On Wednesday July 14th, without realizing it was France's Bastille Day, I wandered into a new Wine Bar on a rainy afternoon and celebrated with 4 French Wines.
10 & 10 Enoteca, which translates to Wine Library in Europe, is sharing Old World European Wines in a quaint setting at the International Mall. The Wine List is very intriguing, showcasing wines you wouldn't see in other places, and the 'build your own charcuterie board' as well as their Olive Bar on display, grabbed my interest immediately.
Bora, the owner met me as I wandered through this lovely space and he shared that they've only been open for a few months.
After running around most of the day and not eating breakfast or lunch, my attention went to an unusual appetizer, Ahi Tuna Shots with a glass of Rose, sounded like a perfect match.
What started out as a sample, turned into a journey of wines that Bora shared with me as a torrential down pour took place outside, and he knew I wasn't leaving soon.
Happy Bastille Day to Me!
His knowledge and enthusiasm for the wines captured my attention and the bottles he shared with me were delicious. The Rose he brought me to try was perfect on a very hot afternoon. Leoube, 'Love' Rose from Cotes de Provence, France, 2019 is pink, delicate and well balanced. It is crisp and I could taste the apricots.
While sipping and savoring, my Ahi Tuna Shots arrived, served in 4 shot glasses accompanied by a small spoon and presented on a floral bordered European plate. The tuna is thinly sliced and rolled into the glass and topped with truffle Panco bread crumbs and a little soy sauce with sesame oil. So light and different.
Bora next brought over a White Sparkling Wine from Christian Martin, Blanc de Blancs from France. It was bubbly, effervescent and green apple flavor burst in my mouth. This opened up conversations about regions in France, the grapes they grow and their weather conditions.
A Sancerre from Domaine Denizot winery in France is the Queen of Sauvignon Blanc. It was so soft and elegant tasting. While I don't normally like sauvignon blancs because they can be too sweet, this was light, not at all like a sauvignon blanc. No wonder why he called it the Queen. Definitely a great summer wine to drink by the pool or at the beach.
Then Bora shared his 'go to wine' ~ a Vermentinu by the Domaine de Terra Vecchia winery. It is grown along the Mediterranean Sea in the appellation of Corsica. This wine was even softer and silky, but had a fruity intensity that I could taste in the back of my mouth. He shared that these grapes are grown on the cliffs and get coated with sea salt from the waves and sea breezes.
I can't wait to go back and experience his Brunch on a Monday with music played by a Jazz duo, and one evening when I can sample more of his menu and try the red varietals.
This Wine Bar is a must see on Bay Street at the International Mall, tucked away in a corner, it could be your new favorite spot, especially if you are an Oenophile.