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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

New Zealand Wine Fair, Toronto, May 2013...

The Date and Time: Thursday, May 9, 2013  1:30 – 5:30 PM

The Event: Work of our Hands – New Zealand Wine Fair, Toronto 2013

The Venue: Toronto Reference Library

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: as always, the catalogue is a model, with full details about the winery, Ontario agent, wines on show, vintages, prices, distribution channel. Occasionally, there are incorrect numbers on vintages or prices, or certain wines did not arrive and may – or may not – have been replaced.

The Quote/Background: once again, we had an excellent self-directed tasting seminar, this time back to sauvignon blanc, with the 16 wines arranged by region (they were mostly Marlborough) at different price points. These have been folded into the notes below. The seminar booklet contained a wealth of material and technical notes for every wine.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine, although I tried to taste all the non-savvies and non-pinots.

 

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

-Coal Pit Sauvignon Blanc Central Otago 2011, n/a

-Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc Southern Valleys Marlborough 2010, $18.95 Kylix

-Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley Marlborough 2012, $21.95 +277731

-Auntsfield South Oaks Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011, $39  DB Wine & Spirits

-Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Chardonnay Marlborough 2010, $25.95 +317651

-Quartz Reef Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010, $42.95 +599324

-Quartz Reef MT Sparkling Rose Central Otago NV (all Pinot Noir) $40 Amethyst

-Cuvee No 1 Sparkling Marlborough NV, $32.95 +56358

-Matua Estate Paretai Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $24.95 +144634

-The Kings Wrath Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011, $29.95  Glencairn Wine

-Lawson's Dry Hills Gewurztraminer Marlborough 2010, $19.95  +60129

-Giesen The August Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011, $39.95

-Elephant Hill Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2011, $24.95  +141978

-Churton Pinot Noir Marlborough 2009, $36.95 +237164

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (8890 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Man O'War Gravestone Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Waiheke Island 2012, n/a

-Giesen The Brothers Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011, $19.95 Michael Andrews

-Akarua Brut Sparkling Central Otago NV, $27.95  Vonterra

-Waimea Viognier Nelson 2010, $19.95 +325969

-Waimea Pinot Noir Nelson 2009, $24.85  Churchill Cellars

-Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010, $32.95 +285361

-Trinity Hill Chardonnay Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay 2011, $29.95  Cult Classic

-Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay 2010, $29.95  Cult Classic

-Tiki Koro Pinot Noir Central Otago 2011, $34.95  Churchill Cellars

-te Pa Pinot Noir Marlborough 2011, $38.95  Family Wine Merchants

-Sileni Estate Selection "The Straits" Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $22.95  Kirkwood

-Seresin Leah Pinot Noir Marlborough 2009, $39.95 Sept 28/13 Vintages

-Quartz Reef MT Sparkling Brut Central Otago NV $35 Amethyst

-Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Rose NV, $21.95 +280172

-Matua Pinot Noir Central Otago 2011, $29.95  Treasury Wine Estates

-Hunter's MiruMiru Sparkling NV Marlborough, $27.95 Rogers

-Elephant Hill Pinot Noir Central Otago 2011, $29.95  +309583

-Kim Crawford SP Rise & Shine Pinot Noir Central Otago 2007, $29.95 +35337

-Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $24.05 +912337

-Churton Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2011, $23.95 +159244

-Churton Viognier Marlborough 2011, $36.95 +619857

-Churton The Abyss Pinot Noir Marlborough 2010, $92 +249342

-Astrolabe Province Pinot Gris Marlborough 2012, $22.95  Rogers

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (8587 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Seifried Sauvignon Blanc Nelson 2012, $19 Terra Wines

-Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2012, $19.95 Family Wine Merchants

-Craggy Range Te Muna Road Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2011, $27.95 Lifford

-Te Mata Estate Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay 2012, Ponte Wines

-Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $18.95   Constellation

-Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Foundation Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2012, $24.95  Wine World

-Invivo Belle Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $19.99  Cult Classics

-Nautilus Estate Unoaked Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $24.99 B & W

-Yealands Crossroads Milestones Series Syrah Hawkes Bay 2011, $27.95 Amethyst

-Seresin Chardonnay Marlborough 2010, $24.95 +19190

-Sacred Hill Prospector Pinot Noir Central Otago 2010, $39 +295741

-Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $17.45 +293043

-Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, $21.95 Pernod

-Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvee Brut NV, $21.95 +163634

-Akarua Rose Brut Sparkling Central Otago NV, $27.95  Vonterra

 

The Food: the media got meat sandwiches on baguettes, the trade show got fruit, veggies and dips and three cheeses from Dairy Farmers of Canada (La Belle-Mere and Tomme des Demoiselles from Quebec, and Mountainoak Farmstead Premium Dutch Aged Gouda from Ontario).

The Downside: I wished that there were more wines, eg, syrah, to try, but the marketing was mostly geared to Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs.

The Upside: great lighting, unlike just about every other venue we've had for the NZ show in the past (Alice Fazooli, Fermentations, DX)

The Contact Person: rketchin@ketchin.com

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

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tasting of Loire Valley wines (Garnier and Ex-Cellars)

 The Date and Time: Monday, May 6, 3013  2:30 – 8PM

The Event: Tasting of fine wines from the Loire Valley, with exporter Christophe Garnier. Represented by Ex-Cellars.

The Venue: Old York Mills Road

The Target Audience: clients, wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: Christophe Garnier Selections has a wide range of Loire wines that are exported to the UK, the US and Canada. Ex-Cellars Wine Services is the Canadian representative. The wines are always available, and while we tasted only seven of them, there are more in the catalogue.

The Quote/Background: These were some of the latest releases, especially done for Loire aficionados.

The Wines: Prices are for licensees.

 

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

-Pierre Cherrier Domaine de la Rossignole Sancerre Blanc 2012, $25

-Domaine du Vikin Vourvray Tranquille Sec 2008, $25

-Pascal Pibaleau Touraine La Noblesse d'Aziaum 2007, $24 [barrel fermented] – my fave!

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (8890 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Pierre-Luc Bouchard Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2011 Pont Caffino, $17

-Domaine Valery Renaudat Reuilly Blanc 2011, $25

-Yvon & Pascal Tabordet Pouilly Fume 2012, $26

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (8587 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Pierre-Luc Bouchard Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2012 Perd son Pain, $17

 

The Food: artichoke hearts, breads, cold cuts, cheeses, veggies and dips, grapes and strawberries.

The Downside: it was a cold day, unlike the Loire at this time of year. I also wished that we had a few more wines to taste,

The Upside: a chance to re-connect with M. Garnier and view a lavish "party room".

The Contact Person: nuray@ex-cellars.ca

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

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 25, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 25, 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
 
Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris 2010 Alsace:
excellent typicity, PG as it used to be in Alsace, with tropical fruit,
soft but long finish, nothing cloying. 13.5% ABV. +21253, $19.95, QPR:
91.
 
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20
 
Santa Sofia Arleo Rosso 2003 IGT Rosso del Veronese, +320846, $25.95.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. G. Marquis The Silver Line Chardonnay 2011 Single Vineyard Niagara
Stone Road VQA NOTL: lightly oaked six months, elegant orchard fruit,
slightly off-dry, creamy. +258681, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Domaine Le Comte Quincy 2011 Loire: great elegance, smooth, not at
all racy. Perfect as aperitif. +172528, $18.95, QPR: 89.
3. Henri Poiron Fief Giraud Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sue Lie 2011: light
and crisp, great with seafood or first course, 12% ABV. +327726,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Miopasso Fiano 2011 IGT Sicilia: well-rounded, thickly concentrated,
aromatic, 14.5% ABV. Orchard fruit and minerals in the finish. +326793,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Don Cristobal 1492 Oak Reserve Shiraz 2010 Mendoza: in new French
oak for one year, more in shiraz style as labeled. +236133, $13.95,
QPR: 89.
2. Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Clare Valley South Australia: a
juicy big wine, lots of cherries and vanilla. +744235, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Belair-Coubet 2010 Cotes de Bourg: a typical Bordeaux, and
affordable. Ripeness and fruit on the front palate from merlot, spice
from cabernet sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. Gold medalist. +321414, $16.95,
QPR: 89.
4. Château La Grange de Bessan 2009 Medoc: another Gold Medalist, 13.5%
ABV. Delicious modern NA style, upfront juiciness of red and black
berries, mocha, vanilla, wood. +321331, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture 2010 Basilicata: slightly off-dry, made
in modern style (older vultures were heavy-styled). 13.5% ABV. +320507,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2011: the
LCBO Ripasso of the month, 14.5% ABV. +719294, $18.95, QPR: 89.
 
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. Saint-Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010 Marlborough NZ,
+317651, $25.95 retail.
2. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Calcaire Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace, +320481,
$29.95
3. Dr. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese 2005, +324285,
$21.95.
4.Siglas Santorini Assyrtiko 2011 Greece, +74781, $21.95.
5. Domaine Bousquet Grande Reserve Malbec 2010 Mendoza, +303701,
$21.95.
6. Chateau Philippe-le-Hardi Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2010, +330852,
$22.95.
7. Piccini Vila al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +164855,
$36.95.
8. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +353201, $44.95.

* DRINK BOOK OF THE MONTH! *

1. PAIRING FOOD & WINE FOR DUMMIES (John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 382 pages,
ISBN 978-1-118-39957-6, $22.99 US soft covers) is by John Szabo,
Canada's first Master Sommelier (2004). He is now a wine consultant to
restaurant and a free-lance wine writer (e.g. winealign.com). Here he
has done an excellent job of dialing down the process of food and wine
pairing, and that is a good thing since many people still to seem to
follow the older rigid rules. Knowing the best wines to pair with food
(and vice versa) is the height of the modern art of social food graces.
Of course, there are many apps for this matching: just key in your wine
or your food and back come some choices. But Szabo tries to explain the
rationales, and hopefully reduce your dependence on Internet resources.
When dining out, you can only go to the bathroom or lobby just so many
times when you want to check your apps/email/texts/tweets. He proposes
strategies for food low and high (burgers, bbq, Asiatic, fusion, haute
cuisines). Along the way he delves into using your own senses and
tastes to develop likes and dislikes with your mouthfeel. Styles of
wine and food are discussed, restaurant sommelier advice is consumed,
and finding a restaurant that knows what it is doing with wines – all
are important here. At the end, he goes into how to put on a wine and
food party, beyond the cheese and snacks, to figure out which kinds of
wine to served, how much wine, and with which foods.
Audience and level of use: beginners, those without a phone app.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: his top ten food-friendly
wines include unoaked chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, champagne,
pinot noir, gamay, and valpolicella.
The downside to this book: wine markups in restaurants are not
discussed.
The upside to this book: useful enough for both Canada and the US.
Quality/Price Rating: 92.
 

Monday, May 20, 2013

* 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. Here are some recent "re-editions"...
 
 
 

16. OFF-PREMISE CATERING MANAGEMENT. 3rd ed. (Wiley, 2013, 550
pages, ISBN 978-0-470-88971-8, $70 US hard covers) is by Chris
Thomas, a food and drink writer for more than 30 years and now a
consultant, and by Bill Hansen, who owns his own catering firm.
This is a practical guide, first published in 1995 by Bill
Hansen. Thomas has taken over and extensively reviews the off-
premise caterer's job – including menu planning, pricing, food
and beverage service, equipment, packing, delivery, and set-ups.
Also: legal implications, financial considerations, human
resources, marketing, and health/safety regulations. This new
edition, last revised in 2005, has stuff on sustainable
("green") practices, current food trends, recent equipment,
website developments, and social media marketing. There's a
brand new chapter on beverage service that includes material on
off-premise bar setups (always a sticky point here in Ontario),
new cocktails and their ingredients, and guidance on selecting
the right beers and wines for events. Along the way there are
forms, schedules, and checklists of value, illustrative of
actual circumstances in the field. There is also an Instructor's
Manual available. Of course, it is a text book, so each chapter
ends with a useful summary and some questions for discussion.
Quality/price rating: 88.
 
 
 
17. BREAD. 2d ed. (Wiley, 2013, 478 pages, ISBN 978-1-118-13271-
5, $45 US hard covers) is by Jeffrey Hamelman, bakery director
of the King Arthur Flour Company and a Certified Master Baker.
He was captain of Baking Team USA, and the first edition of this
book won a Beard Award. This second edition includes 140 step-
by-step recipes for a range of breads; 40 of them are new to
this edition. Preparations have their ingredients listed in both
metric and avoirdupois measurements, and there are also tables
of metric equivalents. There's a glossary and a bibliography,
and as well, there are specialized sections in the appendix for
developing and perpetuating a sourdough culture, additives,
baker's percentages (scaling), computing batch coat, and sample
proofing skeds.
He opens with a primer on baking and hand mixing, and then moves
on to types of breads: yeasted pre-ferments, levains,
sourdoughs, and regular dough. There are also chapters on
braiding techniques and decorative/display projects.
Unfortunately, there is nothing on gluten-free breads – which is
now a coming food trend. Quality/price rating: 87.
 
 
 

18. GLUTEN-FREE COOKING FOR DUMMIES. 2d ed. (John
Wiley & Sons, 2013, 362 pages, ISBN 978-1-118-39644-
5, $19.99 US soft covers) is by Danna Korn and Connie
Sarros, both authors of gluten-free cookbooks. The
first edition was originally published in 2008, and
of course much has happened in the gluten-free world
since then, In fact, it is now a highly respected
growth industry. The book is a practical guide, with
basics of what is and what is not gluten-free, how to
set up a pantry and kitchen, the various flours
available, about 165quick recipes, comfort foods, and
cooking gluten-free with the kids. And of course,
there are Rich Tennant's wonderful drawings. There's
a quick list of some ten top comfort foods such as
mac and cheese, clam chowder, puddings, veggie soups,
potato salad, meatloaf, and more. Prep times, cooking
times, and yields are clearly indicated. For this new
edition, there are additional recipes from Cindy
Kleck, RD, LD, who is also a cookbook author. These
preps are a bit more easy than the 20 or so harder
ones in the first edition. There is also anew chapter
on meal planning, ethnic foods. It is more a book now
on the gluten-free lifestyle. Preparations have their
ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but
there are tables of metric equivalents. Quality/price
rating: 87.
 
 
 
19. LAROUSSE ON PASTRY (John Wiley & Sons, 2012, 448 pages, ISBN
978-1-118-20882-3, $45 US hard covers) is the English
translation of the 2009 French edition, which was published to
great acclaim. Here are 200 recipes (each with a photo or more)
for "everyone, from beginner to expert". It has coverage from
chocolate, fruit, cookies, summer sweets, and small snacks – in
chapter order. All-time favourites include gateau basque,
montpensier, kugelhopf, far Breton, crème brulee, sabayon, and
blancmange. There are also 30 "cooking classes" (illustrated
techniques) for such toughies as lining tartlet molds, blind
baking, short crust pastry, and the jam cooking method. At the
back of the book, there is an excellent pastry glossary plus two
recipe indexes by ingredient and by name. The book should get
you through about 95% of all your pastry needs.  A great gift
idea, too. Preparations have their ingredients listed in
avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric
equivalents. Quality/price rating: 89.
 

20. TASSAJARA COOKBOOK; lunches, picnics & appetizers (Gibbs
Smith,
2007; distr. Raincoast, 224 pages, ISBN 978-1-4236-3183-5,
$24.99 US paper covers) is by Karla Oliveira, a nutritionist and
professional chef (over 25 years) with a lot of credits. This is
the paperback reprint edition. The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center
(Buddhist monastery in California's Ventana Wilderness) is
famous for its healthy vegetarian cuisine, including its bag
lunches. This book contains many recipes for savoury breads,
pates, sandwich fillings, granolas, salads, chutneys and
relishes, sauces and marinades, and baked goods and sweets such
as cookies (vegan and dairy). It is fabulous fare for appetizers
and small plates, as well as lunches for vegans and vegetarians.
You can even use the recipes and ideas to prepare school lunches
for your kids; it'll be a lot healthier than the high-fructose
corn syrup stuff in prepared foods. There's a concluding chapter
on prepping the food, such as the composition of a sandwich with
all of its accoutrements (such as condiments, pickles,
cheese/butter/eggs, vegetables, fruit), what to put spreads on
to, lunch bag ideas for carrying the food, and metric conversion
charts. Try some basil-lime-pumpkin seed pesto, or roasted
eggplant compote, or almond pate, tempeh salad, couscous salad,
and cappuccino coins. Quality/Price Rating: 90.
 

21. FALLING OFF THE BONE (John Wiley & Sons, 2010, 2013, 254
pages, ISBN 978-1-118-39354-3, $19.99 US soft covers) is by Jean
Anderson, author of more than 20 cookbooks (The Doubleday
Cookbook, The Family Circle Cookbook). She's been a six-time
best cookbook award winner (Beard,
IACP, and others), founding member of Les Dames d'Escoffier and
other groups, and has been a powerhouse in the field of cookery
in North
America. It was originally published in 2010, and this the 2013
straight paperback reprint. This is a basic meat book collection
of stews, soups, pies, ribs and bones, and the like, for beef,
veal (shortest chapter), lamb and pork. The emphasis, of course,
is on the cheaper cuts, both to save costs and to make
flavourful food. The only connection is that there must be meat
"falling off the bone". For each she describes the best way to
cook each cut, along with a nutritional profile and advice on
shopping, storage and freezing tips. For beef and veal, there is
brisket, chuck, flank, oxtail, rump and shanks. For lamb, there
is breast, neck, riblets, shanks and shoulders. And for pork,
there is fresh ham, pig's feet, and spareribs. At the back,
there are web resources for learning more and buying off-cuts
that supermarkets do not have. Preparations have their
ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no
metric table of equivalents.
Some interesting recipes include Finnish layered pork and apple
loaf, lamb neck slices in dill and lemon sauce, Lancashire hot
pot, Andalusian shepherd's stew, Lithuanian veal and cabbage
pie,
Norwegian skipper's stew, stufatino, jade soup with pork and
veal
dumpling balls. I was hoping for more exciting lamb recipes, but
most of the preps deal with Mediterranean-style lamb stews made
from the shoulder. Lamb necks used in stews seem to be UK in
origin. Quality/Price Rating: 86.
 

22. TECHNIQUES OF HEALTHY COOKING. 4th edition. (John Wiley &
Sons,
2013, 560 pages, ISBN 978-0-470-63543-8, $75 US hard covers) is
from
the Culinary Institute of America. It was first issued as a
manual in
1990, and it has evolved somewhat into something bigger. The
third edition was in 2008. It presents
the dietary guidelines (restrictions, nutrients, labeling), with
details for healthier choices on menus. The CIA discuses
ingredient
options and serving sizes. The book develops recipes for menus;
there
are 500 preps here, many showing how to cook with less of
everything
(less fat, salt, sugar, alcohol, and – dare I say it – less
food). The
150 colour photos illustrate techniques and plated final dishes,
as
well as ingredients and equipment. Servings are for 10-15
people, and the
ingredients are in both avoirdupois and metric weights and
measures.
The appendix covers recipe analyses. The resources guide details
readings (but just about all of the books are from the last
century), tables and a glossary. There are two separate indexes
for
subject matter and for recipes. Quality/Price rating: 90.
 

23. NUTRITION FOR FOODSERVICE AND CULINARY PROFESSIONALS. 8th
ed. (John Wiley & Sons, 2010, 2014 [sic] 454 pages, ISBN 978-1-
118-42973-0, $95 US hard covers) is by Karen Eich Drummond (R.D.
and restaurant book author) and Lisa M. Brefere (executive chef-
consultant and career book author). It was last out in 2010, and
has been revised and extended since that date to include the
"2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" and material from
choosemyplate.gov. But somebody does need to look at the
copyright date: 2014? I think not. This is a basic reference
guide for restaurants and chefs, and includes current data on
dietary guidelines and how to evaluate menus and recipes. As a
textbook, there are summaries and questions for discussion. It
is almost a self-help book for the operators of any dining
establishment. Newish topics include information about organics,
sustainability, farm-to-table movements, gluten-free dietary
needs, allergy diets, and dining programs for multi-generational
family dinners. Kitchen preps are essential if food products are
to retain their nutritional values. New material here includes a
recasting of older recipes into healthier profiles, creating
food management programs, special culinary foci for each food
group, and more visual impact (photos, colour, charts, etc.). At
the end, there are quizzes and a glossary. An extremely useful
book.
Quality/price rating: 89.
 
 
 

24. CANADIAN LIVING: the affordable feasts collection; budget-
friendly family meals. (Transcontinental Books, 2013; distr.
Random House Canada, 256 pages, ISBN 978-0-9877474-3-3, $26.95
CAN paper covers) is by the Canadian Living Test Kitchen team,
headed up by Annabelle Waugh. The preps include their favourite
budget-friendly ingredients, such as ground meats, with advice
on how to avoid kitchen waste and save money. Ground meats are
mostly beef, but there is also lamb (for stuffed eggplants) and
pork, although in the end, they are often interchangeable. The
five chapters include red meat, white meat (poultry and pork),
eggs and beans and tofu (meatless proteins), grains of pasta and
noodles and rice, and concludes with hearty veggies. Overall,
most of the dishes are one-pot or casseroles. Nutritional data
is given for each dish. Preparations have their ingredients
listed in mainly avoirdupois measurements with some metric
equivalents, but there is no overall table of equivalents.
Quality/price rating: 86.
 

25. SWEDISH DESSERTS; 80 traditional recipes (Skyhorse
Publishing, 2010, 2012, 124 pages, ISBN 978-1-61608-637-4,
$17.95 US hard covers) was originally published in 2010 in
Sweden. Its author, Cecilia Vikbladh was a food editor who now
runs Cecilia's Kitchen in southern Sweden. These preps come from
her place, and include a wealth of traditions such as Kransekake
(almond cake with icing), saffron buns, the impressive jam
stars, and ginger thins. The 80 preps here cover a range of
holidays, including Christmas, cookies, winter pies,
cheesecakes, muffins, breads and buns, and a gingerbread house.
It's a charming little book with natural photography.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and
avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of equivalents.
Quality/price rating: 85.
 
 
 

26. CHEESE OBSESSION (Weldon Owen, 2010, 2012, 224 pages, ISBN
978-1-61628-498-5, $24.95 US soft covers) is by Georgeanne
Brennan, who once was a cheesemaker in Provence and has since
written many cookbooks. It was originally published in hard
covers in 2010 as "Williams-Sonoma Cheese". The paperback
reissue has been re-designed. Here are 100 recipes for cooking
with cheese, principally "European" cheeses. There are ways here
to cook all types of cheese for every course (creamy, oozy,
nutty, firm). The classics include macaroni and cheese, fondues,
and enchiladas. There is also fried pecorino (hard sheep cheese)
with fruity salsa, squash salad with a runny Teleme, roast
chicken stuffed with gruyere, and plum tarts covered with chevre
and ginger. There are also descriptions of about 150 cheeses,
including some artisanal cheese from the US, which may limit its
Canadian applications. Nevertheless, there are universal notes
on pairing cheeses with wine and/or beer, and putting together a
cheese platter. Preparations have their ingredients listed in
mostly avoirdupois and some metric measurements, but there is no
table of equivalents. Quality/price rating: 89.
 
----------------------------------------------------
 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

APVSA Tasting in Toronto, April 26/13

 The Date and Time: Friday, April 26, 2013  11AM to 4PM

The Event: the monthly APVSA tasting (Association pour la promotion des

vins et spiritueux en Amerique du Nord).

The Venue: Delta Chelsea Inn

The Target Audience: wine agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: no wines are currently available in

Ontario. The group is here to get some agents to agree to rep the principal. Some of the wines are available in Quebec and Alberta.

Most of the wines were French, and there is sales staff available to comment on the prices and production. This road show also visits such places as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Miami, Washington DC, and Montreal. Occasionally, the show will have wines from Italy, Uruguay, Spain and Australia. Sometimes spirits and VDN are also available.

The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be acknowledged, is that (by and large) they were about the same as wines that we already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be any price advantages, either. But these 40 or so wines could be made available through Vintages or Consignment. In the past, quite a few have been picked up for sale in Ontario; these were mostly the good value or unique wines. Here were my faves from today, regardless of FOB cost which must be requested due to competitive pricing. I did not try every wine. Also, it had been two months since I was last at an APVSA tasting (due to my conflicting schedules).

 

The Wines: Prices are FOB

 

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

-Domaine de Font-Sane Gigondas Terrasses des Dentelles 2010, 11.60E

-Champagne Pertois Moriset Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs

-Champagne Pertois Moriset Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs 2006

-Champagne Pertois Moriset Cuvee Grande Reserve Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (8890 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Bergerie du Capucin IGP Saint Guilhem Le Desert Val de Montferrand 2011 White, 5.17E

-Bergerie du Capucin AOP Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Dame Jeanne 2011 Red, 5.67E

-Bergerie du Capucin AOP Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Dame Jeanne 2010 Red, 10.02E

-Domaine de Font-Sane Gigondas Tradition 2010, 7.20E

-Domaine de Font-Sane Cotes de Ventoux Vieilles Vignes 2011, 3.40E

-EARL Maurice Schueller Cremant Alsace 2008, 4.54E

-Champagne Pertois Moriset Cuvee Selection

-Champagne Pertois Moriset Cuvee Rose

-Domaine La Tour des Vidaux Cuvee Farnoux 2009 Cotes de Provence Red, 7.50E

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (8587 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Bergerie du Capucin AOP Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Dame Jeanne 2012 Rose, 4.40E

-Domaine La Tour des Vidaux Cuvee Philothea 2011 Cotes de Provence Red, 3.95E

 -Domaine La Tour des Vidaux Cuvee Tradition 2010 Cotes de Provence Red, 4.75E

 

The Food: great hot pizzas, went well with the wines, as always.

The Contact Person: Pascal p.fernand@apvsa.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event (numerical grade):

84.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Re: Your letter regarding the wine column

Ridiculous

I haven't got a reply yet but I'll report when/if I do

Thanks for pushing

Eugene
Eugene Mlynczyk
Constellation Brands
416 206 3276 cell
eugene.mlynczyk@cbrands.com

"Whatever you do, pour yourself into it." Robert Mondavi
 

From: Dean Tudor, Wine Writer
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 7:06:44 PM
To: blog1
Subject: Your letter regarding the wine column

Not resonate? Really?
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 4:30 PM
Subject: Your letter regarding the wine column

Good afternoon Mr. Tudor

Thank you for your inquiry relating to the cancellation of Konrad Ejbich's wine column. 

We at Ontario Today are committed to delivering a top quality news and call-in radio program to our listeners every weekday. We are constantly reviewing how the different segments within our show perform in terms of listener response and audience tuning. Over time, we've found that Mr. Ejbich's wine column does not resonate with our audience as well as other features in the program and as a result, we will no longer be including it as a regular feature.

We regret that our decision may cause concern with some members of our audience but hope that you will keep listening despite this change. 

Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Margot Wright

 
Margot Wright
Producer, Ontario Today
CBC Radio One