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

The Date and Time:  Monday April 15, 2019   3PM to 7PM

The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SIXTH 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 2019.

The Quote/Background: All wines submitted were tasted. What follows below are my OWN tasting scores from my OWN notes. My BEST wines scored 91 or more; my BETTER wines were in that narrow 88 – 90 range. My individual scores are given; those from other writers will vary in their writings. 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 and an overall spreadsheet.

 

The Wines: It is important to realize that Ontario roses are surely world-class, holding their own against those of France, Portugal and Spain. 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 97 wines sent in (including 12 fizzes, see below), well over last year's total of 85 wines....It is getting bigger every year!! Thanks guys. Wines are either at the LCBO (CSPC given) or the winery or consignment/private order. The roses are listed randomly within their score categories. My personal faves (wines I will actually buy):

 

BEST VALUE - Casa Santos Lima    LAB Rose    2018    $9.75    635213    Portugal    Lisboa    castelao, camarate, cabsauv    12.5% 

BEST SWEET - Accolade Wines Australia LTD     Banrock Station Pink Moscato    2018    $11.95     170134    Australia    South Australia    6%

BEST DOMESTIC - Queenston Mile    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $30.00  VQA St David's Bench    Pinot Noir    13%

BEST IMPORT - Chateau de Berne    Romance    2018    $19.99 (consignment Southern Glazer's)    N/A    France    Provence    Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Merlot    12.5%

 

Again, wines are arranged randomly within each GOOD, BETTER, BEST grade category.

 

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

Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %

 

-Bodegas Izadi    Izadi Larrosa Rose D.O.Ca    2018     $16.95     490961    Spain    Rioja    100% Garnacha    13.5%

-Maison d'Aix    AIX Rose    2018    $22.95    451906        Coteau d'Aix En Provence        12.5%

-Domaine des Nugues Rose        2017    $17.95    556126    France     Beaujolais-Villages    Gamay Noir    12.5%

-13th Street Winery    Gamay vin Gris    2018    $24.95    NA    Canada    Creek Shores    gamay    11.5%

-Casa Santos Lima    LAB Rose    2018    $9.75    635213    Portugal    Lisboa    castelao,camarate,cabsauv    12.5%

-When Pigs Fly    Rose    2018    $19.95        Ontario VQA Vinemount Ridge    pinot noir Vieni Vineyard    13%

-Tawse Winery    Quarry Road Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $27.95     N/A    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir    12%

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose    2017    $19.95    279117    Canada    Niagara Peninsula     85% Cabernet Franc / 15% Merlot    11.4%

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose    2018    $19.95    279117    Canada    Niagara Peninsula     100% Cabernet Franc    11.4%

-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Estate Cabernet Rose    2016    $24.95        Canada    Four Mile Creek    60% Cabernet Sauvignon     12.5%

sweet    -Accolade Wines Australia LTD     Banrock Station Pink Moscato    2018    $11.95     170134    Australia    South Australia    N/A    6%

-Planeta    Planeta Rose Sicilia DOC    2018     $17.95     111856    Italy    Sicily    Nero d'Avola, Syrah    12.5%

-Quinta de Cabriz    Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Dao DOC Rose    2018     $13.95     30445    Portugal    Dao    50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro    12.5%

-Chateau de Berne    Romance    2018    $19.99 (consignment)    N/A    France    Provence    Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Merlot    12.5%

-Mas des Bressades    Cuvée Tradition Rosé    2018    $16.95    648477    France    Costieres des Nimes    Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault    13.5%

-Malivoire    Rose Moira    2018  $24.95     Beamsville Bench    pinot noir    12.5%

-Henry of Pelham    Three of Hearts Rose  2018    $19.95    552562        Niagara    pinot noir88/gris12    11.5%

-Queenston Mile    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $30.00  VQA St David's Bench    Pinot Noir    13%

-Trius Winery     Trius Rose    2018    $17.95     341743    Canada    VQA Niagara Peninsula     44% Gamay Noir, 30% Pinot Noir, 25% Syrah, 1% Pinot Meunier    11.5

-Leaning Post Wines     Rosé    2018     $20.00     n/a    Canada    Ontario, Niagara Lakeshore    Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon    12.5%

-Cave Spring    Rose    2018    $15.95    295006        Niagara Peninsula        13%

-North42Degrees    Cabernet Sauvignon Rose    2018    $17.95            VQA Four Mile Creek    Cab Sauv    12.5%

-Di Profio Estate     Gamay Rosé    2017    $18.95        Canada    Niagara    Gamay Noir    12.8%

-Peninsula Ridge Estates    Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rose    2018    $14.95    177840    Canada    Niagara    100% Cabernet Franc    13%

-Westcott Vineyards    Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $22.95 Niagara    Pinot Noir    12.5%

-Featherstone Estate Winery    Rose    2018    $15.95    117861    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cab Franc    13.1%

-Château des Charmes    Rosé Cuvée d'Andrée    2016    $16.95    333260    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir    12.5%

 

 

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

Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %

 

-Famille JM CAZES    JM Cazes Rose de L'Ostal IGP    2018     $15.95     450809    France    Languedoc    50% Syrah, 50% Grenache     13%

-Lorgeril    L'Orangeraie Rosé    2017    $10.45    279661    France    South of France    Cinsault, Grenache      12.5%

-Lorgeril    Gris de Garille     2018    $13.95    731220    France    Cite de Carcassonne, SF    Cinsault, Grenache, Merlot    12.5%

-Gerard Bertrand    Perles de Grenache Rose    2018    $18.95    556209        Pays d'Oc    grenache    12%

-Conde de Valdemar Rose 2018 $14.45 168278    Spain    Rioja    tempranillo    13%

-Famille Perrin    La Vieille Ferme Ventoux Rose    2018    $12.45     622134    France    Ventoux    Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah    13%

-Domaine Bassac    Margalh Rose Organic    2018    $14.95    155515    France     Languedoc    cinsault, syrah, greanche    12.5%

-Megalomaniac - JHC Cellars of Distinction Pink Slip    2018    $19.95 85126 Niagara    Pinot Noir 57, Syrah, 19, Chardonnay Musqué 17, Gamay 5, Merlot 2    12%

-Inniskillin    Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $14.95    N/A    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay      12.5%

-Flat Rock Cellars    Pink Twisted    2018    $17.95    39974        Niagara Peninsula    pinot noir, gewurz, riesling    11.8%

-Oyster Bay    Rose    2018    $19.95    493171    New Zealand    Marlborough    pinot noir, chard    12.5%

-Henry of Pelham    Rose Classic    2018    $14.95    250217        Niagara    pinotnoir79/gamay/gris/SB    11%

-Henry of Pelham    Sibling Rivalry Pink    2018    $13.95    171033        Niagara    cabfr39/gamay28/pnoir28     11.5%

-Fielding    Pinot Noir Rosé, Estate Bottled    2018    $24.95    NA    Canada    Lincoln Lakeshore    PN    12.1%

-Fielding    Rosé    2018    15.95    53421    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Gamay/PN    11.8

38    Fielding    Long Weekend Rosé    2018    $13.45    576181    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Merlot/CF/CS/Vio    11.8%

-Pasqua    11 Minutes Rose Trevenezie    2018    $19.95     556142    Italy    Trevenezie    Corvina, Trebbiano di Lugana, Strah, Carmenere     12.5%

-Fantini    Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo     2018    $10.95    635342    Italy    Abruzzo    Montepulciano    13%

-Sogrape    Gazela Vinho Verde Rose    n/a    $9.95     404533    Portugal    Vinhos Verdes    Borracal, Espadeiro, Amaranal, Vinhao    9.5%

-Bacalhôa    JP Azeitão Syrah Rosé    2018    $8.95    404566    Portugal    Setubal Peninsula    Syrah and Moscatel Roxo    12.5%

-Malivoire    Vivant Rose    2018  $19.95  498535 Beamsville Bench    pinot noir    12%

-Malivoire    Ladybug    2018    $16.95  559088 Beamsville Bench    Cabfr/pinotnoir/gamay    12%

-Tawse Winery    Sketches Of Niagara Rose    2018    $17.95     172643    Canada    Niagara    Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Gamay    12%

-Redstone Winery    Rose (LCBO label)    2018    $17.95     650655    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Pinot Gris      12%

-Huff Estates  Rose  2018  $20  VQA Ontario  100% cabernet franc   12.5% 

-Huff Estates  All Day Rose  2017  $18  VQA Ontario  cabernet franc   12.5% 

-Vineland Estates    Rotling    2018    $20     VQA Ontario     Vidal, Cab Franc    12.5%

-Vineland  Estates Game Changer The Memory Rose    2018    $16.95 VQA Ontario    mix of reds    12.5%

-Creekside     Undercurrent Dos Pinots    2018    $23     VQA     pinotnoir76/pinotgris24    11%

-Creekside     Rose    2018    $15.95    48819        VQA     pinotnoir52/merlot48    12%

-Wayne Gretzky Winery     Wayne Gretzky Rose     2018    $16.95     NA    Canada    VQA Niagara Peninsula     80% Pinot Noir, 17% Pinot Grigio, 3% Gamay Noir      12%

-Pillitteri Estates Winery  Racina - Pinot Squared    2018    $35        Canada    Niagara-on-the-Lake    Pinot Grigio/Pinot Noir 12.5%

-Alvento Winery    South Wind    2018    $20.15        Niagara    Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurzt    12%

-Ravine Vineyard    Cabernet Rosé    2018    $25.00        Canada    Niagara-on-the-Lake    100% Cabernet Franc    11%

-Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits    EastDell Summer Rosé    2017    $14.95    560243    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Riesling/Gamay Noir    12.5%

-Palatine Hills Estate Winery    Cabernet Franc Rosé    2018    $19.95    N/A    Canada     Niagara    100% Cabernet Franc    12%

-The Foreign Affair Winery    Amarosé    2018    $18.95    388702    Canada    Ontario - Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir (76%) Chardonnay (24%)    13.8%

-Burning Kiln Winery    Broken Needle    2017     $19.95     n/a    Canada    VQA Ontario (Norfolk County)    100% Pinot Noir    11.7%

-Gerard Bertrand    Cotes des Roses    2017    $18.95    373985        AOP Languedoc    grenache/cinsault/syrah       13%

                                   

 

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

Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %

 

-Gerard Bertrand    Gris Blanc    2018    $16.95    409870        Pays d'Oc    grenache noir/gris    13%

-Harwood Estate Vineyards     North Beach Rose     2017    $18.95            Ontario    Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Merlot     11%

-The Roost Wine Company    Nine Yards Rosé    2018    $22.95     Canada    ON - -Southern Georgian Bay    Cold Climate Blend Winery    12.5%

-13th Street Winery    Pink palette    2018    $15.95    275834    Canada    Niagara peninsula    Cabernet Franc    13.5%

-13th Street Winery    Burger Blend Rose    2018    $14.95    609545    Canada    Niagara peninsula    Cab Franc, Merlot, Gamay, pinot Noir    12%

-Jackson-Triggs    Reserve Rose    2017    $14.95    N/A    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay    12.5%

-Megalomaniac - JHC Cellars of Distinction    Homegrown Rosé    2018    $14.95    639856    Canada    Niagara    Riesling 50, Vidal 40, Baco Noir 10         11%

sweet -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Apothic Rose    2018     $16.95     545780    United States    California    Grenache, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Carignane, and other Select Varietals    13%

sweet    -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Barefoot Pink Pinot Grigio    NV     $9.95     639971    United States    California    Pinot Gris, Moscato and other wines    12%

sweet    -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Barefoot Pink Moscato     NV     $9.95     642983 United States California Moscato, French Colombard,and other wines    9%

sweet    -Coopers Hawk Vineyards    Rose    2017    $15.95    296533    VQA Ontario        9%

-Bottega    Bottega Pinot Grigio Rose DOC delle Venezie    2017     $14.95     490938    Italy    Veneto    Pinot Grigio    12%

-Muga    Rosé    2018    $14.95 03795 Spain  Rioja Garnacha, Viura, Tempranillo    12.5%

-Susana Balbo    Signature Rose    2018    $21.95    493130    Argentina    Uco Valley    60% Malbec 40% Pinot Noir    13.2%

-Shingleback    Red Knot Rose    2018    $16.95    639997    Australia    McLaren Vale    78% Pinot Noir, 16% Shiraz, 6% Grenache    12%

-DGB - Beachhouse Wines    The Beachhouse Rose    2018    $10.95     164343    S. Africa    Western Cape (wellington)    Pinotage    12.5%

-Redstone Winery    Rose (Bistro label)    2017    $16.95     N/A    Canada    Niagara    Cab Franc, Pinot Noir    12%

-Coopers Hawk Vineyards    Dry Rose    2017  $17.95  winery VQA Ontario       

-PondView Estate Winery    Cabernet Franc Rosé    2018    $16.95    n/a    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc    12%

-London Born Wine Co.    White Gamay    2017    $16.95    N/A    Canada    Ontario    Gamay Noir    12.5%

-Sandbanks Winery    Rose    2018    $13.95    244616    Canada    Ontario    95% Vidal, 5% Zweigelt       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 around 85 (!) wines, many of which were top notch. And there were so many 2018s – really, really fresh.

The Contact Person: organizer – deantudor@deantudor.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com