May 2 - Mark Anthony Brands media open house

The Date and Time:  Wednesday, May 2, 2012   6Pm to 9PM

The Event: Mark Anthony Brands Media Open House

The Venue: corporate Ontario offices, Dufferin and King Streets

The Target Audience: wine media and bloggers

The Availability/Catalogue: this was a selection of wines from their principals, everything was available.

The Quote/Background: The occasion was the launch of Mark Anthony's new quarters. There was some special beer from BC that was not available for sale in Ontario, but was offered for tasting. The Stanley Park Noble Pilsner and Stanley Park Amber 1897 are top-rated brews.

The Wines: I did not try every wine. Prices are retail.

 

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

-Rodney Strong Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley Sonoma, future Vintages

-Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne NV, $49.85

-Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc 2011 South Africa, $10.95

 

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

-Post Scriptum de Chryseia 2009 Douro, $34.95 future Vintages

-Domini Veneti San Rocco Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005, $85 est. – one of a five pack from different areas

-Terlato Galaxy 2008

-Mission Hill Five Vineyards Rose 2011 Okanagan, $15 Vintages

-Mission Hill Five Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 Okanagan, $15.95 coming soon

-Mission Hill SLC Syrah 2009 Okanagan, $36

-Mike Weir Chardonnay 2010 Niagara, $14.95 Vintages

-Santa Rita Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Chile, $13.95

-Calvet Saint-Emilion 2009, $18.95

-Latour Chardonnay 2010 Burgundy, $16.45

-Henkell Trocken Rose NV Germany, $13.65

-Nederburg Paarl Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 South Africa, $10.95

-Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir 2009, $24.95 Vintages Essentials

-Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay 2009, $19.95 Vintages soon

 

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

-Mike Weir Cabernet/Merlot 2010 Niagara, $16.95 Vintages

-Calvet Medoc 2009, $13.95

-Latour Pinot Noir 2009 Burgundy, $18.95

-Henkell Trocken NV Germany, $13.65

 

The Food: food came from Twin Elements Catering – cheese platter with dried fruit, pork belly apps, pea shooters, nuts and popcorn, handcut potato chips, shrimp, fruits and chocolates, and more.

The Downside: there was a nice crowd, but some tables and chairs interfered with the traffic flow of people, drinks and waiters.

The Upside: a chance to taste the beers (at the end) and the Lanson (at the beginning).

The Contact Person: thendry@markanthony.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com