WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 1, 2023 release.

THIS IS THE FIRST BLUE MOON RELEASE OF THE YEAR: three issues this month of April !!

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for APRIL 1,  2023 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.
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 for 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 Season --

The Event: Drink Chile wine trade show of November 2022
The Venue: Arcadian Lofts
The Target Audience: wine trade, wine writers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was actually printed, not electronic, in view of the general public coming in at 6:30PM. There were 16 pages of text on the wines and grapes and valleys, plus descriptions of the wines and some prices.
The Quote/Background: There was a masterclass (with a large turnout) at 11:30, specializing in four categories of wine: new wave whites, Mediterranean-style reds, red Bordeaux-style blends, and a cabernet sauvignon terroir tour.

The Wines: I did not taste every every wine-–there were about 120 from 16 different wineries.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Anakena Alwa Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Colchagua & Maipo 2017, $64.95  Bacchus Group
-Anakena Ona Red Blend (Shiraz,CabSauv,Carm) Cachapoal 2019 $27.95 Bacchus Group
-Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020  Lexellent
-Aresti Trisquel Series Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay Curico 2021 Lexcellent
-Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2019 $21.25 +353086
-Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2020 Iata $18.95  LCBO
-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Chardonnay 2020 Casablanca $30 Vintages  n/a
-Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel Estate Blend Maipo 2020 Icon Fine Wines
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo $23.95 +337238
-San Pedro 1865 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Curico $34.95  +27202 Vintages
-Cono Sur Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Colchagua 2019 Authentic Wine
-Montes Alpha M Colchagua 2020  Profile
-Montes Akpha Special Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Colchagua  Profile
-Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Cauquenes 2020  Charton Hobbs
-Santa Carolina Reserva Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020  Charton Hobbs

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Montes Wings Colchagua 2019 Colchagua  Profile
-Espiritu de Chile Rose Grenache Desert 2020 Curico Trayvino
-Espiritu de Chile Explorador Gran Reserva Maipo 2020 Trayvino
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Syrah Limari 2021  Icon Fine Wines
-Carmen Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca 2022   Icon Fine Wines
-Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Leyda $28.95  Marentette
-Las Veletas Estate Viognier 2022 Maule Heritage Cellars
-Miguel Torres Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Maipo Andes $22.95 Vintages
-Montes Purple Angel 2020 Colchagua   Profile
-Anakena Nuna Chardonnay Cachapoal 2020 $18.95  Bacchus Group
-Casas del Bosque Botanic Series La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca $19.95  +28583
-Aresti Trisquel Series Semillon 2020 Curico  Lexcellent
-Garces Silva Catalino Pais 2019 Maule $19.95  Internet Exclusive  Marentette
-Las Veletas Almaule Pais 2021 Maule
-Montes Outer Limits Cinsault 2021 Iata
-Perez Cruz Grenache 2020 Maipo $21.95 Vintages
-Emiliana Coyam 2019 Colchagua $29.95  +63891
-Miguel Torres Gran Reserva Andica Caberent Sauvignon 2020 Iata $17.95
-Veramonte Primus The Blend 2019 Colchagua $19.95  +712463 Vintages

The Food: a variety of cheeses with dried fruit and breads; mini-empanadas; salmon canapes, and more...
The Downside: it got crowded really fast.
The Upside: there was a media room where writers could contemplate their tasting samples.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 84

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday April 23 --
White+24133 ANDREW PELLER RIESLING THIRTY BENCH, save $3 LTO price $19.95
White+326728 OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY MARLBOROUGH, save $3 LTO price $16.95
White+258699 J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY, save $2 LTO price $17.95
Red+394783 DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC, save $3 LTO price $13.10
Red+50203 BERONIA RESERVA  RIOJA, save $3 LTO price $18.95
SPLURGE Red+352583 BERINGER KNIGHT'S VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, save $5 LTO price  $41.95
FIZZ Rose+365205 CONO SUR SPARKLING ROSÉ, save $3 LTO price $15.45 [buy a case]

MAJOR THEME:  PERFECT EASTER FOOD PAIRINGS: New World vs. European

Wines Under $20
=========
W+356873 FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89
W+745349 DOMAINE JACKY MARTEAU SAUVIGNON TOURAINE 2021 LOIRE $16.95
MVC/QPR: 89
R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2020  VQA $19.95  MVC/QPR: 89
R+981175 DOMAINE DE LA MADONE LE PERRÉON BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2021  $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89
R+28545 DOMAINE FOND CROZE LE SERRE DE LA GARDE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 Org
$16.95 MVC/QPR: 89
R+981399 TERRA D'ALIGI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2018 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89
R+488007 PERIQUITA RESERVA 2020 PORTUGAL $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89
Rose+498535 MALIVOIRE VIVANT ROSÉ 2021 VQA$19.95 MVC/QPR: 89

Wines Over $20
=========
W+22985 TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2019  AUSTRALIA $24.95  MVC/QPR: 89
W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90
W+30158 MUDDY WATER GROWERS' SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 NEW ZEALAND $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89
R+29937 DOUDET-NAUDIN BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2020  $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s current Limited Time Offers: on sale through April 23, 2023

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's current Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday April 23 --

White+24133 ANDREW PELLER RIESLING THIRTY BENCH, save $3 LTO price $19.95
White+326728 OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY MARLBOROUGH, save $3 LTO price $16.95
White+258699 J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY, save $2 LTO price $17.95 [load up]
Red+394783 DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC, save $3 LTO price $13.10
Red+50203 BERONIA RESERVA  RIOJA, save $3 LTO price $18.95
SPLURGE Red+352583 BERINGER KNIGHT'S VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, save $5 LTO price  $41.95
FIZZ Rose+365205 CONO SUR SPARKLING ROSÉ, save $3 LTO price $15.45 [buy a case]

Chimo!

The Event: Icons of the Okanagan Valley Walk Around Tasting November 2022

The Event: Icons of the Okanagan Valley Walk Around Tasting November 2022
The Venue: Modus Ristorante
The Target Audience: private customers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: all these VQA wines were available for sale by the bottle that night. This was followed by a chance to buy the wines at the LCBO via the Internet. Private Collectors is a sub-group of high end wines within the Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits portfolio. The wineries are owned by Anthony von Mandl. My personal contact was Kirsty from Mark Anthony; she had extended my invitation.
The Quote/Background: Checkmate had New World Chardonnay and Merlot, with old world elegance. Martin's Lane had stylish small lot Pinot Noir and Riesling. Shane Munn, the winemaker at Martin's Lane, was available for talk and discussion. The best part of the evening was tasting only a few wines (just seven) and talking about them with friends and sales help, especially contrasting the two merlots and the two chardonnays.
The Wines:

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Checkmate Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2018 VQA $111.95
-Checkmate Winery Fools Mate Chardonnay 2018 VQA $95.95
-Checkmate Winery Silent Bishop Merlot 2018 VQA $95.95
-Checkmate Winery End Game Merlot 2018 VQA $95.95

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Martin's Lane Winery Naramata Riesling 2018 VQA $54
-Martin's Lane Winery Simes Pinot Noir 2017 VQA $96
-Martin's Lane Winery Naramata Pinot Noir 2017 VQA $96

The Food: canapes
The Contact Person:  privatecollectors@markanthony.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 18, 2023 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for MARCH 18,  2023 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.

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 for 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 --

    The Event: Mediterranean Aperitivo
    The Venue: EATALY Bloor and Bay
    The Target Audience: wine and food writers
    The Availability/Catalogue: in this context, only the specific Vermouth di Torino was available in Ontario. Dan Rabinovitch of Azureau Wines spoke on behalf of the vermouths.
    The Quote/Background: MAP (Mediterranean Aperitivo) is an information campaign on PGI and PDO, EU terms for protecting names and geographic origins. Here the seminar was on Vermouth di Torino (PGI), Pecorino Toscano (PDO), Amalfi Lemons (PGI), and Greek olives. The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is a higher standard than PGI(Protected Geographic Indication).
    The Wines:

    **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
    -Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry Ricetta Piemontese 500mL 17%ABV $40 consignment Azureau

    ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
    -Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino Ricetta Originale 16%ABV $30 consignment Azureau
    [moscato & botanicals] off-dry
    -Bordiga Storica Ricetta 15%ABV +14771076 [nebbiolo]
    -Berto Antico Opificio Rosso Vermouth di Torino 17%ABV [traditional style with white wine, spices, sugar and added alcohol]

    The Food: pecorino toscano, amalfi lemon peel, olives
    The Downside: there was a zoom connection of simultaneous tasting with NYC, but it eventually degraded and we cut out.
    The Upside: Dan filled in with tasting notes on the vermouths.
    The Contact Person: www.mediterraneanaperitivo.com  dan@azureau.com <eventimap@promogate.info>
    The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 80


 *** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday March 26th......
R+660241    Bonanza California Cabernet Sauvignon, normally $27.95, save $3.00, LTO  sale $24.95
R+595280    Porcupine Ridge Syrah, normally $16.95, save $3.00, LTO sale  $13.95
R+954834    Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Russian River, normally $29.95, save $3.00, LTO sale $26.95
W+608653      Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches, normally $29.95, save $5.00, LTO sale $24.95
W+38117      Vineland Riesling Elevation St Urban VQA, normally $22.95, save $3, LTO sale     $19.95
Fizz+215814  Codorniu Brut Clasico Cava, normally $15.45, save $2.50, LTO sale $12.95


MARCH 18 MAJOR THEME:   Pinot Noir from Around the World

Wines Under $20
=========
W+446088    NOMAD SAUVIGNON BLANC    2021    VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula    Hinterbrook Estate Winery    $17.95  MVC/QPR: 89
W+190454    MUD HOUSE SAUVIGNON BLANC    2022    New Zealand    Marlborough    Sustainable, Marlborough, South Island $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+983742    L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH    2020    Mexico Baja California    Guadalupe Valley, Baja California $14.95  MVC/QPR: 89
R+28086    ALTA-YARÍ RESERVA MALBEC    2020    Argentina     Mendoza    Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza $18.95  MVC/QPR: 89
R+12281    CHÂTEAU DE RIBEBON    2019    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    Alain Aubert, prop.    $16.95     MVC/QPR: 91
R+548560    ALICE VIEIRA DE SOUSA RESERVE RED    2020    Douro    DOC     $18.95     MVC/QPR: 90
Fortified+515965    BODEGAS BARBADILLO PASTORA MANZANILLA PASADA Sanlucar de Barrameda Unfiltered, DO Manzanilla  $16.95    MVC/QPR: 89

Wines Over $20
==========
W+16059    BACHELDER LES VILLAGES-BENCH CHARDONNAY 2020    VQA Niagara Escarpment    $34.95     MVC/QPR:  89.
W+82255    ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE    2021 Loire $34.95 MVC/QPR:  90
W+149302    FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY    2021 VQA Ontario        $24.95     MVC/QPR:  90
W+733501    ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2020 $39.95  MVC/QPR:  89.
R+427500    WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2019 VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula $31.95 MVC/QPR:  90
R+4564    LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR    2020 QA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    $49.95   MVC/QPR:  89.    
R+22977    DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE PINOT NOIR 2018    VQA Niagara Peninsula  $49.95  MVC/QPR:  89.
Fizz+206326    BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia    BCVQA $34.95  MVC/QPR:  90
Fizz+31538    GRUET SAUVAGE SPARKLING ROSÉ New Mexico    Traditional method $29.95
MVC/QPR:  89.
Fizz+369066    BAILLY-LAPIERRE CHARDONNAY BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France     $24.95  MVC/QPR: 89

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

The Event: Drink Chile wine trade show November 2022

The Event: Drink Chile wine trade show November 2022
The Venue: Arcadian Lofts
The Target Audience: wine trade, wine writers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was actually printed, not electronic, in view of the general public coming in at 6:30PM. There were 16 pages of text on the wines and grapes and valleys, plus descriptions of the wines and some prices.
The Quote/Background: There was a masterclass (with a large turnout) at 11:30, specializing in four categories of wine: new wave whites, Mediterranean-style reds, red Bordeaux-style blends, and a cabernet sauvignon terroir tour.

The Wines: I did not every every wine-–there were about 120 from 16 different wineries.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Anakena Alwa Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Colchagua & Maipo 2017, $64.95  Bacchus Group
-Anakena Ona Red Blend (Shiraz,CabSauv,Carm) Cachapoal 2019 $27.95 Bacchus Group
-Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020  Lexellent
-Aresti Trisquel Series Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay Curico 2021 Lexcellent
-Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2019 $21.25 +353086
-Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2020 Iata $18.95  LCBO
-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Chardonnay 2020 Casablanca $30 Vintages  n/a
-Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel Estate Blend Maipo 2020 Icon Fine Wines
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo $23.95 +337238
-San Pedro 1865 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Curico $34.95  +27202 Vintages
-Cono Sur Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Colchagua 2019 Authentic Wine
-Montes Alpha M Colchagua 2020  Profile
-Montes Akpha Special Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Colchagua  Profile
-Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Cauquenes 2020  Charton Hobbs
-Santa Carolina Reserva Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020  Charton Hobbs


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Montes Wings Colchagua 2019 Colchagua  Profile
-Espiritu de Chile Rose Grenache Desert 2020 Curico Trayvino
-Espiritu de Chile Explorador Gran Reserva Maipo 2020 Trayvino
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Syrah Limari 2021  Icon Fine Wines
-Carmen Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca 2022   Icon Fine Wines
-Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Leyda $28.95  Marentette
-Las Veletas Estate Viognier 2022 Maule Heritage Cellars
-Miguel Torres Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Maipo Andes $22.95 Vintages
-Montes Purple Angel 2020 Colchagua   Profile
-Anakena Nuna Chardonnay Cachapoal 2020 $18.95  Bacchus Group
-Casas del Bosque Botanic Series La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca $19.95  +28583
-Aresti Trisquel Series Semillon 2020 Curico  Lexcellent
-Garces Silva Catalino Pais 2019 Maule $19.95  Internet Exclusive  Marentette
-Las Veletas Almaule Pais 2021 Maule
-Montes Outer Limits Cinsault 2021 Iata
-Perez Cruz Grenache 2020 Maipo $21.95 Vintages
-Emiliana Coyam 2019 Colchagua $29.95  +63891
-Miguel Torres Gran Reserva Andica Caberent Sauvignon 2020 Iata $17.95
-Veramonte Primus The Blend 2019 Colchagua $19.95  +712463 Vintages

The Food: a variety of cheeses with dried fruit and breads; mini-empanadas; salmon canapes, and more...
The Downside: it got crowded really fast.
The Upside: there was a media room where writers could contemplate their tasting samples.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 84

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

New Ontario Wines

1.Lacey Estates Paradise Sparkling Rose [formerly Paradise Petit Petillant Rose] 2021 Prince Edward County $24. A delightful drink made from pinot noir grapes, very fruity and off-dry in a cream soda mode (raspberries, strawberries, creamy texture) with some watermelon and a lemon-lime-grassiness complexity at the finish. A good aperitif, or with a late course such as a cheese board with dried fruit or a fresh fruit dessert.
Crown cap makes it easy to open. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

2.Wending Home Estate Vineyards & Winery Pinot Gris VQA Creek Shores 2020 $27.95.
I'm not a fan of pinot grigio, but I adore pinot gris. It's the same grape, but it is produced differently, like syrah and shiraz are produced differently. In both cases it's a question of terroir and winemaking skills. Here the pinot gris has more colour and more body: some of Wending Home is late picked and has that nose of melons and orchard fruit, not to mention unctuousnes on the palate. Cool fementation in stainless steel gives this a rich and ripe sensibility, with minerality and some pear drops on the length which seems to have a higher acid finish very suitable for a wide range of food. Very well done in that Alsatian pinot gris style. 13% ABV. 2g/L residual sugar. 223 cases made. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

3.Konzelmann Estate Winery Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2020 Reserve Series VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95. Konzelmann has been making this style of barrel-aged chardonnay (in French oak barrels) since the last century. It has some plush fruit with some modest oak tones of vanilla and cream. Expect a combination of caramel, green apple, under-ripe peaches – smooth all the way through the finish. A basic crowd pleaser as an aperitif or as a first-course wine. Do not overchill. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Love it...

The Event: Mediterranean Aperitivo Nov 2022

The Date and Time: Wednesday November 2, 2022  2P - 4P
The Event: Mediterranean Aperitivo
The Venue: EATALY Bloor and Bay
The Target Audience: wine and food writers
The Availability/Catalogue: in this context, only the specific Vermouth di Torino was available in Ontario. Dan Rabinovitch of Azureau Wines spoke on behalf of the vermouths.
The Quote/Background: MAP (Mediterranean Aperitivo) is an information campaign on PGI and PDO, EU terms for protecting names and geographic origins. Here the seminar was on Vermouth di Torino (PGI), Pecorino Toscano (PDO), Amalfi Lemons (PGI), and Greek olives. The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is a higher standard than PGI(Protected Geographic Indication).
The Wines:

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry Ricetta Piemontese 500mL 17%ABV $40 consignment Azureau

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino Ricetta Originale 16%ABV $30 consignment Azureau
[moscato & botanicals] off-dry
-Bordiga Storica Ricetta 15%ABV +14771076 [nebbiolo]
-Berto Antico Opificio Rosso Vermouth di Torino 17%ABV [traditional style with white wine, spices, sugar and added alcohol]

The Food: pecorino toscano, amalfi lemon peel, olives
The Downside: there was a zoom connection of simultaneous tasting with NYC, but it eventually degraded and we cut out.
The Upside: Dan filled in with tasting notes on the vermouths.
The Contact Person: www.mediterraneanaperitivo.com  dan@azureau.com <eventi-map@promogate.info>
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 80

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 4, 2023 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for MARCH 4,  2023 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:   The cost of wine, beer, and spirits is rising across Canada.  A Canadian liquor tax hike of 6.3% IS coming in April...

As of April 1, 2023, a federal excise tax will raise the cost of alcohol across Canada by 6.3%. The tax was introduced in 2017 by then finance minister Bill Morneau. It's colloquially called the alcohol escalator tax, as it automatically adjusts every April 1, based on the Consumer Price Index.

When inflation hangs out around the 3% benchmark targeted by the Bank of Canada, the alcohol tax isn't particularly noteworthy. But throw the white-hot inflation rates of 2021 and 2022 into the mix, and you've got a tax hike akin to sprinkling salt in an open wound.  (CP)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 for 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 Fortnight ---
Exceptional NEW Kacaba Red wines reviewed --
Just recently released by the winery ...

KACABA Vineyards Proprietor's Block Syrah VQA Niagara Escarpment 2019 Escarpment Series $35.15 at winery and kacaba.com: this syrah is still a young wine, three years old, and with a lot to resolve among the complexities of toasty smoke, vanillins, raspberry and black fruit, pepper and other spices.  10% of Kacaba viognier was added, in true Northern Rhone style. I've tasted various Kacaba syrahs back to 2000 with the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada. You'll get a whiff of anise, rosemary, and red fruit, and with the viognier fruit it is a bit refreshing. Storage was in both French and US oak for 17 months. Definitely a red meat wine. What I usually do is a double-decant, taste, and then leave it in sealed bottle for a week, with daily tastings. If you do this, then you can taste the progress of the wine to its maturity. The grapes come from the youngest syrah plantings at Kacaba. Currently it is plummy but could turn jammy with age. Very good balanced finish emphasizes smooth tannins with a juicy length. Multiple wine award winner (Gold at Ontario Wine Awards 2022, Gold at the All Canadians 2022, and Silver at the National Wine Awards 2022). 13.8% ABV. 3g/L residual sugar. 547 cases produced.  Quality/Price rating is 91 - 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

KACABA Vineyards Silver Bridge Syrah VQA Niagara Escarpment 2019 Escarpment Series $35.15 at winery and kacaba.com: the fruit here comes from the Silver Bridge vineyard, the oldest (1997) of the three syrah plantings at Kacaba. In true Rhone style, there was a 10% addition of estate viognier. The major expression is that of black cherry-berry tones, mocha, and pepperish.  It's way too young to consume without double-decanting or other aeration.  This is one for the cellar, tight and still developing. Try in a few years as the tannins need a bit more time to smooth out. It is well worth waiting for that delicious syrah intensity: more leaning to a deft Euro style with peppery spices, some leather, smoke, vanilla, red fruit. It has been in French and US oak for 17 months. Expect black fruit and berries, coffee and chocolate tones. It is a big plummy wine: dark, deep, and rich, cedary and jammy. Double-decanting a necessity at this point for that "Rhone tone". Silver medalist at the National Wine Awards of Canada 2022. 14% abv. 3g/L residual sugar. 280 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


KACABA Meritage Reserve VQA Niagara Escarpment 2020 Escarpment Series $60.15 at the winery or kacaba.com: this blend has changed over time (the last Reserve Meritage was in 2015); here, it is cabernet franc 35%, cabernet sauvignon 40% and merlot 25%. Everything was vinified separately in older French and US oak for 20 months, and the final blend was determined (from only second-fill barrels), put into stainless, and then bottled. This is a value wine driven by black fruit (black currants, blackberries, plums, dark cherries), still tannic and with nuances of smoke and spices. I usually do a double-decant, taste, and then put it in a bottle with a cork for a week or so, with daily tastings. If you don't do this, then you will miss the evolution of the wine. The wine will be ready 2025-2028. 14.8% ABV. 3.1 g/L residual sugar. Umami food pairings will be best, with strong cured meats, older cheeses, even vegan mushroom risottos. 294 cases made. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


KACABA Cabernet Franc Reserve VQA Niagara Escarpment 2020 Escarpment Series $60.15 at the winery or kacaba.com: this is one of Kacaba's ultra-premium  black label wine-line. Very reminiscent of Right Bank (St Emilion) cabs but without the stuffing of, say, Cheval Blanc. It is just as hard but durable at this young age. It's been aged in a combo of French and US oak for 19 months, and then minimally filtered. Currently it is mute until tasted later after aeration. What I usually do is a double-decant, taste, and then leave it in a sealed bottle for a week or so, with daily tastings. If you don't do this, then you will miss the evolution of the wine. The wine will be ready in six years. Complex aromas begin to ascend and descend as the week rolls on. First some cherries. Mostly red, but later also black. Some herbs and vanilla smoke, spiciness, even coffee and chocolate (that'll please the millennials). Strong (aged or game) red meat is called for food pairing. But then again, what your best food to eat will depend on the age of the wine at whatever point over the next decade. Long lingering finish. 287 cases made. 14.9% ABV. 3.3 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 92 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 Monday February 27th - Sunday March 26th
Red+660241    Bonanza California Cabernet Sauvignon, normally $27.95, save $3.00, LTO  sale $24.95
Red+595280    Porcupine Ridge Syrah, normally $16.95, save $3.00, LTO sale  $13.95
Red+954834    Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Russian River, normally $29.95, save $3.00, LTO sale     $26.95
White+608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches, normally $29.95, save $5.00, LTO sale $24.95
White+38117    Vineland Riesling Elevation St Urban VQA, normally $22.95, save $3.00, LTO sale     $19.95
Fizz+215814  Codorniu Brut Clasico Cava, normally $15.45, save $2.50, LTO sale $12.95

MAJOR THEME:  ITALY – off the beaten path...

Wines Under $20 --
=========
R+487140    TRENEL BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2021    Beaujolais AP $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+13113    FINCA SOPHENIA ALTOSUR MALBEC    2021 Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza $17.00  MVC/QPR: 89.
R+561290    LOUIS BERNARD LOUIS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2020 AP    $16.95     MVC/QPR: 89.
     

Wines Over $20 --
Fizz+29945    MANDOIS VICTOR VIEILLES VIGNES BRUT CHAMPAGNE    2012    $79.00    MVC/QPR: 89.
W+32021    STONEY RIDGE SMALL LOT CHARDONNAY    2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 MVC/QPR: 93.
W+25647    SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC RIESLING    2021    Ontario Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula    $22.95     MVC/QPR: 89.
W+57430    MISSION HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021    British Columbia VQA Okanagan Valley $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+17674    MCMANIS MERLOT 2021    Sustainable, estate grown, Lodi $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+172692    VINOSIA SANTANDREA TAURASI 2014 Campania DOCG $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90.

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Best Limited Time Offers for the money at LCBO (Feb 27 - March 36)

 *** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Monday February 27th - Sunday March 26^th

Red+660241 Bonanza California Cabernet Sauvignon, normally $27.95, save $3.00, LTO sale $24.95

Red+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah, normally $16.95, save $3.00, LTO sale $13.95

Red+954834 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Russian River, normally $29.95, save $3.00, LTO sale $26.95

White+608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches, normally $29.95, save $5.00, LTO sale $24.95

White+38117 Vineland Riesling Elevation St Urban VQA, normally $22.95, save $3.00, LTO sale $19.95

Fizz+215814 Codorniu Brut Clasico Cava, normally $15.45, save $2.50, LTO sale $12.95

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures