All day in Niagara, with Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, and Le Clos Jordanne, Sept 19/13

The Date and Time: Thursday, September 19, 2013  7AM to 7PM

The Event: an all-day FAM trip to the Great Estates of Niagara – Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, and Le Clos Jordanne.

The Venue: Niagara Peninsula

The Target Audience: selected wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through the LCBO or, in some cases, through the winery and/or Wine Rack.

The Quote/Background: We were picked up by limo and went to a gathering point for a bus trip to Niagara. There were about 16 media, plus personnel from Narrative PR and the wineries. First stop was Montague Vineyard (Inniskillin) for a chardonnay tasting with winemaker Bruce Nicholson and  Gerald Klose (director of Ontario viticulture for Constellation). There was a discussion on the current grapes and harvest, and a wine refractometer display to check out the Brix levels in the grapes. Did you know that the refractometer was made in the UK? One of the few remaining items NOT made in China…Then, on to a look at pinot gris vineyards at the site before boarding the bus for the Brae Burn Vineyard (onsite at Inniskillin). Here we had a viognier grape and wine tasting in the field with Bruce and Gerald, followed by an oyster sampling with Estate Chef David Penny. We then walked to the scale house at Inniskillin and met with Errol, a third-party government inspector who tested Brix levels and reconciled volume with sugars, to meet VQA standards. Our group sample came in at 20 brix. At this time, we saw a $700 probe that hauled up liquid grape samples for government inspections right after harvesting. In the Inniskillin Barrel Cellar we continued with a structured tasting of pinot gris and icewine with Bruce Nicholson. After that, we left for Delaine Vineyard where we had another grape and wine tasting, this time of Fume Blanc and Syrah with JT winemaker Marco Piccoli and Gerald Klose. The Syrah was vibrant. Then we arrived at the Jackson-Triggs Winery for lunch at the amphitheatre stage (see below). We then boarded the bus to Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard and had an outdoor pinot noir grape and wine tasting (picnic tables) with its winemaker, Sebastien Jacquery who explained the philosophy and the grapes and the wines. Then, sadly, it was back to Toronto by bus.

The Wines: We also had samples of Cabernet Franc Icewine 2012 ($99.95 half) and Sparkling Cabernet Franc Icewine 2012 ($120 half), both fine wines. 24 wines in all --

 

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

-Le Clos Jordanne Grand Clos Pinot Noir 2011, $70

-Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2011, $40

-Jackson-Triggs Entourage Methode Classic Brut 2009, $22.95

-Inniskillin Reserve Pinot Gris 2012, $19.95

-Inniskillin Legacy Pinot Gris 2009, $34.95

 

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

-Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011, $40

-Le Clos Jordanne Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011, $40

-Jackson-Triggs Entourage Methode Classic Brut Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $29.95

-Inniskillin Chardonnay 2012 Montague Vineyard, NYR at Vintages, $24.95

-Inniskillin Discovery P3 [pinot noir/grigio/blanc], $19.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $19.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve White Meritage 2012, $24.95

-Delaine by Jackson-Triggs Syrah 2011, $34.95

 

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

-Jackson-Triggs Entourage Methode Classic Brut Merlot 2009, $29.95

-Inniskillin Reserve Viognier 2012, $18.95

-Inniskillin Pinot Grigio 2012, $14.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Gewurztraminer 2012, $19.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $19.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz 2012, $24.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Red Meritage 2012, $24.95

-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Merlot 2012, $24.95

-Delaine by Jackson-Triggs Fume Blanc 2012, $24.95

 

The Food: we had Malpeque oysters at Inniskillin, along with an Upper Canada cheese and charcuterie sampling, followed by a lunch on the Jackson-Triggs amphitheatre stage. It was a casual rustic community luncheon with platters of estate cured and smoked ham, cold poached prawns, fresh tomatoes, estate ricotta, estate pickles, pate and terrine – all orchestrated by Estate Chef Tim Mackiddie. Just what we needed with the heat! The six JT Grand Reserves were discussed and served ad hoc, as we wanted, with the food...I had mine separately for tasting.

The Downside: I had to get up really early and go without coffee for awhile.

The Upside: we also had a selection of beers on the bus, from Oast House in Niagara, which included their Farmhouse Ales collection such as Saison, and earthy beer emphasizing banana and black pepper flavours.

The Contact Person: kate.makinson@narrative.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. My tastings are based on MVC (Modal
Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices
are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here. NOTE: The LCBO does
NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine writers or product
consultants. Corked wines are not normally available for a re-tasting.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Cave de Beblenheim Heimberger Gewurztraminer 2011 Alsace, +196642,
$19.95: excellent value for a Vieilles Vignes wines (over 30 years
old), delicious concentrated gewurz flavours, 13% ABV. QPR: 91.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2009 New Zealand, +167072, $41.95

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2012 VQA Niagara, +89029, $17.95:
nice crisp detail of apples, minerals, apricots, good balance. QPR: 89.
2. Vintage Ink Rite of Passage Chardonnay 2011 VQA Niagara, +245712,
$16.95: pretty good knockoff of west coast style, soft, fruity, light
oaking, 13.5% ABV. QP: 89.
3. Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2012 San Antonio Chile: the four
gees of gooseberries-grass-grapefruit-green, but affordable, 13.5% ABV,
twist top. QPR: 89.
4. Domaine Le Verger Chablis 2011, +181289, $19.95: nose shows some
chalkiness, but very tasty, long length. Good value. First course wine,
not patio sipper. QPR: 89
5. Lingenfelder Bird Label Riesling 2012 Pfalz, +568634, $13.95: good
price for an MVC very Germanic riesling at this level, 11.5%. More off-
dry than medium as indicated in the catalogue, acidic balance. QPR: 89.
6. Paco & Lola Albarino 2011 Rias Baixas, +350041, $17.95: peaches,
green fruit, dry finish, first course. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Juana de Sol Reserva Malbec 2010 Single Vineyard Mendoza, +288381,
$15.95: value-priced, 14% ABV, plumy, vanilla, strawberries. QPR: 89.
2. Sister's Run Cow's Corner Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2011 Barossa,
+346510, $15.95: a pretty good GSM blend (85% Grenache, 10 Shiraz, 5
Mataro), berries and earth, 14.5% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.
3, Momo Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010, +163972, $19.95: one of the nicest
inexpensive kiwi pinots in quite some time, delivers PN tones, full-
flavours, French oak, some stuffing. 14% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.
4. Guardian Peak Frontier Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2011 WO
Western Cape, +337543, $15.95: jammy and savoury, 14.5%, twist top,
patio or food. QPR: 89.
5. Chateau Les Hauts de Palette 2010 Cotes de Bordeaux, +297267,
$18.95: oak treatment, 13% ABV, fruity and expressive of Bordeaux with
added vanilla tones, still needs some time. QPR: 89.
6. L. Sourdon Domaine des Lauribert Tradition Cotes du Rhone 2011,
+343442, $15.95: very fruity with plenty of garrigue, traditional
style, black fruit, 14% ABV.
7. Dom. Lafage Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2011 IGP Cotes
Catalanes, +343509, $16.95: from the Pyrenees and sea, flavours of
underbrush and mushroom, berries, good price. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
8. Capezzana Barco Reale de Carmignano 2010, +508531, $16.95: this
Tuscan steal has expressive cherries, earth, traditional leather,
spices. QPR: 89.
9. Piccini Sasso al Poggio 2007 IGT Toscana, +134809, $19.95: a
supertuscan blend with 40% Bordeaux varieties. A bit tart, red berries,
some savouriness, 14% ABV. But needs time, appropriate to its heavy-
heavy bottle. QPR: 89.
10. Beronia Elaboracion Especial Tempranillo 2010 Rioja, +723643,
$17.95: a stunning example of new style Rioja, all Tempranillo, coconut
and wood as typical, but plush and lush, 14% ABV. QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett 2008
Mosel, +282343, $20.95 retail.
2. Domaine Chanson Beaune Teurons 1er Cru 2010, +84426, $51.95
3. Chateau Maris Las Combes Minervois Cru La Liviniere 2009, +341958,
$25.95
4. Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 IGT Toscana, +996553,
$29.95.
5. Palazzo Vechio Vin Nobile di Montepulciano 2007, +348532, $23.95.
6. San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, +716266, $26.95.
7. Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, +244715, $27.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Trialto's Top Drops, Wed Sept 18/13

The Date and Time: Wednesday, September 18, 2013  1PM to 3PM

The Event: Top Drops from Trialto, a presentation of fine wines available this fall through the LCBO.

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve

The Target Audience: wine trade, clients, and select media.

The Availability/Catalogue: Classics Catalogue and Vintages Front Line.

The Quote/Background: It was a drop-in, walk-around tasting, to be held weekly on Wednesdays.

The Wines: the wines were being released at different times, as indicated.

 

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

-Casa Brancaia Toscana Il Blu IGT Toscana 2009, +303107, $76.95 Nov 23

-Casa Brancaia Ilatraia IGT Rosso Marmemma 2010, +685230, $62.95 Dec 16

-Marchesi Mazzei Siepi Toscana IGT 2008, +740019, $89.95 Nov 18

-Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo 2006, +283499, $65.95  Jan 20/14

 

 

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

-Podere Orma IGT Toscana 2009, +260984, $57.95 Now

-Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno IGT Toscana 2010, +735597, $71.95 Oct 12

-Azelia Barolo 2009, +291963, $40.95 Dec 7

-Azelia San Rocco Barolo 2008, +268839, $77.95 Now

-La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +353607, $67.95 Oct 21

 

The Food: bread, water

The Contact Person: marc@finewinereserve.com

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Discovering Aquitaine & Bordeaux wines - seminar and luncheon at TOCA

The Date and Time: Tuesday, Sept 3, 2013  11 AM to 2:30 PM

The Event: Discovering Aquitaine & Bordeaux wines – seminar and luncheon.

The Venue: TOCA, Ritz Carlton

The Target Audience: agents, winery reps, LCBO, and wine media.

The Availability/Catalogue: there were five wineries/owners at the seminar, but one was already repped here in Ontario by Edwards.

The Quote/Background: there were 28 or so people at the seminar which was ably presented by Anne Popoff who wisely concentrated on the mechanics of the region and the wineries. She said that 60% of Bordeaux still stays in France, the rest is exported (primarily the higher end wines). We tasted through 26 wines of the 2008-12 vintages. Ubifrance, the French Embassy Trade Office in North America, was the organizer.

The Wines: I've added FOB where known to me.

 

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

-Chateau de Lionne Graves 2010 Rouge, 6E FOB

-Chateau Peneteaux 2010 Bordeaux Rouge, 1.85E

-Domaine Patrice Moreux Sancerre 2012 Blanc

-Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret St.Emilion Grand Cru 2010

-Chateau Teynac Cuvee Vieilles Vignes Puisseguin Saint-Emilion 2008

 

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

-Chateau de Lionne Graves 2011 Rouge, 6E FOB

-Chateau Pont de Brion Graves 2011 Blanc [65% semillon] 7E FOB

-Chateau Pont de Brion Graves 2010 Rouge

-Chateau Pont de Brion Graves 2009 Rouge

-Chateau Guillaume Blanc Cuvee du Consul 2010 Bordeaux Superieur, 3.75E

-Domaine des Blais Cotes de Provence 2012 Rose

-Chateau d'Aiguilhe Querve 2010 Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon Rouge

-Patris St.Emilion Grand Cru 2011, 8.90E

-Le Moulin Pomerol 2010, 34E

-Chateau Lanbersac Puisseguin Saint-Emilion 2009

-Chateau de Roquebrune Lalande de Pomerol 2010, 8E

-Chateau Moulin de Clotte Cuvee Dominique Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux 2009, $17.95 LCBO

-Mas Karolina Cotes du Roussillon Village 2011

-Mas Karolina Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes 2011

 

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

-Chateau de Lionne Graves 2010 Blanc

-Chateau de Lionne Graves 2011 Blanc

-Chateau Pont de Brion Graves 2011 Rouge

-Chateau Les Trois Tours Bordeaux 2012 Rouge

-Domaine Auzias Cuvee Monsieur IGP de la Cit de Carcassonne Rouge

-Chateau Moulin de Clotte Castillon-Cotes de Bordeaux 2010

-Le Clairet Rose Bordeaux 2011

 

The Food: we were served courses and expected to get our own wines for accompaniment. I decided to taste all the wines first or between courses, so I did not really have a chance to taste all the wines with the food. First up was an enticing strawberry gazpacho with mozzarella and truffle (no wine with this one). The organic salmon tartare with avocado puree was superb with a variety of Graves and the Sancerre. I had seconds. The reds were split between the Cornish hen marinated in piri-piri (too spicy for many of the wines) and the cavatelli pasta in a basic san marzano and basil sauce (best choice). The goat cheese panna cotta would have gone well with a Sauterne, if there was one.

The Downside: we were late in getting started, that's becoming normal these days.

The Upside: I especially liked the format of the community table – it gave me a chance to see everybody.

The Contact Person: carole.ringuet@ubifrance.fr

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

THE REISSUES, THE REPRINTS, AND THE NEWER EDITIONS...

...all reflect a boom in the cookbook publishing business. A paperback
reprint will lower the cost to the purchaser, and also give a publisher
a chance to correct egregious errors or add a postscript. Some will
reissue a book in paper covers with a new layout or photos. Others will
rearrange existing material to present it as more informative text
while keeping the focus tight. Some magazines will reissue popular or
classic recipes in an "easy" format. Here are some recent "re-
editions"...

 

25. GREENS! Tips and techniques for growing your own vegetables
(Skyhorse Publishing, 2013; distr. T. Allen, 194 pages, ISBN 978-1-
62087-729-6, $24.95 US hard covers) is by Karin Eliasson, a Swedish
writer-gardener. It was originally published in Swedish in 2012; this
is its North American debut. It is a comprehensive enough book, with
photos of techniques, plants, and maintenance. No index, but veggies
are listed in the table of contents, beginning with leaves, stalks,
belladonnas, squashes, beans and peas, lily family, root veggies, and
cabbage family. There is a primer on growing and how to handle problems
that may arise when cultivating. There's also a recommended reading
section plus magazines and internet resources. Quality/price rating:
85.

 

 

 

26. UNCORKED; the science of champagne. Rev. ed. (Princeton University
Press, 2004, 2013, 194 pages, ISBN 978-0-691-15872-3, $24.95 US hard
covers) is by Gerard Liger-Belair, a physics professor at the
University of Reims. It is not so much revised as added to, with a new
foreword by Herve This and a 40 page "Afterword" by Liger-Belair. I
couldn't compare the original text with the current reissue, but I
suspect that the original still stands and the afterword updates it
with the latest research and experimental techniques, plus glassware
and enjoyment. The verso actually says "second printing, with a new
foreword by…and a new afterword by…", and without a 2013 copyright. The
original bibliography still stands, but has been updated through the
"Afterword". I have no problem with all of this, but it should be made
clear that this is not normally a "revised" book, but rather a
supplemented book, perhaps made awkward by a certain amount of checking
the original and the update to make sure of the text. Could it not have
been easier to just re-do the text? The publisher did redo the index to
a comprehensive whole. Nevertheless, a classic book that I enjoyed on
first reading years ago, explaining the science of champagne – and of
course the longest entry in the index is to "bubbles". Quality/price
rating: 86.

 

 

 

27. VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD (Hardie Grant, 2011, 2013; distr. Random
House of Canada, 208 pages, ISBN 978-1-74270489-0, $29.95 US soft
covers) is by Tracy Lister and Andreas Pohl. Lister spent 15 years in
Melbourne restaurants before moving to Vietnam; she now runs a cooking
school in Hanoi. Her book was originally published in 2011, and this is
the 2013 reprint for the North American market. This is street food at
its finest: Lister provides us with more than 60 authentic tasty preps,
representing all the best elements of Vietnam food wagons. The food is
fast, fresh, and fragrant. And if you do it yourself at home, then
there is no worry over the food. Cooking methods include rolling,
grilling, roasting, boiling, steaming, and frying – and the book's
arrangement is by method. There are separate chapters for sweets,
sauces and condiments, banh mi and salads. There's a glossary at the
back. Preparations have their ingredients listed in metric weight and
avoirdupois volume measurements, but there is no table of metric
equivalents. Expect such dishes as shrimp and rice paper rolls, chicken
noodle soup, salt and pepper calamari, various banh mi sandwiches, pork
skewers, and fried spring rolls. Quality/price rating: 87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

Portfolio Tasting of EJ Gallo at Modus in Toronto

The Date and Time: Wednesday, September 4, 2PM to 5PM

The Event: Portfolio Tasting of EJ Gallo

The Venue: Modus

The Target Audience: licensees and media.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available at the LCBO or by consignment. These are the latest vintages available – the room was too dark to pick out and write the vintage year in my notes.

The Quote/Background: Some of its non-Gallo names or properties seem to be doing quite well (MacMurray, Whitehaven, Ghost Pines, Martini). These are interesting wines.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines. There were also five spirits for sniffing or cocktails, but I did not try these. Prices are licensee.

 

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

-Apothic Red Blend, LCBO, $14.24

-Ghost Pines Winemakers Blend Chardonnay 2010, LCBO, $17.81

 

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

-Barefoot Cellars Moscato, LCBO, $8.89

-McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Shiraz, LCBO, $13.39

-High Altitude Chardonnay Argentina [30% viognier], LCBO, $11.95 retail

-Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, LCBO, $27.25

-Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, LCBO, $17.86

-Whitehaven Pinot Noir, LCBO, $21.27

-Ghost Pines Winemakers Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, consignment, $19.10

-Ghost Pines Winemakers Blend Merlot, consignment, $18.15

-MacMurray Ranch Central Coast Pinot Noir, consignment, $18.15

-Martin Codax Albarino Rias Biaxas, consignment, $16.33

 

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

-Copper Ridge Chardonnay $8.23 consignment

-Bear Flag Red, LCBO, $11.56

-Bear Flag White, LCBO, $11.56

-Mirassou Pinot Grigio, LCBO, $11.61

-Mirassou Pinot Noir, LCBO, $12.01

-Dancing Bull Zinfandel, LCBO, $12.01

-Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay, LCBO, $8.89

-Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, LCBO $8.89

-Barefoot Bubbly Moscato Spumante, LCBO, $11.78

-McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Moscato, LCBO, $12.50

-McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Chardonnay, LCBO, $12.50

-McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, LCBO, $13.39

-JJ McWilliam's Pinot Grigio, LCBO, $9.38

-JJ McWilliam's Shiraz/Cabernet, LCBO, $9.77

-JJ McWilliam's Cabernet/Merlot, LCBO, $9.77

-Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, LCBO, $16.91

-Red Rock Malbec California, LCBO, $15.13

-Edna Valley Chardonnay Central Coast, consignment, $18.15

 

The Food: platters of cheese, prosciutto, fresh fruit, breads and crackers.

The Downside: it was not the whole portfolio, so I was disappointed. An LCBO search showed that there were more MacMurray labels in the system, and there was nothing from Gallo Sonoma or from Frei.

The Upside: a chance to taste many entry level wines.

The Contact Person: Kimberley.mills@ejgallo.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 86

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Sparkling wine tasting, Sept 13/13

The Date and Time: Friday, September 13, 2013 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The Event: Annual Sparkling Wine tasting held by the WWCC, based on agency/winery submissions from an all-callout.

The Venue: LCBO Summerhill Scrivener Square

The Target Audience: WWCC members

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are in the LCBO as numbered, or consignment or Private order.

The Quote/Background: 15 WWCC members attended to get data for Holiday articles (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, etc.)

The Wines: I did NOT taste all 76 wines. Scores below are mine alone, and NOT an average of all WWCC tasters.

 

++MY BEST WINE of the Day was Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV $59.95 +36962, getting a double ****

 

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

-Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV $59.95 +36962

-Louis Roederer Brut Premier  $68.95 +268771 Vintages Essential  

-Cono Sur Sparkling     $13.95 +215079    Chile            

-Champagne Henriot      NV    Henriot Brut Souverain  $59.95 +959643

-Freixenet Sonoma Caves 2001  Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvee  +918276 Vintages

-Champagne Devaux n/v   Cuvee Rosee 56.95 +352211     Dec 7/13 Vintages

-Bera Az Ag 2011  Moscato d'asti $13.75 +317156  Piedmont

-Piper Heidsieck  NV    Piper Heidsieck Brut    $49.95      +462432

-Charles Heidsieck      2000 Brut Millesime $99.95 +52449   Classics

-Henry of Pelham        Cuvee Catherine Rose    $29.95                 

-Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2008  ENTOURAGE Sparkling Brut $22.95 +234161

-ANGELS GATE WINERY     2011  ARCHANGEL CHARDONNAY $21.95   +227009

-Champagne Baron Fuente 2006  Grand Millesime Brut    $47.95 +155119

-Champagne Baron Fuente NV    Esprit Blanc-de-Blanc   $58   Amethyst

-Château des Charmes NV Brut Méthode Traditionnelle $22.95 +224766

-Champagne Legras et Haas NV Tradition $59.99 +5548641 Mellecey Wine Group Inc. Cyndi Grossman

 

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

-Movendo          Moscato     $12.95      +277244     Italy

-Chateau de Montgueret        Cremant de Loire  $19.95      +217760    

-Codorniu SA      NV    Codornniu Brut Clasico Cava   $12.95 +215814

-Segura Viudas    NV Brut Reserva Cava D.O. $14.25    +216960

-Cattier Champagne  N/V Cattier Premier Cru Champagne $39.95 +325720

-Bodegas Santa Julia N/V Organic Brut     $14.95 +314239 Mendoza 

-Taittinger nv    Brut Res    58.95                              

-Henry of Pelham        Cuvee Catherine   $25.95                 

-Henry of Pelham  2008  Catherine Carte Blanche $44.95                 

-Featherstone Winery    2009  Cuvee Joy Sparkling     $34.95 +310334

-Palatine Niagara Juliette $22.95   Chardonnay

-Cave Spring Cellars    NV    Blanc de Blancs   $29.95 +213983

-Trius Winery at Hillebrand   Trius Brut  $24.95      +284539

-13th Street Winery     2007  Grande Cuvee      $59.95      +361394

-13th Street Winery     NV    Cuvee 13 Rose     $24.95      +147504

-Peller Estates   Peller Ice Cuvee  $31.95      +284547    

-Peller Estates   Peller Ice Cuvee Rose   $34.95 +113035

-ANGELS GATE WINERY     2009  ARCHANGEL PINOT NOIR    $25  

-Pago de Tharsys  2009  Dominio de Requena Brut Nature $15.00 Amethyst

-Château des Charmes 2010 Rosé Sparkling Wine, Méthode Traditionnelle $28.95      +78055

-Domaine Deliance NV Brut Reserve Cremant de Bourgogne $23.99 +572163 Mellecey Wine Group Inc. Cyndi Grossman

 

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

-Danzante         Prosecco    $14.95      +288910

-Piera Martellozzo NV Blu Giovello Prosecco     $14.95 +85316 Fruili

-Casal de Gorchs  NV    Fresita Sparkling Wine  $13.95

-Jip Jip Rocks Sparkling Shiraz     $18.60 +212472

-VSA Limoux NV    Grande Cuvee 1531 $19.95      +350371     France

-Trapiche   2012 Extra Brut Sparkling Wine $11.95     +262261 Mendoza

-Casella Yellow Tail Pink Bubbles   $13.95      +229047

-Casella Yellow Tail Bubbles  $13.95      +229039    

-Freixenet  N/V Cordon Negro  $13.95      +216945    

-Freixenet  N/V   Freixenet Cordon Rosado $12.95      +217059    

-Freixenet  N/V   Freixenet Carta Nevada  $11.95      +216887    

-Bodegas Santa Julia    N/V   Santa Julia UNO   $14.95      +237891      Argentina   Mendoza     4x187ml    

-De Bortoli Wines N/V   Emeri Pink Sparkling    $14.95      +222190

-Carpene Malvolti N/V   Carpene Malvolti DOCG Brut    $15.95 +727438

-Santa Margherita NV    Prosecco vi Val   $17.95 Vintages Ess

-Villa Sandi      nv    prosecco    $14.15                  GL         

-Mionetto   NV    Mionetto Mo Prosecco    $16.95      +266023

-Dopff au Moulin  NV    Cuvée Julien Alsace     $18.95      +641365

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery  2011  Sparkling and Sassy $27.95 +344622

-M. Weir    2009  Sparkling                                

-Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2009  ENTOURAGE Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc $29.95 +353078

-Jackson-Triggs Niagara 2008  ENTOURAGE Sparkling Merlot    $29.95

-Palatine Niagara             Romeo $22.95 Pinot Noir

-Casa Dea Esatates Winery PEC 2011  Dea's Cuvee $18.95      +261263 

-Casa Dea Esatates Winery PEC 2012  Dea's Rose  $19.95      winery

-ANGELS GATE WINERY 2011      ARCHANGEL SAUVIGNON BLANC $21.95 winery

-ANGELS GATE WINERY 2008      ARCHANGEL SAUVIGNON BLANC $35 winery     

-Cascina Gilli 2012 Malvasia "Gilli" di Casetelnuovo Don Bosco Piemonte

$20 Amethyst

-John Howard Cellars    Megalomaniac 2011 Bubblehead $28.95 +363655

 

The Contact Person: deantudor@deantudor.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com