Re: Report on tasting wines vis Case-Wine.com

This is great, thank you! 

Claire

On Tue, Jun 28, 2022 at 12:44 PM Dean Tudor <dtudor@pathcom.com> wrote:

Case-Wine.com

 

Case-Wine.com is a new online platform connecting Ontario VQA boutique wineries to new customers.

They've asked me to review some of the VQA wine bottle products they have listed on their website,

and to let people know about the availability of these wines through Case-Wine.com. I earn no money on these reviews.

 

They are not resellers but a platform that provides a service to both the local VQA craft wineries and the customers as an intermediary. This should have great appeal to Ontario residents, especially for those who have ever wanted to buy VQA boutique wines (about 17 wineries are currently listed for Niagara, 2 for Prince Edward County, and Lake Erie North Shore will be listed soon), but cannot or don't feel like travelling to the individual wineries (such as myself, with no car).

 

Here is their URL:  https://www.case-wine.com/index

 

They raise the queries: Have you ever thought about placing an online order at a VQA winery, but not gone through with it because you don't meet the minimum order requirement? Do you ever wish you could order VQA wine online and enjoy an affordable shipping rate? On www.case-wine.com, you can select any kind of wine from any participating VQA boutique winery, enjoying a favourable shipping rate and quality customer service. To ensure wine lovers across Ontario are exposed to a balanced local wine experience, Case-Wine.com offers a transformative platform that breaks the barrier between different brands. You can create your own 12-bottle case with VQA wines from various wineries and, at the same time, support the local Ontario VQA wine industry. You can even mix the case so that you get 12 VQA wines from 12 different wineries. The final price is the retail price of the wines and a favourable shipping rate for the case. And you do not need to order a full case of wine.

 

Now available through Case-Wine.com.....

 

1.Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Organic 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula [$25]:  fruit is from two contracted growers, all barrel fermented in oak (2d and 3rd year barrels). Wild fermentation, wild malolactic fermentation, lees aging one year, all vegan friendly. Very soft and engaging, much like the 2016 in its youth, some toast but a longish length. Showing some orchard fruit (such as pears) on the mid-palate. Burgundian in style with citric zest in the mid-palate, long finish. Best tasted in contemplation, underpriced. Do not overchill. Twist top. Try with creamy cow's milk (Brie, Camembert) or Alpine Gruyere; also, simple roasted chicken. 12.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

2.King's Court Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula [$20.95]: there are many different fruit profiles for savvies in the world, ranging from the kiwi herbal zestiness to blowsy fruit-forward flavours. This one is a bit more open and approachable, showing some green orchard fruit, some stone fruits, citric tones on the finish, and a crispness that needs food. It is well-within the range of North American sauvignon blanc wines. But do not overchill when you serve it on the patio/deck/terrace. Try with BBQ, creamy pasta, or grilled sandwiches. 12.5% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

3.Waupoos Estate Winery Riesling 2021 VQA Prince Edward County {$19.95]: with grapes planted in 2015, still young and fresh, somewhat crisp and dry at this point. Light bodied, with a stainless steel ferment. Various aromatics abound from a young riesling on the green side: fresh apples, lime, nuances of lemongrass. Crisp food finish, but also good for those hot summery days as an aperitif for the deck/patio/balcony. Very food-worthy with assorted seafood (shrimp on the barbee?), light but not spicy pork, chicken in different styles. 5 g/L residual sugar, very dry. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

4.Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore [$17.95]:  bone-dry, light aromas of tropicality such as pineapple, some gooseberry, even grassy or herbaceous. Stainless steel fermentation. Grapefruit and other citric tones on the mid-palate. Apples, finishing with lemons. Great with all manner of veggies, especially green ones. 300 cases made. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com
AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
AND https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
Dean Tudor, Professor Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://winewriterscircle.ca
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

--

info@case-wine.com

Ontario's #1 Stop for Boutique Wines

Follow us on Social Media!

   

 

Report on tasting wines vis Case-Wine.com

Case-Wine.com

 

Case-Wine.com is a new online platform connecting Ontario VQA boutique wineries to new customers.

They've asked me to review some of the VQA wine bottle products they have listed on their website,

and to let people know about the availability of these wines through Case-Wine.com. I earn no money on these reviews.

 

They are not resellers but a platform that provides a service to both the local VQA craft wineries and the customers as an intermediary. This should have great appeal to Ontario residents, especially for those who have ever wanted to buy VQA boutique wines (about 17 wineries are currently listed for Niagara, 2 for Prince Edward County, and Lake Erie North Shore will be listed soon), but cannot or don't feel like travelling to the individual wineries (such as myself, with no car).

 

Here is their URL:  https://www.case-wine.com/index

 

They raise the queries: Have you ever thought about placing an online order at a VQA winery, but not gone through with it because you don't meet the minimum order requirement? Do you ever wish you could order VQA wine online and enjoy an affordable shipping rate? On www.case-wine.com, you can select any kind of wine from any participating VQA boutique winery, enjoying a favourable shipping rate and quality customer service. To ensure wine lovers across Ontario are exposed to a balanced local wine experience, Case-Wine.com offers a transformative platform that breaks the barrier between different brands. You can create your own 12-bottle case with VQA wines from various wineries and, at the same time, support the local Ontario VQA wine industry. You can even mix the case so that you get 12 VQA wines from 12 different wineries. The final price is the retail price of the wines and a favourable shipping rate for the case. And you do not need to order a full case of wine.

 

Now available through Case-Wine.com.....

 

1.Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Organic 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula [$25]:  fruit is from two contracted growers, all barrel fermented in oak (2d and 3rd year barrels). Wild fermentation, wild malolactic fermentation, lees aging one year, all vegan friendly. Very soft and engaging, much like the 2016 in its youth, some toast but a longish length. Showing some orchard fruit (such as pears) on the mid-palate. Burgundian in style with citric zest in the mid-palate, long finish. Best tasted in contemplation, underpriced. Do not overchill. Twist top. Try with creamy cow's milk (Brie, Camembert) or Alpine Gruyere; also, simple roasted chicken. 12.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

2.King's Court Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula [$20.95]: there are many different fruit profiles for savvies in the world, ranging from the kiwi herbal zestiness to blowsy fruit-forward flavours. This one is a bit more open and approachable, showing some green orchard fruit, some stone fruits, citric tones on the finish, and a crispness that needs food. It is well-within the range of North American sauvignon blanc wines. But do not overchill when you serve it on the patio/deck/terrace. Try with BBQ, creamy pasta, or grilled sandwiches. 12.5% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

3.Waupoos Estate Winery Riesling 2021 VQA Prince Edward County {$19.95]: with grapes planted in 2015, still young and fresh, somewhat crisp and dry at this point. Light bodied, with a stainless steel ferment. Various aromatics abound from a young riesling on the green side: fresh apples, lime, nuances of lemongrass. Crisp food finish, but also good for those hot summery days as an aperitif for the deck/patio/balcony. Very food-worthy with assorted seafood (shrimp on the barbee?), light but not spicy pork, chicken in different styles. 5 g/L residual sugar, very dry. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

4.Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore [$17.95]:  bone-dry, light aromas of tropicality such as pineapple, some gooseberry, even grassy or herbaceous. Stainless steel fermentation. Grapefruit and other citric tones on the mid-palate. Apples, finishing with lemons. Great with all manner of veggies, especially green ones. 300 cases made. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com
AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
AND https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
Dean Tudor, Professor Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://winewriterscircle.ca
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.

Virus-free. www.avg.com

REPORT FROM The Event: New York State of Wine Trade Event May 25, 2022

 

The Date and Time:  May 25, 2022  12:30P – 3:30P

The Event: New York State of Wine Trade Event

The Venue: The Livmore, Gerrard Street West

The Target Audience: wine writers, sommeliers, agents

The Availability/Catalogue: another online catalogue which I had to print out (I don't mind doing this, but it would make sense for all the trade shows to get together and make a common format so we can template it. Each single download or other accessibility point was different, much like restaurant charge card machines)...In general, the New York data included varieties used and a possible Canadian retail price.

The Quote/Background: there was a structured tasting before the walk around tasting, with Jennifer Huether MS, Sara D'amato, and Christopher Bates MS. Bates discussed the evolving wine scene in New York State. We tasted some 12 seminar wines from Long Island and the Finger Lakes.

The Wines: I did not try every one of the 40+ wines in the self-pour walk around portion.

 

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

-Wölffer Estate Vineyard Summer In A Bottle Rosé 2021 Lake Ontario (Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc) CA$37.05

-Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard Riesling Dry 2019 Finger Lakes West Seneca CA$24.53

-Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars T23 Cabernet Franc 2019 Finger Lakes East Seneca CA$25

-Boundary Breaks #239 Dry Riesling 2019 Finger Lakes CA$28.89

-Boundary Breaks Cabernet Franc 2020 Finger Lakes CA$25.21

-Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique 2019 Finger Lakes CA$44.95

-Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Riesling, Nutt Road 2017 Finger Lakes CA$20

-Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard 2019 Finger Lakes CA$41.21

-Heron Hill Winery Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes   price not available

-Living Roots Wine & Co. Finger Lakes Riesling Pétillant Naturel 2020 CA$29.95

-Element Winery Cabernet Franc 2020 Finger Lakes  price not available

-Element Winery Riesling 2010 Finger Lakes  price not available

-Element Winery Riesling 2009 Finger Lakes  price not available

-Heron Hill Winery Classic Blaufrankisch 2019 Finger Lakes price not available

 

 

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

-Lieb Cellars Estate Sparkling Pinot Blanc 2019 North Fork of Long Island CA$39.95

-Channing Daughters Ramato 2020 Long Island (98% Pinot Grigio, 2% Muscat) CA$44.95

-Hound's Tree Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Long Island North Fork price not available

-Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Grüner Veltliner 2019 Finger Lakes CA$31.95

-Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger 2019 Finger Lakes price not available

-Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Round Rock Vineyard Riesling 2019 Finger Lakes CA$33

-Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery Caywood East Dry Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes CA$24.99

-RGNY-North Fork Scielo Rose 2020 Long Island (Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc) CA$12

-RGNY - North Fork Scielo NY Tinto 2018 Long Island (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) CA$14.98

-Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Chambourcin The Perfect Rose 2020 Lake Erie CA$15.00

-Lieb Cellars Estate Cabernet Franc 2020 North Fork of Long Island (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Teroldego) CA$39.95

-Red Newt Cellars The Knoll Riesling, Lahoma Vineyards 2017 Finger Lakes CA$50.00

-Red Newt Cellars Cabernet Franc 2019 Finger Lakes CA$25.00

-Brotherhood Winery Pinot Noir 2017 Finger Lakes CA$27.95

-Channing Daughters Tocai Friulano 2020 Long Island (Friulano,Sauvignon Blanc)CA$37.95

 

 

The Food: Fresh City Farms provided us with both a box of cheese, charcuterie, pickles, olives, bread, and biscuits, AND a hot dog BBQ with substantial cut green salads with sesame, chick peas, et al. On the terrace, with glorious sunshine.

The Downside: I got lost getting to the Livmore – I was unfamiliar with the area after all these years of house sitting. Also, there were no bottles of Chardonnay, just Riesling and a variety of reds. (see above)

The Upside: a chance to re-connect with New York wines – it has been some time for me, about five years.

The Contact Person: Melissa Stunden  melissa@amcc-inc.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

---

This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. www.avg.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JUNE 18, 2022 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for JUNE 18,  2022 release.

 

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.

 

Note: This is what I call the New Moon release...A once a month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike April's Blue Moon releases (three !!).

 

These notes for good wines available through  LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at  http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.

 

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

 

Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER,  the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling.

 

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Month  ---

 

1.Cantina Goccia 3Q Rosso 2018 Umbria IGT $16.95 LCBO +22878: a basic entry level "SuperUmbrian" wine made with unoaked sangiovese, cabernet and merlot grapes. So there is some red and black fruit and some dark chocolate, augmented at 2 g/L residual sugar. It is available only in a recycled paperboard bottle; there are instructions on the Frugalpac bottle on how to recycle if you are not bringing it back to The Beer Store for a deposit return. It's a great idea, first launched in Italy in June 2020. And it's a more sustainable form of packaging [packaging and transportation is more than half of the wine carbon footprint]. Frugalpac bottles are 94% recycled paper, and are used (with a separate liner) for wines, spirits and olive oils. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

2.SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2021  +22850  $19.95 Vintages: this is an exceptionally fresh savvy just loaded with citrus peel zest character (think lime, grapefruit, lemon) and that distinctive Kiwi herbal taste base. Just released at Vintages, and perfect for summer patio/deck/bbq/outdoors imbibing. Make sure you get some before they run out! Try as a refreshing sipper or (because of its long finish)  with first course foods. I had mine with an herbal salad of microgreens and piquant leaves, chopped hard boiled eggs, and some squash soup with house made croutons. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

3.Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d'Andree 2021 Estate Grown VQA NOTL, $18.95 +333260 at winery, online, and LCBO: this fresh and vibrant rose (named after Madame Andree Bosc) continues to please year over year as I have said before. It is still 100% pinot noir, dry "old style" as in Europe, but loaded with Ontario cranberry, red fruit strawberry, and some discreet black cherry tones from the hot summer, coming in at 12.2% ABV. Stainless steel fermentation of course, and twist top. Refreshing. A previous Ontario Wine Awards Gold Winner in 2016. 4.2g/L residual sugar. Vegan friendly: no animal products used in filtering. 675 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

4.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St.David's Bench,

+332858, $44.95 at winery and online: Quite a powerful wine, lots of stylish Burgundian forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the red berry fruit. It was last produced in 2016. Needs some time, maybe three more years. 13.5% ABV. It will also show better with food such as Asian salmon preps or veal or lamb. Cork closure. Residual sugar is 1.2g/L. 1200 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

5.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay 2020 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St David's Bench, +287268, $34.95 (online and winery): one of several chardonnays at different price points from Chateau des Charmes. My last vintage tasted was the 2016. Barrel fermented and barrel aged in French oak for almost a year, with lees stirring. 30-year old vines. Expect soft balance with nuances of minerality and some muted tropicality, served up with orchard fruit and melons. Cork closure. Long finish. One of my fave chards, but do not serve overchilled. 474 cases. 0.4g/L residual sugar. 12.2% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

6.KACABA IRRESISTIBLE SPARKLING 2019, $30.15 winery and online: [also known as Joanne's Blend, formulated for Joanne Kacaba herself] an amazingly "irresistible" sparkling rose with fresh aromas of strawberries and summer peaches. The blend is 66% chardonnay, 20% pinot noir, and 14% pinot meunier, fermented separately and blended in stainless steel for 22 months. Then it was transferred to a Charmat tank for two months, aging on its lees. A great aperitif for the patio/deck/balcony/terrace/boat, or paired with light cheeses (especially a baked brie). Off-dry complexity. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

7.KACABA Rebecca Rose VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021+227025 July 16 Vintages, $20.15: a nicely pale-coloured gamay wine (formerly a blend of  cabernets), coming in at 11.7% ABV. Dry (3g/L residual sugar) style red fruits: strawbs, red currant, sweet cherries, cranberry (hey, it's Ontario) with a touch of pink watermelon for added complexity. Stainless steel used for storage. Goes with just about everything. A nicely balanced rose which reminded me of Provence. And it gets high scores at the Wine Writer's Circle of Canada rose tastings. 60 cases at the LCBO, more at the winery. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

8.KACABA Susan's Sauvignon Blanc VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 winery and online at kacaba.com, $20.15: another summer series wine, quaffable in its tropicality and lowered zesty herbaceousness. Good mouthfeel, nice dry finish for appetizers on the patio/deck/balcony/porch. Stainless steel storage. No malolactic fermentation, thus the crispness and freshness has been preserved. It has Good Memories of Sauvignon Blanc, making it another social wine for the patio or with first-course food. 3g/L residual sugar. 10.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday  June 19 (just a day away!)

 

[red]WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON LCBO 251876

WAS: $ 17.05 | NOW: $ 14.05 | SAVE: $ 3.00

[white]VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN CHARDONNAY EAST COAST New Zealand LCBO 13293 WAS: $ 18.05 | NOW: $ 16.05 | SAVE: $ 2.00

[domestic white]ROSEHALL RUN CHARDONNAY VQA Rosehall Run Vineyards LCBO 303776

WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00

[rose]SAINTLY ROSÉ VQA LCBO 14882  WAS: $ 19.00 | NOW: $ 17.00 | SAVE: $ 2.00

[fizz]TRIUS BRUT VQA LCBO 284539  Was: $ 29.95 Now: $ 26.95 Save: $ 3.00

Until June 19, 2022

 

MAJOR THEME:  Southern Hemisphere

 

Wines Under $20

=========

W+734798    THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2021    $18.95

MVC/QPR: 89

W+328559    CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY    WO Western Cape    2020    $17.95 MVC/QPR:  91

W+23098    FILAREE ITALIA RIBOLLA GIALLA    IGT Venezia Giulia    2020    $14.95 MVC/QPR:  92

Rose+650655    REDSTONE ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2021    $17.95     MVC/QPR:  89

 

Wines Over $20

=========

W+20455    LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2019    $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89

W+172338    SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY  Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $24.95 MVC/QPR: 92

R+155408    MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO DOCG 2018    $38.95     MVC/QPR: 89

R+216309    CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2016    $24.95

MVC/QPR: 89

R+438580    QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2017    $32.95     MVC/QPR:89

               

                                       

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

REPORT FROM THE Event: Taste the Essence – Cotes du Rhone, May 16 2022

 

The Date and Time: Monday May 16, 2022  11:30AM to 2:30PM

The Event: Taste the Essence – Cotes du Rhone

The Venue: 1 Kitchen (inside 1 Hotel)

The Target Audience: wine sommeliers, wine press.

The Availability/Catalogue: there were 8 wines, and we had full notes and some prices, plus other material about the Cotes du Rhone wines. 25 of us attended the seminar on one long table plus some booths.

The Quote/Background: Sara d'Amato, via Powerpoint preentation, led us in the seminar, discussing microclimates and types of grapes (23 varieties!). It's a winemaker's paradise with multiple chances to blend varieties together to produce multiple spectra of aromas. 75% of its AOC wines is "Cotes du Rhone" (88% of these are reds, 5% are white and 6% are rose), and more and more of them are moving to SNOB – sustainable, natural, organic and/or biodynamic.

The Wines: Some of us tasted the Southern Rhone wines separately, but ultimately it was a food and wine pairing lunch, with pours of 8 wines to try against the foods. See below for the menu.

 

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

-Lavau La Decelle AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas Blanc 2020, $18.95 SAQ through Connexion Oenophilia. [firm, good finish, apricots, vanilla, honey, even garrigue. 50% viognier, 50% marsanne, 13.5% ABV]

-Brotte Bord Elegance AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Blanc 2021, agent in Ontario is Mark Anthony [higher acid levels for dryness apricots, orchard fruit, citric fruits, almonds, 80% grenache blanc, 13.5% ABV]

-Maison Gabriel Meffre Laurus AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2017, $21.10 SAQ through Trajectory [low yields, tight tannins, fruity garrigue of rosemary and blueberry, one to lay down more. 60% grenache, 35% syrah, 14% ABV]

-Cave de Cairanne Le Chene Noir AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2019, agent is Signature Wines & Spirits.[grenache 50%, carignan 30%, syrah 20%, dark in colour with red fruits in aromas (raspberries, strawberries, red currants), peppery finish. Good character. 14.5% ABV]

 

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

-Vignerons de l'Enclave Chasses Nurges AOC Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2019, $16.20 at SAQ, repped by Divin Paradis in Quebec. [delicious, aromatic freshness of apricots and vanilla, light finish, 14% ABV]

-Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins AOC Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2020, $14.05, agent is Churchill Cellars.[convenient twist top, bright and smooth with some caramelization, anise, vanilla. 13.5% ABV]

-Chateau Le Grand Retour AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Rouge 2019, $17.95 at Nicholas Pearce Wines.[grenache 70%, syrah $20, mourvedre 10%, typical GSM with red stone fruits, dark fruits, anise, spices. 14.5% ABV]

-Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2019, agent Woodman WS [syrah 50%, grenache 30%, mourvedre 15%, violet and pepper notes, soft tannins, but a hot finish. 15% ABV]

 

The Food: The menu was very important, to show off the wines, and that it did admirably. We began with the Chasses Nurges as aperitif, moving on to the La Decelle which accompanied charcuterie boards of meats (one smokey, one spicy, one air cured, along with baba ghanoush bites on crisp breads and with tomatoes). The second course had individual fiore pasta from Queen's Pasta with nut free basil pesto. The Bord Elegance was the wine, and it met the flavours of the pasta. We had three wines with our bison striploin (Les Dauphins, Laurus, and the Chateau Le Grand Retour) so it was a better comparison with the wines and accompaniment of truffled rutabaga puree, crispy kale, and broccolini. The fourth course was a platter of cheeses, including the awesome Black truffle Mountainoak Gouda [cow], the Ash Goat, and a smokey Blue Haze. Wines were: Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe and Le Chene Noir.

The Downside: I had to do a massive food shopping just before the tasting, but I did get there just as activities began.

The Upside: a chance to taste some new-to-me Cotes du Rhone wines, especially the whites.

The Contact Person: elina.lam@sopexa.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Recent Wine Reviews

--Cantina Goccia 3Q Rosso 2018 Umbria IGT $16.95 LCBO +22878: a basic entry level "SuperUmbrian" wine made with unoaked sangiovese, cabernet and merlot grapes. So there is some red and black fruit and some dark chocolate, augmented at 2 g/L residual sugar. It is available only in a recycled paperboard bottle; there are instructions on the Frugalpac bottle on how to recycle if you are not bringing it back to The Beer Store for a deposit return. It's a great idea, first launched in Italy in June 2020. And it's a more sustainable form of packaging [packaging and transportation is more than half of the wine carbon footprint]. Frugalpac bottles are 94% recycled paper, and are used (with a separate liner) for wines, spirits and olive oils. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

--Windrush Estate Hockley Valley Jim Warren Classic Chardonnay 2018 Foxcroft Vineyard VQA Beamsville Bench $65 at winery, only 80 cases made [2019 is $49.95]: these are indeed the latest Jim Warren Classic Chardonnays available for sale. His chardonnays embrace both an opening aromatic nose and a terrific mid-palate taste of what he is known for: rich stone fruit, some tropicality and orchard fruit, a judicious use of oak, ending with a citric minerality for a strong food wine. Bearing in mind what you get from California and Europe that costs much more, this is a great price for value. 3g/L residual sugar. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 94 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

--Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla IGT Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020, +23098 $14.95, June 18 Vintages release. Very aromatic (fresh and fruity) on the nose with some almonds and walnuts on the palate,and a long citric and  mineral finish to accompany food. Very good value. 12.5% ABV, low residual sugar. Rated 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com