Angelo Gaja Wine Seminar, Oct 15/12, at Vertical Restaurant

The Date and Time: Monday, October 15, 2012  10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

The Event: A Gaja wine tasting seminar with Angelo Gaja.

The Venue: Vertical Restaurant.

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: All wines are available as specified below.

The Quote/Background: Gaja spoke about his philosophy of wine and winemaking, reviewing the contributions of Mondavi and Parker. He covered the rise of cabernet sauvignon, the rise of alcohol content, climate change in Europe, and natural artisanal wines. He makes wine to go with Italian cuisine, to make wines that are more elegant than opulent. He explained his simple clean black and white label and his family's involvement in the management of the firm.

The Wines: we tasted six wines, one by consignment, the rest at Vintages. The Stem Wine Group has access to the Gaja back catalogue, ranging from a Costa Russi 1990 ($2,600 a bottle) through a Collection series. Vintages has a list of 33 wines it will be ordering from Gaja; this pre-order closes November 12 (check www.stemwinegrou.com).

 

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

-Gaja Sito Moresco Langhe Piedmont 2010, $54.95 Vintages

-Gaja Barbaresco Piedmont 2008, $159.95 Vintages Offer to Nov 12/12

-Gaja Sperss Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont 2005, about $300. This vintage not available, but 2004 ($338.95), 2007 ($265.95), and 2008 ($249.95) are through Vintages offer to Nov 12/12.

 

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

-Gaja Ca' Marcanda Magari Tuscany IGT, $65.95 Vintages Online Nov 19.

-Gaja Pieve S. Restituta Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, $159.95 through Vintages offer to Nov 12/12.

-Gaja Dagromis Barolo Piedmont 2007, $79.95 consignment through www.stemwinegroup.com

 

The Food: charcuterie platter, cheese platter, breads.

The Downside: nothing really

The Upside: a chance to speak with Angelo Gaja.

The Contact Person: Robert@stemwinegroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 97.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com