By: Nicole Campbell

On May 11th, the Lifford Grand Tasting transformed Artscape Wychwood Barns from community space to international wine cellar.

Pre-tasting calm.

Over 45 wine principals from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, United States were in attendance, pouring their best and mingling with the crowd.

The 2011 Grand Tasting.

It was a pleasure to showcase Lifford’s tremendous portfolio, all the while raising money for Delisle Youth Services, an amazing organization supporting children and youth through difficulties at school, at home or in the community. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

A special thank you to the winemakers who donated their wine and their time for the cause.

Argentina: Alessandro Speri Winery, Finca Decero, Humberto Canale Winery

Australia: Brokenwood Wines, Hollick Wines, Mitchell Winery, Mitolo Wines

British Columbia: JoieFarm Winery, Painted Rock Estate Winery

California:Au Bon Climat, Cakebread Cellars, Diamond Creek Vineyards, Francis Ford Coppola, Freestone Vineyards, Heitz Wine Cellars, Ironstone Vineyards, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Lyeth, Rubicon Estate

Chile: Vina Echeverria, Vina La Rosa, Vina Sena

France: Chateau du Trignon, Compagnie Medocaine des Grands Crus, Domaine de Nalys, Domaine des Senechaux, Domaine Paul Zinck, Maison Louis Jadot, Joseph Mellot, Laurent Miquel

Italy: Ca’ del Bosco, Cabert, CastelGiocondo, Castello di Pomino, Castiglion del Bosco, Colpertrone, Elena Walch, Fattoria del Cerro, Fratelli Speri, Garofoli, Gigi Rosso, Il Borro, Il Poggione, La Poderina, Pio Cesare

New Zealand:Craggy Range Winery, Staete Landt Vineyard

Ontario: Malivoire Wine Company

Oregon: Amity Vineyards

Spain:Bodegas Pinord, Telmo Rodriguez

Washington:K Vitners, Charles Smith Wines

Daniele Calzavara still smiling at Cabert.

The always delicious Joseph Phieps.

The charming Telmo Rodriguez from Spain.

Telmo Rodriguez wines.

Painted Rock wines from the Okanagan Valley.

Myron Redford: an oregon pioneer with Amity Vineyards.

Speaking of icons... Au Bon Climat's Jim Clendenen.

Kung Fu Girl Riesling from Charles Smith.

Pouring Elena Walch wines from Alto Adige.

Cakebread wines.

Luca Speri teaching us about Speri amarone, amongst other things.

Oh that Speri Amarone...

Lifford's own Lianne Middleton hard at work.

Jane Mitchell from Mitchell Wines getting grilled by the Wine of the Week crew.

Our Grand Fromage, Steven Campbell, waxing poetically.

$100,000 cheque to Delisle Youth Services!

A glass of wine after a hard day's work!

Nicole Campbell is a wine blogger and all around worker bee for Lifford Wine Agency, Ontario’s largest supplier of wine to the hospitality industry and VINTAGES. Follow her on twitter @liffordnicole.