BOOK REVIEW: THE SCIENCE OF GOOD FOOD

THE SCIENCE OF GOOD FOOD (Robert Rose, 2008, 624 pages, ISBN 978-0-
7788-0189-4, $37.95 Canadian, soft covers) is by the team of David
Joachim (involved in more than 30 cookbooks), Andrew Schloss (past
president of IACP), and A. Philip Handel (who direct Hospitality
Management at Drexel University). It is alphabetically arranged, from
abalone to zucchini. The 1600 entries plus explain the physical and
chemical transformations in food preps. Each entry has an explanation
of the science behind the food, equipment or cooking method. Major
topics embrace agriculture, food and safety, animals, and flavours,
along with kitchen wisdom, equipment and techniques. There are many
cross-references, such as "see" and "see also". As well, there are 200
illustrations and photos and 100 demonstrative recipes to show
principles such as deep frying. There are tables on "how it works" and
"what it does". The book concludes with a bibliography and website
listing, plus an index to pull in all the references found in other
entries.
Audience and level of use: a reference book, good to poke around in,
although a bit heavy in size for the bedside and/or the john.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: stuffed lamb's hearts with
bacon and mushroom; acorn squash filled with pumpkin seed risotto;
basil ricotta ice cream; beta-carrotene cake; chipotle consommé;
tomatillos jalapeno jam.
The downside to this book: for a reference book like this, I'd pay a
few more dollars to get a hard bound copy [I just found out was available for (ISBN 978-0-7788-0205-1) $54.95 CDN.
The upside to this book: recipe titles are listed in red in the index.
Quality/Price Rating: 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

TASTING: Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre 2007 Vintage, April 28, 2009

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009  11AM to 4 PM
The Event: Tasting of Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre 2007
Burgundy and Chablis wines, presented by Woodman Wines & Spirits.
The Venue: Royal Canadian Yacht Club (City Club House), St. George St.
The Target Audience: wine trade, media.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available, mostly by special
order.
The Quote/Background: Of the 74 wines in the portfolio, we were able to
taste 40 of them. Luc Bouchard was available for interviews and
discussions. Of note was the exceptionally early picking date of late
August.
The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot, $96.
-Chambolle Musigny, $68
-Nuits St-Georges 1er cru les Cailles, $128
-Pommard 1er cru, $75
-Beaune 1er cru Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus, $144
-Beaune du Château Blanc 1er cru, $50
-Meursault 1er cru Perrières, $117
-Meursault 1er cru Genevrières, $114
-Corton Charlemagne, $204
-Montagny 1er cru, $35
-Wm. Fevre Fourchaume 1er cru, $51
-Wm. Fevre Bougros Cote Bougerots Grand Cru, $100

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Beaune du Château Rouge 1er cru, $50
-Beaune 1er cru Marconnets, $61
-Savigny les Beaune 1er cru Lavieres, $49
-Gevrey Chambertin, $62
-Vosne-Romanee 1er cru les Suchots, $161
-Chevalier Montrachet, $402
-Wm. Fevre Beauroy 1er Cru Chablis, $51
-Wm. Fevre Les Preuses Grand Cru, $100
-Wm. Fevre Les Clos Grand Cru, $114

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chambertin Clos de Beze, $312
-Pouilly-Fuisse, $28
-Wm. Fevre Vaillons 1er cru, $51
-Wm. Fevre Bougros Grand Cru, $90

 

The Food: bread and cheese
The Contact Person: jason@woodmanwinesandspirits.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

BOOK Review: OREGON, the taste of wine.

OREGON; the taste of wine (Graphic Arts Books, 2008; distr. Canadian
Manda Group, 128 pages, ISBN 978-0-88240-746-3, $24.95 US hard covers)
is by photographer Janis Miglavs, who has lived in Oregon since 1982.
He is a well-known travel adventure photographer with many credits
worldwide, notably in National Geographic. This book is a photographic
tour, with interviews and discussion on winemaking in the region. He
has profiles of select wineries. The over-arch is a short section on
history and culture, with an historical timeline to cover the 16 AVAs
in Oregon (most prominent to us in Canada is Willamette Valley and Wall
Walla Valley). This includes material on terroir, sustainable
practices, LEED certification, and so forth. Ninety-four people
contributed to the book (they are all listed alphabetically) from David
Adelsheim to Cecil Zerba. And there is a good integration of photos
with quotes from the various winemakers.
Audience and level of use: wine travelers, Oregon wine lovers.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: Fly Over Red and Fly Over
White wines were developed at one winery when it became ignored by wine
writers who were to busy coming up from California and "flying over"
the winery.
The downside to this book: no index.
The upside to this book: well-written and well-photographed.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: WINEWISE (by the CIA)

WINEWISE; your complete guide to understanding, selecting, and
enjoying wine. (John Wiley and Sons, 2008, 360 pages, ISBN 978-0-471-
77064-0, $29.95 US hard covers) is by Steven Kolpan, Brian Smith and
Michael Weiss – all professors of wine at the Culinary Institute of
America. It is meant as both a textbook for hospitality students,
especially those at the CIA, and for the informed consumer who wishes
to pursue his vinous knowledge. It is a fairly complete basic guide
within two covers at a very decent price. There are over 300 colour
photos and 32 maps (in colour, and with sufficient detail). The authors
aim to prepare the basic consumer to appreciate wines, to select and
buy the best bottles in both stores and restaurants, and to pair wines
with foods (and vice versa). They begin coverage with material on the
major white and red varietals. They continue with profiles of the major
wine regions in the world. Here, Canada is lumped with Greece in a
separate chapter labeled as "up and coming". Ok, I can handle
that…There are a few errors in the Ontario section (Pelham is spelled
Pellham; there is no mention of Prince Edward County as a wine growing
region). Additional material concerns lists of value wines.
Audience and level of use: basic consumer level, hospitality schools
especially the CIA.
Some interesting or unusual facts: As for restaurant pricing policies,
the authors say "the wine should never cost double its retail price on
the wine list." With a straight face, I can say that for Ontario, the
wine should ALWAYS cost quadruple its retail price…A $10 bottle from
the consignment warehouse is regularly priced in the $40 to $50 range.
The downside to this book: I wished they had some more details on some
of the minor grapes. We do not really know which will be the next
"star".
The upside to this book: there is a good list of bargain wines, most of
which can be also found in Ontario, PQ and BC, unfortunately not as
bargains.
Quality/Price Rating: for this price, try 96.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: a tasting of Penny's Hill and Mr. Riggs Australian wines, March 31, 2009

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009  4PM to 5PM
The Event: a tasting of Penny's Hill and Mr. Riggs Australian wines,
conducted by Sophie Robson from the company in Australia.
The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve, King Street
The Target Audience: clients and the wine press.
The Availability/Catalogue: wines come and go through Vintages, but
they can be a private order through the agent, John Hanna and Sons.
The Quote/Background: Mr. Riggs is a consultant in McLaren Vale, and he
makes wines for a number of wineries. This time, he put his own name on
the label. All lots are small productions. Penny's Hill first began
with the 1995 vintage.
The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Mr. Riggs Shiraz 2006, $55. 15% ABV, lovely oak overtones and berry
flavours.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Penny's Hill Shiraz "Red Dot" 2007, $30

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Mr. Riggs Shiraz "The Gaffer" 2006, $23.95, 15% ABV.
-Mr. Riggs Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2007, $22.95 Vintages, 14.5%
ABV.
-Penny's Hill Fortified Shiraz 2004, $37.95 per 500 mL – 18.5% ABV,
Port-like but not as sweet.

 

The Food: bread and water
The Downside: it was only one hour
The Upside: good comparisons
The Contact Person: andrewhanna@winetrader.ca
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85.

 

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

TASTING: World Wine Watch May 2, 2009 Vintages Release

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR  MAY 2, 2009
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing <deantudor@deantudor.com>
Always at www.deantudor.com since 1995. Also visit my "Wines, Beers and
Spirits of the Net Compendium", a guide to thousands of news items and
RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits.
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. Also, some defective
or corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Niagara College Teaching Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 VQA St.
David's Bench: crisp, Chablis-like with apple-pear-lemons. +40675,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2006 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake: packed
with flavours, well-rounded creamy, butterscotch. +117572, $21.95, QPR:
90.
3. Domaine des Aubuisieres Cuvee de Silex Vouvray 2008: off-dry chenin
blanc, will be a fab drink in two years. +57042, $17.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Tenuta Il Corno Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2006: value priced, hits
all the right sangiovese notes, snap it up. +123752, $14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere 2008 Colchagua: juicy, some
nice herbal fuzz from the carmenere, organic grapes. +56853, $13.95,
QPR: 93.
3. Alkoomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Frankland River: great Euro tastes
right from start of entry to finish of length. +904227, $17.95, QPR:
90.
4.Richard Hamilton Lot 148 Merlot 2006 McLaren Vale: lots of length
follows the cabernet-like fruit on the entry. +39461, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateu Le Bourdieu 2003 Medoc: MVC for the region, some tannins on
the finish, still a good buy. +85084, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine Debray Bourgogne Hautes Cotes-de-Beaune 2006: affordable
pinot noir from Burgundy, with the usual cran-cherry nose, even some
oak. +112219, $21.95, QPR: 90.
7. Zenato Cormi Merlot/Corvina 2006 IGT Veneto: ripe, round and
attractive to New World palates. +108282, $19.95, QPR: 90.
8. Mana del Brujo 2006 Calatayud Spain: 14.5% ABV, not yet read, but
will reward patience in two years. Invite me over. +15073, $17.95, QPR:
90.
9. Marques de Valcarlos Gran Reserva 1999 Navarra: pruney and dried
fruit, but with redeeming oak tones. Great for food. Note the vintage
date. +687251, $21.95, QPR: 90.

 

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
could buy and bring to those restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2005,
+943613, $24.95 retail.
2. Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino 2003, +121905, $48.95.
3. Acacia Chardonnay 2007 Carneros, +80556, $36.95.
4. La Crema Chardonnay 2007 Sonoma Coast, +962886, $29.95.
5. Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay 2006 Napa, +330233, $24.95.
6. Dominus Estate Napanook 2005 Napa, +63065, $53.95.
7. Rutherford Hill Merlot 2005 Napa, +959338, $34.95.
8. Loan Shiraz 2004 Barossa, +104661, $37.95 [organic]
9. Domaine Bernard Defaix Cote de Lechet Reserve Chablis 1er Cru 20-06,
+17541, $36.95.
10. Domaine Delorme et Fils Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuisse 2006,
+110261, $32.95.
11. Marchesi Fumanelli Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004,
+105155, $59.95.
 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

TASTING: Red VQA Ontario wines, April 15, 2009

The Time and Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009  10AM to 2:30 PM

The Event: a tasting of red VQA Ontario wines

The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square, Kitchen Event Room

The Target Audience: Wine Writers Circle of Canada members

The Availability/Catalogue: all are available at the winery, but a few are at LCBO and Vintages.

 

The Wines:

 

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

-Alvento  Sondra    Merlot, Cab Franc    2006  VQA  12.5% alc

-Chateau des Charmes  Gamay Noir  "Droit"  2007  St. David'sBench  VQA  13% alc  # 582353  $16.95

-Colio Estate Vineyards Merlot Reserve 2002 Barrel Aged  VQA  Lake Erie North Shore  13% alc  LCBO# ?    $20.95  Vintages

-Creekside  Shiraz  2007  VQA  Niagara Peninsula  12.5% alc   #66654  General List  $15.95 

-Rosewood  Pinot Noir  2007  VQA  Twenty Mile Bench 13% alc

-Stonechurch   Syrah  Reserve  2007  VQA  Niagara-on-the-Lake  13% alc $24.95

-Henry of Pelham  Pinot Noir  2007  VQA  Niagara Peninsula  13% alc  

# 13904  $  17.25   General List

-Wayne Gretzky   Shiraz/Cabernet  2006  Estate Series  VQA St David's Bench  12.7% alc  No LCBO #   $22.95

-Southbrook   Triomphe Syrah 2007  VQA Niagara Peninsula  12.3% alc  No LCBO # yet.  $24.95  Release Vintages Sept 12, 2009

 

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

-Cave Spring Cellars  Pinot Noir  VQA  Niagara Peninsula   12.5% alc  #417642   $16.95  Avail LCBO, no releasse date given.

-Creekside  Laura Red  2006  VQA Niagara Peninsula  12.8% alc  #117960  Vintages    Available now  $19.95

-Creekside   Pinot Noir  Reserve  2006  VQA St David's Bench  12.6% alc  #81729  Vintages  Avail now  $29.95

-Stonechurch  Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve  2007  VQA  Niagara-on-the-Lake  13% alc  Vintages Selection $19.95

-Pelee Island  Cabernet Sauvignon  Petit Verdot  2007   VQA Ontario  12% alc  Winery only  $19.95 

-Harbour Estates  Cabernet Sauvignon  2007  VQA  Niagara Peninsula  13% alc  #101238  $13.15  General List Craft 

-Inniskillin   Cabernet Franc  2007  VQA Niagara Peninsula   12.5% alc   #37016  $13.50  

-Konzelmann  Merlot  2006  Barrel Aged  VQA Niagara Peninsula   12.5% alc  #62465400066  $20.20  Vintages release July 4, 2009.

 

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

-Creekside Cabernet 2007 VQA $13.95 +620708 General List

-Calamus  Meritage  (60% Cab Sauv, 25% Cab Franc, 15% Merlot)  2006  VQA  $20 plus deposit   Avail winery only, no release date

-Cave Spring Cellars   Gamay   2007   VQA   Niagara Peninsula   12.5% alc   # 228569  $12.95  Avail LCBO, no release date given.

-EastDell  CabMerlot  2007  VQA Niagara Peninsula  12% alc  #620187  $12.95  No release date given.

-De Souza  Cabernet Franc  2006   VQA Ontario  12.5% alc   #101121  $11.95  No release date given

-Flat Rock  Pinot Noir  2007  VQA  Twenty Mile Bench  12.5% alc  #1545  $19.95  Avail in Vintages now.

-Frogpondfarm  Organic Cabernet-Merlot  2007  VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake  13.2% alc  #58354  500 ml  $16.00  Vintages Release Sept 12, 2009.

-Dan Aykroyd  Pinot Noir  2007  Discovery Series  VQA Niagara Peninsula  12.5% alc  #101840  $14.95  No release date given.

-Dan Aykroyd  Cabernet Shiraz  2007  Discovery Series  VQA Niagara Peninsula  13% alc  #74062  $14.95  No release date given.

-Aleksander   Pinot Noir  2007   $24.95 Not yet labelled.  For release date contact winery.

-Konzelmann  Shiraz  2006  Barrel Aged VQA Niagara Peninsula  12% alc   #624654000607  $13.20  Vintages release Jan 3, 2009.

-Legends  Merlot  2006  VQA  Niagara  13% alc

-Pelee Island  Pinot Noir  Reserve  2007  13.5% alc  #458521  $14.95  --Pelee Island  Baco Noir  2007  VQA Ontario  13% alc  #485128  $19.95  -Trius  Red  2007  VQA Niagara  13.5%  #1040575  $21.75

-Pillitteri  Cabernet Merlot  2007  VQA  Niagara Peninsula  13% alc  #349191  $12.95  No release date given.

-Southbrook  Triomphe  Cabernet Merlot  2006  VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake  12.6% alc  No LCBO # yet.  Vintages May 2, 2009

-Sprucewood  Cabernet France   2007  VQA Lake Erie North Shore   13% alc  $18.95  Avail now at winery and winerytohome.com

-Vineland  Cabernet France  2007  VQA  Niagara Peninsula 12.2% alc   #594127  $12.75

-20 Bees  Cabernet Merlot  VQA Niagara Peninsula  13% alc  #6395  $9.95  -20 Bees  Growers' Red  100% homegrown grapes but not VQA  12.1% alc   #49635  $9.95 1L

-Trumpour's Mill  Pinot Noir  2007  VQA Prince Edward County  13% alc  Vintages Release Aug 2009  $16.80

 

The Food: bread and water

The Contact Person:  sdarby@rogers.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 95.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: 7th annual Churchill Cellars Portfolio Tasting, March 30, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, March 30, 2009   3PM to 7 PM
The Event: 7th annual Churchill Cellars Portfolio Tasting.
The Venue: Berkeley Church Heritage Event Venue, Queen St. East
The Target Audience: customers, trade, and wine press.
The Availability/Catalogue: all items are available at the LCBO, either
through Vintages or General Purchase.
The Quote/Background: I got there after the Champagne tasting, about
4:07PM – it was already packed and almost impossible to move. I headed
straight for the Champagne, to make a comparison with the Piper/Charles
combo of a few minutes before. But I did not glean much because of the
crowds and circumstances.

 

The Wines: I did not try all the wines.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Franciscan Estate Chardonnay 2006 Napa, +496125 Vintages, $24.75
-Robert Mondavi Merlot 2004 Napa, +953562 Vintages, $34.75.
-Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa, +708842 Vintages, $50
-Pol Roger Chardonnay Brut 1999, +96685 Vintages, $88.75.
-Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut 1999, +989137 Vintages, $82.75
-Casa Silva Quinta Generacion White 2004 Colchagua, +59444 Vintages,
$15.90

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Peninsula Ridge Viognier VQA 2007, +662601 Vintages June 20, $14.75
-Peninsula Ridge Dubois Vineyard Reserve INOX Chardonnay VQA 2007,
+56606 Vintages, $19.75
-Robertson Winery Kings River South Africa Chardonnay 2006, +104810
Vintages, $15.75.
-Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +255513 Vintages Essentials,
$37.45
-Estancia Chardonnay 2006 Monterey, +75614 Vintages, $19.75
-Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2007 Adelaide Hills, +683011 Vintages, $26.75
-D'Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2006 McLaren Vale, +981183 Vintages,
$55.75.
-Gran Feudo Vinas Viejas Reserva 2003 Navarra, +948067 Vintages, $19.75
-Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot 2006 California, +524769
General Purchase, $19.80
-Pol Roger Brut Champagne NV, +51953 General Purchase, $54.40
-Ravenswood Barracia Zinfandel 2006 California, +672733 Vintages,
$39.75
-Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling Spatlese Urziger Goldwingert 2006 Mosel,
+71142 Vintages, $32.75.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Peninsula Ridge Sauvignon Blanc VQA 2007, +53678 GP, $14.75
-Peninsula Ridge A.J.Lepp Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc VQA 2007, +78543
Vintages, $19.75
-D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2007 McLaren Vale,
+662775 Vintages, $17.75
-Chivite Gran Feudo Reserve Navarra 2003, +479014 Vintages Essentials,
$15.75.
-Chateau de Gourgazaud 2006 Minervois, +22384 General Purchase, $12.10
-Woodbridge Chardonnay 2007 California, +99408 General Purchase, $13.85

 

The Food: Cheese Boutique provided Chevre Noir, a blue, cheddar, some
goat cheeses, Comte. Whitehouse Meats gave us some pork and lamb
sausages. Lobster rolls appeared and disappeared.
The Downside: the few bottles of higher priced wines ($55 and up) had
disappeared already, and were not replaced.
The Upside: lobster rolls were a pleasant surprise, as was the Chevre
Noir.
The Contact Person: tory@churchillcellars.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: Tasting of Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck champagnes, March 30, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, March 30, 2009  2PM to 4PM
The Event: Tasting of Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck champagnes,
conducted by Christian Holthausen, International Brand Ambassador for
both houses.
The Venue: Veritas, King St. East
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: most items are available in Canada, see
below.
The Quote/Background: when asked which Champagne she preferred, Monica
Ralphs said "Well, what time is it?". The Piper was definitely the
lighter of the two brands, and seemed to go well at breakfast or lunch
or brunch. The Charles was more weighty and thoughtful, best at or
after dinner.
The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV, +36962 Vintages, $59.75 – more
mature, aged longer in the cellar
-Charles Heidsieck Brut 2000, +52449 Classics, $88.80
-

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut NV, +462432 LCBO, $57.75 – great in the AM
-Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2000, $99.75 Vintages in May
-Piper-Hiedsieck Rare 1999, about $250, not in Canada yet.
-Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Millenaires 1995, +52449 Classics, $174.80

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage NV, $75, not yet available in Ontario – a
higher percentage of pinot noir red wine is added, low sugar, dry
tannins, food wine.

 

The Downside: we had to wait a bit for everybody to be assembled. Also,
a Charles Heidsieck Rose Champagne was not sent in time; it was to be
compared with the Piper Rose Sauvage.
The Upside: a really great comparison of two very different house
styles of Champagne.
The Contact Person: Liz Morellato  morellato@selectwines.ca.
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

Bokke Wine Portfolio show March 25, 2009

The Time and Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3PM to 5 PM
The Event: New Kids on the Block -- the latest 10 wines in Bokke Wines
portfolio.
The Venue: Angell Art Gallery, Queen Street West
The Target Audience: wine press in the afternoon, private clients are
night.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available now or will be
soon.
The Quote/Background: Bodega Goulart specializes in 90 year old Malbec
vines in Argentina, while Viljoensdrift promotes consistency in its
Rivergrandeur tier of wines. Most of Bokke's wines are from South
Africa, with others coming from south of the Equator.
The Wines: all prices are licensee.

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Coney Wines Pizzicato Pinot Noir 2006, New Zealand, $38
-Klein Genot Black Swan Reserve 2006, Franschoek South Africa, $27
[50/50 cabernet sauvignon and franc]
-Lammershoek Zinfandel-Syrah 2006 Swartland South Africs, $18.75 – my
fave of the tasting.

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Goulart Reserva 2007, Argentina, 100% Malbec, $24 Licensee.
-Paris Goulart Glam 2006, Argentina, $20 [60 malbec, 40 cabernet]
-Viljoensdrift Rivergrandeur Shiraz 2007 Robertson South Africa, $19.50
-Viljoensdrift Rivergrandeur Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Robertson South
Africa, $15.95 at Vintages +79483.
-Viljoensdrift Rivergrandeur Chardonnay 2008 Robertson South Africa,
$15
-Mt. Destin Passione 2005 Stellenbosch South Africa, $26.50 [57%
cabernet sauvignon, 33% shiraz, and merlot]

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Mt. Destin Chenin Blanc 2008 Stellenbosch, South Africa, $17.20

The Food: baguettes from Longos, cream cheese, camembert, cheddar,
mozzarella, crackers, herb pate.
The Contact Person: Eleanor.rigby1@rogers.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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The Event: a tasting of Tenuta Rocca with Elena Ercole, February 26/09

The Time and Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009   2:30PM to 7PM
The Event: a tasting of Tenuta Rocca with Elena Ercole. The agent was
Ex-Cellars.
The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve, King Street
The Target Audience: wine media, private clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: half the wines are available with eight
weeks lead time, one is in classics, and one is in consignment.
The Quote/Background: the estate is in the heart of Langhe, 24.7 acres.
The Wines: There were five wines, a good number to try.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Tenuta Rocca Vigna San Pietro Barolo 2003, $62, Classics +103721.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Tenuta Rocca Vigna Sori Rocca Dolcetto d'Alba 2007, $26, by six pack
-Tenuta Rocca Langhe Rosso Ornati 2005, $41, by six pack. Half cab
sauvignon, balance split between barbera and nebbiolo.
-Tenuta Rocca Vigna San Pietro Barolo 2004, $87, Consignment – higher
price for 2004 because of exchange rate.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Tenuta Rocca Vigna Rocca Neira Barbera d'Alba 2004, $43, by six pack.

 

The Food: cheeses, rare roast beef, breads.
The Downside: when I went, if was crowded, but then it was after hours.
The Upside: a chance to talk with Elena Ercole and Nuray Ali
The Contact Person: nuray@ex-cellars.ca
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com