Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine
Tasting Notes Toronto by Insider Wine
Podcast Description
Hosted by Toronto-based sommelier Alex Abbott Boyd, Tasting Notes Toronto explores the personal and professional stories behind the people shaping the city’s food and wine scene. We talk about the real work behind the scenes — from first jobs and turning points to running restaurants and shaping wine programs. If you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes of hospitality and the people who drive it, this is the show for you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes related to the hospitality industry, wine culture, and personal storytelling. Episodes feature guests discussing their journeys in food and wine, such as Ian Stoddart on creating a community wine bar and Robert Luo on crafting world-class wine programs. Other topics include innovation in restaurant concepts, the evolution of wine lists, and the artistry behind hospitality.
Hosted by Toronto-based sommelier Alex Abbott Boyd, Tasting Notes Toronto explores the personal and professional stories behind the people shaping the city’s food and wine scene. We talk about the real work behind the scenes — from first jobs and turning points to running restaurants and shaping wine programs. If you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes of hospitality and the people who drive it, this is the show for you.
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 created specifically to retail both wine and beer.
We talk about his path into wine, the challenges of running an independent shop in Ontario, and how Bossanova builds community through a thoughtful and welcoming approach to wine and beer. We also touch on rising costs, LCBO pricing, and the team’s latest project—Bar Bossanova.
Whether you’re curious about independent wine retail or how a small business can carve out its place in Toronto’s wine scene, this episode has plenty of insight.
Ben Plisky-Somers — Opening Bossanova, Ontario’s First Wine & Beer Shop
02:13 Ben’s Journey into Wine
06:30 Learning Through WSET
09:45 Falling in Love with Sherry
12:24 Starting Bossanova Wine & Beer
17:13 Community Support in Roncesvalles
20:29 Curating Wines for the Neighborhood
27:04 Rising Costs and Fair Pricing
27:49 Building a Beer Program
29:47 Selecting Quality Wines & Beers
30:47 Natural vs. Conventional Wines
34:46 Connecting with Customers
38:25 Tariffs and LCBO Pricing
40:40 Opening Bar Bossanova
42:34 Exploring UK Wines
49:36 What’s Next for Bossanova
51:25 Final Thoughts & Farewell
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Champagne: Cork Pop and Pour by ultradust — https://freesound.org/s/166923/ — License: Attribution 4.0
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