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Friday, October 7, 2016

The Event: “Spain is Wine” trade show and consumer show at the AGO

The Date and Time: Monday, September 19, 2016    12:30 PM to 2PM
The Event: "Spain is Wine" trade show and consumer show
The Venue: AGO
The Target Audience: in the early afternoon, it was media, followed by the trade and then the consumers.
The Availability/Catalogue: there were a fair number of wines, 275 in all, but not all are available in Ontario. Some wineries were actively seeking agents. The catalogue was excellent in its construction, spiral bound, holdable with one hand, and full of relevant information about the wines.
The Quote/Background: It was a well-attended show, marred somewhat by non-media attending – and slowing down – the 12:30 – 2 PM portion.
The Wines: Of course, I could not taste all the wines, so I eliminated (reluctantly) all the fortifieds, the spirits, and the wines not available in the province – since I usually write about wines that people can buy now or at least soonish. That brought me down to the following red wines and cavas –
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Vina Olabarri Gran Reserva 2007 Rioja, $26.95 BND Wines & Spirits **BEST VALUE RED**
-Agusti Torello Mata Cava Kripta Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2008, $82 +198241 TWC Imports
-Alvaro Palacios Remondo Propiedad Rioja Garnacha, +438671 Vintages, $48.95
-Faustino I Gran Reserva 1994 Rioja, +929489 Vintages $63
-Faustino I Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, +976662 Vintages $35.95
-Peique Seleccion Familiar 2008 Bierzo, $59.95 Le Sommelier
-Cune Contino Gran Reserva 2009 Rioja, $39.95, +393553 Vintages
-Enate Cabernet-Cabernet 2011 Somontano, $47.45  CANDISPRO agency
-Conde de Caralt Brut Cava NV, $18.57 +406099 Airen Imports  **BEST VALUE SPARKLER**
-Chivite Coleccion 125 Reserva 2011 Navarra, +702431 Vintages, $39.95
-Marques de Caceres Gran Reserva 2010 Rioja, $24.95 +702761 Vintages
-Marques de Caceres Gran Reserva 1987 Rioja, $99.95 +33332 Vintages **BEST OLD RED WINE
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Agusti Torello Mata Cava Brut Reserva 2012, $25 +224286 Consignment TWC Imports
-Agusti Torello Mata Cava Rosat Trepat 2012, $27.50 +198225 Consignment TWC Imports
-Alvaro Palacios Remondo La Montesa Rioja, +674572 Vintages, $24.95
-AT Roca Brut Reserva 2014, $24  +246222 TWC Imports
-AT Roca Rosat Brut 2014, $25.50  +246230 TWC Imports
-Castano Casa Cisca 2012 Yecla, $29.95 Azureau
-Castano Casa de la Cera 2012 Yecla, $59.95 Azureau
-Muga Seleccion Especial 2011 Rioja, $47.95 Vintages
-Muga Prado Enea 2009 Rioja, $57.95 Vintages
-Peique Vinedos Viejos 2011 Bierzo, $29.95 Le Sommelier
-Luis Peique 2010 Bierzo, $85.95 Le Sommelier
-San Prudencio Depadre 2012 Rioja, $22.95 +379917 LCBO
-San Prudencio Depadre 2013 Rioja, $22.95 +379917 LCBO
-Torres Purgatori Costers del Segre, $39.95 +452102 Vintages
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Beronia Reserva 2011 Rioja, +50203 $20.95 Vintages Essential
-Muga Reserva 2012 Rioja, Vintages
-Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva 2007, $23.25 +428060 LCBO
-Marques de Riscal Reserva Rioja, $24.75 +32656 LCBO
 
The Food: the emphasis was, of course, on Spanish-style food. We had wonderfully salty croquettes de jambon serrano, dates stuffed with mahon cheese wrapped with Iberico pancetta; albondigas with almond sauce; patatas bravas with roasted tomato aioli; pan con tomato with serrano ham; marinated octopus in Spanish olive oil with sherry vinegar and smoked paprika; and murcia al vino with quince. Cheeses were also featured separately: murcia al vino, valdeon (blue); manchego 3 months; and mahon.
The Downside: There were no wines from Ribera del Duero...why???
The Upside: it was the first general Spanish wine trade show is years, since June 17, 2008 at Hart House.
The Contact Person: prandolph@comercio.mineco.es or prandolph@mcx.es
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 86.
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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