Tasting La Ferme du Mont, July 12/13

The Date and Time: Friday, July 12, 2013  Noon – 3 PM

The Event: Seminar and luncheon with Stephane Vedeau, owner-winemaker of La Ferme du Mont, in Valreas Southern Rhone.

The Venue: Café Nicole, Novotel Esplanade.

The Target Audience: wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: Four of the 6 wines are available through the LCBO, the fifth will be arriving soon to Vintages. No word on the sixth.

The Quote/Background: Vedeau decamped Languedoc and moved to the Rhone to begin making nearly-organic wines (natural, sustainable, etc.) on a 50 hectare estate. The main focal point today was La Truffiere 2011, a charming white being released in July.

The Wines:

 

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

-La Ferme du Mont Chateauneuf du Pape Vendange 2011 Blanc [95% grenache blanc] - limited

-La Ferme du Mont Chateauneuf du Pape Cotes Capelan 2010, +78857, $63

 

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

-La Ferme du Mont Le Ponnant Cotes du Rhone 2011, +171371, $17

-La Ferme du Mont La Truffiere Cotes du Rhone 2011, +234716, $14.95

-La Ferme du Mont Cote Jugunda Gigondas 2010, +354118, $29.95

-La Ferme du Mont Premiere Cote Cotes du Rhone 2009, $15 soon at Vintages

 

The Food: we began with seared scallop (La Truffiere), followed by tomato and bocconcini (Premiere Cote) and prosciutto and asparagus (Le Ponnant). The heavy guns came out with the duck confit (Gigondas) and the lamb chop (Chateauneuf du Pape rouge). It was all very successful and delicious.

The Downside: nothing really, except that the white Chateauneuf is made in 500 bottles, and probably won't make it to Toronto. Vedeau brought it in with his luggage.

The Upside: a great chance to participate in the seminar about Rhone wines.

The Contact Person: rbales@eurovintage.com or sales@eurovintage.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com