The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 26, 2007 - 33 Preparing to help guests eat, drink and learn By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The Toronto Wine & Cheese Show is a mecca for anyone in the business of attracting rapt, curious and keen wine, beer and cheese aficionados and amateurs alike. According to show manager Marti Milks there is no typical visitor. "We attract everyone from age 19 to 75, who enjoys food, cheese, wine and beer." Perhaps the common denominator among them is the mutual appreciation for a fine day of eating, drinking and learning. The show features an international selection of fine wines, beers, spirits, single malt whiskies, forthcoming vintages and industryregarded wine and beer competitions -- all complemented by foods prepared by renowned chefs from Toronto's leading restaurants. With a huge audience expected to surpass last year's all-time high attendance of 33,000, the show is a haven for retailers eager to introduce their brands to a bevy of consumers. "It's a prime opportunity to market and promote new and existing products to a very receptive market," said Milks. The masses converge at Toronto's International Centre, on Airport Road, March 23-25. The crowds are drawn to the show, by the talent and stature of the 3,500 exhibitors, and a $250,000 media campaign aimed at reaching sophisticated readers. Based on feedback from participants in the past, sales of products featured in the show tend to spike in sales following it, added Milks. Vendors create consumer awareness and market research with products featured at the LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ALL SET : Nikki Pais, co-ordinator of the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show, is getting ready for the much-anticipated event that takes place March 23-25. show. It is part of Milks' job to provide large trade booths for exhibitors to run taste testing and food and beverage pairings. "We also have exhibitors that represent whole countries and even regions of the world," said Milks. Some of the wines' regions include New York, California, Portugal, South Africa and New Zealand. The Vintages Classics Tastings area provides consumers with an opportunity to taste some of the most highly regarded wines in the world, such as Chateau Lafite, Chateau Haut Brion, 1998 Vega Sicilia and 1999 Duckhorn Howell Mtn Merlot. The show is the venue where an esteemed panel of judges reveal winners in the annual Niagara wine competition where more than 250 vintners compete in 17 categories from best red wine under $13 to best white wine over $25, as well as best dessert, fruit and aperitif wines. A total of 10 experienced wine judges (five per panel) who are journalists and educators in this discipline, as well as sommeliers; bring their trained palates to the blind judging. Only information about the grape type or style (ex. sparkling or fortified) and sugar content are provided. They evaluate up to 100 wines per day. Professional chef, food writer, consultant and culinary tourism adviser Gurth Pretty is a repeat presenter at the show. He brings his knowledge and love of Canadian cheese, the sole focus of his first book and epicurean travel log The Definitive Guide to Canadian Artisanal and Fine Cheese (Whitecap Books). It has been dubbed the most comprehensive guide to Canadian cheeses ever published. After vendors and consumers asked for more wine and cheese matching seminars, Milks responded by scheduling seven seminars aimed at teaching visitors how to match wine and beer from around the world to an array of cheeses. Pretty arranged for fellow professional cheese experts to co-lead the educational seminars along with wine and beer experts. "The 60-minute long sessions will be very informative, fun and tasty," said Pretty, whose Discover and Taste Raw Milk Cheese! seminar was among the crowd favourites last year. Other highlights include a smooth jazz wine garden where Wave 94.7 FM and Toronto's top artists in this genre entertain, and the Corks and Forks Kitchen Theatre, a hub of cooking demos, sampling and wine pairing classes. The cumulative reputation of the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show's 24-year history is its own attraction for myriad exhibitors. It features more than 33,000 delicacies and the finest wines, spirits and beers that hail from vineyards and distilleries around the world. The show is now owned and operated by one of Canada's largest consumer show producers, Premier Consumer Shows, a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd., wholly owned by Torstar Corp. Visit Premier websites at www.premierconsumershows.com or www.towineandcheeseshow.com for exhibitor and consumer information. Premier Consumer Shows is located at 467 Speers Rd. For more information, call 905-8150017. THE CITY'S BEST BRIDAL SHOW Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place Hours: Friday 5pm-10pm Saturday 10am-9pm Sunday 10am-6pm Show Admission: $15. JANUARY 26-28, 2007 GETinvested NEW NEWSPAPER TABLOID & ONLINE MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR 2007 FREE BRIDAL GOWN to be given away every 15 minutes from Sposabella & Ballett's, The Wedding Specialists DESTINATION WEDDING FASHION SHOWS Sponsored by Islands of the Bahamas Friday 7:30pm Saturday 2:00pm & 7:00pm Sunday 1:00pm & 4:00pm 2007 to any Sandals Resort in the Carribean DREAM HONEYMOON! Reach700,000 Targeted Households in Canada's Fastest Growing Marketplace EDITORIALhighlights: Choosing the right investment advisor The perfectly balanced portfolio. Will I out-live my retirement savings? Fact or Fiction- Ethical investments perform as well as "sin stocks" Demystifying Mutual Funds Who needs permanent insurance The Retirement Choices Women as investors Wills and power of attorney Organizing family finances and more! SPACE DEADLINE: Friday, January 26th, 2007 MATERIAL DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 DISTRIBUTION: Wednesday-Sunday, February 14-18, 2007 Contact Metroland Corporate Sales Office Today! Tel: 416-493-1300 Fax: 416-493-0623 advertising@metroland.com www.millionsofreaders.com $5000 THE BIGGEST HOME ACCESSORY BRIDAL GOWN SALE PRIZE PACKAGE from The Bay IN THE CITY! & Home Outfitters National Gift Registry brought to you by Sposabella HUNDREDS OF EXHIBITORS offering Services for your Special Day Sensational Fashion Show & Destination Wedding Ideas! Freixenet Sparkling Wine Garden! Everything for the Groom too! Visit the Brides Choice Photography Gallery for photo excellence & great ideas! www.nationalbridalshow.com For information or exhibitor opportunities 905-815-0017 or 1-800-265-3673 Metroland Media Group