Aug 06, 2008 - 11:36 AM

By Parvaneh Pessian

WHITBY -- There's something delicious fermenting at the corner of Dundas Street and Gerrard Road in Whitby.

B and B Winemaking is a popular stop for residents looking for fine-tasting wines blended with friendly service from a staff of passionate wine enthusiasts.

The store recently took home three awards at Winemaker Magazine's International Amateur Wine Competition, the largest wine competition of any kind, welcoming both amateur and commercial winemakers.

More than 4,300 different wines were judged from six countries, including the United States, Australia and Italy. Eight Canadian provinces entered the competition, which took place in Vermont and involved 1,080 hours of judging over three days. Panels evaluated the wines in 50 different categories based on appearance, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall impression.

In its first year of entering the annual contest, B and B Winemaking won one silver and two bronze medals for three wines: Italian Brunello, French Merlot and Italian Valpolicella Ripassa.

The store has doubled in size since its opening in 2001 and carries 210 different wine choices.

"We were quite amazed and we were pinching ourselves," owner Merv Bayley said. "We were spending so much time just trying to get the store better and better that we weren't thinking outside the box and trying anything like that."

It was a "hobby gone crazy" for Mr. Bayley who made his own wine at home for 12 years and beer for five years as an economical alternative and enjoyable past-time that helped unite his neighbours.

When he was laid-off from his career in computers in 2000, he turned to wine-making for solace, at first, and eventually for stability.

"It's more or less about creating your own success," he said. "When you've been downsized, it leaves an awful feeling in you and I was a businessman before so I wanted to test my skills."

Over the seven years the store has been around, it has drawn more than 2,000 regular customers who come in to make their own wine, a process that usually takes about 30 minutes. During this time, Mr. Bayley keeps his customers entertained, engaging in friendly conversation or letting them watch television on the store's big screen.

"It's a very social place; everybody's happy and there's a lot of interaction," he said.

Gary Butts and his wife have been buying their wine at B and B Winemakers since the opening and said it's the exquisite quality of the wines that brings them back.

"Merv knows the wines very well and helps us make our selection," Mr. Butts said. "Back in the day, there was lesser quality when you made your own wine but it's not like that here."

For other customers who don't have much expertise in wine-tasting, Grank Shenker said he continues to be a regular at the store because he always trusts Mr. Bayley's recommendations.

"You can go to any wine-making establishment but it's the personal service that makes this place stand out," he said. "I'm just a recreational wine-drinker and he makes the bottling process quite easy and enjoyable."

As for Mr. Bayley, he said he doesn't have a favourite wine.

"I like them all," he said.

B and B Winemaking is located at 1910 Dundas St. E. in Whitby. For more information, call 905-571-9463 or visit www.bbwinemaking.com.