The Time and Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 11 AM to 3 PM
The Event: a tasting and lunch with Evangeloa Gerovassiliou of Domaine
Gerovassiliou, Thessaloniki, Greece. He also controls Domaine Katsaros
in Northern Greece and Biblia Chora at Mt. Pangeon (Northern Greece).
The Venue: Thompson Toronto
The Target Audience: wine press and private clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are in the process of coming to
Ontario and Quebec. The SAQ agent, Cava Spiliadis, is arranging for
Ontario representation.
The Quote/Background: Elyse Lambert, winner of Best Sommelier of
Americas 2009, came in from her home in Montreal to give the
presentation, which was also accompanied by a video.
The Wines:
The Event: a tasting and lunch with Evangeloa Gerovassiliou of Domaine
Gerovassiliou, Thessaloniki, Greece. He also controls Domaine Katsaros
in Northern Greece and Biblia Chora at Mt. Pangeon (Northern Greece).
The Venue: Thompson Toronto
The Target Audience: wine press and private clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are in the process of coming to
Ontario and Quebec. The SAQ agent, Cava Spiliadis, is arranging for
Ontario representation.
The Quote/Background: Elyse Lambert, winner of Best Sommelier of
Americas 2009, came in from her home in Montreal to give the
presentation, which was also accompanied by a video.
The Wines:
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Biblia Chora Ovilos Blanc 50% assyrtiko/50% Semillon. Gold Medalist.
$28 in SAQ.
-Biblia Chora Ovilos Blanc 50% assyrtiko/50% Semillon. Gold Medalist.
$28 in SAQ.
***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Biblia Chora Areti 2009 100% assyrtiko. Gold Medalist. About $22.
-Domaine Gerovassiliou Viognier 2008. Gold Medalist. About $30.
-Domaine Gerovassiliou Evangelo 2006 92% petite sirah/8% viognier.
About $50.
-Biblia Chora Areti 2009 100% assyrtiko. Gold Medalist. About $22.
-Domaine Gerovassiliou Viognier 2008. Gold Medalist. About $30.
-Domaine Gerovassiliou Evangelo 2006 92% petite sirah/8% viognier.
About $50.
*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Gerovassiliou White 2009 assyrtiko/malagousia (50/50). Gold
Medalist. $19.95 Vintages
-Domaine Katsaros Estate Chardonnay 2009. Gold Medalist. About $30.
-Domaine Gerovassiliou White 2009 assyrtiko/malagousia (50/50). Gold
Medalist. $19.95 Vintages
-Domaine Katsaros Estate Chardonnay 2009. Gold Medalist. About $30.
The Food: at the lunch we were served black cod marinated with miso and
aji mirin. Accompanying it was baby bok choy, enoki, and barley
risotto. The new Vintages release of Domaine Gerovassiliou 2009
($19.95) played off well against the sweet-salt of the mirin-miso. The
striploin churrasco, with potatoes and veggies, was a winner with the
Evangelo Red 2006 ($50). Top marks for the food and wine pairings.
The Downside: unfortunately, I had a play to catch at 2 PM, so I left
before dessert (passion fruit and white chocolate parfait).
The Upside: a chance to see the Thompson and to try its vaunted
culinary kitchens.
The Contact Person: george@cavaspiliadis.com
The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 87.
aji mirin. Accompanying it was baby bok choy, enoki, and barley
risotto. The new Vintages release of Domaine Gerovassiliou 2009
($19.95) played off well against the sweet-salt of the mirin-miso. The
striploin churrasco, with potatoes and veggies, was a winner with the
Evangelo Red 2006 ($50). Top marks for the food and wine pairings.
The Downside: unfortunately, I had a play to catch at 2 PM, so I left
before dessert (passion fruit and white chocolate parfait).
The Upside: a chance to see the Thompson and to try its vaunted
culinary kitchens.
The Contact Person: george@cavaspiliadis.com
The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 87.
1 comment:
My take on the event:
In May, the Greeks came to town with their winemakers in tow and a wanton willingness to teach what makes Greek wine so special.
Today, at the Thompson hotel in Toronto, in the confines of their beautiful basement, a group of writers met to taste an assortment of wines from three Greek houses: Domaine Gerovassiliou, Biblia Chora and Domaine Katsaros.
Gerovassiliou …
Established in 1981 by Evangelos Gerovassiliou, located approximately 25km southwest of Thessaloniki (time to get out a map of Greece). Today the winery has 48 hectares of planted vines with a mix of international and indigenous varieties.
Wines of Gerovassiliou …
Three were tried, a Petite Syrah/Viogner blend, a 50/50 blend of Assyrtiko and Malagousia (white), and a straight 100% Viognier. The 2008 Viognier was delightfully floral with nice tropicallity on the nose, almost Gewurztraminer-like, with some soapy-spicy nuances. The palate proved to be very nice indeed with tropical, citrus and good acidity for balance. (*** ½+)
Biblia Chora …
A project of two oenologists Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Vangelis Gerovassiliou, with a property that covers 15 hectares and grows an interesting blend of international and domestic grapes.
Wines of Biblia Chora …
2009 Ovilos Blanc, a 50/50 blend of Assyrtiko and Semillon that has received plenty of accolades and awards. The nose is full of tropical fruit with grapefruit/citrus backing. Palate is a mix of grapefruit sour with kiwi sweet, producing a long lasting and delicious finish … refreshing, clean and tasty. (*** ½+)
The other wine poured was the 2009 Areti, made with 100% Assyrtiko (another white). Big 14% alcohol is hidden in the folds of pineapple and citrus on the nose with a sweet fruited palate, where you’ll find tropical and citrus along with a touch of vanilla for added depth of flavour. Good acidity keeps this wine is balance. (*** ½+)
Katsaros …
A small family owned winery started in 1985 in the Mt. Olympus region near the village of Krania, here they grow just three grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.
Wines of Katsaros …
We only tasted the one: 2009 Chardonnay, which was very tight and needs time to come into its own.
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