Nov 10/09 Trade Tasting: Argentine Wines

. The Time and Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009  1 PM to 5:30 PM
The Event: "Celebrate the Great Wines from Argentina"
The Venue: Design Exchange, Trading Floor
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: there were 26 Argentine wineries, which
included 5 seeking representation.
The Quote/Background: in the first half of 2009, Canada became the
number 2 (after the USA) export destination, both by value and by
volume. Wine exports to Ontario rose by 84.5% in June 2008 – June 2009.
Mendoza had over 221 organic producers.
The Wines: about 150 wines were shown, not all in this marketplace yet.
Retail prices and other data where known. The best winery seeking
representation was Xumek with their chardonnay and viognier.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Grad Reserve Pasionado 2004, $45.99 Stem Wine Group
-Zuccardi Zeta 2006, $49.95 Dionysus
-Cristobal Oak Reserve Malbec 2007 Ruby
-Cristobal Oak Reserve Merlot 2007, +663096 Vintages Feb 2010
-Sophrenia Synthesis The Blend 2007, $57.20 Whitehall [Bordeaux blend]
-Pascual Toso Alta Reserva Syrah 2007, $33.95 Eurovintage

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Limited Reserve Malbec, $54.99 Stem
-Andeluna Reserve Chardonnay 2006, $22.99 Stem
-La Chamiza Polo Professional Shiraz 2008, $13.99
-Zuccardi Q Malbec 2007, $18.95 +723478
-Schroeder Extra Brut, $16.95 Connexion Oenophilia
-Schroeder Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, $70 Connexion Oenophilia
-Chakana Yaguarete Bonarda 2009, $13.95 March 2010 Vintages
-Gamela Rserva Malbec 2007, $26.95 Whitehall
-Finca Sophrenia Reserve Malbec 2008, +68837 $19.30
-Rutini Malbec 2006, $22 Profile
-Pascual Toso Malbec Reserva 2008, $19.95 Eurovintage
-Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut Rose NV, $14.95 Eurovintage February 2010
-Norton Privada 2006, +148155, $21.95 PMA
-Graffigna Grand Reserve Malbec 2006, $19.99  Corby
-Navarro Correas Alegoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, +28936, $19.95
Diageo
-Finca Flichman Dedicado 2006, $34.95  Charton Hobbs
-Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2007, $19.95 Cipelli
-Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Chardonnay-Viognier 2008, $16.95 Cipelli
-Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2007, $19.95 Cipelli
-Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Bonarda Limited Edition 2007, $30 Cipelli

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Malbec 2008, $15.99 Stem
-La Chamiza Legend of Polo Malbec 2007, $19.95 Select
-La Chamiza Sparkling Polo Brut 2009, $12.99
-Cristobal 1492 Sparkling Wine NV, $18.95 Ruby
-Schroeder Saurus Malbec 2007, $13.95 Connexion Oenophilia
-Gamela Reserva Torrontes 2009, $26.95 Whitehall
-Pascual Toso Sparkling Brut NV, $14.95 Eurovintage
-Los Clop Reserva Syrah 2007, $16.95 Churchill
-Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $16.95 Churchill

 

The Food: from Daniel & Daniel, we had sandwiches, salads, dried fruits
and cheeses. There was a service of skewered meats, chicken on puff
paste, filet on toast, spicy shrimp with dip, empanadas, and chorizo
pizzettes. There was a carbonada stew as well. Chocolates came out at
the end.
The Downside: the fluorescent lights made everyone –- and the wines --
look jaundiced.
The Upside: a wisely-chosen crowd, fairly knowledgeable and interested
in the wines.
The Contact Person: monica.ralphs@winespeak.ca
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com