The Event: Epic Portfolio Tasting, celebrating 15 years of Rob Groh's agency, The Vine

The Date and Time:  Tuesday, May 5, 2015   2:30 PM to 5 PM

The Event: Epic Portfolio Tasting, celebrating 15 years of Rob Groh's agency, The Vine

The Venue: Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through normal distribution channels, although some were specially ordered for the event and were listed as Event Exclusive for ordering on May 5. The catalogue listed prices and delivery status. The wines were poured on three floors.

The Quote/Background: Forty producers were scheduled to arrive from Italy, Spain, California, Australia, Germany, Portugal and Ontario to help celebrate and discuss the wines.

The Wines: I did not, could not, taste every wine. I tried as many Event Exclusives as I could. Prices quoted are licensee.

 

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

-Cave Spring Riesling CSV 2007, $27.50

-Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs NV Niagara, $25.12

-Pra Monte Grande 2013 Veneto, $33.95

-Vie di Romans Chardonnay 2013 Fruili, $47.95

-Vie di Romans Dessemis Pinot Grigio 2008 Friuli, $54.95

-Puelles Zenus 2001 Rioja Alta, $44.95

-Remirez de Ganuza Reserva 2007 Rioja Alavesa, $97.95

-Remirez de Ganuza Trasnocho 2008 Rioja Alavesa, $132.95

-St. Urbanshof Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Spatlese 2013 Mosel, $45.95

-Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon SLD 2010 Napa, $113.95

-Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay Rued Vineyard 2013 Sonoma, $77.95

-Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard 2012 Sonoma, $92.95

-Kistler Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 2012 Sonoma, $113.95

-Schramsberg Rose Brut 2011 Napa, $52.95

-Schramsberg J Schram 2006 Napa, $129.95

-Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Napa, $129.95

-Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa, $149.95

-Turley Old Vine Zinfandel 2012 Napa, $47.95

 

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

-Nicolis Testal IGT 2008 Veneto, $29.95

-Nicolis Ambrosan Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2000, $371.95

-Cocci Grifoni Passerina Brut Spumante 2013 Marche, $19.95

-Vie di Romans Pierre Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Friuli, $46.95

-Vie di Romans Ciampagnis Vieris Chardonnay 2013 Friuli, $39.95

-Vie di Romans Dessemis Pinot Grigio 2013 Friuli, $47.95

-Chateau St. Cosme Cote Rotie 2012, $81.95

-La Vida al Camp Cava Brut NV, $19.95

-La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Rose NV, $25.95

-La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Nature Organic NV, $21.95

-St. Urbanshof Urban 2014 Mosel, $15.95

-St. Urbanshof Riesling QbA Alte Reben 2014 Mosel, $20.95

-Estampa Delviento Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Colchagua, $25.95

-Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2011, $106.95

-Plumpjack Chardonnay Reserve 2013 Napa, $61.95

-Clos du Val Chardonnay 2013 Napa, $43.95

-Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 2013 Sonoma, $60.95

-Justin Chardonnay 2013 Paso Robles, $32.95

-Justin Isosceles 2011 Paso Robles, $117.95

-Kistler Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain 2013 Sonoma, $87.95

-Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2012 Napa, $47.95

-Schramsberg Blanc de Noir 2011 Napa, $56.95

-Storybook Mountain Viognier 2013 Napa, $59.95

-Mayacamas Chardonnay 2012 Napa, $72.95

-Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard Napa, $113.95

 

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

-St. Urbanshof Riesling Wiltinger 2014 Mosel, $24.95

-Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2012 Stags Leap Napa, $148.95

-Tally Chardonnay Estate 2012 Arroyo Grande Valley, $36.95

 

The Food: there were flatbreads with pissaladiere (my fave), three kinds of tomato sauced pizzas, chicken curry wraps, prosciutto and cheeses, bottled water.

The Downside: I had just come from the New Wines of Greece show

The Upside: a chance to taste Event Exclusives!!

The Contact Person:  rob@thevineagency.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com