Nov 17,2010: ViniPortugal Tasting and Lunch at Salt

The Time and Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010  Noon to 3:30 PM

The Event: Vini Portugal tasting of wines listed in John Szabo's new mini-book on Portuguese wines.

The Venue: Salt, Ossington

The Target Audience: wine sommeliers and media

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are available in Canada.

The Quote/Background: John Szabo had prepared a 60-page mini-book with material about the new style wines and changes in the Portuguese wine industry. There was a snappy section on Portuguese wines and food. He gave us a travelogue presentation, then ran through the three large groupings of 25 DOP areas (Atlantic, plains, mountains), and then we tasted some 9 wines in a seminar, followed by more wines with lunch, and other wines afterwards.

The Wines: There were some 27 wines in all to be tasted, although the book had listed 36. Prices are approximate, and come from the book's ranges.

  

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

-Baron de B White 2008 Alentejo, $25 - 40

-Baron de B Red Riserva 2005 Alentejo, over $40 – oldest wine here

-Bacalhoa Moscatel de Setubal 2004, $10 – 15

-Serras de Azeitao Peninsula de Setubal 2009, under $10 – my fave value today

-Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2007, $40+

-Cistus Reserva Douro 2007, $15 – 25

-Campolargo Dao 2007, $15 – 25 – my fave wine here

 

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

-Palha Canas Lisboa 2008, $10 - 15

-Vila Santa Alentejano 2007. $15 – 25

-Esporao Reserva Alentejo 2007, Vintages Essentials ($25.95)

-Tinto da Anfora Alentejano 2007, $10 – 15

-Periquita Peninsula de Setubal 2007, $10 - 15

-Redoma Red Douro 2007, $25 - 40

-Batuta Douro 2007, $40+

 

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

-Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde 2009, under $10

-Quinta de Bons-Ventos Lisboa 2008, $10 - 15

-Prova Regia White Bucelas 2008, $10 -15

-Marques de Borba Alentejo 2008, $10 - 15

-Loios Alentejano 2008, under $10

-Couteiro-Mor Alentejano 2008, $10 – 15

-Redoma White Douro 2008, $25 - 40

-Quinta do Vale Meao Douro 2007, $40+

-Meandro do Vale Meao Douro 2007, $25 - 40

-Peccatore Reserva Douro 2007, $25 - 40

-Vallado Douro 2008, $15 – 25

-Crasto Douro 2008, $10 -15

-Meia Encosta Dao 2008, $10 15.

 

The Food: we were tempted with appetizers such as brandade fritters and Serrano ham croquettes (both with dips). The first course was Atlantic salmon on baby arugula with avocado salsa (2008 Prova Regia Bucelas), followed by a large duck confit ravioli au jus with a cauliflower puree smear (2008 Marques de Borba Alentojo). The main was a braised lamb (neck?) on a bed of truffle mash and root veggies (2007 Meandro do Vale Meao Douro and 2007 Quinta do Vale Meao Douro). Dessert was a poached pear with caramel drizzle and a chocolate cupcake with vanilla gelato (2004 Bacalhoa Moscatel de Setubal). The wines went well.

The Downside: Salt's address was incorrectly listed at Google and on the invite (which was based on Google), so most of us went to the wrong place.

The Upside: quality food and wine matches.

The Contact Person: eho@artscom.ca or john@johnszabo.com

The Marketing Effectiveness of this Event (numerical grade): 92.

 

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