RECENT AND DECENT TASTING NOTES FOR SOME PAYS D'OC IGP WINES...October 28, 2022

RECENT AND DECENT TASTING NOTES FOR SOME PAYS D'OC IGP WINES...

--Gerard Bertrand Perles de Grenache Rose 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 556209 $18.95: fresh, very fragrant with fruity elegance. The pale salmon colour was phenomenal, and very typical of South of France roses. All grenache grapes. Scored highly by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada (over 90 points). Very dry, with residual sugar at 2 g/L. On the palate, strawberries dominate. A very good quaffer for parties, or for a wine pairing with fish and broiled foods. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


--Domaine de La Baume Elisabeth Viognier 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 438796 $18.95:
fresh stone fruit tones abound with peaches and apricots leading to a citric long finish. Cold fermentation done up in steel, with peachy aromas. We had it with squash soup and a roast (both poultry and pork). Dee-licious. But also good as an aperitif.
2g/L residual sugar. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


--Gabriel Meffre Le Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 563130 $15: a very satisfying and easy-breezy quaff on the LCBO's general wine list. Nutty butters on palate, some pear decadence, nuances of vanilla bean from a partial oak aging. No malolactic fermentation. Elegant balanced finish with good food depth. 2g/L residual sugar. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


--Fortant Terroir d'Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 17535 $15.45: made from hillside grapevines (250 – 600 metres). Complex cassis and pumpkin spices, along with forest floor mushrooms and some garrigue. Black fruit and long finish dominates. Aged four months in French oak. Perhaps best with grilled or broiled foods.
2g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

--Sarl Le Loup Blanc Soif du Loup Rouge 2019 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 20955 $19.95: a combo of cabernet sauvignon and syrah, but extra-dry (unlike the Oz combo of cabernet and shiraz). "Soif du Loup" in English means "thirst of the wolf". Here there are 35-year old vines, and red fruit with spices and minerality dominates. This is an organic wine, great as an all-purpose food red. 2 g/L residual sugar. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 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

REPORT FROM Rendez-Vous Beaujolais Walk-Around Trade Tasting, June 15, 2022

The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022  2:30P to 5:30P

The Event: Rendez-Vous Beaujolais Walk-Around Trade Tasting

The Venue: St Andrew's Hall & Lounge, 150 King Street Wes

The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media, sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: There were four agents with presentations, while four other wineries were looking for representation. The catalogue was an interactive PDF file which allowed for more consistency. There was a description of each wine.

The Quote/Background: It has been a decade or so since the last major Beaujolais tasting in Toronto. In that time, sales of Nouveau have flattened and the availability of wines from the number of villages (communes) had fallen off. It was a chance to re-discover the 12 appellations and 10 crus of Beaujolais.

The Wines: Some wines did not arrive. I counted 42 wines at the show, and I tried to taste most of them in the limited time I had available.

 

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

-VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Blanc Signature 2021  Rogers & Co

-VINESCIENCE Morgon Climats Grand Cras 2021  Rogers & Co

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Villages White 2020  [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Morgon 2019   [seeking]

-DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Morgon Corcelette 2020 [seeking]

-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2021 [seeking]

-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Morgon 2021 – HVE 3 [seeking]

-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Côte de Brouilly Douze Perles 2020

-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine du Riaz Côte de Brouilly 2020  PDandurand

-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine des 4 vents Fleurie 2019  PDandurand

-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Brouilly 2020  PDandurand

-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Morgon 2018   PDandurand

-DOMAINE THIVOLLE Morgon Charmeur 2020 [seeking]

-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Moulin-à-Vent Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx

 

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

-VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Rosé Signature 2021 Rogers  & Co

-VINESCIENCE Chiroubles Les Clochers du Beaujolais 2021  Rogers & Co

-VINESCIENCE St-Amour Les Clochers 2021  Rogers & Co

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Chénas 2019  [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Fleurie Charbonnière 2019 [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas 4 Cerisiers 2019 [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Beauvernay 2019  [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Vayolette 2019 [seeking]

-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais St-Amour 2019 [seeking]

-DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Blanc Roche Noire 2021 [seeking]

-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Brouilly Pierreux 2021  [selection du maitre de chai PQ]

-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Fleurie Poncié 2021   [selection du maitre de chai PQ]

-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches 2021[selection du maitre de chai PQ]

-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Chénas Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx

-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Beaujolais Villages 3 Madones 2021 Noble

-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Brouilly 3 Madones 2021 Noble

 

The Food: There were two components – one was a combined fromage and charcuterie board, about two feet wide and six feet in length. Spectacular, to say the least. There were two of these. The boards also had crisps, breads, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and mustards. The only thing missing were the typical sausages. The other component were the individual platters of gamay smoked roasted salmon, beaujolais pork rillettes, rose smoked duck with stone fruit, and chardonnay crab and citrus salad.

The Downside: I had to leave early.

The Upside: the great fromage/charcuterie board!

The Contact Person: liz@lluzzapr.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.

 

 

 

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

Fw: WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 22, 2022

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 22,  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.

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 Drinks I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight ---

The Date and Time:  August 16, 2022  3:30PM - 8PM
The Event: Travel South USA Media Event
The Venue: Malaparte TIFF
The Target Audience: travel writers and spirits writers
The Availability/Catalogue: we had three bourbons set before us as a tasting (see below), led by a very capable Mike McLean of MixxIT Canada By Beam Suntory. This was the major presentation from Kentucky, and, of course, the main reason for my attending.
The Quote/Background: The Travel South USA states represented in Canada included Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. There was also a rep from New Orleans and one from Atlanta. It was a trade fam tour to entice travel writers to explore the American south. There were many regional foods to be sampled (see below) and many cocktails to be tasted. The best appeared to be the Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon 1.5 oz, lime juice [no sugar] 1 oz., and topped up over ice with Gosling's no-al ginger beer. Dynamite. Hors d'oeuvre were passed while the reps were available for short talks with the travel writers. And then it was on to the bourbon tasting and thence to the BBQ buffet dinner.

The Bourbons:

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon $45.45 LCBO +103747, 45ABV – very smooth, 70% corn and 30% red winter wheat. One of my personal faves.

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon $55.95 (on sale at LCBO at $50.95 until Sept 12) LCBO +326025, 40% ABV – 63% corn and 37% rye, and thereby introduces savoury herby rye notes finishing with some grassiness.
-Jim Beam White Label Bourbon $30.95 (on sale at LCBO at $29.20 until Sept 12) LCBO +21378, 40% ABV – 77% corn

The Food: Oliver and Bonacini did the catering, beginning with the multiple hors d'oeuvre platters: tuna salad on a lettuce leaf; BBQ short rib on polenta; shrimp and hot sausage; lightly battered fried okra; fried chicken drumettes; and cheddar cheese tarts with carmelized onions and piped goat cheese cream. Each came on a bed of a different sauce: these 5 BBQ sauces are available online (Carolina Gold Classic   - South Carolina, Rendezvous Mild Barbecue Sauce  - Memphis, Alabama White BBQ Sauce – Alabama, Sam Jones Vinegar Sauce – North Carolina, Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ Original – Kansas City). These sauces were also put out for the buffet, and were easily available for mixing and matching and savouring. So the major food of the evening was a small buffet of fried chicken and corn bread waffle with scallions, short ribs and grits with collard greens, and smoked brisket and potato bun slider with macaroni. To top it off, there was a variety at the dessert table: southern pies (key lime, coconut cream, blueberry) and peach cobbler.
The Downside: music was too loud, and interfered with Mike's bourbon tasting seminar.
The Upside: A chance to do wide tasting and nibbling around a variety of southern cuisine dishes.
The Contact Person: katie@reachglobal.ca or ashton@reachglobal.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93.

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday November 6:

[red] Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley Washington State Vintages +210047 normally $19.95, now $17.95, save $2.
[red] Trius Red VQA Niagara Peninsula Vintages +303800, normally $24.95, now $21.95, save $3
[red] Porcupine Ridge Syrah WO Swartland South Africa Vintages +595280 normally $16.95, now $13.95, save $3.
[white] La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay California Vintages +963886, normally $30, now $28, save $2.
[splurge] Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County California Vintages +352583, normally $46.95, now $41.95, save $5

MAJOR THEME:  California Icons – plus  GIFT Wines in time for Christmas, etc.

Wines Under $20
=========
W+20373    CHARLES BAKER RIESLING 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95  MVC/QPR: 89.
W+398966    REDSTONE CHARDONNAY 2020    VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95  MVC/QPR: 89.
W+928580    SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY    2019    Sustainable, carbon neutral, DO Valle de Itata $19.95  MVC/QPR: 91.
W+95802    PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO    2020    DOC Alto Adige $17.95  MVC/QPR: 89
R+83295    ODFJELL ARMADOR ORGANIC CARMENÈRE    2019    Central Valley        $18.95  MVC/QPR: 89.
R+300004    AMASTUOLA PRIMITIVO    2019    IGP Puglia $15.95     MVC/QPR: 90.
R+25638    GARCÉS SILVA CATALINO PAÍS    2019    Coronel de Maule, DO Secano Interior, Valle del Maule  $19.95  MVC/QPR: 89.

Wines Over $20

Sparkling+421032    CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE $47.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
Sparkling+21858    BOTTEGA PINK GOLD ROSÉ PROSECCO    Charmat method, DOC, Italy        $29.95      MVC/QPR: 89.
R+645218    SELVAPIANA BUCERCHIALE RISERVA CHIANTI RÙFINA    2018    DOCG        $39.95     MVC/QPR: 89.
R+60525    RUTHERFORD RANCH RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2018    Sustainable, Napa Valley        $79.95     MVC/QPR: 90.
R+155408    MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO 2018    DOCG     $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+113357    DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    2016    DOCG        $69.95 MVC/QPR: 89.

RECOMMENDED GIFT BOTTLES (not tasted this week)

+27485    NIEPOORT VINTAGE PORT    2019    DOP, Portugal        $135.95 [in-store discovery, online exclusive]
+21861    MARCHESI DI BAROLO TRADIZIONE BAROLO & BARBARESCO     2017    Two bottles in wooden gift box, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy        $109.95
+384578    REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA & VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO        Two bottles in wooden gift box, Veneto, Italy     $79.95    
+581561    TAYLOR FLADGATE HISTORIC LIMITED EDITION RESERVE TAWNY PORT        DOP, Portugal        $51.95

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

NOMA 2.0: Vegetable, Forest, Ocean (Artisan, 2022, 352 pages, $95 hardbound)

NOMA 2.0: Vegetable, Forest, Ocean (Artisan, 2022, 352 pages, $95 hardbound) is by René Redzepi, Mette Søberg, and Junichi Takahashi. René Redzepi is the chef and co-owner of Noma in Copenhagen, five times recognized as the world's best restaurant. In 2021, Noma got its third Michelin star. His first book, Noma: Time and Place in Nordic Cuisine, was an IACP and James Beard Award winner. All three authors are the top culinary team at Noma, developing recipes in the kitchen lab. Indeed, Noma is possibly the world's most influential restaurant. The cookbook is laid out with narrative descriptions for the recipes. Dishes are organized seasonally: there is vegetable (May through August), forest (September through December), and ocean (January through April). Everything here is extremely inventive and extremely creative, and can be replicated with the right ingredients and the right equipment. It's all about stimulating the palate and the eye, with trompe l'oeil and unusual ingredients (e.g. reindeer brain). As the New York Times' Pete Wells wrote in praising Noma's flavours, "Sauces are administered so subtly that you don't notice anything weird going on; you just think you've never tasted anything so extraordinary in your life." There are 200 preps, with gorgeous photography for each plate. It's a very challenging and admirable book, but also a terrific coffee table gift book (it weighs about two kilos) for the armchair chef and traveler. The gift book of the season!

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

From my newsletter --- These are on sale right now at LCBO, through November 6...Great La Crema...

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday November 6:

[red] Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley Washington State Vintages +210047 normally $19.95, now $17.95, save $2.
[red] Trius Red VQA Niagara Peninsula Vintages +303800, normally $24.95, now $21.95, save $3
[red] Porcupine Ridge Syrah WO Swartland South Africa Vintages +595280 normally $16.95, now $13.95, save $3.
[white] La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay California Vintages +963886, normally $30, now $28, save $2.
[splurge] Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County California Vintages +352583, normally $46.95, now $41.95, save $5

Fw: WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 8, 2022 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 8,  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.

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 While  ---

The Date and Time: Thursday June 23, 2020  1PM - 5PM
The Event: Gambrero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Summer Edition
The Venue: Liberty Grand
The Target Audience: wine trade, sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: one needed a QR code to access the catalogue which contained details for ordering wine.
The Wines: I tasted mostly whites, roses, and sparkling (hey, it was summer!) and a few reds of my interests.

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

-Tenute Tomasella Pros-ecco Prosecco Treviso DOC
-Cantina Tollo Roccaventosa 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP
-Cantina Tollo Mo' 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOP
-Monte del Fra Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Lena di Mezzo Estate DOC, $24.95 (Vintages) Signature Agency
-Monte del Fra Ca' del Magro Custoza Superiore DOC 2019
-Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Papale Linea Oro Primtivo di Manduria 2019 DOP (Vintages)
-Umani Ronchi Centoric Plenio Riserva 2018
-Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco Pietrarizzo 2021
-Tenute Tomasella Friuli Furiliana 2021
-Bruni Marememma Toscana Vermentini Plinio 2021
-Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Salice Salentino 2019
-Varvaglione Vigne & Vini 12 e Mezzo Primtivo di Manduria 2020 DOP
-Ferrari Brut MT Trento
-Ferrari Brut Rose MT Trento [60chard/40pinot noir]
-Tentiment CIVA Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Vigneto Bellazoia
-Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Carato 2019
-Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Colli de Luni Vermentino 2021
-Offida Pecorino Reve 2020 Single Vineyard
-Casale del Giglio Anthium Bellone 2021 Lazio IGT
-Casale del Griglio Satrico 2021 Lazio IGT
-Tenute Borgo Conventi Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Collio

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Umani Ronchi Centoric Pecorino Colli Aprutini 2020
-Umani Ronchi Centoric Verdicchio 2018
-Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco 2021
-Tenute Tomasella Prosecco NV [twist top, low Al
-Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli NV Extra Brut
-Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli 2021
-Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiore 2020
-Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Traditionale 2020
-Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Vermentino 2021
-Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia La Bianca 2021

The Food: Catered by the Liberty Grand Entertainment Group....platters of food included pesto panini, mozzarella and tomatoes, polenta topped with crispy mushrooms, meat skewers with veggies, flatbread/focaccia with creamy Gorgonzola and arugula, rotini ragu with grilled cherry tomatoes, prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks, arancini, and tiramisu and cannoli for dessert.
The Downside: I did not have a cell phone
The Upside: just about all the wines were white, rose, sparkling or light reds from Northern or Central Italy, a great tasting in view of the sunny summer weather.
The Contact Person: Benedetta <b.marassi@ice.it>
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  from Monday October 10 through Sunday November 6...

W+286278    Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay  normal $19.95 save    $2.00    now $17.95
R+964221    Le Volte Dell'Ornellaia Igt Toscana    normal $29.95     save $2.00    now $27.95
R302018    Pipeau St. Emilion(Ch. Pipeau) normal $43.95 save $3.00    now $40.95
[splurge]R+352583    Beringer Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon normal $46.95 save      $5.00 now    $41.95
R+595280    Porcupine Ridge Syrah  normal $16.95 save  $3.00    now $13.95
R+303800    Trius Vqa Red (Andres Wines Ltd) normal $24.95 save $3.00 now $21.95


MAJOR THEME:   Magnifico!  Italian Wines

Wines Under $20
=========
W+89011    FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC    2021    VQA Niagara Peninsula    $17.95
        MVC/QPR:  90
Sparkler +19031    CELENE BORDEAUX AMÉTHYSTE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX        Traditional method, AP, France    $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89
W+13429    SIEGEL SPECIAL RESERVE VIOGNIER    2021    Sustainable, DO Valle de Colchagua    $15.95 MVC/QPR:  89
W+24245    THELEMA SAUVIGNON BLANC    2020    Estate grown, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa    $16.95    MVC/QPR: 89


Wines Over $20
=========
Sparkling+28978    KEW VINEYARDS CUVÉE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY    2016    Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    $23.95     MVC/QPR: 89
W+149302    FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY    2020    VQA Niagara Peninsula    $24.95     MVC/QPR: 92
R+18008    HASELGROVE FIRST CUT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2019    McLaren Vale, South Australia    $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

Many Drink Book Reviews ---

DRINK BOOK REVIEWS

--FOOT TRODDEN; Portugal and the Wines That Time Forgot (Interlink Books, 2021, 257 pages, $45 hardbound) is by Simon J Woolf and Ryan Opaz, and was originally published in the Netherlands. It's a very comprehensive book on the current day Portuguese wines, as told through the personal histories of its winemakers and growers. Covered are materials dealing with both old and new winemaking techniques. There are a ton of indigenous grape varieties that seldom make it out of Portugal. There is a lot of detail and depth here. Foot treading is still popular, in a traditional sense, as the winemakers deal with varying harvests and vintages of some 250 local grape varieties. The most popular varieties appear to be the whites Encruzado, Arinto dos Acores, Alvarinho and Fernao Pires, and the reds Ramisco, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Baga. Nominated for many wine book awards (Andre Simon, James Beard Awards) and also chosen as the NEW YORK TIMES BEST WINE BOOK OF 2021.


--EAT, DRINK, THINK: what ancient Greece can tell us about food and wine  (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020, 192 pages, $47.50 paperback) is by David Roochnik, who examines the  role that foods play in the shaping of humanity – such as the sharing of  a good meal with friends and family and being just a necessity. He discusses classical works of Greek literature and philosophy in which food and drink play an important role. With thoughts on Homer's The Odyssey, Euripides' Bacchae, Plato's philosopher kings and Dionysian intoxication, Roochnik shows how foregrounding food in philosophy can open up new ways of understanding these thinkers and their approaches to the purpose and meaning of life.  A very useful contribution to food studies, and very thought provoking as well.


--WINE STYLE;  discover the wines you will love through 50 simple recipes (Ten Speed Press, 2021, 176 pages, $28 hardbound)  is by Kate Leahy with photography by Eric Scott. This is a quick, casual read covering the essential varieties that wine lovers need to know, and featuring more than 50 food preps for all manner of potential  pairings. There are no rules here (especially none of the old-fashioned ones, like "seafood should always be paired with white"), but there are opportunities for exploring styles of wine such as dessert wines or orange wines – with food. Typical are baked lemony feta with a crisp white wine, or caramelized cabbage and onion galette with a serious red, or smoked salmon spaghetti with sparkling wine, et al.


--EPISTENOLOGY; wine as experience  (Columbia University Press, 2020, 216 pages, $33 paperback ) is by Nicola  Perullo who argues that wine comes to life not in the abstract space of the professional tasting but in the real world of shared experiences. Wines can change in these encounters, and drinkers along with them. Just as a winemaker is not simply a producer but a nurturer, a wine is fully known only through an encounter among a group of drinkers in a specific place and time. Wine is not an object to analyze but an experience to make, creatively opening up new perceptual possibilities for settings, cuisines, and companions. The result of more than twenty years of research and practical engagement, Epistenology presents a new paradigm for the enjoyment of wine and through it a philosophy based on participatory and relational knowledge. Interweaving philosophical arguments with personal reflections and literary examples, this book is a journey with wine that shows how it makes life more creative. A thoughtful read.


--WINE : a tasting course, from grape to glass  (DK Books, 2013, 2021, 256 pages, $32 hardbound)  is by Marnie Old. It was originally published in 2013; this is the updated and revised text. It'ss  a fairly comprehensive and no-nonsense wine tasting course that covers every aspect of wine from grape to glass. Nuances are stressed through the tasting and appreciation process. Themed tasting exercises are located throughout the book, encouraging readers to learn at their own pace. All the while, there are copious notes on food and wine pairing, identifying the style spectrum, and distinguishing taste and smell. Old explores fun wine facts and explodes myths, giving you everything you need to talk, taste and enjoy your favorite vintage.


--SPARKLING WINE FOR MODERN TIMES: a drinker's guide to the freewheeling world of bubbles   (Ten Speed Press, 2021, 192 pages, $26 hardbound) is by Zachary Sussman. This is a definitive guide to sparkling wine today, complete with profiles of leading producers, production methods, bottle recommendations, colourful infographics, and illustrated guides. Sussman considers sparkling wine traditions and offerings from around the world. This approachable book explores fascination with sparkling wine and places each regional expression within the range from the radical grower revolution reshaping the highly conservative area of Champagne to Prosecco's overnight transformation into a multi-million-dollar brand to the retro appeal of natural wine's cult-hit "pétillant naturel" to the next generation of "real wines" from Lambrusco, and beyond. The book covers the essential information for each growing region and highlights up-and-coming areas such as Jura in France, the traditional-method Sicilian sparklers and Californian "orange" pét-nat.





--CHEESE, WINE, AND BREAD: discovering the magic of fermentation in England, Italy, and France (William Morrow,  2021,  373 pages, $37 hardbound) is by Katie Quinn who spent time in England at Neal's Yard Dairy, in France with bread at Poilane's in Paris, and in Northeast Italy with winemaker Commellis.  These simple staples of a great meal (bread, cheese, and wine) develop their complex flavors through a process known as fermentation. Katie Quinn spent months as an apprentice with some of Europe's experts to study the art and science of fermentation. Visiting grain fields, vineyards, and dairies, she  brings the stories and science of these foods to the table, explains the process of each craft, and introduces the people behind them. A really good read, full of insights into the fermentation processes.


--JUST A SPRITZ: 57 simple sparkling sips with low to no alcohol (Artisan, 2022, 176 pages, $25 hardbound) is by Danielle Centoni, with Eric Medsker as photographer. The Italian export, the Aperol spritz, with its classic (and simple) makeup of fizzy prosecco, sparkling water, and a splash of the bittersweet, citrus-flavored liqueur, is just the beginning. In Just a Spritz, Danielle Centoni shares a world of spritz variations. Add in sweet liqueurs and bitter amari, fresh juices, flavored kombuchas, and drinking vinegars to update the sparkling spritz. A spritz is quick to assemble and does not require a stocked pantry. Here there are more than 50 recipes (and numerous variations) organized by flavor profile and theme, including the Raspberry Beret, the Margarita Spritz, and the Cucumberbatch, as well as nonalcoholic spritz drinks. For a spritz newbie, a classic Negroni Sbagliato may be just the thing. Or the fruity-floral, scarlet-purple, picture-perfect Lady Lavender. Whatever the craving, from a sweet peach spritz to a slightly bitter and citric Cappelletti Shandy, there's a recipe to satisfy every thirst, along with colourful photos. Remember, these are all LO-AL or NO-AL concoctions.


===================================

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 SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 24,  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.

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 Weeks  ---

--Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge 2003 700 mL. +11426 Vintages October 29,  2022 $109.60: comes in a red wood gift box for the Christmas holidays. There are about 181 producers of Armagnac in Gascony, and many make single vintage bottlings unlike in Cognac. Hence, there are many bottles of older Armagnac brandies (10, 15, 20, 30 year olds) that sell everywhere in the world -- but in small lots. Montal's 2003 was aged a minimum of 19.5 years in oak. Armagnac sells well in Quebec – they recognize a bargain. Extremely aromatic with overtones of roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, and oak character. Exceptionally smooth on the mid-palate and great soft length on the finish. 40% ABV. Apparently, this 20-year old will be making its 23rd anniversary in the LCBO's Holiday release. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

--Redtail Vineyards Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula
Although Redtail is in Prince Edward County, their Gamay Rose comes from Niagara grapes. Pretty pink fruit suggestive of watermelons and cut strawberries, both visually and gustatory.  Redtail Rose exhibits the typical Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with  aromatics of  violets, tea and some rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. The Gamay grape is very, very food friendly. Screw cap, drink now. 10.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

--Byland Estate Winery Rose 2020 VQA Niagara
This wine is pale but bright pink from the Pinot Noir grape, which had been harvested in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of red fruit, such as cherry and sweet pomegranate. Fresh tones, a  citric finish. While useful as an outdoors sipper, it could also double as a very interesting first course wine with finger food or white meats. That's the Pinot Noir talking.  Gold Medalist at the All Canadian Wine Championships.  9g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

--Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sparkling Firefly Rose 2021 VQA Ontario
Produced using the Charmat Method (secondary fermentation in a tank), this sparkler is loaded with strawberry tones from the Cabernet Franc grapes used. The pale colour comes from the 2021 vintage (and it is rare that Charmat wines are vintage dated). Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer or fall patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event.
13% ABV. It's a good Ontario sparkler for under $20. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022  2:30P to 5:30P
The Event: Rendez-Vous Beaujolais Walk-Around Trade Tasting
The Venue: St Andrew's Hall & Lounge, 150 King Street Wes
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media, sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: There were four agents with presentations, while four other wineries were looking for representation. The catalogue was an interactive PDF file which allowed for more consistency. There was a description of each wine.
The Quote/Background: It has been a decade or so since the last major Beaujolais tasting in Toronto. In that time, sales of Nouveau have flattened and the availability of wines from the number of villages (communes) had fallen off. It was a chance to re-discover the 12 appellations and 10 crus of Beaujolais.
The Wines: Some wines did not arrive. I counted 42 wines at the show, and I tried to taste most of them in the limited time I had available.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Blanc Signature 2021  Rogers & Co
-VINESCIENCE Morgon Climats Grand Cras 2021  Rogers & Co
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Villages White 2020  [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Morgon 2019   [seeking]
-DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Morgon Corcelette 2020 [seeking]
-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2021 [seeking]
-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Morgon 2021 – HVE 3 [seeking]
-LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Côte de Brouilly Douze Perles 2020
-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine du Riaz Côte de Brouilly 2020  PDandurand
-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine des 4 vents Fleurie 2019  PDandurand
-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Brouilly 2020  PDandurand
-LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Morgon 2018   PDandurand
-DOMAINE THIVOLLE Morgon Charmeur 2020 [seeking]
-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Moulin-à-Vent Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Rosé Signature 2021 Rogers  & Co
-VINESCIENCE Chiroubles Les Clochers du Beaujolais 2021  Rogers & Co
-VINESCIENCE St-Amour Les Clochers 2021  Rogers & Co
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Chénas 2019  [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Fleurie Charbonnière 2019 [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas 4 Cerisiers 2019 [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Beauvernay 2019  [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Vayolette 2019 [seeking]
-DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais St-Amour 2019 [seeking]
-DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Blanc Roche Noire 2021 [seeking]
-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Brouilly Pierreux 2021  [selection du maitre de chai PQ]
-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Fleurie Poncié 2021   [selection du maitre de chai PQ]
-DOMAINES CHERMETTE Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches 2021[selection du maitre de chai PQ]
-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Chénas Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx
-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Beaujolais Villages 3 Madones 2021 Noble
-ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Brouilly 3 Madones 2021 Noble

The Food: There were two components – one was a combined fromage and charcuterie board, about two feet wide and six feet in length. Spectacular, to say the least. There were two of these. The boards also had crisps, breads, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and mustards. The only thing missing were the typical sausages. The other component were the individual platters of gamay smoked roasted salmon, beaujolais pork rillettes, rose smoked duck with stone fruit, and chardonnay crab and citrus salad.
The Downside: I had to leave early.
The Upside: the great fromage/charcuterie board!
The Contact Person: liz@lluzzapr.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.

** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday October 9...
 
[red] 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, +59311, now $18.95, regularly $21.95, save $3
[red] Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicone Emilia-Romagna, +225086, now $23.95, regularly $28.95, save $5 (buy a case, save $60)
[white] Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay, +84988, now $25.95, regularly $28.95, save $3
[splurge] Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, +378257,  now $52.95, regularly $57.95, save $5

MAJOR THEME:  Score!  20  90+ wines;   Local Talent Thanksgiving Wines

Wines Under $20
=========
Rose+117861    FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ    2021  VQA    $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90
W+18794    FABRÈGUES SÉLECTION PICPOUL DE PINET    2021 LANGUEDOC    $16.95     MVC/QPR: 89.
W+356873    FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY    2021 VQA $16.95  MVC/QPR: 89.
W+485334    KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER    2018    VQA $19.97 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+981175    DOMAINE DE LA MADONE LE PERRÉON BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2020    $17.95     MVC/QPR: 89.

Wines Over $20
=========
W+359794    CHARLES BAKER IVAN VINEYARD RIESLING    2019    VQA $29.95  MVC/QPR: 90
R+191700    RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2017    NAPA $26.95 375ml 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

The Event: Grandi Marchi, Italy's Top Wineries Guided & Walk Around Tasting

The Date and Time: Thursday September 8, 2022  11AM - 5PM
The Event: Grandi Marchi, Italy's Top Wineries Guided & Walk Around Tasting
The Venue: Windsor Arms Hotel
The Target Audience: wine trade (sommeliers, agents, LCBO, media)
The Availability/Catalogue: it was an online catalogue, and some of the wines were not available in Ontario.
The Quote/Background: There was a master class at 11AM for 80 attendees with 14 principals such as Helena Lageder, Alberto Chiarlo, Niccolo Antinori, Alberto Tasca, Piero Mastroberardino. Each spoke about their company and one of their wines, moderated by Michael Fagan. The slide show was also very informative.
The Wines: We had one prosecco, three white wines, nine red wines, plus one sweetie. There were also some 60+ walk around wines in the main show; I did not try them all.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Umani Ronchi Centovie Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT Abruzzo 2020 organic 13% ABV
-Jermann Vintage Tunina Venezia Giulia IGT 2020 13.5% "great finish" from 5 varietals
-Alois Lageder Cason Bianco Viognier-Petit Manseng Delle Dolomiti IGT 2019 Alto Adige biodynamic 13% ABV
-Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo DOCG 2018 14% ABV
-Marchese Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2019 Toscano 14.5% ABV
-Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute Cabreo il Borgo Toscana IGT 2018 15% ABV
-Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2013 organic 14.5% ABV
-Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi DOCG Riserva 2015 Campania 13.5% ABV
-Masi Riserva di Costasera Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016 Veneto 15.5%
-Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2020 Sicily 14.27% ABV
-Carpene Malvolti 1868 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11%
-Lungarotti Torre di Giano Vermentino/Grechetto/Trebbiano 2021 Umbria
-Jermann Bianco Where Dreams Have No End Chardonnay IGT 2020

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Carpene Malvolti 1924 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11%
-Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Rose Brut 2020 DOCG Veneto 11% ABV
-Lungarotti Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2018 Umbria  organic 15.5% ABV
-Rivera Il Falcone Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG 2016 Apulia 13.5% ABV
-Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte Rosso Contea di Sclafani DOC 2016 Sicily 14% ABV
-Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superior 2020
-Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2020 Alto Adige
-Antinori Bramito della Sala Chardonnay 2021 Umbria
-Jermann Vinnae Ribolla Giulia Venezia Giulia 2021

The Food: we had tomato & bocconcini skewers; rice paper vegetable salad rolls and dip; roast beef tortilla pinwheel with peppers, creamy horseradish, arugula, goat cheese mini quiche; mushroom risotto (my fave); vegan sliders; salumi platter; cheeses; breads.
The Downside: there were the inevitable sound problems that needed to be straightened out, and then later during the walk around it was announced that Elizabeth II had passed.
The Upside: a chance to taste some rare and expensive wines, plus speak with winemakers and producers.
The Contact Persons: info@ieemusa.com; b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 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

New Ontario Roses via Case-Wine.com...

New Ontario  Roses via 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 from the reviews listed below.

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

--Redtail Vineyards Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula
Although Redtail is in Prince Edward County, their Gamay Rose comes from Niagara grapes. Pretty pink fruit suggestive of watermelons and cut strawberries, both visually and gustatory.  Redtail Rose exhibits the typical Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with  aromatics of  violets, tea and some rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. The Gamay grape is very, very food friendly. Screw cap, drink now. 10.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.


--Byland Estate Winery Rose 2020 VQA Niagara
This wine is pale but bright pink from the Pinot Noir grape, which had been harvested in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of red fruit, such as cherry and sweet pomegranate. Fresh tones, a  citric finish. While useful as an outdoors sipper, it could also double as a very interesting first course wine with finger food or white meats. That's the Pinot Noir talking.  Gold Medalist at the All Canadian Wine Championships.  9g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

--Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sparkling Firefly Rose 2021 VQA Ontario
Produced using the Charmat Method (secondary fermentation in a tank), this sparkler is loaded with strawberry tones from the Cabernet Franc grapes used. The pale colour comes from the 2021 vintage (and it is rare that Charmat wines are vintage dated). Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer or fall patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event. 13% ABV. It's a good Ontario sparkler for under $20. Quality/Price rating is 91 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

This Should be of Interest to Consumers and to All in the Wine Trade

https://www.everydaydrinking.com/p/wine-media-is-broken-a-case-study

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