The Event: Media tasting and dinner with Periklis Drakos, Exports Director at Tsantali Winery.

The Date and Time: Wednesday, March 9, 2016  6:30PM to 10PM

The Event: Media tasting and dinner with Periklis Drakos, Exports Director at Tsantali Winery in northern Greece. He also handles Santo winery on Santorini. We tasted wines from both.

The Venue: Vintage Conservatory

The Target Audience: wine media, mostly Wine Writers' Circle of Canada

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are available or will be soon.

The Quote/Background: Mr. Drakos spoke about the current situation in Greek wines and how price is a factor. Germany is their best market. He led us through the tasting, emphasizing the consistency of the brands' wines year over year. Both wineries use all French oak. Between tastings, he showed videos of the vineyards and production techniques.

The Wines: Wines are also available via Kolonaki Group www.kolonakigroup.com

 

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

-Santorini Assyrtiko 2015, $14.95 June General List LCBO, bottled in Feb.

-Santorini Assyrtiko Grande Reserve 2013, $34.95 TBD, 12 months medium toast French oak at 14.7% ABV.

-Tsantali Rapsani Grande Reserve 2009, ~$50 [equal parts xinomavro, krassato, stavroto]

18 months in French oak, from Mount Olympus.

 

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

-Santorini Assyrtiko Sparkling Brut NV Methode Traditionelle, $26.95 TBD

-Santorini Vinsanto 2008 $37.95 LCBO Store #4 750 mL or Kolonaki Group consignment [85% assyrtiko. 15% aidani]

-Tsantali Rapsani Reserve 2012, $19.95 Vintages [equal parts xinomavro, krassato, stavroto]

 

 

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

-Tsantali Rapsani 2013, $13.40 General List [equal parts xinomavro, krassato, stavroto]

 

 

The Food: we started with a reception cheeseboard and charcuterie platter, followed by a Caesar salad (with the white wine), beef tenderloin on polenta (with the red wine), and tiramisu (with the vinsanto). All was well as the Caesar was lightly dressed.

The Downside: there was some confusion about hot to let people into the secured space (we had to navigate through two sets of locked doors).

The Upside: a chance to talk with Perikles.

The Contact Person: zis.passas@kolonakigroup.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com