July 21/11: Media tasting of Argentine wines at 99 Sudbury Loft

The Time and Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011  4Pm to 6PM

The Event: media tasting of about 65 wines from Argentina.

The Venue: 99 Sudbury Loft

The Target Audience: wine writers. The evening show beginning at 7 PM was directed to iYellow clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: all channels in the Ontario market were here, including General List, Vintages, Consignment and the occasional Private Order.

The Quote/Background: while the Loft was air conditioned, some red wines were not chilled down enough to eliminate heat. One agent chilled some of her wines and then offered tastings based on chilling, heating, and a blend of the two.

The Wines: The catalogue had a list of availability keys, agent emails, and full order data (CSPC numbers, prices, vintage). I was not able to taste every single wine. There were no sparklers and only one rose.

 

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

-Callia Magna Shiraz 2007 $15.95 Consignment Kylix

-Callia Grand Reserve 2006 $36.95 Consignment Kylix

-Casa Montes Alzamorah Syrah 2006 $19.95 Vintages

-Don Cristobal Oak Reserve Shiraz 2008 $13.95 Vintages

-Familia Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $19.95 Vintages

-Finca Flichman Paisaje de Barrancas 2007 $17.95 Vintages Future

-Navarro Correas Alegoria Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon $19.95 Vintages

-Trivento Golden Reserve Chardonnay 2009 $18.95 Vintages Future

-Valle de la Puerta Torrontes 20010 $8.95 GL

 

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

-Bianchi Famigilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $14.95 Vintages

-Catena Malbec 2008 $19.95  Vintages Essentials

-Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec 2008 $17.95 Vintages Essentials

-Callia Alta 2009 Malbec $11 GL

-Callia Alta 2010 Malbec $11 GL

-Salentein Reserve Malbec 2009 $19.95 Vintages

-Chakana Est Selection Malbec 2009 $19.95 Vintages

-Cristobal 1492 Chardonnay 2011 $12.95  Ruby Wine

-Familia Zuccardi Serie A Chardonnay/Viognier 2010 $14.95 Vintages March 2012

-Finca Flichman Misterio Rose 2010 $8.20 GL

-Graffigna Centenario Reserve Shiraz 2008 $12.95 GL

-Humberto Canale Est Malbec 2010 $14.99 Consignment Lifford

-Kaiken Reserva Malbec 2009 $14.95 Vintages Essentials

-Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $19.95 Vintages

-Masi Tupungato Cubec Corvina/Malbec La Arbelel Passo 2009

-Navarro Correas Structure Ultra $39.95 Vintages Xmas

-O Fournier B Crux Blend Tempranillo/Cabernet 2007 $15.95 Vintages

-Trapiche Broquel Malbec $14.95 GL

-Trivento Coleccion Fincas Syrah 2007 $16.95 Vintages 2012

-Valle de la Puerta Alta Bonarda 2009 $14.95 Vintages

 

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

-Bianchi Famigilia Malbec 2009, $14.95 Vintages

-Catena Tilia Torrontes 2010 $12.95 GL

-Catena Tilia Malbec 2009 $12.95 GL

-Catena Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $12.95 GL

-Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Syrah 2009 $12.95 GL

-Chakana Reserve Malbec 2009 $14.95 Vintages

-Domaine Jean Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon Organic $11.95 GL

-Domaine Jean Bousquet Malbec Organic $11.30 GL

-Familia Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2008 $19.95 Vintages Future

-Familia Zuccardi Q Malbec 2008 $19.95 Vintages March 2012

-Finca Martha Gran Malbec 2009 $16.95  Consignment Abcon

-Finca Flichman Misterio Malbec 2010 $8.20 GL

-Finca Flichman Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $8 GL

-Graffigna Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio 2010 $12.95 GK

-Humberto Canale Est Pinot Noir 2010 $14.99 Consignment Lifford

-Humberto Canale Est Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $12.99 Consignment Lifford

-Humberto Canale Black River Torrontes 2010 $10.99 Consignment Lifford

-Kaiken Corte 2008 $16.95 Vintages

-Masi Tupungato Passo Doble 2009 $13.95 GL

-Navarro Correas Los Arboles Malbec $10.50 GL

-O Fournier B Crux Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $14.95 Vintages

-R J Vinedos Pasion 4 Chardonnay/Chenin $12.95 Signature Wines

-Joffre E Hijas Grand Chardonnay 2009 $16.95  Signature Wines

-Trapiche Reserve Malbec 2009 $11.95 GL

-Trapiche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $11.95 GL

-Trapiche Reserve Syrah 2008 $11.95 GL

-Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2008 $19.95 Vintages Dec

-Trivento Amado Sur Malbec 2009 $15 Vintages January 2012

-Trivento Fair Trade Malbec 2009 $9.95 GL

-Trivento Tribu Syrah 2009 $8.95 GL

-Trivento Tribu Malbec 2009 $8.95 GL

-Valle de la Puerta Syrah 2010 $9.15 GK

 

The Food: water biscuits, Q water (still and sparkling), and great beef empanadas.

The Downside: it was the hottest day of the year outside, but some red wines were not chilled down enough and appeared too warm.

The Upside: a good chance to see what's in play in the Ontario market for Argentine wines today. There was plenty of time for talk with agents as only a couple of dozen wine writers were in the room.

The Contact Person: monica.ralphs@winespeak.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 88.

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