Oct 20/09 Event: Tasting of Grupo dos Sete Portuguese wines in Toronto

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009  10:30AM to 2 PM
The Event: Tasting of Grupo dos Sete Portuguese wines (Alianca,
Aveleda, Bacalhoa, Jose Maria da Fonseca, and Messias).
The Venue: LCBO Srivener Square, Tasting Room and Dining Event Room
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are mainly for show, but some are in
this market now, or will be.
The Quote/Background: we had a seminar beforehand, whereby we tasted
versions of Portuguese indigenous varietals and terroir, such as
Touriga Nacional from Setubal, from Dao, and from the Douro, and
Alvarinho, Loureiro, Fernao Pires, Touriga Franca, and Aragonez. This
was followed by a presentation of two wines from each producer, and
then an inspired Italian luncheon to pair with the wines. This group
continues to tour in Montreal and Quebec City, but with French food and
Moroccan food for lunches.
The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Tinto da Anfora Grande Escolha 2006, $35 – 40 (Diamond Estates)
-Bacalhoa Moscatel Roxo 1999, 18.5% ABV
-Alianca Particular Dao 2008, $13.95
-Bachaloa Tinto Da Anfora 2006, $14

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2008, $12
-JM da Fonseca 2005, $40 -45 (Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tannat,
Syrah, and fractions of two other grapes)
-Quinta dos 4 Ventos Reserva 2006, $55 – 60 private order
-Messias Dados Douro Reserva 2007, $30 private order
-Aveleda Charamba Douro 2007, $9
-Alianca Vista Touriga Nacional Reserva 2007, $12.95
-JP Vinhos Tinto 2008, $9

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Aveleda Vinho Verde 2008
-JM da Fonseca Periquita 2006, $9.45
-Messias Quinta do Penedo Rouge 2005
-JM da Fonseca Quinta de Camarate 2007, $9.95

 

The Food: catering came from Trattoria Sotto Sotto. With seared
scallop, tuna and shrimp came Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2008 ($12). The
Hexagon 2005 accompanied the ravioli id zucca. With the osso buco and
polenta came the Anfora Grande Escholha 2006, the 4 Ventos Reserva
2006, and the Dados Douro Reserva 2007 – almost too many to try against
the veal. The cannoli for dessert was a delight, with the Bacalhoa
Moscatel Roxo 1999.
The Downside: we were required to be there at 10:30 sharp, although
(because of wine delays) the proceedings did not begin until 11:02. And
then the LCD multimedia projector and computer interfaces did mot meld.
Some of us felt that bad luck comes thrice, and maybe lunch would be
cold.
The Upside: a chance to drink Portuguese wines against Italian cuisine.
The Contact Person: spuritt@hotmail.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com