May 4/10: French Wine Connection, looking for Ontario agents

The Time and Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010  Noon to 5 PM

The Event: French Wine Connection 2010 – North America

The Venue: Roy Thompson Hall, Lobby

The Target Audience: wine agents and consultants and media types.

The Availability/Catalogue: overall, nothing was currently available, but a few items had been here through some agents. Prices quoted were mostly FOB Euros.

The Quote/Background: This is a road show for 42 French wineries who wish to be in the markets of Toronto, Los Angeles, and Miami. It is a major initiative of the French Trade Commissions in North America, in partnership with Sopexa. There were also spirits such as Calvados and Cognacs, mixed drinks, and the like. Plus Cidre Dupont Bouche de Normandie ($12 Canadian).

The Wines:  There might have been 450 wines; I did not taste them all.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Hatschbourg 2007 Alsace

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace

-Chat. Fongraves Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2007

-Champagne Cuillier Pere et Fils Brut

-Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Vanite Premier Cru

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Dom. Bott Freres Gewurztraminer Reserve Personnelle 2008 Alsace

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Cremant d'Alsace NV

-Klipfel Gewurztraminer Cuvee Louis Klipfel 2008 Alsace

-Chat. Fongraves Chat. Julien du Pey Saint Emilion 2007

-Chat. Vieux Mougnac Bordeaux Superieur 2001

-Clos de L'Eglise Lalande de Pomerol 2008

-Chat. Tour de Calens Graves 2007 Rouge

-Domaine de Bellevue Sauvignon 2009 Touraine

-Champagne Cuillier Pere et Fils Grande Reserve

-Champagne Brochet-Hervieux 1er Cru Cuvee HBH 1997

-Dom. De Cabasse Gigondas 2007

-Dom. Bott Freres Riesling Cuvee Particuliere 2007

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Riesling 2009 Alsace

-Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Premier Cru 2002

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Schoenheitz Riesling Herrenreben 2007 Alsace

-Schoenheitz Pinot Gris Holder 2008 Alsace

-Chat. Maucamps Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2004

-Chat. Laronde Desormes Cuvee Bordeaux Superieur 2004

-Chateau Plaisir Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol 2006

-Chat. Vray Croix de Gay Pomerol 2006

-Chat. Laulerie Bergerac 2009 Blanc Sec

-Chat. Moulin Galhaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005

-Dom. Nathalie et Gilles Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent 2008

-Chat. Du Petit Thouars Reserve Cabernet Franc 2003 Touraine

-Chat. Cassemichere Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie 2009

-Dom. De Cabasse Les Deux Anges Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2008

 

The Food: Badoit still and sparkling waters, ham off the bone, veggies, roast beef, smoked salmon, pate and terrines, tapenade, cheeses (including a Blue Benedictine from PQ). Catered by Daniel and Daniel.

The Downside: too many wines for one go. It was also lightly attended.

The Upside: a chance to try wines that may be in the marketplace.

The Contact Person: alexia.guuinic@sopexa.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 91.

 

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