Our curated wine tasting events serve several purposes, making them enjoyable and educational experiences for participants. Tastings provide an opportunity to learn about different types of wines, grape varietals, and wine-making techniques. Attendees can develop a deeper understanding of wine tasting and appreciation. These events engage all five senses allowing attendees to see, smell, taste, and even feel the texture of different wines, while listening to one of our wine experts lead a tasting.
You will have the chance to sample a variety of wines, helping you to discover new favourites and expand your palate. Every tasting is accompanied by a two or three course meal at the end of the tasting, or a tapas-style iterative meal with each wine pair times four. Food pairings allow participants to learn which wines complement different dishes. This can be particularly useful for enhancing dining experiences.
Wine tastings are social gatherings where people can meet and interact with fellow wine enthusiasts. It’s a great way to make new friends and share a common interest. And all Grand Cru events are situated in downtown Calgary, close to readily available transit, taxis, and Uber that can return you home safely.
Kistler Pinot Noir Tasting Reprise
September 10, 2024 at the Petroleum Club
This tasting is a reprise of the fabulous Kistler Pinot Noir tasting held by the Grand Cru Society in September 2022. Now that the wines have aged another two years, it will be interesting to see what changes have taken place.
Limited to 16 participants.
Rhone Valley North to South
September 30, 2024 at The Ranchmen’s Club
Often divided between its northern and southern climes, the Rhône Valley is associated with both the purity of Syrah in the cooler northern appellations of Côte Rôtie and Hermitage and in warmer, more southerly, latitudes where Syrah is a blending component (often with Grenache and Mourvèdre) in Châteauneuf-du- Pape and others. The north-south division is not absolute, however. An important, unifying constant between the two areas is the regional Côtes du Rhône appellation, which can be claimed by red, rosé and white wines from all over the valley. At this event we will run the length of the valley with 8 selections from North to South.
2010 Brunello Horizontal
October 28, 2024 at The Ranchman’s Club
Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s (and the world’s) greatest red wines. Made exclusively from Sangiovese Grosso grapes, and made only in the small Tuscan region of Montalcino with strict production methods, Brunello is certainly a wine that strongly reflects both its terroir and its vintage. The 2010 vintage is arguably the greatest this century (although given time 2016 and the newly released 2019 may rival that – keep your membership for years to come!). On this night at The Ranchmen’s Club, we will taste a 2010 horizontal of 3 Normale (including the wine that started it all, Biondi-Santi) and 5 Riserva (including the great Madonna from Valdicava). A night you don’t want to miss!
Clos de Papes vertical
November 18, 2024 at the Petroleum Club
Winemaker Paul Vincent Avril has made Clos des Papes one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s most acclaimed Domaines. Join us as we taste 8 of their red vintages 2010 – 2017 inclusive. As a bonus, we will start the evening with the 2021 Clos des Papes white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Join us on Monday November 18th for this tasting followed by a lovely dinner at the Petroleum Club. 32 guests.
Champagne Brunch
December 1, 2024 at the River Café
Llyn, we need a writeup!
2012 Barolo
January 13, 2025 at The Ranchmen’s Club
Barolo is the greatest wine of Northern Italy yet characterizing it can be difficult as the
region encompasses two very different soil types and subsequently different flavour
characteristics. In the western part of the region the soils are primarily calcerous marls
which result in elegant, floral wines. This area includes the villages of Barolo and La
Morra and includes the famous vineyards of Cannubi and Cerrequio. On the east side
of the region the soils are less fertile and contain sandstone which result in more
concentrated and powerful wines. This area includes the villages of Castiglione Falleto
and Serralunga d’Alba and the vineyards of Bussia, Ginestra and Monprivato.
Historically Barolo producers created their wines by using grapes from multiple
vineyards across both disparate regions in order to produce a ‘balanced’ wine.
However more recently there has been a trend to producing single vineyard wines
which showcase the specific terroir of that area.
At this event we will be tasting single vineyard wines from both sub-regions along with a
wine made in the historical approach using grapes from both regions. This tasting will
be great opportunity to taste these great wines and see how they are developing with
age. Can you tell which wines come from which sub-region and which is from both?
How are the wines developing with age and are the two different sub-regions
developing differently? Do you prefer the single vineyard wines or the wine made with
grapes from both regions?
Join us in tasting the best wines of Northern Italy which will be educational, entertaining
and enjoyable. 32 guests.
Spain, Other than Rioja
February 3, 2025 at the Petroleum Club
Craig need a writeup!
Portuguese Wines from the Douro
February 24, 2025 at The Ranchman’s Club
The Douro does not just produce Port. An increasing number of producers are now making great unfortified wines at all price points from indigenous grapes that would normally go into the Port blend. The Society has collected a number of wines, at reasonable prices, that hit well above their price point as well as a few “heavy hitters”. This tasting will be for 32 wine enthusiasts at the Ranchmen’s Club, accompanied by a two-course meal.
2014 Burgundy Pinot Noir Tasting
March 17, 2025 at the Petroleum Club
It has been a number of years since we last tasted Burgundy’s Pinot Noir from our cellar. The 2014 growing season was blessed with ideal conditions, resulting in wines that beautifully balance rich fruit flavours with subtle earthy undertones. As we explore these exquisite Pinot Noirs, you’ll notice their vibrant ruby colour, delicate aromas of red berries and hints of spice and floral notes. On the palate, expect a harmonious blend of cherry, raspberry, and a touch of minerality wrapped in a silky smooth finish. We will be tasting eight superb wines from both the Côte de Beaune and Côte du Nuits – two Grand Cru and six Premier Cru Pinot Noirs. If you are a Burgundy fan come and savour the elegance, complexity and rich heritage of these remarkable wines. If you’re not, come and learn more. Each sip will reveal the unique terroir and meticulous craftsmanship that define this vintage, offering a sensory experience that is both profound and unforgettable. Be certain to sign up, as seats should go quickly.
Spain Rioja Gran Riserva
April 14, 2025 at The Ranchmen’s Club
Lawrence, need a writeup!
Annual General Meeting
April 23, 2025
Lawrence, need a writeup!
2015 Brunello vs Chianti Riserva
May 5, 2024 at The Ranchmen’s Club
Join us as we sample 9 wines from a cross section of Tuscany, all from the great vintage of 2015. We will sample 2 Brunello, 3 IGT’s, 2 Chianti Classico Riservas and 2 Chianti Gran Selezione ( In order to upgrade the quality of Chianti Classico even further, a new top level in the Chianti hierarchy was created, Gran Selezione. Is this really a step up in quality or just a scheme to charge more?) You can decide, as we taste these 9 wines blind. Join us on Monday, May 5th for this tasting followed by a lovely dinner at the Ranchmen’s Club.
Cellarmaster’s Surprise, 2025 Edition
June 2, 2025 at the Petroleum Club
This will be third in this series of tastings where all of the wines will be served blind and revealed only after tasting. The last two tastings were well received, tasting oddball grapes, both red and white, that were generally unknown to the participants.
Do you trust your Cellarmaster to pull it off again? Same theme, maybe not! As usual, pairs of wines will be matched with tapas style food expertly prepared by the Chef of the Petroleum Club.
Limited to 16 participants.