The Event: Eradus Wines and the Essence of the Awatere Valley Toronto May 9 2018

The Date and Time: Wednesday May 9 2018 12:30AM to 3PM

The Event: Eradus Wines and the Essence of the Awatere Valley

The Venue: Kost, in the Bisha Hotel

The Target Audience: wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: some of the wines are finding their way into Ontario through the Consignment program of the Kolonaki Group. Currently, only the Sauvignon Blanc is available at Vintages; it is regularly re-ordered.

The Quote/Background: Michiel Eradus, owner of Eradus Wines, was in town for the New Zealand Wine Show the next day. He hosted a lunch for a dozen, and presented his wines (not all were showing at the next day's trade event). Along the way, he described his winery and the Awatere Valley growing conditions. And he had some great insights into the New Zealand wine industry.

The Wines:

 

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

-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc Awatere 2017 $19.95 +225557 (2016)

-Eradus Chardonnay Special Reserve 2015 Awatere, $20 – 25 14.5% ABV [very ripe] MY FAVE

-Eradus Sjacrri Special Reserve Pinot Noir Awatere 2015 14% ABV  magnum N/A

-Eradus Stickey Mickey Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2014  12.5%ABV 500 mL $40

 

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

-Eradus Pinot Gris Single Vineyard Awatere 2017, 13.2% ABV, $19.95

-Eradus Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Awatere 2016 14% ABV, $24.95

-Eradus Ana Sauvignon Blanc 2017 13% ABV  $17.95 Consignment Licensees

 

The Food: A sea of starters with Hawaiian kanpachi seviche (squid ink), fried calamari, ahi tuna ceviche, avocado and spiced farro flatbread, red beet salad, green chorizo and salsa balls, salad of pumpkin and persimmon and black quinoa, char-grilled octopus and pumpkin seed. The mains were off the menu, so I had steelhead trout with fennel salad and potato fingerlings. It was the best item on the menu that could accompany all of the wines.

The Downside: music was very loud, made it difficult to hear at first, and it only softened after 2PM.

The Upside: we were on the 44th floor, with a view out over the lake, on a totally white sunshine day. Almost like the Mediterranean, and we had that cuisine too

The Contact Person: steve.kriaris@kolonakigroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for May 26, 2018

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for May 26,  2018

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

These notes for wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone tastes like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

20 under $20

=========

W+207340    13TH STREET WHITE PALETTE    VQA Niagara Peninsula        2016    $15.95        11.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+431262    REDE RESERVA  Douro Quinta da Rede    2011    $14.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+718999    CASTAÑO HÉCULA MONASTRELL    DO Yecla        2015    $13.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+461301    EL GUARDIÁN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja        2011    $16.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+552901    LORCA MONASTRELL    DO Bullas    Bodegas del Rosario    2009    $15.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+546184    MARQUÉS DE VALPARAÍSO CRIANZA TEMPRANILLO    DO Ribera del Duero        2014    $19.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+283630    LOMA LARGA SAUVIGNON BLANC    Casablanca Valley        2017    $15.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+446419    BARON DE HOEN RÉSERVE PINOT BLANC    AC Alsace        2016    $13.95 12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+541516    NURAGICO JUSTU VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA    DOC    Cantina Sociale di Dolianova    2016    $14.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+549832    ALMA AUSTRAL BARREL SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Uco Valley, Mendoza        2014    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+37937    MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR    Casablanca Valley        2015    $14.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+18721    VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Maipo Valley        2015    $17.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+556092    VIU MANENT VIBO VIÑEDO CENTENARIO    Colchagua Valley        2014    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+269464    SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia        2015    $16.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+546242    QUANTUM SYRAH/CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Regional Wine of the Thracian Lowlands        2015    $14.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+343509    TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN    IGP Cotes Catalanes    Lafage    2015    $18.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+475251    LUNAROSSA CAMPOREALE AGLIANICO    IGP Campania        2016    $13.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+538140    PELLEGRINO GAZZEROTTA NERO D'AVOLA    IGT Terre Siciliane    Carlo Pellegrino    2014    $15.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+540898    CASTELLO DI GABBIANO DARK KNIGHT    IGT Toscana        2016    $18.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+220830    ZENI MAROGNE SUPERIORE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO    DOC        2014    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+68015    FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2016    $17.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+552042    VERUM CHARDONNAY    Alto Valle Del Rio Negro, Patagonia        2016    $16.95 13.3% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+282731    TAR & ROSES SHIRAZ    Heathcote, Victoria        2016    $19.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+537969    MARRENON VERSANT NORD LUBERON    AC        2015    $15.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+127753    DOMAINE MOURÉOU MADIRAN    AP    Famille Laplace    2014    $17.95

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

 

20 over $20

=========

W+275552    RODNEY STRONG CHALK HILL CHARDONNAY    Sonoma County        2015    $26.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+337048    MARCHESI DI BAROLO SARMASSA BAROLO    DOCG        2013    $77.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+268391    HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE PINOT NOIR    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2015    $24.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+360222    SEVEN FALLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley        2015    $21.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+559872    VASSE FELIX FILIUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Margaret River, Western Australia        2015    $26.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+527002    LES BRULIÈRES DE BEYCHEVELLE    AC Haut-Médoc    Château Beychevelle    2014    $37.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+474643    GIACOSA SCARRONE VIGNA MANDORLO BAROLO    DOCG        2010    $57.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+542688    LUIGI BAUDANA DRAGON LANGHE ROSSO    DOC    2015    $22.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+51771    LUNGAROTTI MONTICCHIO RUBESCO TORGIANO ROSSO RISERVA    DOCG        2010    $46.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+672931    ALLEGRINI PALAZZO DELLA TORRE    IGT Veronese    2014    $24.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+552133    FRANKLAND ESTATE SHIRAZ    Frankland River, Western Australia    2015    $26.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+540971    VILLA ANTINORI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    Marchesi Antinori    2013    $29.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+415463    KIM CRAWFORD SMALL PARCELS FAVOURITE HOMESTEAD PINOT GRIS    Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island        2016    $24.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+974527    VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island        2017    $21.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: A tasting of wines from HGA Bodegas (Galicia), led by Export Director Cornelia Proca, May 1, 2018

The Date and Time: Tuesday May 1, 2018  11AM to 2PM

The Event: A tasting of wines from HGA Bodegas (Galicia), led by Export Director Cornelia Proca.

The Venue: Mad Crush Wine Bar

The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are available through the LCBO Discovery stores or online. Bod HGA is repped by AMV-Whiz Trading Ltd.

The Quote/Background: HGA Bodegas had four wineries represented today, with most of their wines at the Spanish Discovery store (Kingsway, at Royal York and Bloor). Ms. Proca took us through the 11 wines from Bodegas Regina Viarum (Sacra Ribeira), Bodegas Altos de Torona and Pazo de Villarei (both Rias Baixis). Home is Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain, abutting both Portugal and the Atlantic. This also turned out to be a mini-albarino and mini-mencia horizontal tasting.

The Wines: 

 

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

-Pazo de Villarei "Villarei" 2014 Rias Baixas [albarino] $25.05

-Altos de Torona Albarino 2015 Rias Baixas  $22

-Altos de Torona Albantu Albarino 2016 Rias Baixas  $17.95 Vintages September

-El Ilusionista Verdejo 2017 Rueda [private order]

-Bodega Regina Viarum Expression XII Meses Mencia 2012 Sacra Ribeira $33

-Bodega Regina Viarum Mencia 2015 Sacra Ribeira $25

 

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

-Pazo de Villarei Albarino 2015 Rias Baixas $21.85

-Altos de Torona Rosal 2015 Rias Baixas [albarino 75%, Loureiro et al] $22

-Altos de Torona Godello 2017 Rias Baixas $22 [just bottled, N/A, Private Order]

-Bodega Regina Viarum Via Imperial Mencia 2015 Sacra Ribeira $21

-Bodega Regina Viarum Via Appica Mencia 2015 Sacra Ribeira $21

 

The Food: international cheeses, charcuterie, focaccia, cod and potato croquettes, grilled cheese, deep fried sweetbreads with maple, cauliflower patties.

The Downside: we had no tasting/tech sheets for reference points (prices, availability, vintage).

The Upside: good time of day, good weather.

The Contact Person: corneliaproca@hgabodegas.com; annep@tastesenseltd.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Couple of New Queylus Wines tasted over Victoria Day Brunch

1.Domaine Queylus Pinot Noir Tradition 2015 VQA Niagara Peninsula Vintages +392738 $29.95 winery now, November 2018 at Vintages: as is typical with well-made pinot noirs in Ontario, there is concentration of immense red fruit flavours here, with some Ontario cranberry tartness on the finish. It does, of course, need bottle time, but this should repay the purchase price. I'm guessing four more years. Otherwise, do a double decant or open for a few days, at least with a one bottle purchase. Aged in French oak (35% new) for 16-20 months. It's a natural wine with little intervention by chief winemaker Thomas Bachelder. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

2.Domaine Queylus Pinot Noir Rose 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula $21.95 winery and online: this is 100% pinot noir, with a great colour. Cherry-berry complexity (think strawbs, rasps, even cranberries making it tarter on the finish). Totally dry on the palate with enough substance and citric minerality to create a lingering on the finish. The wine could swing either way: as a sipper or as a first course foodwine. It might eventually evolve into something different with time (perhaps an Alsatian pinot noir), but do drink it as fresh as you can right now. 12% ABV. Finished under cork. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Spring Portfolio tasting of 30.50 Imports April 30, 2018

The Date and Time: Monday, April 30, 2018   3 – 5 PM

The Event: Spring Portfolio tasting of 30.50 Imports

The Venue: Mad Crush wine bar, College Street

The Target Audience: licensees, media, private clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: about 75 wines were in stock, another 10 were private orders, and a few were at Vintages

The Quote/Background: all the tables were arranged largely by country, with some producers available for discussion.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines. Most wines were sustainable, or organic or biodynamic. Prices are retail.

 

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

-Cantina di Venosa Verbo Aglianico del Vulture 2015 Basilicata +538561 Vintages $17.95

-Castello di Verduno Barbaresco 2014 $52.95

-Castello di Verduno Barolo Massara 2012 $84.95

-Azienda Agricola 499 Enigma Moscato d'Asti 2017 Piedmont$23.95

-Fattoria di San Quintino Vermentino 2016 Tuscany $17.95

-Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico Guiliano Riserva 2013 $49.95

-Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bruciagna 2013 $59.95

-Musella Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva 2011 $85.95

-Bodegas Briego Reserva 2011 Ribera del Duero $38.95

-Finca La Emperatriz Rioja Reserva 2012  $37.95

-Celler Cesca Vicent LoPiot 2014 Priorat $42.95

-Celler Cesca Vicent Abat Domenech 2010 Priorat $69.95

-Lloart Brut Reserva DO Cava 2014 Penedes $25.95

-Bodegas Tradicion Fino VOS  375 mL   $37.95

-Valle de Junco Lapa dos Gaivoes Escholha 2011 Alentejo $37.95

-Sidonio de Sousa Garrafeira 2011 Bairrada $59.95

-Douro Prime Inquieto Reserva 2010 $44.95

-Chapuy Carte Verre Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV $61.95

-----half-price alert: also at 375 mL for less than half-price, $29.95

-Chateau Musar Red 2006 Bekaa Valley $79.95

-Huff Estates Cuvee Janine 2015 Trad Method PEC $29

-Huff Estates Cuvee Peter F Huff 2015 Trad Method PEC $35

 

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

-Arnaldo Capral Sagrantino de Montefalco Collepiano 2010 Umbria +373498 $63

-Tenuta Cavalier Pepe Irpinia Falanghina Lila 2015 $20.95

-Daniele Pintus Vermentino 2015 Sardinia $25.95

-Daniele Pintus Canonnau 2015 Sardinia $26.95

-ATTIS Bodegas Y Vinedos Albarino Xion 2016 $23.95

-ATTIS Bodegas Y Vinedos Albarino Laranxa [orange] 2016 $32.95

-Finca La Emperatriz Rioja Crianza 2013  $23.95

-Emilio Valerio Amburza 2012 Navarra $29.95

-Celler Cesca Vicent Red 2015 Priorat $27.95

-Celler Cesca Vicent Cabaler Blanco 2015 Priorat $32.50

-Vale da Mo Branco 2015 Douro $18.95

-Huff Estates Chardonnay South Bay 2016 PEC $25

 

The Food: charcuterie platters, cheeses, breads.

The Downside: I had to arrive late from another wine tasting.

The Upside: a good venue and some really fine international wines

The Contact Person: info@3050imports.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Somewhereness: place, earth, quality, stewardship April 30, 2018

The Date and Time: Monday, April 30, 2018   Noon – 4:30 PM

The Event: Somewhereness: place, earth, quality, stewardship

The Venue: Spoke Club

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: all the wines were available through LCBO or at the winery, but a few were for licensees only.

The Quote/Background: Somewhereness has been a major wine organization in Ontario with its annual trade show featuring 12 "craft" wineries.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines. Prices are mostly retail.

 

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

-Bachelder Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay Beamsville Bench 2012, $38.50 Licensee

-Cave Spring Cellars Blanc de Blancs CSV 2009 Beamsville Bench $44.95

-Cave Spring Cellars Riesling CSV 2016 Beamsville Bench $29.95

-Cave Spring Cellars Riesling Adam Steps 2016 Beamsville Bench $24.95

-Cave Spring Cellars Pinot Noir Estate 2015 Beamsville Bench $39.95

-Cave Spring Cellars La Penna 2015 Beamsville Bench $44.95 [cab fr]

-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Picone Vineyard 2014 Vinemount Ridge Twenty Mile Bench $35

-Domaine Queylus Pinot Noir Reserve du Domaine 2013 Niagara Peninsula $45

-Domaine Queylus Pinot Noir La Grand Reserve 2013 Niagara Peninsula $60

-Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2016 Twenty Mile Bench $19.95

-Flat Rock Cellars The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2015 Twenty Mile Bench $26.95

-Flat Rock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2013 Twenty Mile Bench $34.95

-Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2015 Beamsville Bench $29.75

-Hidden Bench Terroir Cache 2013 Beamsville Bench $39

-Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2015 Beamsville Bench $29.75

-Malivoire Small Lot Chardonnay 2016 Beamsville Bench $19.95

-Malivoire Mottiar Chardonnay 2013 Beamsville Bench $29.95

-Norman Hardie Calcaire 2016 Ontario $23 [r,ch,pg]

-Norman Hardie Chardonnay 2015 Niagara Peninsula $39

-Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir 2016 Prince Edward County $45

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Biodynamic Bubbly Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2017 $29.95

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2016 Four Mile Creek $40

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Poetica Chardonnay 2012 Four Mile Creek $52

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Poetica Red 2013 Four Mile Creek $70

-Stratus Tollgate Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2017 NOTL $20.95

-Stratus Tollgate Chardonnay 2016 NOTL $22

-Stratus White 2014 NOTL $38

-Stratus Red 20147 NOTL $48

-Tawse Chardonnay 2012 Beamsville Bench $29.95

 

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

-13th Street Winery Premier Cuvee Niagara Peninsula 2012 Brut $34.95

-13th Street Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Niagara Peninsula $19.95

-Bachelder Chardonnay Mineralite Niagara Peninsula 2016, $19.97 Licensee

-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Ivan Vineyard 2017 Twenty Mile Bench $27

-Domaine Queylus Cabernet Franc Reserve du Domaine 2014 Niagara Peninsula $34.95

-Domaine Queylus Merlot La Grand Reserve 2013 Niagara Peninsula $49.95

-Domaine Queylus Chardonnay Tradition 2015 Niagara Peninsula $24.95

-Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2016 Beamsville Bench $23.7

-Hidden Bench Fume Blanc 2016 Beamsville Bench $29.75

-Malivoire Small Lot Pinot Noir 2015 Beamsville Bench $29.95

-Norman Hardie Cabernet Franc 2016 Niagara Peninsula $29

-Tawse Quarry Road Vineyard Riesling Vinemount Ridge 2016 $24.95

-Tawse Quarry Road Vineyard Pinot Noir Vinemount Ridge 2014 $35.95

-Tawse Redfoot Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2013 Lincoln Lakeshore $39.95

 

The Food: platters of charcuterie, cheeses, breads, toasts, pates.

The Downside: I had to leave early for another wine tasting.

The Upside: a chance to catch-up with several owners and winemakers.

The Contact Person: somewhereness@gmail.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Re: The Event: Growing Success and Profit: the First Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show, April 24, 2018

Thank you for the coverage, Dean! 

Note, the PowerPoint presentations from the conference will be uploaded to the website and we will send you the link in the next day or so. 

Please let us know if you need anything else. 

Cheers, cm

Christine Mulkins 

BOOST PR

647-242-3686

Sent from my iPhone

On May 15, 2018, at 10:16 AM, Dean Tudor <dtudor@pathcom.com> wrote:

The Date and Time: Tuesday, April 24, 2018  8AM to 6PM

The Event:  Growing Success and Profit: the First Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show

The Venue: Beanfield Centre

The Target Audience: Winery owners/presidents, winemakers, production, sales staff and industry suppliers.

The Quote/Background: "We are really excited to bring the Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show to the Ontario market. The opportunity to learn, share, collaborate and do business all in one day will benefit all aspects of the sector, from wineries, to suppliers, to stakeholders."  – Sue Ann Staff

 

The Highlights: This was the first annual one-day Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show, featuring presentations from wine industry professionals and experts. Topic streams included: retail marketing, finance, government/regulatory, and technical matters. There was a keynote, some panel discussions, and demonstrations. There was also a 9500 sq.ft. trade show with wine industry trade suppliers displaying products and services. I was there mainly to sample wines and to attend the technical seminars (appassimento research, sustainable winemaking, and wine trends). Unfortunately, none of the 12 programs were repeated, nor were there videos or transcripts. So if you were interested in topics that were concurrently presented, then you needed a second  - or more – attendee to take notes and to participate. "Wine trends" and "sustainability" went up against each other, which was unfortunate, especially since sustainability is a wine trend (as is "appassimento", but at least that panel held no conflict for me). Specific topics of the panels included export markets, the value of the appellation, brand protection and intellectual property, selling VQA wines in Ontario, banking matters, DTC (direct to consumer sales), and grant application writing. The keynote address was given by Erica Crawford who described how Kim Crawford wines came about, with its emphasis on business models, branding, routes to markets, screw caps, distribution  networks and sales. It was a "how we did it" story in top down fashion, with no assets and no hidden costs to the company. A virtual winery before the name was used. They led the way with NZ sauvignon blanc exports, which in total now comprise 86% of all wine exports from NZ. After lunch, Deloitte presented its third annual review, now found at -- http://www.vqaontario.ca/Library/Documents/OntarioWineandGrapeIndustryPerformanceReport_2017_FINAL_optimized.pdf

 

The Wines: There were two dozen wines for tasting at the lunch buffet. I did not try them all.

 

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

-Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2016

-Hare Wine Crown Land Red (Cabernet Franc) 2015

-Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay

-Cave Spring Cellar Riesling Estate

-Closson Chase Chardonnay 2016

-Smoke and Gamble Cabernet Merlot 2014

-Henry of Pelham Classic Riesling 2016

-Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2015

-Stratus Wildass Rose 2017

-Reif Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 

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

-Kacaba Cabernet Syrah 2016

-Rosehall Run Vyd Righteous Dude Riesling 2016

-Frisky Beaver Shades of Grey Chardonnay

-London Burn Wine Company Viognier 2016

-Malivoire Rose Vivant 2017

-Sue Ann Staff Sauvignon Blanc

-Niagara College Teaching Winery Balance Viognier 2016

-Oxley Estate Pinot Gris 2017

 

The Food: lunch buffet included french fries, smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye, sliced AAA roast beef on ciabatta, pasta salad, tomato salad, and squares for dessert.

The Downside: I was told that there were no transcripts or videos available, but that Powerpoint presentations could be requested from the presenters.

The Upside: a great way to make contacts and to keep up with the wine industry.

The Contact Person: magdalena@wmao.ca; christine@boostpr.ca; alison@winecouncilofontario.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Growing Success and Profit: the First Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show, April 24, 2018

The Date and Time: Tuesday, April 24, 2018  8AM to 6PM

The Event:  Growing Success and Profit: the First Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show

The Venue: Beanfield Centre

The Target Audience: Winery owners/presidents, winemakers, production, sales staff and industry suppliers.

The Quote/Background: "We are really excited to bring the Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show to the Ontario market. The opportunity to learn, share, collaborate and do business all in one day will benefit all aspects of the sector, from wineries, to suppliers, to stakeholders."  – Sue Ann Staff

 

The Highlights: This was the first annual one-day Ontario Craft Wine Conference & Trade Show, featuring presentations from wine industry professionals and experts. Topic streams included: retail marketing, finance, government/regulatory, and technical matters. There was a keynote, some panel discussions, and demonstrations. There was also a 9500 sq.ft. trade show with wine industry trade suppliers displaying products and services. I was there mainly to sample wines and to attend the technical seminars (appassimento research, sustainable winemaking, and wine trends). Unfortunately, none of the 12 programs were repeated, nor were there videos or transcripts. So if you were interested in topics that were concurrently presented, then you needed a second  - or more – attendee to take notes and to participate. "Wine trends" and "sustainability" went up against each other, which was unfortunate, especially since sustainability is a wine trend (as is "appassimento", but at least that panel held no conflict for me). Specific topics of the panels included export markets, the value of the appellation, brand protection and intellectual property, selling VQA wines in Ontario, banking matters, DTC (direct to consumer sales), and grant application writing. The keynote address was given by Erica Crawford who described how Kim Crawford wines came about, with its emphasis on business models, branding, routes to markets, screw caps, distribution  networks and sales. It was a "how we did it" story in top down fashion, with no assets and no hidden costs to the company. A virtual winery before the name was used. They led the way with NZ sauvignon blanc exports, which in total now comprise 86% of all wine exports from NZ. After lunch, Deloitte presented its third annual review, now found at -- http://www.vqaontario.ca/Library/Documents/OntarioWineandGrapeIndustryPerformanceReport_2017_FINAL_optimized.pdf

 

The Wines: There were two dozen wines for tasting at the lunch buffet. I did not try them all.

 

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

-Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2016

-Hare Wine Crown Land Red (Cabernet Franc) 2015

-Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay

-Cave Spring Cellar Riesling Estate

-Closson Chase Chardonnay 2016

-Smoke and Gamble Cabernet Merlot 2014

-Henry of Pelham Classic Riesling 2016

-Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2015

-Stratus Wildass Rose 2017

-Reif Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 

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

-Kacaba Cabernet Syrah 2016

-Rosehall Run Vyd Righteous Dude Riesling 2016

-Frisky Beaver Shades of Grey Chardonnay

-London Burn Wine Company Viognier 2016

-Malivoire Rose Vivant 2017

-Sue Ann Staff Sauvignon Blanc

-Niagara College Teaching Winery Balance Viognier 2016

-Oxley Estate Pinot Gris 2017

 

The Food: lunch buffet included french fries, smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye, sliced AAA roast beef on ciabatta, pasta salad, tomato salad, and squares for dessert.

The Downside: I was told that there were no transcripts or videos available, but that Powerpoint presentations could be requested from the presenters.

The Upside: a great way to make contacts and to keep up with the wine industry.

The Contact Person: christine@boostpr.ca; alison@winecouncilofontario.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

DRINK BOOK OF THE MONTH! * -- Julep by Alba Huerta (Ten Speed)

JULEP (Lorena Jones Books, Ten Speed Press, 2018, 214 pages, ISBN 978-0-399-57941-7 $24.99 USD hardbound) is by Alba Huerta, an experienced Houston bartender who was the featured mixologist at the Southern Foodways Alliance 2013 and 2015 Symposia which explores the food culture of the American South. She owns Julep, a bar in Houston. She's assisted by Marah Stets, writer-editor. It's an interesting book of crafted cocktails based on Southern USA influences. There's the usual primer on bar equipment and techniques, followed by chapters dealing with juleps, liqueurs, drinks in the rural areas and the Gulf areas, plus the classics such as Ramos gin fizz. She's even got some preps for bar snacks such as fried anchovy-stuffed olives, deviled eggs, pickled shrimp, crab-curry salad, and lobster ambrosia. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents. At the end, there is a Resources page listing websites.

Audience and level of use: those who like some culture with their cocktail books.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: for food, try lemon icebox pies. For drinks, try the farmhouse Gibson or the amethyst flip or even vinegar and rye.

The downside to this book: no metric or even conversion charts.

The upside to this book: very easy to get enthusiastic about this book.

Quality/Price Rating: 90.

 

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for May 12, 2018

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for May 12,  2018

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

These notes for wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone tastes like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --  [atypically, a lot]

 

R+526939    CHÂTEAU PLAISANCE LES PALUES    AC Bordeaux Supérieur        2009    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 93

W+551739    ROCKBURN SAUVIGNON BLANC    Central Otago, South Island        2015    $19.95    12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

W+328559    CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY    WO Western Cape        2015    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+936971    D'ARENBERG THE LAUGHING MAGPIE SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER    McLaren Vale, South Australia        2012    $29.95     14.4% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

W+547299    BACHELDER WISMER-FOXCROFT N. 2 CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2015    $44.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

 

20 under $20

=========

W+547943    SURF SWIM CHARDONNAY California    2016    $17.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89.

W+551556    SHOOFLY CHARDONNAY    Adelaide Hills, South Australia        2015    $15.95

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+163535    MOMO ORGANIC PINOT GRIS    Marlborough, South Island    Seresin Estate    2017    $19.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+981167    SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC  Stellenbosch 2017    $13.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

W+474742    TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO    IGT Vignetti delle Dolomiti        2016    $19.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+540930    VILLA PUCCINI    IGT Toscana        2012    $14.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+338939  TOMMASI GRATICCIO APPASSIONATO Italy 2015 $15.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+547125    CAMPARRÓN CRIANZA    DO Toro    2014    $18.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+166579 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/CARIÑENA    DO Cariñena        2012    $14.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+551473    DRUMHELLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley        2015    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+37911    SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Maipo Valley        2015    $19.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+445510    CHÂTEAU FLEUR HAUT GAUSSENS    AC Bordeaux Supérieur        2010    $18.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+426049    CHÂTEAU GODARD BELLEVUE    AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Francs        2010    $14.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+550418    CHÂTEAU LA BRANDE    AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Castillon        2015    $19.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+413237    GÉRARD BERTRAND SYRAH/GRENACHE    AP Languedoc        2015    $16.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+538009    RÉMY FERBRAS TERRE DE MISTRAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES PLAN DE DIEU    AC        2015    $15.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+547836    NORTH 43 SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Lakeshore        2016    $14.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+551374    SPERLING MARKET WHITE    BC VQA Okanagan Valley        2015    $18.95 11.2% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

20 over $20

=========

W+560748    NORMAN HARDIE CUVÉE PARADOXE    VQA Niagara Peninsula        2016    $29.20     9.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+225375    J. LOHR OCTOBER NIGHT CHARDONNAY    Arroyo Seco, Monterey County        2015    $34.95    14.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+282806    GREYWACKE WILD SAUVIGNON    Marlborough, South Island        2014    $39.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+318139    SYLVAIN MOSNIER CÔTE DE LÉCHET CHABLIS 1ER CRU    AC        2015    $35.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+70615    DUSTED VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley        2013    $40.95    14.7% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+414557    MARCHAND-TAWSE BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY    AC 2015    $32.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+551846    ZORZAL EGGO BLANC DE CAL SAUVIGNON BLANC    Tupungato, Mendoza        2016    $29.95     12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+552067    CHÂTEAU LA LOUVIÈRE BLANC    AC Pessac-Léognan    André Lurton    2012    $47.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+331652    NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY    Marlborough, South Island        2016    $27.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+498766    LAKE SONOMA ZINFANDEL    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County        2014    $26.95    15.1% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+73817    RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley        2015    $39.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+317008    VERSADO MALBEC    Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza        2014    $22.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+707323    RUSTENBERG JOHN X MERRIMAN    WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch        2014    $24.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+550368    CHÂTEAU BUSQUET    AC Lussac-Saint-Émilion        2015    $26.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+437954    CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC    Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc        2010    $24.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+304105    BUENA VISTA PINOT NOIR    Carneros 2013    $28.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+984187    MURIEL GRAN RESERVA     Rioja        2005    $29.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+527960    DOMAINE MALDANT PAUVELOT CHOREY-LÈS-BEAUNE    AP Chorey-lès-Beaune        2015    $32.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+521187 OREGON TRAILS PINOT NOIR Willamette Vly.2015 $24.95 13.2% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+309583 ELEPHANT HILL PINOT NOIR Central Otago, South Island     2013 $29.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's FIFTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario! (April 25, 2018)

The Date and Time:  Wednesday, April 25, 2018

The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's FIFTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario!

The Venue: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's Toronto Head Offices.

The Target Audience: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada members.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are (or will be) available either year round or for the seasonal offering Spring/Summer 2018.

The Quote/Background: All wines submitted were tasted. What follows below are my OWN tasting scores from my OWN notes. The BEST wines scored 91 or more; the BETTER wines were in that narrow 88 – 90 range. My individual scores are given; those from other writers will vary. In fact, write-ups by other writers will also vary, as well as photos. This was NOT a competition since all wines were tasted with exposed labels and prices, plus tech/sales sheets.

 

The Wines: It is important to realize that Ontario roses (both still and sparkling) are surely world-class, holding their own against those of France, Portugal and Spain. My fave Ontario rose sparkler was Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Rose Brut NV ($29.95) and fave Ontario still rose was Two Sisters Vineyards Rosé 2017 at $35 (Bordeaux-style blend) – The Foreign Affair Amarose 2016 just a point less but about half the Two Sisters price. Similarly, for imports, the best value rose sparkler continues to be the Cono Sur Pinot Noir Rose Brut NV at $13.95, and the best value still rose Lorgeril L'Orangeraie Rosé 2017 $10.25 +279661 Pays d'Oc, both at the LCBO. Prices are generally RETAIL unless otherwise specified. The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada would very much like to thank both Drinks Ontario and Wine Marketing Association of Ontario for encouraging their members to participate. There were some 85 wines sent in, well over last year's 70 wines....It is getting bigger every year!! Thanks guys..

 

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

-Henry of Pelham    Cuvée Catharine Rosé Brut    Non-vintage    $29.95 217505 GL VQA Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Chardonnay    12%

-13th Street Winery    13th Street Cuvée Brut Rosé    NV    $27.95     147504 Niagara    71% Pinot Noir  and 29% Chardonnay    12.5%     Vintage Essential

-Alliance Loire    De Chanceny, Crémant de Loire Rosé Brut    NV    $19.65    211466 GL    Cabernet Franc, Grolleau Noir    12.5%   

-Megalomaniac Winery    Bubblehead    NV    $29.95 Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Chardonnay    13%    Currently available at winery   

-Chateau des Charmes    Cuvee d'Andree Rose    2017    $15.95    333260 GL VQA NOTL 13%   

-Taittinger Prestige Brut Rose Champagne    NV    $79.95    993113 Champagne    PN/Chard/PM    12%    LCBO    May 26th

-Pares Balta    Pares Balta Cava Pink    NV    $21.99 Penedes    Garnatxa, Parellada, Macabeo    11.5%    Consignment    Available Now    Noble Estates Wine & Spirits

-Chateau Gassier     Esprit Gassier Rose     2017   $20.95  +490839  Cotes de Provence    13% Vintages

-Chateau Gassier     Le Pas du Moine Saint-Victoire Rose    2017   $23.95  +450874        Cotes de Provence    13.5%         Vintages

-Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose 2017, $17.95, avail: LCBO, (85% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Gris, 3% Gamay, 3% Cabernet Franc). Also available in 20 litre kegs to licensees.

-Tawse Quarry Road Pinot Noir Rose 2017 Vinemount (Organic) $27.95 Retail shop (100% Pinot Noir)

-Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé    NV     $13.95     365205 GL    Chile    Pirque    Pinot Noir    12.50%       

-Gérard Bertrand    Perles de Grenache Rosé    2017    $18.95    556209 IGP PAYS D'OC    Grenache     12.5%       

-Chateau de Berne    Emotion    2016/2017    $16.95    556183    Cotes de Provence    60% Cinsault, 40% Grenache Noir    13%       

-Chateau de Berne    Terres de Berne Rose    2017    $17.95    278861 Cotes de Provence    Grenache Noir, Cinsault    12.5       

-Lacheteau    Francois Dulac Cotes De Provence    2016    $16.00     483040    Cotes de Provence    Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvedre    12.5%

-Lorgeril    L'Orangeraie Rosé    2017    $10.25    279661    Pays d'Oc    Cinsault, Merlot, Grenache, Syrah    13%       

-Martin Berdugo    Rosado    2016    $17.45    388909    Spain    Ribera del Duero    Tempranillo    13.5%       

-Muga Rosé    2017    $14.95 603795    Spain    Rioja    Grenache, Viura, Tempranillo    13.5%       

-Foreign Affair Winery    Amarosé    2017    $18.95    388702 Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir 85%& Chardonnay 15%    13%       

-Three of Hearts    Rosé    2017    $19.95    552562 VQA Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris    12%   

-13th Street Winery    13th Street Burger Blend Rose     2017    $14.95 Niagara 13%

-13th Street Winery    13th Street Vin Gris Gamay    2017    $24.95     Niagara    Gamay    12.5%       

-Westcott     Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $2.95            Niagara               

-Featherstone Winery    Rose    2017    $15.95    117861 Niagara Peninsula    Gamay Noir, Cab Sauv    13.7%   

-When Pigs Fly    Pinot Noir Rose 2017  $19.95 sold out

-Creekside Estate Winery    Rosé    2017    $15.95  vintages June Niagara Peninsula    100% Syrah    12.8%       

-Queenston Mile Vineyards    Pinot Noir Rosé    2017    $30 St.David's Bench    100% Pinot Noir    12.5%       

-Two Sisters Vineyards Rosé 2017 $35 Merlot 64%Cab Franc 19%Cab Sauv 17%    13%       

 

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

-Oyster Bay    Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé    NV     $22.95     280172    New Zealand    Marlborough / Hawke's Bay    Pinot Noir 20% / Chardonnay 80%    12.5%

-Konzelmann Estate Winery    Methode Cuvé Close Rosé    N/V    $18.95     Niagara Peninsula    Merlot    12%       

-Gérard Bertrand    Côtes des Roses Rosé    2016    $18.95    373985    Midi, France    Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah    13%       

-Mas des Bressades    Cuvée Tradition Rosé    2017    $15.95    950576     Costieres de Nimes    Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault    13.5%       

-Perrin    La Vieille Ferme Rose    2017    $11.95     622134    Vin de France    Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah    13%       

-Brand Phoenix    Cote Bleu    2017    $12.95    541276 Provence    Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauv. Merlot    12.5%       

-Chateau de Charelard    Beaujolais Rosé d'Ete    2017    $14.95    119438    Beaujolais    Gamay    12.5%       

-LORNANO    "ETEL" ROSATO TOSCANO    2017    N/A    N/A    TUSCANY    100% SANGIOVESE    13%

-Global Wines    Cabriz Colheita Selecionada Rosé Dão DOC    2017    $13.95     30445    Dao    Touriga Nacional & Alfrocheiro    12.5%       

-Sogrape    Gazela Vinho Verde Rose    NV    $8.95     404533    Portugal    Vinhos Verdes    Borracal, Espadeiro, Amaral, Vinhao     9.5%       

-Sogrape    Mateus Rose    NV    $10.45     +166    Portugal    Baga, Rufete, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca    11%       

-Susana Balbo    Signature Rose    2017    $20.95    493130    Argentina    Uco Valley    60% Malbec - 40% Pinot Noir    13%       

-Cono Sur    Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir Rosé    2017     $10.95     318014    Chile    Pirque    Pinot Noir    13%       

-Wither Hills    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $18.95    552992    New Zealand    Marlborough    Pinot Noir Rose    12.5%       

-Oyster Bay Rosé    2017     $19.95     671940 New Zealand Marlborough Pinot Noir    13.5%       

-Kim Crawford Rose    2017    $17.95    VINTAGES# 650325    New Zealand    Marlborough    99% Merlot, 1% Syrah    13%       

-Kanonkop Wine Estate    Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage Rosé    2017    $13.95     553073    South Africa    Stellenbosch    Pinotage    14%       

-North 42 Degrees    Cabernet Sauvignon  Rose    2017                VQA LENS    Cabernet Sauvignon    12.5%       

-Fielding    Rosé    2017    $15.95    53421    Niagara    Gamay Noir (80%) Pinot Noir (20%).    12.3%       

-Fielding    Long Weekend Rosé    2017    $13.95    576181    Niagara    Cab Franc (80%) Cab Sauv (20%)    11.8%       

-Henry of Pelham    Rosé    2017    $14.95    613471    VQA Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Gamay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc    11.9%       

-Sibling Rivalry     Pink    2017    $13.95    171033 VQA Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc    11.5%       

-House Wine Co.     Rosé    2017    $13.95    324558 VQA Niagara Peninsula    Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Zweigelt    11.7%       

-Malivoire Wines    Malivoire Ladybug Rosé     2016    $16.95     559088    Niagara    60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay    12.5%

-Southbrook     Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose     2017    $19.75 Niagara    Cab Franc ORGANIC    11.4%       

-Southbrook     Cabernet Rose    2016    $29.75 4 Mile Creek    BIODYNAMIC    11.5%

-Westcott     Delphine Rose    2017    $16.95    498527        Niagara       

-Legends Estates    Cabernet Rose    2017    $14        Niagara    Cab Sauv    12%

-PondView Estate Winery    Cabernet Franc Rosé    2017    $16.95 Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc    12.5%       

-Kacaba Vineyards    Rebecca Rose    2017    $17.95 Niagara Peninsula    Gamay    13.5%

-Rockway Vineyards    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $17.95 Twenty-Mile Bench    Pinot Noir    12.3%       

-Rockway Vineyards    Rose    2016    $15.95    Niagara Peninsula    95% PN 5% Riesling    11.5%

 

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

-Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery    Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rose    2017    $14.95     177840 Beamsville Bench    Cabernet Franc    14%

-Flat Rock Cellars    Pink Twisted    2017    $17.95    39974    Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir 65%, Gewurztraminer 20%, Riesling 15%    12.5%       

-Legends Estates    Terroir Rose    2015    $14        Niagara    Semillon/CabFr    12%

-Southbrook     Syrah Rose    2017    $29.75    4 Mile Creek    BIODYNAMIC    11.5%

-Open Rosé    2017    $12.95     175349    Canada    Niagara    Gamay/Pinot Noir    12%

-Jackson-Triggs    Jackson-Triggs Reserve Rosé    2016    $14.95    Niagara    Chardonnay/Merlot    13%       

-Inniskillin    Inniskillin Estate Series Pinot Noir Rosé    2017    $14.95     Niagara    Pinot Noir    12.5%

-Megalomaniac Winery    Pink Slip Rose    2017    $19.95     Vintages # 85126    Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Musque, Riesling, Merlot, Gamay    11.9%       

-Sandbanks Winery    Rose    2017    $13.95     244616 VQAOntario    90% Vidal    12%       

-Cooper's Hawk Vineyards    Dry Rose    2016    $17.95     Canada LENS Merlot 10.5%

-Grange of Prince Edward    2017 Gamay Rosé    2017    $24.95 VQA PEC    100% Gamay    12%

-Cooper's Hawk Vineyards    Rose -Sweet    2016    $15.95     296533    Canada    LENS    Pinot Noir,Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot Gris    10%       

-Pelee Island Winery    Pelee Pink    2012    $12.45    529354               

-Pelee Island Winery    LOLA Cabernet Franc Rose    2017    15.95    552457       

-CREW - Colchester Ridge Estate Winery    Red Sky at Night    2017    $16.95    LENS    100% Merlot    13.5%

-King's Court Estate Winery    Princess Rosé    2016    $16.95    491050    Niagara    Cabernet Franc    11.5%       

-13th Street Winery Pink Palette Rosé     2017    $15.95     275834    Niagara    Cabernet Franc    13%       

-Karlo Estates VQA Ontario 2016 Patio Reserve

-Bottega SpA Vino dei Poeti Brut Rose    NV    $14.95     277202    Italy    Veneto    Pinot Noir and Raboso    11.5%

-Boutinot     Les Oliviers Rose     2016    $14.99         France    Languedoc    Grenache & Cinsault    12.5%

-Legends Estates    Sparkling Rose    NV    $16        Niagara    Chard/Merlot    12%

-Grange of Prince Edward    Brut Rosé    2012    $35    VQA PEC    100% Pinot Noir    12%

-Francis Ford Coppola Winery    Sofia Rosé    2017    $24.95     284943 California    Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir    12.8%

-Black Cottage Rosé    2017    $16.95  539320 New Zealand    Marlborough    Pinot    12.5%       

-The Beach House    Rose    2017    $10.95    164343    South Africa 12%

 

The Food: baguettes, biscuits, water, California oven-roasted almonds, arbequina and nicois olives.

The Downside: it was a lot of wines with many monochromatic notes in a similar price range, but we took a lot of breaks for food, water, etc. Rince bouche with soda water helped.

The Upside: a chance to taste 85 (!) wines, many of which were top notch.

The Contact Person: organizer – deantudor@deantudor.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 95

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: California Wine Tour April 23, 2018 Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday April 23, 2018  1PM to 5PM

The Event: California Wine Tour 2018 Toronto

The Venue: Fairmont Royal York

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: the Media Room opened at 1PM, which gave us a 1.5 hour jump on the big show (thanks!!).

The Quote/Background:

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. But I did try some from the show room itself, plus what I could glean from the media room. Prices were generally "on demand". The best booth was Nichols, with its older wines, a terrific area.

 

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

-Chandon Brut NV

-Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs NV

-Grgich Hills Estate Merlot 2014

-Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2014

-Heitz Wine Cellars Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

-Freemark Abbey Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

-Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2013

-Rodney Strong Vineyards Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2015

-Rutherford Wine Company Lander-Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

-Schrug Carneros Estate Chardonnay 2016

-Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

-Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet 2013

-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis 2015

-Bogle Vineyards Phantom [blend] 2014

-Mer Soleil Chardonnay 2015 Reserve Santa Lucia

-Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay 2015

-Wente Vineyards Estate Grown Morning Fog Chardonnay 2016 $19.95 LCBO

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Edna Ranch Chardonnay 2000 $50 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon D'Anbino 2003 $55 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Pinot Noir Paragon Vineyard 1999 $55 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Meritage Ninety Eight 1998 $55 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Silver Fox Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2005 $55 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Reserve Merlot Ninety Eight 1998 $35 US

-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Ninety Eight 1998 $55 US

-Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Napa

-Clos Pegase Chardonnay 2016 Napa

-Ca' Momi Napa Merlot 2015

-Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 2015

-Chalone Estate Pinot Noir 2015

 

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

-Kunde Family Winery Chardonnay 2016 Sonoma Valley

-Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir 2013

-Carol Shelton Wines Rocky Reserve Zinfandel 2015

-Cline Family Big Break Zinfandel 2015

-Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

-Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2016

-Chalk Hill Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2014

-Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2015

-Francis Ford Coppola Archimedes Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma 2014

-Gloria Ferrer Brut NV

-Hall and Walt Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

-Hoopes Vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

-Hope Family Treana Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

-J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2015

-Long Meadow Ranch Chardonnay 2015

-Michael David Earthquake Zinfandel 2014

-Patz and Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2015

-Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel 2015

-Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel Lytton Spring 2015

-St.Supery Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

-Beringer Napa Valley Quantum Red Blend 2015

-Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 

-Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

-Caymus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

-Emmolo Merlot 2015

 

The Food: uniquely this time the food was mostly related to the "S" word – sliders, sushi and shashimi, all of which was appreciated. Thanks guys!

The Downside: it got crowded really fast, packed within 15 minutes

The Upside: it was good to see the Second Harvest Silent Auction.

The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Welcome to a World of Difference: wines of Portugal grand tasting Toronto April 11, 2018

The Date and Time: Wednesday April 11, 2018  1PM to 4PM

The Event: Welcome to a World of Difference: wines of Portugal grand tasting Toronto

The Venue: Globe and Mail Centre 17th floor

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was quite similar to others from the past, with info about grape varieties in each bottle. But agents were not noted, nor were there any notes on availability. The tables were roughly in alphabetical order, so that was a help. We were all given bracelets whoch could be used to get additional information. Some us BEGGED for the printed version of the catalogue so that we may have something to write on. I explained that I was a writer and I needed that crutch in  order to ask relevant questions (e.g., availability and price).

The Quote/Background: Once again, only a handful of agents were smart enough to have a sheet of paper with prices and availability. Kudos to them. That of Airen Imports was a model of conciseness. How much does paper cost?

The Wines: I only tried some of the wines and ports. Prices and agents are generally missing, sorry. I had stupidly thought that my bracelet would give me the name of the agent and prices by email. It did not. Marketing here was not very helpful.

 

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

-Ramos Pinto Porto 30 Years old vines

-Esporao Branco Reserva 2016 $26   FWP

-Messias Brut Milesime 2013  $25   Signature

-Quinta da Devesa Porto 40+ Anos 

-Quinta da Lapa Espumante Brut Nature Reserva 2014 $28.95  Wine Moves

-Quinta da Lapa Reserva 2012 $29.95  Wine Moves

-Quinta da Lapa Reserva Homenagem 2014 Tejo $42.95  Wine Moves

-Quinta das Apegadas Velha Grande Reserva 2013 $55

-Sandeman Porto Tawny 30 Years Old  

-Quintela Branco 2016 +463900  $13.35

-Piano Grande Reserve Red $39.95  Private order Airen

 

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

-Piano Red 2016 $13.80 Private order Airen

-Piano Reserve Red $20.35  Private order Airen

-Porto Ferreira Duque de Braganca Tawny 20 year old

-Messias 10 Anos Signature

-Campolargo Espumante Bruto 2014

-Campolargo Espumante Bruto Rose 2014

-Casa Santons Lima Al-Ria 2016 $15.95 Majestic

-Casa Santons Lima Entre Nos 2015 $22 Majestic

-Casa Santons Lima Parcelas 2015 $14.95 Majestic

-Casa Santons Lima Colossal Reserva 2015 $15.95 Majestic

-Caves da Montanha Premium Reserva Brut 2012 2.9E Ex-Ce

-Caves da Montanha Love Pink Brut 3.1E Ex-Ce

-Caves da Montanha Premium Reserva Brut 2012 2.9E Ex-Ce

-Caves da Montanha Superior Brut 2.55E Ex-Ce

-Esporao Monte Velho 2017 $14  FWP

-Esporao Assobio Branco 2017 $17 FWP

-Global Wines Cabriz Espumante Bruto 2014

-Sobroso Barrique Select 2017

-Casa Amarela Reserva Branco 2016  $25

-Casa Amarela Il Terroir Branco 2016  $25

-Quinta da Lapa Selection Branco 2017 $12  Wine Moves

-Quinta da Lapa Nana Branco 2017 $15.95  Wine Moves

-Quinta da Lapa Branco Reserva 2016 $17.95  Wine Moves

 

The Food: charcuterie and cheese platters, croquettes, yummy custards for dessert.

The Downside: very difficult to get comprehensive catalogue information on availability, agency, and prices. I had wrongly assumed it would be captured via my bracelet.

The Upside: a great opportunity to see Toronto from the Globe Centre 17th floor.

The Contact Person: chloe.benayoun@sopexa.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 75

Chimo! www.deantudor.com