Search This Blog

Sunday, March 11, 2018

The Event: Wine Australia Winter Trade Tasting Toronto PLUS seminar Feb 27, 2018 George Brown College

 
The Date and Time: Tuesday February 27 2018  11AM to 4PM
The Event: Wine Australia Winter Trade Tasting Toronto PLUS seminar
The Venue: George Brown College, Chef's House
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through the agents and/or LCBO distribution system
The Quote/Background: we had a really cool seminar on sustainability, green, organic and biodynamic wines coming out of Australia, led by the irrepressible Mark Davidson. ENTWINE is the major association for an environmentally green wine industry, especially with water management. They represent over 500 vineyards and wineries, with 30% of the national crush. We were also exposed to some rare new varieties such as Dolcetto and Vermentino, Graciano and Nero D'Avola. The seminar was full with about 50 attendees. There were 12 wines at the seminar, folded into the listing below. 5 of them were not in the trade show but are available.
The Wines: There were 180 wines from 75 wineries; I did not taste them all. Prices are licensee.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Wakefield St.Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2015 $30.96 Profile
-Brash Higgins CHN McLaren Vale Chenin Blanc 2016 $42.95 Living Vine
-Pewsey Vale Vineyard The Contours Eden Valley Riesling 2012 $45.95 Negociants Int.
-Deliquente Wine Co Screaming Betty Riverland Vermentino 2017 $17.50 [11% ABV]
-Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuvee NV $28 Negociants Int
-Vasse Felix Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $50 Negociants Int
-Dalrymple Pipers River Pinot Noir 2015 $42.95 Negociants Int
-Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon $28.95 +84996
-Voyager Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $64.95 Rogers
-Schild Estate Limited Release Moorooroo Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013 $78.63  Nicholas Pearce
-Glaetzer Amon Ra Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 $72.95 The Vine
-Torbreck Vintners The Struie Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 $62.16 Noble
-Bindi Block 5 Barossa Valley Pinot Noir 2015 $155 Alto Vino
-By Farr Three Oaks Geelong Chardonnay 2016 $85.80 Alto Vino
-Chapoutier & Laughton La Pleiade Heathcote Shiraz 2013 $90.95 +95570
-Clonakilla Canberra Shiraz Viognier 2015 $104 +27367
-Epsilon Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 $23.95 Alto Vino [best value of the day!]
-Kay Bros Block 6 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $92.95 +598870
-Massena Eleventh Hour Barossa Valley Shiraz 2012 $49.60 Alto Vino
 
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Fishbone Black Label Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012 $29.85 +261247
-Paxton McLaren Vale Graciano 2016 $31 Noble
-Alpha Box & Dice Dead Winemakers Society Adelaide Hills Dolcetto 2016 $26.95 Authentic
-Rockford Local Growers Barossa Valley Semillon 2015 $55 Negociants Int
-Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2016 $26.51 Mark Anthony
-Pepper Tree Elderslee Road Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $39.95 Azureau
-Pepper Tree The Gravels Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2013 $39.95 Azureau
-Alpha Box & Dice Golden Mullet Fury McLaren Vale Semillon Viognier 2016 $26.95 Authentic
-The Lane 19th Meeting Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $37.25  Epic Wines
-Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Chardonnay 2016 $14.03 Profile
-Gentle Folk Blossoms Adelaide Hills Merlot Pinot Noir Petit Verdot 2016 $42.95 Living Vine 
-Ochota Barrels The Slint Vineyard Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016 $57.95 Living Vine
-Angove Family Winemakers Warboys Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz Grenache 2013 $46  Churchill Cellars
-Henschke Henry's Seven Barossa Shiraz Grenache Mataro Viognier 2015  $55 Negociants Int
-d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache 2013 $29.95 Churchill Cellars
-John Duval Wines Plexus Barossa Shiraz Grenache Mataro 2014 $57  Negociants Int
-Vasse Felix Filius Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 $27.95 Negociants Int
-Voyager Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2015 $34.95 Rogers
-Voyager Estate Margaret River Shiraz 2013 $30.95 +713115
-Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014 $89.95 +731620
-Paxton Wines Jones Block McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $34.53 Noble
-Torbreck Vintners The Steading Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2015 $50.62 Noble
-Torbreck Vintners The Factor Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014 $146.86 Noble
-Torbreck Vintners RunRig Barossa Valley Shiraz Viognier 2014 $267.17 Noble
-Turkey Flat Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015  $58.59 Noble
-By Farr Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir 2015 $85.80 +392829
-By Farr Geelong Shiraz 2014 $69.95 Alto Vino
-Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Heathcote Shiraz 2013 $98.5 +294751
-Kalleske Pirathon Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013 $29.95 +130278
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Brash Higgins NDV McLaren Vale Nero D'Avola 2016 $45.95 Living Vine
-Murdoch Hill Sulky Blanc Adelaide Hills Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris 2016 $65.95 Living Vine
-Grosset Polish Hill Vineyard Clare Valley Riesling 2007 $54.75 Alto Vino
-John Duval Wines Annexus Barossa Grenache 2016 $82.95  Negociants Int
-Voyager Estate Margaret River Girt by Sea Chardonnay 2016 $24.95 Rogers
 
The Food: platters of arancini and dumpling pot stickers plus cheese boards and charcuterie boards, dried fruit, etc.
The Downside: it got really crowded really fast – and hot.
The Upside: I managed to taste all thre wines I wanted to.
The Contact Person:  annie.dingwall@wineaustralia.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
 

No comments: