So what happens when two Canadian-wine-loving guys – Shawn McCormick of Uncork Ontario and Calvin Hanselmann (@TheEvilDoctorD) – lament the fact that Canadian Wine Day (June 28th) is only one day? Why, they end up challenging each other to go for a year without drinking anything but Canadian wine! When we caught wind of this all Canadian endeavor, the Savvy Team wanted to take part too.
As the saying goes, ‘the more the merrier!’
We invite Canadian wine lovers from coast to coast to coast to take part in the first annual The Great Canadian Wine Challenge (@TGCWC)! The start line begins on September 1st…and it goes for a whole year.
Being a challenge of who-can-stick-to-the-drink-Canadian-wines-for-365-days, there are some basic rules & reds…err, I mean regs:
#1 – It is all about drinking great Canadian wine, but it is also about having fun along the way!
#2 – The duration of the Challenge is 12 calendar months, starting Sept 1, 2013
#3 – You may only purchase or open Canadian wine for the duration of the Challenge. This allows for a few exceptions like international wine events that may be attended, dinner parties where the host unwittingly opens something non-Canadian, wine-related courses you may be taking where other wines may be opened, and events like i4c2014 or The Riesling Experience where it would be terrible to miss the international wines on offer. With feedback, we decided to allow for international travel exemption as well, as we know how hard it is to get Canadian wine within Canada, let alone the rest of the world!
#4 – You must drink wine from at least three (3) provinces during the 12 month period, and at least 12 different wines during that time. Any Canadian wine counts – VQA, non-VQA, fruit wines, anything that involves fermenting fruit from this great country of ours.
#5 – Commit to a weekly update in one of these ways: via Twitter #TGCWC, a blog post, or an email Shawn & Calvin and they will track updates from participants & feature in the TGCWC weekly updates.
Ready to take on the Challenge?
To join in the fun by emailing Shawn & Calvin or send a Tweet to #TGCWC.
If you are on Twitter, follow @TGCWC, @TheEvilDoctorD, @UncorkOntario and include #TGCWC of course!
“We also figured we should have some prizes for anyone who can complete The Great Canadian Wine Challenge @TGCWC“, explains Shawn (in red shirt at bottom). “We’re putting our heads together on some outstanding Canadiana prizes, so stay tuned. Until then, share on Twitter about the Canadian wines that you have discovered throughout the year.”
Nudge, nudge…
If you are a winery or wine-related business and would like to donate some swag & prizes, contact Shawn or Calvin at thegreatcanadianwinechallenge(at)gmail(dot)com or on Twitter @TGCWC. They will be sure to praise you all over the interwebs and in a special blog post.
Happy Canadian Wine Year!
Join the growing list of Challengers…
Want to be famous? All you have to do is sign up for the Challenge and send Savvy Company your photo and you will be included in our poster-board of Challengers. Take a look to see who have committed to enjoying ONLY Canadian wine this year…