The Date and Time: Wednesday May 8 2019 2PM to 5PM
The Event: Pure Discovery 2019
The Venue: George Brown College, Adelaide Street
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: wines were available at LCBO or consignment or PO.
The Quote/Background: In a split with the usual trade-consumer show tradition of trade in the afternoon and consumer at night, the NZ show had the consumer edition two days earlier on Monday at the Globe and Mail Centre. Some twenty NZ wineries participated in the event. There were also plenty of theme tables such as "aromatic wines", "chardonnay", LCBO Vintages, "lighter wines", "pinot noir", and "sparkling" tables. There were fewer wines and fewer people invited. Also, there was some co-ordination with VQA Ontario on the pinot noir table, allowing for a comparison of Ontario and NZ pinot. A great idea!! But I only had the time to sample NZ, and pinot noir was not really part of my strategy this year. The other reds were just a few merlot and syrah labels.
The Wines: As usual, I did not taste every wine. Prices are average retail.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Babich Te Henga 2018 $12.95
-Churton Viognier Marlborough 2016 $44 Le Sommelier
-Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Viognier Gisborne 2016 $26 The Living Vine
-Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay North Canterbury 2016 $43 Woodman [my FAVE today]
-Palliser Estate Chardonnay Martinborough 2017 $42 FWM
-Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay Auckland 2017 $32 Connexion Oenophilia
-Tatty Bogler Chardonnay Waitaki Valley 2017 $30 Abcon
-Carrick EBM Chardonnay Central Otago 2011 $47 Noble Estates
-Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015 $59.20 Charton Hobbs
-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley Marlborough 2018 $19.95 +225557
-Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay Wairarapa 2017 $25.95 Vintages
-Stoneleigh Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018 $19.95 Corby
-Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough 2009 $49.95 Noble Estates
-Greywacke Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013 $54 Connexion Oenophilia
-Stoneleigh Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NV $14.22 Corby
-Nautilus Cuvee Brut Marlborough 2015 $39 Breakthrough Beverage Canada
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Villa Maria Keltern Chardonnay Gisborne 2017 $49 Dandurand
-Te Awanga Mister Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017 $22 Azureau
-Aronui Chardonnay Nelson 2016 $25 Connexion Oenophilia
-Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay Marlborough 2016 $38 DB Wine
-Greywacke Chardonnay Marlborough 2015 $44 Connexion Oenophilia
-Felton Road Chardonnay Bannockburn Gentral Otago 2010 $59 Lifford
-Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah Hawke's Bay 2015 $104.95 Select Wines
-Craggy Range Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017 $28.95 Select Wines
-Loveblock Orange Marlborough 2018 $28.95 Vine Agency
-Luna Estate Eclipse Chardonnay Martinborough 2017 $34.95 Terra Firma
-Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018 $24.95 Arterra
-Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 $29.95 Arterra
-Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa 2018 $24.99 FWM
-Villa Maria Southern Clays Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014 $60 Dandurand
-Quartz Reef MT Vintage 2013 Blanc de Blancs Central Otago $80 Amethyst
-Toi Toi Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NV $17 Von Terra
-Te Awanga Estate Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017 $35 Azureau
-Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014 $59.95 Hobbs & Co
-Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay Wellington 2018 $25.95 Nicholas Pearce
-Ant Moore Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 $18.95 Licensee The Living Vine
The Food: There was sustainable smoked salmon courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council, and platters of cheeses and charcuterie from the Cheese Boutique.
The Downside: the catalogue, while a gem of work with its directory and facts, was printed on clay-based paper that took no pen or pencil. So my choice was to use either blood or a roller nib. I used both.
The Upside: a refreshing change from other shows, with the involvement of VQA Ontario wines.
The Contact Person: info@amcc-inc.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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