The Event: The Evolution of Argentina #ArgWineJam wine trade tasting

The Date and Time: Wednesday July 29, 2015  12:30 - 5PM

The Event: The Evolution of Argentina #ArgWineJam wine trade tasting

The Venue: Snell Hall, St. James Cathedral Centre

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available through the normal distribution channels (LCBO, Vintages, Consignment, future listing).

The Quote/Background: Sara D'Amato and Marcelo Pelleriti led a jam-packed 44 person seminar about Argentine wines. They had 1.5 hours to cover the whole country, which left little time for commenting on the 15 wines being tasted. We were encouraged to taste the wines on our own as we listened. These wines (some from the trade floor) have been folded into my notes below. Basic points: the industry has seen rapid growth and grape plantings have doubled since 2012; there are 22 clones of Malbec, each grown on their own rootstocks.

The Wines: There were 23 wineries, and some 75 wines. I did not try them all.

 

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

-Octaviano Penedo Borges Reserva Chardonnay 2014, ERP $19.95

-Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Torrontes 2014 Barrel Fermented, ERP $17.95  Profile

-Finca Agotino Familia Semillon/Sauvignon 2013 Barrel Aged, ERP $34.95  B & W Wines

-Monteviejo Lindaflor 2010 Malbec/Syrah Blend, ERP $60   Churchill

 

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

-La Mascota Sparkling Rose Extra Brut NV, ERP $17.95

-Zuccardi Aluvional Viata Flores Malbec 2012, ERP $80

-Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec 2013, ERP $50

-Catena Zapata Nicolas 2010 Cabernet75/Malbec25, +396960 Vintages, $110

-Alta Vista Single Vineyard Temis Malbec 2011, ERP  $58   HHD Imports

-Catena Alta Chardonnay 2013, ERP $40   Trialto

-Desierto 25 Chardonnay 2014, ERP $18.55   Heritage Cellars

-Desierto Pampa Malbec 2012, ERP $33.65   Heritage Cellars

-Famiglia Bianchi Chardonnay 2014, +1461 Vintages, $16.95

-Domaine Bousquet Malbec Grande Reserve Organic 2012, +303701 Vintages November, $24.95

-El Esteco Don David Torrontes 2014, ERP $15.95    Mondia Alliance

-Familia Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Malbec 2012, Classics December ERP $120    Dionysus

-Finca La Moras Gran Syrah 2012, ERP $26.95     Mondia Alliance

-Pelleriti Selection Blend of Terroirs 2011 [Malbec70/PetitVerdot20/CabFranc10), ERP $40    Churchill

-Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Cosecha 2013, +620880 LCBO, $13.95

-Masi Tupungato Corbec 2010 (Corvina70/Malbec30), ERP $24.95   Authentic

-Monteviejo Petite Fleur Chardonnay 2014, ERP $30   Churchill

-Trivento Golden Reserve Chardonnay 2014, ERP $19.95   Select

 

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

-Luigi Bosca Grand Pinot Noir La Consulta 2013, ERP $36.95   Family Wine Merchants

-Ruca Malen Brut Sparkling Dry, ERP $25

-Marcelo Pelleriti Sol Fa Sol Torrontes 2015, ERP $9.95   Churchill

-Secreto Patagonico Chardonnay 2012, ERP $18.95

-Kaiken Ultra Chardonnay 2013, ERP $19.95    Kirkwood Diamond

-Pascual Toso Chardonnay 2014, +162636 Vintages October, $14.95

-Trivento Golden Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, +400143 Vintages, $19.95

-Zuccardi Serie A Bonarda 2012, ERP $16.95

-Sin Fin Guarda Bonarda 2013, ERP $21.95

-Casa Bianchi Leo Malbec Premium 2013, $19.95  Majestic

-El Esteco Serie Fincas Notables Tannat 2013, ERP $26.95

-Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, +677567 Vintages October, $16.95

-Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay Cameleon Organic 2014, +408450 Vintages, $13.95

-Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay Grande Reserve Organic 2012, +415026 Vintages, $24.95

-Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Malbec 2012, +79798 Vintages, $19.95

-El Esteco Amaru High Vineyards Torrontes Rose 2015, ERP $13.95    Mondia Alliance

 

The Food: 10tation Event Catering handled the meat platters, the cheese platters, the empanadas, sauces and dips, and roasted veggies (peppers, onions, zucchini, portobellos). They were a pleasant accompaniment to the Malbec wines.

The Downside: the show itself was great, the seminar was too harried and hurried (and we started late).

The Upside: a chance to see where Malbec was at different price points.

The Contact Person: Monica Ralphs <mralphs.winespeak@gmail.com>

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com