|
|
August Decanted
Welcome to August! Thankfully, we still find ourselves in the heart of the summer, with plenty of long sunny days, pool parties, and lakeside gatherings left before the fall rolls in. We've had the pleasure of speaking with many clients at our Toronto and Calgary offices since the June auction. We've loved hearing about the wines you've been enjoying and what you're looking forward to seeing at auction during the second half of the 2025 season.
This month there are no active auctions taking place, but despite the quiet appearance, the Iron Gate team is hard at work preparing for a couple of icon-studded fall catalogues. Additionally, there are some exciting events in the works for our hub cities in the coming months. Stay tuned for more details to come.
From the entire team at Iron Gate, we wish you a safe and healthy August and look forward to reconnecting in September!
|
|
Big, Beautiful, Bordeaux.
While we have not released the catalogues or schedule of events surrounding the fall auctions, we're delighted to announce that there is an abundance of Bordeaux coming your way. We've been working with a number of exceptional cellars across the country, who have amassed an impressive library of back vintage Grand Cru Classes. Many date back to the 70's and 80's, and include iconic vintages like 2005, 1996, and 1982.
With that in mind, we wanted to re-release an article published a couple of years ago which covered a once in a lifetime horizontal tasting of over 40 Bordeaux from 1982. The 1982 vintage was a standout for wine quality, longevity, and marked the emergence of wine critics (maybe one big name in particular) and their importance in the fine wine community.
We invite you to read through to the end (through the link below), where we made note of a few significant take aways from the evening. We'd love to hear from you on your own 1982 Bordeaux tasting experiences, and hope you'll keep your eyes and ears peeled for auction and event announcements coming this fall.
Cheers!
|
|
Partner Spotlight: Pearl of Burgundy Canada
Iron Gate is proud to feature Pearl of Burgundy in August's Partner Spotlight segment. As an importer of one of the top wine portfolios in the country, Pearl of Burgundy is an excellent resource for collectors looking to purchase Europe's finest wines on release. Driven by a deep passion for food and wine culture, their team focuses primarily on the wines of Burgundy, while also offering exceptional selections from Champagne, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Pearl of Burgundy takes great care in curating their wine selections while ensuring professional, temperature-controlled shipping to our clients across Canada. You can review their wine selection through this LINK.
Heading the Pearl of Burgundy team in Canada is Bryant Mao, a Vancouver-based, award-winning professional sommelier with over 20 years of hospitality experience. Bryant manages all Canadian operations, with upcoming Western Canadian shipments including Domaine Fourrier, Domaine Duroche, Hudellot-Noellat, Jean-Marc Millot, and Domaine Lafarge. You can reach Bryant with any inquiries through the link below.
|
|
A Journey Through Speyside: Scotland's Whisky Heartland
Iron Gate's Director of Spirits, Ajay Bhardwaj, often gets asked about where to travel when in Scotland. It's a challenging question as there are so many distilleries to experience and places to enjoy Scotland’s beauty. Wherever he goes, the people always make him feel welcome and at home.
Ajay wanted to start with a feature on Speyside, a region he has visited most often over the last few years. Nestled between the rugged Cairngorm Mountains and the Moray Firth coast lies Speyside, a lush, green valley. With over half of Scotland’s distilleries calling it home, this picturesque region isn’t just a destination—it’s a pilgrimage for whisky lovers. Fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow, then drive into the Highlands for stunning scenery and natural beauty.
The Land of Liquid Gold
Speyside, named for the River Spey that cuts through its heart, is synonymous with smooth, elegant single malts. Floral and fruity notes, a touch of vanilla in many drams and typically no smoke. Some of the world’s most beloved labels originate here: Macallan, Glenlivet, Cardhu and Glenfarclas just to name a few. Some new distilleries have recently opened including The Cairn Distillery. View the full Map of Speyside Distilleries here.
Speyside is home to over 50 distilleries, more than any other region in Scotland. Many are open to visitors, offering tours that range from basic tastings to in-depth experiences where you can bottle your own dram straight from the cask.
A good place to start is Dufftown, often called the "Whisky Capital of the World” due to the historical concentration of whisky distilleries. Here you’ll find Glenfiddich and Balvenie—family-owned, historic, and welcoming. Nearby, Aberlour offers a rich, sherried malt and a cozy tasting room overlooking the River Spey. (Not far down the road is Walker’s Shortbread Factory Shop which is a lovely treat!)
One of the most scenic and rewarding ways to explore is by following the Malt Whisky Trail, a self-guided route connecting several of the region’s most famous distilleries, cooperages, and heritage sites.
Beyond the Barrels
While whisky may be the star of the show, Speyside offers far more than just drams. The region’s landscape is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike the trails of Cairngorms National Park, cycle through wooded glens, or fish for salmon in the River Spey itself. History buffs will appreciate sites like Ballindalloch Castle, a 16th-century stately home still lived in by the same family. And don’t miss Elgin Cathedral, known as the “Lantern of the North,” with its hauntingly beautiful ruins dating back to the 13th century.
Where to Stay and Eat
Local inns and B&Bs offer warm Highland hospitality, often with roaring fireplaces, hearty fare, and—of course—a deep whisky list. For fine dining experiences be sure to reserve a table at Dowan’s Hotel or Spey Inn (Craigellachie Hotel). Try the region’s famed smoked salmon, venison, or haggis paired with a local single malt for a truly authentic experience. My favourite evenings are spent at the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie. Even if you come alone, you will make new friends enjoying one of the best selection of single malt whisky and private bottlings.
When to Visit
Spring and early autumn are ideal times to visit. The weather is mild, the landscape is vibrant, and the distilleries are less crowded than in peak summer months. My favourite time is during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, held each spring—a celebration of whisky, music (Scottish country dancing is so much fun), food, and local culture that draws fans from around the world.
Final Sip
Speyside is more than a whisky lover’s dream—it’s a celebration of craft, landscape, and Scottish hospitality. Whether you're raising a glass in a centuries-old distillery or sipping a dram by a roaring fire, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s “water of life.”
Slàinte mhath!
|
|
Follow Iron Gate on Social Media!
Wine collectors, stay connected with Iron Gate Wine by following us on your favourite social media platform! As we head into a thrilling fall auction season, you’ll be the first to hear about rare bottle highlights, exclusive events, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Canada’s leading fine wine auction house. The Iron Gate team is excited to share what’s ahead—and even more excited to follow along on your own collecting journey. Join the conversation and let’s raise a glass together.
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2025 Iron Gate Auctions, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested to receive emails from Iron Gate Private Wine Management and one or more of our websites; IronGate.Wine, IronGateAuctions.com, IronGateWine.com.
Our mailing address is:
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
|
|
|
|
