What people say
“The best thing about this Michelin-recommended restaurant isn't even the food. SARA on Portland Street is serving one of the most-loved tasting menus in the city — but the wine pairings are on a whole other level.”
— Foodism Magazine
“The next generation of wine professionals – the ones responsible for Toronto's most exciting wine lists – are focused on the guest experience, don't care how much you spend, generally learned the trade on the job, and are willing to drink wine from little-known regions”
— Globe & Mail
“Attending a wine tasting with Merrin is an opportunity to benefit from a combination of deep expertise and humble charm, which in tandem create an experience that is relaxed, educational, and fun. By the end of her tasting event I felt smarter, more inspired, and more empowered to make better selections on my next visit to the wine shop”
— Lauren (Private tasting customer)
“I recently attended a wine tasting hosted by Merrin, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Merrin guided us through a carefully curated selection of wines and spoke to us about the different varietals, regions, and winemaking processes. Her passion for wine was evident, making the tasting both enjoyable and educational.”
— robyn (private tasting customer)
I’ve been extremely happy with Merrin’s wine club! She has curated a great selection of wines and taken the time to write about each wine to help with pairing and learning! 100% will be purchasing again!
— Doug Sroka (WINE CLUB CLIENT)
“Merrin has been my go-to wine consultant for nearly a decade. Her ability to curate unique lists and menu pairings effortlessly, and her overall knowledge of wines from around the world - from niche/natural products to higher volume producers - is unmatched in Toronto. Merrin makes wine fun to learn and most importantly, creates an accessible and engaging environment for folks of all skill levels and backgrounds to experience.”
— kate snack (consulting client, private tasting customer)
“We loved it... And the descriptive notes were extremely helpful. We've recommended it to a friend who is serious about wine and she's passed it on to other like-minded people. I'm not on social media at all, but wanted you to know we'll be back for another round when we return in June! Plus, one of the things we love about it is the quirkiness of the offerings - so very Actinolite!”