17th Annual Italian Wine Tasting, Toronto Nov 5/12

1. The Date and Time: Monday, November 5, 2012 11AM to 5 PM
The Event: The 17th annual Italian wine tasting.
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
The Target Audience: wine trade and some other people with scents.
The Availability/Catalogue: eclectic – most wines were here in the
normal LCBO distribution channels, others were private order only.
The Quote/Background: It gets larger every year, or seems to be. This
year there were 79 companies, most with agents, and about 640 wines.
They ranged from Amastuola (Puglia) to Zonin (Veneto).
The Wines: I did not try every wine. This year, I applied the principle
of "serendipity" and went where my nose led me. This meant I avoided
the "perfumed" quadrants but attended the food areas. Plus, I asked
people where I should taste next. Prices were usually vague, if at all.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT 2008, +912956, $28.95.
-Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +353201, $43.95
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche 2005, Profile Wine Group
-Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, Halpern
-Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Cultus Boni 2009, $34.95 Halpern
-Castello Banfi Alta Langa Cuvee Aurora Rose 2009, $24.95 Authentic
Wines and Spirits
-Clavesana Barolo Olo 2008, $29.95 J. Cipelli
-G. Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Bosan 2004, $90 Profile Wine
Group
-Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Bianco 2011, Lifford
-Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Campolongo de Torbe 2006,
Authentic
-Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vaio Armaron Serego
Alighieri, 2006, Authentic
-San Felice Toscana IGT Vigorello 2008, John Hanna & Sons
-San Felice Toscana IGT Pugnitello 2007, John Hanna & Sons
-Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino 2007, Authentic
-Zonin Amarone della Valpolicella 2008, $36.30 Imprese

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +926402, $49.95
-Ruffino Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, +45195, $24.95
-Bisol Desiderio & Figli Jeio Cuvee Rose Spumante Brut NV, $12.95
Halpern
-Bisol Desiderio & Figli Jeio Colmei Prosecco Superiore di
Valdobbiadene NV Extra Dry, $15.05 Halpern
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche Riserva 2004, Profile Wine Group
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo 2007, Profile Wine Group
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche dell Annunziata 2007, Profile Wine Group
-Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Cetamura 2011, $13.95 Halpern
-Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico CS 2010, $22.95 Halpern
-Bersano Barolo Riserva 2006, $69.95 Profile Wine Group
-De Angelis Rosso Piceno Superiore Marche 2009, $13.95 Ruby
-De Angelis Marche IGT Anghelos 2009, Ruby
-G. Cesari Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Il Bosco 2006, $70
Profile Wine Group
-Malvira Roero Arneis Renesio 2010, Ex-Cellars
-Cantine Miali Salento IGT Mater 2008 Puglia, Golden Valley
-Monte del Fra Bianco di Custoza Ca' del Magro 2010, Signatures
-Planeta Sicilia IGT Chardonnay 2010, Halpern
-Silvano Piacentini Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2009, $16.95 Ruby
-Rocca Delle Macie Maremma Toscana IGT Occhio a Vento 2011, Noble
Estates
-San Fabiano Calcinaia Toscana IGT Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Groupe
Soleil
-San Fabiano Calcinaia Toscana IGT Cerviolo Bianco 2009, $32 Groupe
Soleil
-San Felice Chianti Classico Poggio Rosso 2008, John Hanna & Sons

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico 2009, $22.95 Halpern
-Casetta Flli Nebbiolo d'Alba Rivere 2006, $16.95 Signatures
-Malvira Roero Arneis 2011, Ex-Cellars
-Manfredi Barolo Patrizi 2008, $23.95 HHD Imports
-S. Michele Pinot Grigio Trentino 2011, $17.95 Ruby

The Food: catered by Paganelli's, with lasagna, cold cuts, cheeses, and
cold porchetta sandwiches (somewhat stringy from the sliced rinds).
The Downside: There were many "non-trade" ladies (and at least two men)
loaded with scents/perfume. They totally destroyed that part of the
room for me.
The Upside: I particularly liked the oppressive security – I was
searched BOTH on arrival and on departure. Some friends and I were
ushered out of a lounge area that had for many years been a place to
eat some food, with wine and talk. Apparently, that had now changed: it
is an unlicensed area. Really?
The Contact Person: p.titone@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
83.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com