The Time and Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 6PM to 10PM
The Event: Dinner with Jose Antonio Ferrao Castelo Branco, Socio
Gerente for Herdade Paco do Conde wines, Alentejo region of Portugal.
His agent is Matthew Naranjo, Terroir Wine Imports.
The Venue: Chiado Restaurant, College Street
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available as consignment, or
private order. One is coming to Vintages in February 2011.
The Quote/Background: Both Matthew and Jose provided insight into the
wines and foods, through talks and one-on-one conversations throughout
the dinner. 80% of the wines are exported, mainly to Brazil, Canada,
and rest of Europe (but not to USA).
The Wines: The principles behind the winery are to blend indigenous
grape varieties with international varieties. Hence, Touriga nacional
with syrah or cabernet sauvignon.
The Event: Dinner with Jose Antonio Ferrao Castelo Branco, Socio
Gerente for Herdade Paco do Conde wines, Alentejo region of Portugal.
His agent is Matthew Naranjo, Terroir Wine Imports.
The Venue: Chiado Restaurant, College Street
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available as consignment, or
private order. One is coming to Vintages in February 2011.
The Quote/Background: Both Matthew and Jose provided insight into the
wines and foods, through talks and one-on-one conversations throughout
the dinner. 80% of the wines are exported, mainly to Brazil, Canada,
and rest of Europe (but not to USA).
The Wines: The principles behind the winery are to blend indigenous
grape varieties with international varieties. Hence, Touriga nacional
with syrah or cabernet sauvignon.
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
--Herdade Paco Do Conde 2007 Reserva Alentejo red, $35 Private order
(mix of 60% syrah, 30% Touriga nacional, alicante bouschet 10%.
--Herdade Paco Do Conde 2007 Reserva Alentejo red, $35 Private order
(mix of 60% syrah, 30% Touriga nacional, alicante bouschet 10%.
***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Herdade Das Albernoas 2009 Alentejo white, $10.50 LCBO: entry level
white, very aromatic. The red version is $8.95 in Quebec, and sells
well.
-Herdade Paco Do Conde 2007 Alentejo red, $14.95 Vintages February 2011
-Herdade Paco Do Conde Touriga Nacional and Syrah 2007 Alentejo red,
$20 Consignment
-Herdade Das Albernoas 2009 Alentejo white, $10.50 LCBO: entry level
white, very aromatic. The red version is $8.95 in Quebec, and sells
well.
-Herdade Paco Do Conde 2007 Alentejo red, $14.95 Vintages February 2011
-Herdade Paco Do Conde Touriga Nacional and Syrah 2007 Alentejo red,
$20 Consignment
*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Herdade Paco Do Conde 2009 Alentejo white, $14.50 Consignment
-Herdade Paco Do Conde 2009 Alentejo white, $14.50 Consignment
The Food: we began with appetizers and the Albernoas white (salmon on
blini, ham and melon, potato cakes, shrimp cakes). This was followed by
the meal, with fresh cheese as a starter, and then double plates of
tuna tartare and avocado with sliced carpaccio of grouper and olive oil
(aromatic wines worked best here). Next was tile fish with piri piri
sauce and monkfish wrapped in prosciutto on mash. The meat course was
lamb loin with lamb leg and risotto. A Portuguese cheese platter ended
the meal, along with coffees. Overall, there were too few white wines
to match with the food – the lighter reds did not really work.
The Downside: The TTC dropped me off too early (the Ford factor?)
The Upside: great food and wine and conversations.
The Contact Person: terroirwineimports@hotmail.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.
blini, ham and melon, potato cakes, shrimp cakes). This was followed by
the meal, with fresh cheese as a starter, and then double plates of
tuna tartare and avocado with sliced carpaccio of grouper and olive oil
(aromatic wines worked best here). Next was tile fish with piri piri
sauce and monkfish wrapped in prosciutto on mash. The meat course was
lamb loin with lamb leg and risotto. A Portuguese cheese platter ended
the meal, along with coffees. Overall, there were too few white wines
to match with the food – the lighter reds did not really work.
The Downside: The TTC dropped me off too early (the Ford factor?)
The Upside: great food and wine and conversations.
The Contact Person: terroirwineimports@hotmail.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.
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