WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JANUARY 4, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my 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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=my basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Smart Buys (~30 wines)
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+37912 D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2023 $14.95 W+41739 FALERNIA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $15.95
W+363150 LE FILS DES GRAS MOUTONS SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE LOIRE 2023 $18.95
W+39799 DR. HEIDEMANNS-BERGWEILER RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2022 $15.95
W+16607 VELENOSI QUERCIANTICA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO MARCHE $15.95
W+36907 INVINITI SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $17.95
W+17552 OHAU WOVEN STONE SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $19.95
W+36900 OHAU WOVEN STONE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT GRIS NEW ZEALAND 2022 $19.95
W+41445 SIX HATS CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024 $14.90
W+461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO SPAIN 2023 $15.95
R+38493 CASARENA 505 MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $15.95
R+38491 LA BELLE MARGUERITE MALBEC ARGENTINA 2021 $17.95
R+28082 FINCA LALANDE ORGANIC MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $16.95
R+40721 HIGHGATE SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95
R+33732 KARL'S SCEPTER COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $14.95
R+40731 MON TOUT CHERRY PICKING GRENACHE AUSTRALIA 2023 $17.95
R+37911 SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+38189 ESPRIT DE FONROZAY BORDEAUX 2020 $14.95
R+39301 L'ARNAUDE PROVENCE 2022 $15.95
R+18141 CHÂTEAU GRAND ESCALION RHONE 2021 $15.95
R+28545 DOMAINE FOND CROZE LE SERRE DE LA GARDE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $14.95 R+18642 DOMAINE MARTIN CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $17.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $16.95
R+19285 NARDELLI NEGROAMARO/PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2022 $16.95
R+470377 CASA DE CAMBRES RESERVA RED PORTUGAL 2018 $15.95
R+25257 GUARDA RIOS RED PORTUGAL 2022 $11.95
R+26329 CIMAL TEMPRANILLO SPAIN 2022 $14.95
R+460154 COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES CABERNET SAUVIGNON WASHINGTON STATE 2020 $19.95
R+42095 VIGNERONS DES PIERRES DORÉES VIEILLES VIGNES LA ROSE POURPRE BEAUJOLAIS 2022 $17.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+40359 LEBLOND-LENOIR PASCAL BRUT TRADITION CHAMPAGNE $52.45
W+520627 CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON VQA 2023 $23
W+37756 EMILIANA SIGNOS DE ORIGEN CHARDONNAY/ROUSANNE CHILE 2022 $21.95 W+12714 PENINSULA RIDGE FALCON'S NEST PINOT NOIR VQA 2021$21.95
R+194274 TRINITY HILL SYRAH NEW ZEALAND 12 $22.95
R+50203 BERONIA RESERVA SPAIN $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer of 681 selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday January 5 -- last call, better hurry!!! The complete collection is on the LCBO website at --
https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
and this URL can be used for the latest LTO listings which appear every four weeks, e.g. JAN 5 to FEB 2 is the next one....
RATING: MVC/QPR=BEST 90+ There are 10 fizz wines rated here at 90+ points
Trius Brut VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$26.95Sale Price $26.95
$29.95Price Was $29.95
Save $3.00
13th Street Cuvée Brut Sparkling Rosé MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$26.95Sale Price $26.95
$29.95Price Was $29.95
Save $3.00
Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$27.95Sale Price $27.95
$32.95Price Was $32.95
Save $5.00
Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Brut Sparkling Riesling VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$20.95Sale Price $20.95
$24.95Price Was $24.95
Save $4.00
Saintly The Good Sparkling VQA
750 ml bottle
$16.95Sale Price $16.95
$18.95Price Was $18.95
Save $2.00
Lily Sparkling Rosé VQA
750 ml bottle
$14.95Sale Price $14.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $3.00
Rosehall Run Pixie Sparkling Rosé VQA
750 ml bottle
$17.95Sale Price $17.95
$19.95Price Was $19.95
Save $2.00
Romeo Prosecco
750 ml bottle
$14.10Sale Price $14.10
$16.10Price Was $16.10
Save $2.00
Zonin Prosecco Brut 1821 DOC MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
3 x 200 ml bottle
$16.95Sale Price $16.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $1.00
Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$20.95Sale Price $20.95
$22.95Price Was $22.95
Save $2.00
Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$24.95Sale Price $24.95
$26.95Price Was $26.95
Save $2.00
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Brut DOC Treviso
750 ml bottle
$16.80Sale Price $16.80
$18.80Price Was $18.80
Save $2.00
Luc Belaire Rare Rosé Sparkling
750 ml bottle
$35.95Sale Price $35.95
$40.95Price Was $40.95
Save $5.00
La Marca Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$19.85Sale Price $19.85
$21.85Price Was $21.85
Save $2.00
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$15.95Sale Price $15.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $2.00
Codorniu Brut Clasico MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$14.00Sale Price $14.00
$16.50Price Was $16.50
Save $2.50
Fiol Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$16.75Sale Price $16.75
$18.75Price Was $18.75
Save $2.00
Blu Giovello Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$15.95Sale Price $15.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $2.00
Nozeco Sparkling Rose Dealcoholized
750 ml bottle
$10.95Sale Price $10.95
$12.95Price Was $12.95
Save $2.00
Ruffino Prosecco Rose DOC MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$17.50Sale Price $17.50
$19.50Price Was $19.50
Save $2.00
Jacob's Creek Moscato Rosé Sparkling
750 ml bottle
$13.45Sale Price $13.45
$15.95Price Was $15.95
Save $2.50
Champagnes on Sale until Jan 5 -- hurry, hurry...Get a bunch for Valentine's Day...Apart from the Piper Heidsieck Brut, these are good prices. Happy New Year Everybody!!!
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne - $5.00 LTO [My Best Buy Pick}
https://www.lcbo.com/en/nicolas-feuillatte-brut-champagne-537605
Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne - $3.00 LTO
https://www.lcbo.com/en/piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-462432
Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne - $6.00 LTO
https://www.lcbo.com/en/taittinger-brut-r-cserve-champagne-365312
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne - $6.00 LTO [my fave of the bunch]
https://www.lcbo.com/en/perrier-jou-t-grand-brut-champagne-155341
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne - $5.00 LTO and 100 Aeroplan points
https://www.lcbo.com/en/louis-roederer-collection-brut-premier-champagne-268771
MORE LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale January 6 through February 2 (and don't forget the HST reductions through Feb 15) --
FIZZ+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, now $19.95, save $2
W+18947 Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, now $17.95, save $3
W+158683 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2023, now $27.95. save $2
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes, now $17.95, save $2
R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa, now $16.95, save $3
R+295410 Michel Gassier Nostre Pais 2021 Costieres de Nimes, now $23.95, save $2
R+383018 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza Rioja $16.95, save $4
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON CHIANTI LOVERS CANADIAN TOUR FALL 2024
The Date and Time: Wed October 2, 2024
The Event: MasterClass in Chianti wines
The Venue: Aria Restaurant, York Street
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine trade, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: mostly at the LCBO although there were some wines that were specific to an area.
The Quote/Background: local wine writer Sara d'Amato and Chianti Wine Ambassador Luca Alves gave a two hour presentation on the historical development and recent changes in Chianti wine regulation. Self-regulation began in 1716, Ricasoli developed the formula in 1872, the Consortium was founded in 1927, the demarcation of lands started in 1932 followed by the DOC codification in 1967, 1984, 1997, and 2009.
The Wines: There were seven wines from the seven regions, some in the Annata style (released after March 1 of the prior harvest), the Superiore style (higher alcohol), and the Riserva style (barrel aging), along with different vintage dates (2019 through 2023).
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montespertoli DOCG 2022 [Annata]
-Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG 2020 [Riserva]
-Chianti Rufina DOCG 2019 [Riserva]
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montalbano DOCG 2023 [Annata]
-Chianti Colline Pisane DOCG 2022 [Superiore]
-Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG 2021 [Superiore]
-Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG 2021 [Riserva}
The Food: it was a small buffet of winter bitter salad with walnuts, grilled chicken and salmon chunks, cooked greens and potatoes, bread...very well-spiced and herby.
The Downside: the sun floated into and out of my eyesight, distracting me.
The Upside: good food and a chance to evaluate some Chianti wines from diverse regions and regulations.
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my 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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=my basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Smart Buys (~30 wines)
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+37912 D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2023 $14.95 W+41739 FALERNIA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $15.95
W+363150 LE FILS DES GRAS MOUTONS SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE LOIRE 2023 $18.95
W+39799 DR. HEIDEMANNS-BERGWEILER RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2022 $15.95
W+16607 VELENOSI QUERCIANTICA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO MARCHE $15.95
W+36907 INVINITI SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $17.95
W+17552 OHAU WOVEN STONE SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $19.95
W+36900 OHAU WOVEN STONE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT GRIS NEW ZEALAND 2022 $19.95
W+41445 SIX HATS CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024 $14.90
W+461327 BERONIA RUEDA VERDEJO SPAIN 2023 $15.95
R+38493 CASARENA 505 MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $15.95
R+38491 LA BELLE MARGUERITE MALBEC ARGENTINA 2021 $17.95
R+28082 FINCA LALANDE ORGANIC MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $16.95
R+40721 HIGHGATE SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95
R+33732 KARL'S SCEPTER COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $14.95
R+40731 MON TOUT CHERRY PICKING GRENACHE AUSTRALIA 2023 $17.95
R+37911 SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+38189 ESPRIT DE FONROZAY BORDEAUX 2020 $14.95
R+39301 L'ARNAUDE PROVENCE 2022 $15.95
R+18141 CHÂTEAU GRAND ESCALION RHONE 2021 $15.95
R+28545 DOMAINE FOND CROZE LE SERRE DE LA GARDE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $14.95 R+18642 DOMAINE MARTIN CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $17.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $16.95
R+19285 NARDELLI NEGROAMARO/PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2022 $16.95
R+470377 CASA DE CAMBRES RESERVA RED PORTUGAL 2018 $15.95
R+25257 GUARDA RIOS RED PORTUGAL 2022 $11.95
R+26329 CIMAL TEMPRANILLO SPAIN 2022 $14.95
R+460154 COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATES CABERNET SAUVIGNON WASHINGTON STATE 2020 $19.95
R+42095 VIGNERONS DES PIERRES DORÉES VIEILLES VIGNES LA ROSE POURPRE BEAUJOLAIS 2022 $17.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+40359 LEBLOND-LENOIR PASCAL BRUT TRADITION CHAMPAGNE $52.45
W+520627 CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON VQA 2023 $23
W+37756 EMILIANA SIGNOS DE ORIGEN CHARDONNAY/ROUSANNE CHILE 2022 $21.95 W+12714 PENINSULA RIDGE FALCON'S NEST PINOT NOIR VQA 2021$21.95
R+194274 TRINITY HILL SYRAH NEW ZEALAND 12 $22.95
R+50203 BERONIA RESERVA SPAIN $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer of 681 selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday January 5 -- last call, better hurry!!! The complete collection is on the LCBO website at --
https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
and this URL can be used for the latest LTO listings which appear every four weeks, e.g. JAN 5 to FEB 2 is the next one....
RATING: MVC/QPR=BEST 90+ There are 10 fizz wines rated here at 90+ points
Trius Brut VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$26.95Sale Price $26.95
$29.95Price Was $29.95
Save $3.00
13th Street Cuvée Brut Sparkling Rosé MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$26.95Sale Price $26.95
$29.95Price Was $29.95
Save $3.00
Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$27.95Sale Price $27.95
$32.95Price Was $32.95
Save $5.00
Tawse Spark Limestone Ridge Organic Brut Sparkling Riesling VQA MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$20.95Sale Price $20.95
$24.95Price Was $24.95
Save $4.00
Saintly The Good Sparkling VQA
750 ml bottle
$16.95Sale Price $16.95
$18.95Price Was $18.95
Save $2.00
Lily Sparkling Rosé VQA
750 ml bottle
$14.95Sale Price $14.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $3.00
Rosehall Run Pixie Sparkling Rosé VQA
750 ml bottle
$17.95Sale Price $17.95
$19.95Price Was $19.95
Save $2.00
Romeo Prosecco
750 ml bottle
$14.10Sale Price $14.10
$16.10Price Was $16.10
Save $2.00
Zonin Prosecco Brut 1821 DOC MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
3 x 200 ml bottle
$16.95Sale Price $16.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $1.00
Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$20.95Sale Price $20.95
$22.95Price Was $22.95
Save $2.00
Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$24.95Sale Price $24.95
$26.95Price Was $26.95
Save $2.00
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Brut DOC Treviso
750 ml bottle
$16.80Sale Price $16.80
$18.80Price Was $18.80
Save $2.00
Luc Belaire Rare Rosé Sparkling
750 ml bottle
$35.95Sale Price $35.95
$40.95Price Was $40.95
Save $5.00
La Marca Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$19.85Sale Price $19.85
$21.85Price Was $21.85
Save $2.00
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$15.95Sale Price $15.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $2.00
Codorniu Brut Clasico MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$14.00Sale Price $14.00
$16.50Price Was $16.50
Save $2.50
Fiol Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$16.75Sale Price $16.75
$18.75Price Was $18.75
Save $2.00
Blu Giovello Prosecco DOC
750 ml bottle
$15.95Sale Price $15.95
$17.95Price Was $17.95
Save $2.00
Nozeco Sparkling Rose Dealcoholized
750 ml bottle
$10.95Sale Price $10.95
$12.95Price Was $12.95
Save $2.00
Ruffino Prosecco Rose DOC MVC/QPR=BEST 90+
750 ml bottle
$17.50Sale Price $17.50
$19.50Price Was $19.50
Save $2.00
Jacob's Creek Moscato Rosé Sparkling
750 ml bottle
$13.45Sale Price $13.45
$15.95Price Was $15.95
Save $2.50
Champagnes on Sale until Jan 5 -- hurry, hurry...Get a bunch for Valentine's Day...Apart from the Piper Heidsieck Brut, these are good prices. Happy New Year Everybody!!!
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne - $5.00 LTO [My Best Buy Pick}
https://www.lcbo.com/en/nicolas-feuillatte-brut-champagne-537605
Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne - $3.00 LTO
https://www.lcbo.com/en/piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-462432
Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne - $6.00 LTO
https://www.lcbo.com/en/taittinger-brut-r-cserve-champagne-365312
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne - $6.00 LTO [my fave of the bunch]
https://www.lcbo.com/en/perrier-jou-t-grand-brut-champagne-155341
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne - $5.00 LTO and 100 Aeroplan points
https://www.lcbo.com/en/louis-roederer-collection-brut-premier-champagne-268771
MORE LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale January 6 through February 2 (and don't forget the HST reductions through Feb 15) --
FIZZ+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, now $19.95, save $2
W+18947 Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, now $17.95, save $3
W+158683 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2023, now $27.95. save $2
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes, now $17.95, save $2
R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa, now $16.95, save $3
R+295410 Michel Gassier Nostre Pais 2021 Costieres de Nimes, now $23.95, save $2
R+383018 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza Rioja $16.95, save $4
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON CHIANTI LOVERS CANADIAN TOUR FALL 2024
The Date and Time: Wed October 2, 2024
The Event: MasterClass in Chianti wines
The Venue: Aria Restaurant, York Street
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine trade, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: mostly at the LCBO although there were some wines that were specific to an area.
The Quote/Background: local wine writer Sara d'Amato and Chianti Wine Ambassador Luca Alves gave a two hour presentation on the historical development and recent changes in Chianti wine regulation. Self-regulation began in 1716, Ricasoli developed the formula in 1872, the Consortium was founded in 1927, the demarcation of lands started in 1932 followed by the DOC codification in 1967, 1984, 1997, and 2009.
The Wines: There were seven wines from the seven regions, some in the Annata style (released after March 1 of the prior harvest), the Superiore style (higher alcohol), and the Riserva style (barrel aging), along with different vintage dates (2019 through 2023).
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montespertoli DOCG 2022 [Annata]
-Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG 2020 [Riserva]
-Chianti Rufina DOCG 2019 [Riserva]
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montalbano DOCG 2023 [Annata]
-Chianti Colline Pisane DOCG 2022 [Superiore]
-Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG 2021 [Superiore]
-Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG 2021 [Riserva}
The Food: it was a small buffet of winter bitter salad with walnuts, grilled chicken and salmon chunks, cooked greens and potatoes, bread...very well-spiced and herby.
The Downside: the sun floated into and out of my eyesight, distracting me.
The Upside: good food and a chance to evaluate some Chianti wines from diverse regions and regulations.
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
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.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
