The Event: a tasting of “The Wines of Navarra: WOW”, held in conjunction with several dinners around town

 

The Date and Time: Wednesday, October 15, 2014     10:15AM to 1PM

The Event: a tasting of "The Wines of Navarra: WOW", held in conjunction with several dinners around town at Patria and other places.

The Venue: Patria

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers, agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are generally not available yet in Ontario, although the companies here had agents who could do private orders and even consignments.

The Quote/Background: Jordi Vidal of the Consejo Regulador Denominacion de Origen Navarra was in town to lead a seminar, along with Barry Brown, President of the Spanish Wine Society. In general, Navarra exports 27% to the UK, 25% to Germany, and 0.2% to Canada. Local grapes (Iberian grapes) comprise 63% of the wines by volume. It was only in the 1980s that continental varieties were introduced (chardonnay, merlot, cabernets). Vineyard hectare totals are at 11,500. 30% of Navarra wines are rose, always saignee. The rest are reds (60%), dry whites (9%), and sweet (1%).

The Wines: I did not try all the wines. Prices are also vague.

 

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

-Bodegas de Monjardin Reserva Seleccion 2008 [Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Tempranillo]MCO

-Bodega Principe de Viana Garnacha Viñas Viejas 2013  $12  John Hanna

-Bodega Principe de Viana Edicion Limitada 2013  $18  John Hanna

-Bodega Otazu Senorio de Otazu Chardonnay Oak Fermented 2009 Chalk Slate Gravel

-Bodega de Monjardin Chardonnay Barrique BF 2012   MCO

-Bodega Ochoa Reserva 2007  $25  HHD Imports

-Bodega Ochoa 8A Origens Stunning Stones Reserva 2007  HHD Imports

 

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

-Bodegas de Monjardin Tempranillo Clasico  MCO

-Bodegas Inuerrieta Norte 2011 [50%Cabernet Sauvignon, 50%Merlot] Tandem

-Bodegas Inuerrieta Cuatrocientos 2011  Tandem

-Bodegas Inuerrieta Altos de Inurrieta 2009 $24.95 Tandem

-Bodegas Tandem Macula Reserva 2006 [Merlot-Cabernet] $30 Hobbs & Co

-Bodegas Tandem Ars Nova 2010 $22 Hobbs & Co

-Bodegas Tandem Ars Invitro 2011 Hobbs & Co

-Bodega Otazu Senorio de Otazu Cabernet 2008   Chalk Slate Gravel

-Bodegas Albret Chardonnay 2013 Azureau

-Bodega Albret Vina de mi Madre 2009  Azureau

-Bodega Irache Reserva 2007 $22.95  USC Group

 

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

-Inurrieta Orchidea Sauvignon Blanc 2013

 

The Food: breakfast croissants and danish, coffee.

The Downside: it was early, and later the microphone went off and on.

The Upside: a chance to taste some new wines from Navarra.

The Contact Person: spuritt@sympatico.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com