Meeting and Tasting with Emiliana organic winery (Chile) Aug 7

The Date and Time: Wednesday, August 7, 2013 6Pm to 9PM
The Event: a meeting and tasting with Emilio Contreras, winemaker for
Emiliana organic vineyards.
The Venue: The Loft at the Distillery
The Target Audience: wine media and trade
The Availability/Catalogue: most wines were available through the LCBO
The Quote/Background: Emilio took us on a powerpoint tour of the
vineyards. The company began converting a Chilean winery to organic
just before this century. Emiliana has a total of 997 hectares in
Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, and Bio-Bio Valleys. 923 have
been certified organic (and 819 of these are Demeter biodynamic
certified). The other 74 are in transition. Like most Chilean wineries,
they have at least four tiers of wines – all organic. The upper tier
(Ge and Coyam) are also biodynamic. The Adobe Reserva is entry level at
about $13 or so, followed by the Novas Gran Reserva ($16) and the
Signos de Origen ($20).
The Wines: we tried seven wines, each paired with food

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Emiliana Coyam 2010, $29.95 [syrah, carmenere, merlot]
-Emiliana Signos de Origen Syrah 2011, $19.95 – fave of the eve

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Emiliana Signos de Origen Pinot Noir 2011, $19.95
-Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Petit Verdot 2011, $15.95

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Cabernet Merlot 2011, $15.95
-Emiliana Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $12.95
-Emiliana Adobe Reserva Merlot 2011, $13.95

The Food: there was a remarkable procession with a table and platters
for the interesting and complementary food. With the Sauvignon Blanc,
we had tea-cured salmon lox, with the Merlot there were some Ontario
and Quebec cheeses with dried fruit, the Cabernet Merlot was showed off
against braised short rib ragout with sweet potato gnocchi and blue
cheese, and the Petit Verdot went well with the pork tenderloin
tournedos and double smoked bacon. Next, came the duck rilettes with
the Pinot Noir, the Moroccan spiced lamb with the Syrah, and finally –
peppered duck breast and currant risotto with the Coyam.
The Downside: one of my faves (Signos de Origen
Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne/Rousanne) was not available for tasting.
The Upside: the weather was hot, and it was not too crowded.
The Contact Person: erika@ybimc.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com