Pyramid Valley NZ wine tasting, July 5

The Date and Time: Thursday, July 5, 2012     3:30 PM to 5PM

The Event: a drop-in tasting with Mark Cuff (The Living Vine) and Pyramid Valley Vineyards of New Zealand.

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve

The Target Audience: wine media, invited clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available by private order in either six- or twelve-packs. Lion's Tooth is consignment.

The Quote/Background: Mike Weersing led the tasting. He was showing two lines of wines: the Growers Collection (sourced from NZ organic vineyards) and the Home Vineyards Collection (biodynamic, named after weeds in the vineyards).

The Wines:

 

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

-Pyramid Valley Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2010 Home Vyd, $79.95

-Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2010 Home Vyd, $79.95

-Pyramid Valley Howell Family Vineyard Hawke's Bay Cabernet Franc 2009, $49.95

 

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

-Pyramid Valley Lion's Tooth Chardonnay 2009 Home Vyd, $74.95 consignment

-Pyramid Valley Rose Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2009, $32.95

-Pyramid Valley Cowley Family Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009, $49.95

 

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

-Pyramid Valley Riverbrook Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2009, $32.95

-Pyramid Valley Kerner Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Rose (not a ros-ay) 2009, $36.95

-Pyramid Valley Calvert Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009, $59.95

 

The Food: hard cheeses, terrines, breads.

The Downside: there was a massive traffic tie up on Spadina; I had to walk down from College to King. Mike Weersing was also caught in this traffic, and he arrived 45 minutes late with many of his wines.

The Upside: some really good and refreshing wines for a hot day.

The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com