The Event: Garnacha – the Mediterranean Old New wine trade tasting

The Date and Time: Wednesday, November 26, 2014   3:30 PM – 7 PM

The Event: Garnacha – the Mediterranean Old New wine trade tasting

The Venue: Richmond Event Venue and Gallery

The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, et al.

The Availability/Catalogue: a spiral bound but glossy catalogue, arranged in table order. It worked, with data on prices, winemaking, agent, etc. But the gloss was hard to write on and many vintage dates and prices were incorrect.

The Quote/Background: it was a walkaround tasting with nine tables (although three or four of them had only one wine while one had 7 or more). For background, we learned that France grows the most grenache in the world (94,240 Hectares), while Spain is second with 70,140.

The Wines: There were about two dozen wines (some with different vintage dates), so I did manage to taste them all.

 

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

-BesodeVino Old Vine Garnacha 2011, $9.95 +253591 LCBO  [food fave]

-Edetaria Seleccio Garnacha Blanca Old Vines 2012, $39.95  PO Terra Firma

-Lafou Els Amelers 2013 Garnacha Blanca, $28.95  Con Connexion Oenophilia

-Vinas del Vero Secastilla 2009, $32    PO   Woodman

-Grandes Vinos Corona d'Aragon Special Selection 2012, $16.99  PO  Noble Estates

-Grandes Vinos Anayon Garnacha 2011, $29.95    PO Noble Estates

-Covinca Torrelongares Reserva 2009, $17.19  SAQ +904615

-Covinca Torrelongares Reserva 2008, $17.19  SAQ +904615

-Covinca Torrelongares Reserva 2003 N/A

 

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

-Bodega Pirineos Garnacha 2013, $17  Con  The Vine

-La Botera Vila-Closa Garnatxa Blanca 2013, $15.95  PO from BC

-Santo Cristo 2012 Seleccion Garnacha, $13.50  Con Hanna

-Bodegas Paniza Vinas Viejas de Paniza Garnacha 2012, $17.95   PO Christopher Stewart

-Bodegas Solar de Urbezo Garnacha 2013, $18.75  Con B & W Wines

-Bodegas San Valero Castillo de Monsera Garnacha 2013, $16.95    +73395 LCBO

-Bodegas San Alejandro Pablo Old Vine 2012, $14.99   BC +205518

-Bodegas Aragonesas Fagus 2012, $24.99  Con  Merchant Vintner

-Bodegas Aragonesas Don Ramon 2012, $11.99  Con  Merchant Vintner

-Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Centenaria 2013, $17.99  Con  Merchant Vintner

 

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

-Vinas del Vero La Miranda de Secastilla Blanca 2012, $16    PO   Woodman

-Vinas del Vero La Miranda de Secastilla 2012 [red], $16    PO   Woodman

-Bodegas Paniza El Agoston Garnacha-Syrah 2013, $12.95   PO    Christopher Stewart

 

The Food: oysters (although there were only four white wines), cold meat platter of sausages and Iberian hams, Spanish cheeses, breads and crackers. Hot shrimp skewers were passed around.

The Downside: I would have liked more wines to sample.

The Upside: a good chance to sample garnacha wines, which are up and coming. Some (not these at the show) have been appearing lately at Vintages every release.

The Contact Person: johanna.raynaud@sopexa.com, or www.winesofgarnacha.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com