March 30/12: BC Wine Tasting wtih Wine Writers' Circle of Canada

 The Date and Time:   Friday, March 30, 2012  10:30PM to 1:30PM
The Event: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada monthly tasting. The theme
this month was BC wines.
The Venue: LCBO Summerhill location
The Target Audience: WWCC members
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available in BC or through
Terroir Wine + Spirits, the agency bringing these BC wines to Ontario.
Minimum order: one case.
The Quote/Background: The company reps about 35 wineries in all, quite
a substantial number.
The Wines: There were 15 wineries here, for a total of some 36 wines
presented.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Meyer Family McLean Creek Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, $44.95
-Meyer Family Sonja Gaudet Tribute Series Chardonnay 2010, $44.95
-Meyer Family McLean Creek Road Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, $59.95
-Moon Curser Winery Dead of Night 2009 (tannat, syrah), $44.95
-Blackwood Lane Viana Roja 2008 (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec),
$47.95
-Cassini Cellars Syrah Collector's Series 2009, $44.95
-Moon Curser Border Vines 2009 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot), $44.95
-Cassini Maximus 2009 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec), $47.95
-Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Merlot 2008, $29.95
-

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Meyer Family Reimer Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010, $59.95
-Meyer Family Central Okanagan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008, $59.95
-Desert Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, $39.95
-St. Hubertus Pinot Noir 2010, $18.95
-ACES Wine even Deuce 2009, $27.95
-Mt. Boucherie Estate Semillon 2008, $17.95
-Mt. Boucherie Pinot Gris 201, $21.95
-LuLu Island Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $19.95
-Church & State Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $43.95
-Eau Vivre Chardonnay 2008, $24.95
-Eau Vivre Pinot Noir 2008, $24.95
-Fort Berens Chardonnay 2010, $32.95
-Fort Berens Meritage 2009, $49.95
-Summerhill Pyramid Cipes Rose Sparkling [organic pinot noir] NV,
$44.95

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-ACES Wine Pocket Kings 2007, $39.95
-ACES Wine Straight Flush Blush 2010 [rose], $16.95
-Moon Curser Winery Merlot 2009, $44.95
-Moon Curser Winery Syrah 2009, $44.95
-LuLu Island Winery Meritage 2010, $24.95
-Silkscarf Ensemble Rouge 2008, $46.95
-Silkscarf Ensemble Blanc 2011, $32.95
-Summerhill Pyramid Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, $31.95
-Meyer Family Chardonnay 2010, $44.95
-Meyer Family Gewurztraminer 2010, $44.95
The Contact Person: Jamie Crain  jamie@terroirwineandspirits.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

March27/12: Tasting of Churton Wines (New Zealand) and Hidden Bench Winery (Ontario)

The Date and Time: Tuesday, March 27, 2012  3:30PM to 5PM

The Event: Tasting of Churton Wines (New Zealand) and Hidden Bench Winery (Ontario)

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve

The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, FWR clients

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available, either by consignment through Le Sommelier or at Vintages or the Ontario winery.

The Quote/Background: this was a tasting of sustainable (Hidden Bench) and biodynamic (Churton) wines, available through Le Sommelier in Ontario.

The Wines: Hidden bench also brought along some wines exclusive to licensees: Bistro Rose ($13.51), Bistro Riesling (~$15), Bistro Chardonnay (~$18), and Bistro Pinot Noir (~$21), mostly made from young vines, in limited lots, and available to restaurants and bars. I would rate the Rose and the Riesling, both of which I sampled, at GOOD (3 stars, 85 – 87). Globe and Earth have bought their own "Globe" labeling from Hidden Bench for similar wines from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.

 

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

-Churton Wines 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.95

-Churton Wines 2009 Pinot Noir, $36.95 – my FAVE red

-Churton Wines 2008 The Abyss Pinot Noir, $64.95

-Hidden Bench Winery 2008 Felseck Chardonnay, $38.00 – my FAVE white

-Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Estate Chardonnay, $32.00

-Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Felseck Riesling, $28.00

-Hidden Bench Winery 2008 Terroir Cache, $35.00

 

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

-Churton Wines 2008 Pinot Noir, $30.50

-Churton Wines 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.95

-Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Estate Riesling, $24.00

-Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Roman's Block Riesling, $30.00

-Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Estate Pinot Noir, $38.00

 

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

-Churton Wines 2011 Viognier, $36.95

Hidden Bench Winery 2009 Nuit Blanche, $40.00

 

The Food: breads, cheeses, pate and salumi.

The Downside: it got crowded really fast.

The Upside: the FWR tables, which weigh a tonne each, were pushed back to the wall to create more room. There was also a good chance to talk with winery owners Mandy Weaver (Churton) and Harald Thiel.

The Contact Person: bernard@lesommelier.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 14 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 14 2012
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. My tastings are based on MVC (Modal
Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices
are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here. NOTE: The LCBO does
NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine writers or product
consultants. Corked wines are not normally available for a re-tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Inniskillin Winemaker's Series Two Vineyards Riesling 2010 VQA
Niagara: excellent Alsatian-styled typicity at a modest 11.5% ABV.
+105387, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Crios Torrontes 2011 Argentina: brightly aromatic like poplar
blended wines from all over, value lies in its price. +1834, $12.95,
QPR: 89.
3. Michel Picard Chardonnay Bourgogne 2009: classy packaging at this
price level, typicity is stressed with good MVC. +264440, $17.95, QPR:
89.
4. Michel del Hommeau Cuvee Harmonie Muscadet de Sevre et Maine 2010:
sip or food, crowd pleaser, not as acidic as other muscadets. 12% ABV.
Gold medalist. +164624, 12.95, QPR: 89.
5. Saget La Perriere Marie de Beauregard Vouvray 2009: off-dry, ripe
mouthfeel, pear and other orchard fruit. +276691, $17.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Mastronardi Merlot/Cabernet 2008 VQA Lake Erie North Shore:
delicious intensity, plummy with depth. Berries, well-made, ready now.
+273730, $19.95, QP: 89.
2. Henry's Drive Pillar Box Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Padthaway:
juicy, long length, mint and some herbs. 199745, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Beausejour 2009 Fronsac: excellent all-round MVC Bordeaux,
tasted some four hours after opening. Do the same. +26467, $14.95, QPR:
89.
4. La Corte Old Vines Primitivo di Manduria 2010 Puglia: even the
primitivo wine makers are getting into the "old vines" labeling, as do
many of the zinfandel winemakers in California. No indication of how
old these vines are, so proceed at your own risk (the phrase is not
regulated anywhere). Good value for mocha-inflected black berry fruit
materials at 14% ABV. +269019, $15.95, QPR: 89.
5. Torre Quarto Bottaccia Uva di Troia 2008 IGT Puglia: delicious
Italianate wine, nicely aged. 13.5$ ABV. +161737, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. L'Antico di Burchino Vigna Casanova Chianti 2010: Demeter approved
biodynamic wine, ridiculously underpriced. 12.5% ABV. +160457, $13.95,
QPR: 90.
7. Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2009: "LCBO Ripassso of the Month" for April. +695890, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Astrolabium Reserva Vinho Tinto 2008 Dao: good deep blend, 13% ABV,
some mushrooms and underbrush. +276121, 15.95, PR: 89.
9. Coto de Imaz Reserva 2005 Rioja: coconut tones, definitely US oak,
vanilla and some dried fruit. 13.% ABV. Nicely aged. +23762, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
10.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Featherstone Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2010 VQA Niagara, +149302,
$21.95 retail.
2. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough, +677450, $20.95
3. Hoopenburg Integrer Chardonnay 2007 WO Stellenbosch, +174672, $21.95
4. Domaine Chauveau La Charmette Pouilly Fume 2010, +274357, $21.95
5. Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Stags Leap District Napa,
+731810, $57.95.
6. Cyrus Cabernet Bled 2007 Alexander Valley Sonoma County, +269233,
59.95.
7. Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Alexander Valley Sonoma
County, +50427, $27.95.
8. Luis Segundo Correas Vale La Acequias Rosedal Malbec 2006 Mendoza,
+261750, $29.95.
9. Brokenwood Shiraz 2009 McLaren Vale/Beechworth, +265975, $29.95.
10. Angelo Negro Cascinotta Barbaresco 2007, +268953, $32.95.
11. Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2008, +332411,
$23.95.
12. Bod. Franco-Espanolas Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva 2004, +114454,
$22.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

March 29/12: RAW: Toronto tartares in action....

7. The Date and Time:   Thursday, March 29, 2012  6PM to 8:30PM
The Event: RAW: The Great Toronto Tartare-Off, in support of Grapes for
Humanity
The Venue: Imperial Room, Fairmont Royal York
The Target Audience: food lovers
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available in a variety of
distribution channels, but mostly from agents or wineries.
The Quote/Background: This was a fundraiser for building a high school
in Basico, Guatemala.

 

The Wines: Wines came from some wine agents (Winery Direct, Profile
Wine Group) and Ontario wineries such as Rosewood, Stratus, Staff,
Tawse, Malivoire, Hidden Bench. I did not taste every wine. But
sommeliers Zoltan Szabo and Jamie Drummond tasted all the donated wines
with the tartares: their best match was Rosewood Estate Pinot Noir 2010
with La Palette Chef Brook Kavanagh's venison tartare.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Signorello Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
-Rosewood Semillon 2010 Niagara

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Crios Torrontes 2011 Argentina
-Santinori 2010 Greece
-Black Stallion Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
-Rosewood Pinot Noir 2010 Niagara

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Robert Block Riesling 2011
-Tollgate 2008 Niagara (red and white versions)
-Malivoire Gamay Alive 2010
-Tawse Growers Blend Cabernet Franc 2009
-Aveleda Vinho Verde

 

The Food: it was all raw, except for the platforms and the Humber
College options. A panel of judges, consisting of John Higgins, Amy
Rosen, Josh Josephson, Corey Mintz and Geddy Lee, crowned one chef the
King of Tartare. Those chefs included Jamie Kennedy (Gilead; beef),
Didier Leroy (Didier; beef), Lorenzo Loseto (George; cobia), Tim Palmer
(Fairmont Royal York; venison and bannock), Mark Cutrara (Cowbell;
venison), Brook Kavanagh (La Palette; venison), Albert Ponzo (Le
Sélect; bison), Patrick McMurray (Starfish and Ceili Cottage; beef with
oyster from one restaurant, ostrich and quail egg from the other) and
Luke Wood (Thornton's Wine and Tapas Room; musk-ox and beef) who flew
in from Yellowknife for the function. Each tartare was paired with a
wine. After tasting everything blind, the judges announced the winners
in two categories: professional and amateur. Of the four amateur chefs
present, Paul Pender of Tawse Winery got top spot for his beef tartare
flavoured with capers, anchovies and leeks, with a horseradish finish.
Lorenzo Loseto got the professional crown for the cobia tartare. The
oily whitefish was served with roasted fennel, shallots and black
trumpet mushrooms, and topped with a stack of tiny potato chips that
had been fried on the skewer. For those who preferred a "cooked"
alternative, there were Asian hors d'oeuvres prepared by students of
Humber College, french fries, and a sweet table.

 

The Downside: there was no veggie tartare, sadly a missed opportunity
for sauvignon blanc wine lovers.
The Upside: great attendance at this fundraiser, over 170.
The Contact Person: tony.aspler@rogers.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

March 29/12: Biodynamic wine tasting,he Living Vine

 The Date and Time: Thursday, March 29, 2012  4PM to 7PM
The Event: tasting a selection of biodynamic wines available from The
Living Vine [www.thelivingvine.ca]
The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve
The Target Audience: media, private clients
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available by consignment, in
six and twelve bottle cartons.
The Quote/Background: Wines could also be ordered through
www.bwwines.com

 

The Wines: To reiterate, all wines are biodynamic.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Hedymann-Lowenstein Ven Blaum Schiefer Riesling Reserve 2010, $49.95
-Millton Vineyard Opou Chardonnay 2010, $24.95 – my FAVE white of the
tasting
-Ceago Vinegarden Del Lago Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Clew Lake North
California, $24.95 - my FAVE red of the tasting
-Pyramid Valley Vineyards Lion's Tooth Chardonnay 2009 New Zealand, $69

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Chateau Tie Pe Tire Pe 2009 Bordeaux, $22.95 [40% Malbec]
-Cowhorn Vineyards Syrah Applegate Valley Oregon 2007, $34.95
-Az. Ag. Gravner Ribolla Gialla Amphora 2005, $99.95
-Azienda Agricola Pian dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino, $94.95
-Dr. Burklin-Wolf 2010 Burklin Estate Riesling Pfalz, $19.95.
-Dom. Ostertag Gewurztraminer SGN 2007, $65 half-bottle.

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Littorai Wines Charles Heintz Sonoma Chardonnay 2009, $69.95

 

The Food: cheese, pate, breads.
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

March 22/12: Vinho Verde Tasting at George/Verity

The Date and Time: Thursday, March 22, 2012  2:30PM to 6PM

The Event: a seminar and tasting of Vinho Verde wines

The Venue: George (for the seminar) and Verity Club (for the walkaround tasting).

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers.

The Availability/Catalogue: most of the wines were not generally available. Some producers had no agents, some agents had no product. Prices were speculative, for the most part. It did not help that we had no catalogue of producer labels, and that we had to write down this kind of information.

The Quote/Background: Evan Savioloidis, with his loud clear voice, gave a good talk on what Vinho verde was all about, and the newer styles that are coming onstream. We had a brief tasting of four styles: one classic at 11.5%ABV, one made from the Loureiro grape (to drink with food), one made from the Alvarinho grape (very aromatic, a sipper, 12.5%ABV), and one made from the Espadiero grape (a rose, 12%ABV). You can forget about low alcohol versions; they are all going to be 12 or more percentage ABV. The seminar was mobbed with 60 attendees and SRO.

The Wines: I did not try every wine.

 

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

-Quinta de Carapecos Escolha 2010, $15

 

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

-Soalheiro Alvarinho 2011

-Estreia Loureiro Grande Escolha 2011

-Estreia Alvarinho 2011

-Solar de Loureido 2011

-Terras de Gerras 2011

-Menancos Alvarinho/Trajadura 2011

-Terras de Moncao Alvarinho 2011

-Solar de Serrade Alvarinho 2011

-Quinta de Gomariz Loureiro 2011

-Quinta de Gomariz Alvarinho 2010

-Quinta de Gomariz Rose Espadeiro 2010 and 2011

-Quinta de Carapecos Alvarinho 2011, $13

-Quinta de Carapecos Alvarinho/Trajadura 2011, $13

-Quinta do Arcas Conde Villar Alvarinho 2011

-Quinta da Lixa Terras do Minho 2011

-Quinta da Lixa Alvarinho/Trajadura 2011

 

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

-Quintas do Homem Vale do Homen Verde Branco 2011

-Vianna Loureiro 2011

-Quinta de Gomariz Grande Escolha 2010

-Quinta de Carapecos Espadeiro Rose 2010, $13

-Quinta de Carapecos Eiva dos Mouros NV

-Quinta do Arcas Conde Villar Loureiro 2011

-Quinta do Arcas Conde Villar Vinho Verde 2011

-Quinta do Arcas Conde Villar Rose 2011

-Arca Nora 2011

-Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde 2011

-Quinta da Lixa Loureiro NV

-Aveleda Vinho Verde Fonte, $8.95

-Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde, $9.95

 

The Food: from George, we had appetizers such as prosciutto, cod cakes, cured salmon, chicken skewers, cheeses and breads.

The Downside: there was no catalogue of wines being poured.

The Upside: a chance to re-connect with Vinho Verde.

The Contact Person: mvickell@national.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 83

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

March 19/12 APVSA tasting at Delta Chelsea Inn

The Date and Time: Monday, March 19, 2012.  11AM to 5PM

The Event: the monthly APVSA tasting (Association pour la promotion des

vins et spiritueux en Amerique du Nord).

The Venue: Delta Chelsea Inn

The Target Audience: wine agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: no wines are currently available in

Ontario. The group is here to get some agents to agree to rep the principal. Some of the wines are available in Quebec and Alberta.

Most of the wines were French, and there is sales staff available to comment on the prices and production. This road show also visits such places as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Miami, Washington DC, and Montreal. Occasionally, the show will have wines from Italy, Uruguay, Spain and Australia. Sometimes spirits and VDN are also available.

The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be acknowledged, is that (by and large) they were about the same as wines that we already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be any price advantages, either. But these 40 or so wines could be made available through Vintages or Consignment. In the past, quite a few have been picked up for sale in Ontario; these were mostly the good value or unique wines. Here were my faves from today, regardless of FOB cost which must be requested due to competitive pricing. I did not try every wine.

 

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

-Cave Vieil Armand Gewurztraminer 2010

-La Maurine Rouge Saint-Chinian Secrets de Paul 2009

-Dom. De Mayol Luberon 2008

-Vina Vilano Legon Ribera del Duero Premium 2005

 

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

Rating terms):

-Dom. Perraud Chardonnay Macon Villages 2009

-Dom. Perraud L'Oeuvre Saint-Veran 2010

-Dom. Des Hauts Perray Coulee du Hauts Perrays 2011

-Dom. Des Hauts Perray Cabernet d'Anjou 2011 [rose]

-Ch. Du Vallies 2007 Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

-Ch. Coutelor La Romarine 2009 Sainte-Foy Bordeaux

-Cave Vieil Armand Pinot Gris 2009

-La Maurine Rouge Saint-Chinian Galopins 2009

-Ch. Prat de Cest Corbieres 2009

-Dom. De Mayol Luberon 2009

-Dom. M. Colbois Chablis du Chene 2010

-Vina Vilano Legon Ribera del Duero Roble 2010

-Vina Vilano Legon Ribera del Duero Reserva 2005

 

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

-Dom. Grand Jean Bordeaux Rose 2011

-Dom. Grand Jean Bordeaux Rouge 2010

-Dom. Perraud Bourgogne Rouge 2008

-Cave Vieil Armand Pinot Noir 2008

-Les Tros Puechs Coteaux du Languedoc 2011

-Les Tros Puechs Pays d'Oc 2011

-Ch. Prat de Cest Corbieres 2010

-Dom. M. Colbois Bourgogne Algote 2009

-Dom. M. Colbois Bourgogne Chitry Chardonnay 2009

-Vina Vilano Legon Ribera del Duero Tinto 2011

 

The Food: I arrived late after the Palacios tasting, so I missed most of the lunch, but I did grab a slice of pizza.

The Contact Person: Pascal p.fernand@apvsa.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade):

84.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 31, 2012

It's the  Blue Moon release for March 2012 !!!

 

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 31, 2012
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. My tastings are based on MVC (Modal
Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices
are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here. NOTE: The LCBO does
NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine writers or product
consultants. Corked wines are not normally available for a re-tasting.

 

THIS IS THE BLUE MOON RELEASE !!

 

Recommended for the Blue Moon (drink it tonight) is: Chateau de
Trinquevedel Tavel Rose 2011, delicious flavours and FRESH like you
wouldn't believe (only 7 months old). Perfect colour, 13.5% ABV.
+729947, $17.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer 2010 VQA Beamsville Bench:
good MVC for the grape, but also with a perfumed finish. +302059,
$17.95, QPR: 89.
2. First Press Chardonnay 2010 Napa: standard but well developed
California Napa Chardonnay, 14.5% ABV. +199810, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Zuccardi Serie A Chardonnay/Viognier 2010 Mendoza: a sipper, off-dry
fruity chardonnay, apples, peaches and lemons dominate. +262097,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Auntsfield Long Cow Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: delicious,
with plenty of MVC zest skewed to the green green grass of home.
+663286, $19.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau Roquetaillade La Grange Blanc 2010 Graves: youthful and
useful, sip or food, good body, fab price. +240374, $14.95, QPR: 89
6. Velenosi Villa Angela Pecorino 2010 Offida Marche: good orchard
fruit in tone, slight nuttiness, long finish, body, 13% ABV, much
better than pinot grigio at this price level. +173252, 13.95, PR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Cosentino Cigarzin Zinfandel 2008 California: time for a stogy? This
is thick, juicy and ready, with good aging. 15.4% ABV, chocolate and
mocha overlays. +269340, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Rodney Strong Merlot 2008 Sonoma County: minty bacon-y, plumy, not
your typical merlot. +497933, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Tyrrell's Rufus Stone Shiraz 2009 Victoria: deep, ready now, much
like an Hermitage. +91488, $19.95, QP: 90.
4. Flagstone Music Room Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 WO Western Cape: heavy-
heavy rap music, twist top, 15% ABV heat. Black fruit and eucalyptus.
+205245, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau La Fleur Terrien 2009 Lussac Saint-Emilion: easy drinking
merlot-based Bordeaux, affordable. +199059, $14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Gerard Bertrand Minervois Syrah/Grenache 2009: fresh, syrah
component dominates, black fruit throughout, finishes with some acid
for food. Gold Medalist. 14% ABV. +95284, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Taurino Riserva Salice Salentino 2008 Puglia: nicely aged, with some
earthiness and Italianate complexity, 14% ABV. +177527, $14.95, QPR:
89.
8. Albino Armani Egle Ripassso Valpolicella Superiore 2008: the Blue
Moon Armani-suited Ripasso of the Month. +247916, 5.95, QPR: 89.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2009 Napa, +54585, $37.95
retail.
2. Amayna Chardonnay 2008 Leyda Chile, +76265, $25.95.
3. Yalumba Viognier 2010 Eden Valley, +954644, $24.95
4. Corte Riva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa/Sonoma, +89318, $39.95.
5. Sodaro Felicity Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, +272641, $43.95.
6. The Paring Red 2007 California, +218909, $33.95.
7. Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian ells Merlot 2008 Columbia Valley,
+408864, $25.95.
8. Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion 200 Pessac Leognan, +264283, $48.95.
9. Guy Farge Terre de Granit St Joseph 2009, +270215, 26.95.
10. Terre Nere Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +208462, $35.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com

March 19/21: Alvaro Palacios leads structured tasting at RCYC St. George

The Date and Time: Monday, March 19, 2012

The Event: A tutored tasting with Alvaro Palacios talking about 11 wines from all three Palacios properties in Spain.

The Venue: RCYC St. George Club House

The Target Audience: wine writers and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: all the wines are available through private orders with the agent, Woodman Wines & Spirits Inc.

The Quote/Background: there was some talk about viura being the new chardonnay. In the main, Alvaro did a great job in explaining the terroir and the vinification processes over the course of 90 minutes.

The Wines:

 

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

-Palacios Remondo Rioja Propiedad 2008, $39 – My FAVE of the tasting

-Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses 2010, $45

-Descendientes de J. Palacios Bierzo Las Lamas 2009, $116

 

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

-Alvaro Palacios Priorat Gratallops 2010, $66 [2008 is in the May Classics Catalog, same price]

-Palacios Remondo Rioja La Montesa 2009, $21

-Descendientes de J. Palacios Bierzo Petalos del Bierzo 2010, $26

-Descendientes de J. Palacios Bierzo Villa de Corullon 2009, $49

 

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

-Alvaro Palacios Priorat Camins del Priorat 2010, $26

-Alvaro Palacios Priorat Finca Dofi 2009, $90

-Palacios Remondo Rioja Placet 2009, $32  [white]

-Palacios Remondo Rioja La Vendimia 2011, $17 [red]

 

The Food: a light lunch of sliders with beef, whitefish, pizza, salad.

The Downside: it was very warm in the room.

The Upside: it was packed with well over 45 people.

The Contact Person: info@woodmanwinesandspirits.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com