Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine

Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine

Alex Abbott Boyd

Episodes 20
Avg. Duration 51m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (3)
Since Jul 2025
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
86%
Hosting
feeds.transistor.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Hosted by Toronto-based sommelier Alex Abbott Boyd, Tasting Notes Toronto explores the people shaping the city’s food and wine culture—from Michelin-starred chefs and master sommeliers to restaurant operators and winemakers. Each episode goes behind the scenes of hospitality careers, restaurant culture, and the decisions that shape what we eat and drink in Toronto today.

Podcasting 2.0 Features

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Recent Episodes

Quitting Toronto to Build a Niagara Vineyard from Scratch — Corey Mio of Mio Vineyard

Jun 02, 2026 41m Transcript

What happens when you leave Toronto, buy a neglected 17-acre farm in Niagara wine country, and plant a vineyard — with no formal training in viticulture or winemaking?In this episode, I sit down with…

Matt Palynchuk — Raton Laveur, The Hardest Bar in Toronto to Find (and Get Into)

May 19, 2026 39m Transcript

What happens when a wine pop-up in a laneway quietly becomes one of Toronto's most talked-about (and hardest to find) wine experiences?In this episode, I sit down with Matt Palynchuk — Wine Director…

Quentin Meloff — Food Media Is Dying (Here’s Who’s Replacing It)

May 05, 2026 46m Transcript

Restaurant-industry veteran Quentin Meloff (@quentinmeloff) shares how he went from working in some of Toronto's best restaurants — Alo, Aloette, Bar Isabel, Richmond Station — to creating viral food…

James Li — From Beijing Lawyer to Canada’s Best Young Sommelier

Apr 21, 2026 36m Transcript

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I sit down with James Li, the recently crowned Best Young Sommelier of Canada and Assistant General Manager at DaNico, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant…

Patrick Habchi — Wine List Psychology and the Art of Pairing at George Restaurant

Apr 07, 2026 56m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Habchi, Wine Director at George Restaurant in Toronto — Michelin Recommended restaurant and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner.We talk about building…

Faye MacLachlan - Inside Langdon Hall’s Award-Winning Wine Program and a Career in Wine

Mar 24, 2026 58m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Faye MacLachlan, Wine Director and Restaurant General Manager at Langdon Hall and the 2025 Michelin Guide Toronto Sommelier of the Year.Faye shares lessons from…

Christian Perreault Hamel – Winning Best Sommelier of Ontario and Building Harbour 60’s 3,600 SKU Wine List

Mar 10, 2026 1h 17m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Christian Perreault Hamel, Best Sommelier of Ontario, Wine Director at Harbour 60, and owner of Pelican Wine Imports. At Harbour 60, Christian oversees one of the…

Fabienne Dourdon - Leaving Paris to Take Over the Family Champagne Estate

Feb 25, 2026 50m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Fabienne Dourdon, a Champagne grower whose family has farmed vines in the Marne Valley since 1812. She shares the family’s journey from selling 100% of their grapes…

Eric Chong — Opening aKin, Toronto’s Newest Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Feb 05, 2026 1h 7m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Chef Eric Chong to discusses the intense journey of opening his Michelin-starred restaurant, aKin. Initially trained as a chemical engineer, Eric's true passion for…

Jeremiah Tomas - From Line Cook at 17 to Michelin-Starred GM & Beverage Director at The Pine

Jan 15, 2026 1h 23m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Jeremiah Thomas, General Manager at The Pine in Creemore (1 Michelin Star), to explore a career built from the ground up in wine, hospitality, and fine…

Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson – Restaurant Pearl Morissette, Canada’s Best Restaurant and the Power of Unconventional Thinking

Nov 25, 2025 1h 3m Transcript

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I interview Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson, co-owners of the acclaimed Restaurant Pearl Morissette. They discuss their journeys into hospitality, the…

Julie Garton – Crafting World-Class Wine Lists and Building a Career in Hospitality

Nov 11, 2025 49m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Julie Garton, a sommelier and hospitality professional, to discuss her journey in the wine and hospitality industry. Jules shares her experiences from studying film…

Scott Vivian and Nate Middleton — Beast Pizza, An Open Door to Creativity, and Fine Dining in a Pizzeria

Oct 28, 2025 1h 2m Transcript

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I sit down with Scott Vivian and Nate Middleton, co-owners of Beast Pizza in Toronto. They discuss their journey into the culinary world, the inspiration and…

Celia Méndez — From Tenerife to Canary Counter, Toronto’s Newest Wine Bar

Oct 14, 2025 53m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Celia Mendez, founder of Toronto's newest wine bar and bottle shop, Canary Counter. Celia shares her journey into the world of wine — from growing up in a small…

Josh Correa — Archive Wine Bar, Honest Wines, and Building a List for Everyone

Oct 03, 2025 44m Transcript

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I sit down with Josh Correa, co-owner of Archive Wine Bar in Toronto. Josh shares his journey from being a teacher to opening a successful wine bar inspired…

Ben Plisky-Somers — Opening Bossanova, Ontario’s First Wine & Beer Shop

Sep 08, 2025 52m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Plisky-Somers, co-founder of Bossanova Wine and Beer in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighborhood. Founded during the pandemic, Bossanova was Ontario’s first shop…

Tim Kirk — Clonakilla, Creating An Icon and the Sacred Side of Winemaking

Aug 07, 2025 52m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Kirk, chief winemaker at Clonakilla, one of Australia’s most acclaimed wineries. Known for crafting the groundbreaking Shiraz Viognier—a wine once hailed as "one…

Ryan Donovan - Opening Richmond Station, Why Ingredients are Key, and Work-Life Balance in Hospitality

Aug 03, 2025 51m Transcript

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I sit down with Ryan Donovan, co-owner and sommelier at Richmond Station, one of Toronto’s most enduring and respected restaurants.We dive into what it takes…

Ian Stoddart — Turning a Passion for Travel into a Neighborhood Wine Bar

Jul 19, 2025 38m

In this episode, I sit down with Ian Stoddart, owner of East End Vine — a cozy wine and tapas bar in Toronto’s east end. Inspired by his travels and a deep love of wine, Ian set out to create the…

Robert Luo — Crafting a World-Class Wine Program at Canada’s Best Restaurant

Jul 18, 2025 42m Transcript

In this episode, I sit down with Robert Luo — head sommelier at Restaurant Pearl Morissette, recently named Canada’s Best Restaurant. Rob has worked his way through wineries and restaurants around…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine have?

Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine has published 20 episodes since July 2025, covering topics in Arts, Food.

Is Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine still active?

Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 51m.

How do I contact Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine, including email and social media links.

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