The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.

The Date and Time: Monday, April 20, 2015   11AM to 4PM

The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.

The Venue: St. James Cathedral Centre

The Target Audience: I was there for the first two hours where it was just the writers, so we had room and space to roam around and talk to the wineries.

The Availability/Catalogue: Everything  is available at the winery, some are also at the LCBO. Some wines are restricted to licensees only.

The Quote/Background: the wines were presented from East to West

The Wines:  I did not taste every wine. Prices are retail except where specified.

 

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

-Norman Hardie Prince Edward County Pinot Noir 201, $39.

-Norman Hardie Niagara Pinot Noir 2011, $39.

-Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2013, $22.75

-Southbrook Whimsy "Minerality" Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2012, $34.75

-Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012, $35

-Stratus Tollgate White Wine 2011, $19.75

-Stratus White 2012, $38

-13th Street Winery Cuvee Rose NV, $24.95

-Flat Rock Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2014, $19.95

-Flat Rock Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2012, $24.95

-Flat Rock Riddled 2009, $29.95

-Cave Spring Riesling Estate Extra-Dry 2010, $24.95

-Cave Spring Cabernet Franc Estate 2012, $29.95

-Tawse Spark Riesling Blend 2013, $24.95

-Malivoire Stouck Meritage 2011, $34.95

-Bachelder Saunders Chardonnay 2012, $44.95

-Bachelder Wismer Chardonnay 2012, $44.95

-Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir Locust Lane Beamsville 2013, $48

 

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

-Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling 2014, $27

-Flat Rock Chardonnay 2012, $18.95

-Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2013, $29.95

-Cave Spring CSV Chardonnay 2012, $29.95

-Cave Spring The Adam Steps Riesling 2013, $24.95

-Bachelder Pinot Noir Parfum 2013

-Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2012, $39

-Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc, $21.75

-Stratus Red 2010, $44

-13th Street Essence Syrah 2012, $44.95

-Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay Vinemount Ridge 2012, $35.95

-Malivoire Cabernet Franc Creek Shores 2013, $24.95

 

The Food: the regulars were there, providing great food- Best Baa Dairy, Monforte Dairy, Upper Canada Cheese Company, Fat Chance Sliced Cold Salmon Co., and De La Terre Kitchen for breads and spreads. Backhouse (eggs and prosciutto) I think is new.

The Downside: nothing, really

The Upside: a chance for some space and some good talking.

The Contact Person: www.somewhereness.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com