BIT MORE?

In a sense the person at the LCBO is giving you “the fish,” what I’m doing is “teaching you how to fish.” What I mean by that is that my course will teach you how to find wines that are healthy, will appeal to your taste buds, and go with your meal, rather than simply relying on people who work at the LCBO who may or may not have very much the knowledge.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR COURSE?

Since I’m offering my course at the art gallery, let me use this analogy. When you go to a gallery there is often a person there who can tell you about the artist, and the painting or sculpture you’re looking at. This gives you a whole new appreciation of it. Similarly there are ways to increase your appreciation of the wine you’re drinking, I call it the 3 mouths, 3 noses technique and I will be teaching that as well.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST AND WHAT WILL PEOPLE GET FROM THE COURSE?

The cost of the course is $39. I will present and serve 4 different wines as well as a canapé, a chocolate to pair, and a small bowl of ice cream. We all tend to buy a lot of wine during the holiday season, but with this course you will have the knowledge of how to find and make healthy choices, as well as consider purchasing a wider selection.
If you’re interested in taking Dany’s course and we would appreciate if you would go to the Arbor Gallery Facebook page under the Wine Tasting Event to let us know you’re coming. If not, just come to Arbor Gallery (36 Home Avenue) on Wednesday, November 25th between 6:45-7pm. Please bring $39 in cash and paper to write your notes on. Hope to see you all there.

Reenie Marx

Thank you for reading.
Please pass on if you feel it might help others.