LCBO and Waddington's to present 2009 Vintages Fine Wine Auction October
16-18

TORONTO , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - The LCBO and Waddington's Auctioneers will be presenting more than 1,700 lots of rare wines valued at $1.8-2 million at this year's Vintages Finest and Rarest Wines Auction.

This popular annual auction, now in its eighth year, will take place on October 16, 17 and 18 at Waddington's Galleries at 111 Bathurst Street in Toronto . The first session will begin at 7 p.m. on October 16 and run until bidding closes. This will be followed by sessions starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday, both lasting until bidding closes.

Canadian auction house Waddington's was selected following a recent public tender to conduct the Vintages Finest and Rarest Wines Auction this year.

"We are very pleased to be associated with the LCBO Vintages Finest and Rarest Wines Auction," says Waddington's president Duncan McLean. "Our experience with fine art and our network of international clients provide an excellent basis for this partnership."

Among the many offerings of rare wine to be presented at the auction is the 2001 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, one of the world's great Grand Cru red Burgundies, valued at more than $4,000 per 750 mL bottle. California collectors will also find Sine Qua Non, the much sought-after wine from noted cult California producer Manfred Krankl, in quantities never before seen in Ontario. These wines are valued between $400-$1,000 per 750 mL bottle. There are also large quantities of classified Bordeaux and Grand Cru red Burgundies to appeal to the most discerning collectors.

"We've been successful selling the vast majority of items we auction each year by assembling an appealing mix of sought-after wines," says Barry O'Brien, LCBO Director of Corporate Affairs and one of the chief organizers of the auction. "We feel this year's auction has great diversity with many rare wines never presented before in Ontario."

Consumers will also be able to sample some of the auction wines at the Pre-Auction Tasting Gala at the Carlu at 444 Yonge Street in Toronto starting at 7 p.m. on October 14 . More than 60 premium wines will be offered for sampling, including some of the world's best white Burgundies from producers Coche-Dury and Domaine Leflaive and Bordeaux selections from classic Right and Left Bank vintages in large Imperial format bottles (6-litre).

Tickets for the tasting are $275 and can be obtained from Vintages customer service at 416 365-5767 or toll free at 1-800 267-4764. Auction catalogues can also be obtained for $20 through Vintages customer service. Previous auction customers will be receiving complimentary copies.

"The Vintages Finest and Rarest Wines Auction gives collectors the opportunity to obtain rare wines that are not available through other channels," notes O'Brien. "Many customers also view collecting fine wines as a good investment as great vintages tend to appreciate in value over time."

All wines consigned to auction are stored in temperature and humidity-controlled conditions. Collectors can bid on wines in person, in writing or by phone, fax or email.

Waddington's, a Toronto-based, Canadian-owned and operated company, has been in the auction and appraisal business since 1850, and is considered Canada's largest purveyor of international calibre fine art.

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Chris Layton, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator, Tel. [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Barry O'Brien, Director, LCBO Corporate Affairs, Tel. [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Tess McLean, Ciarlo Communications (representing Waddington's), Tel. [phone], E-mail: [email protected]