May 13/10: New Wines of Greece at Metropolitan Hotel

 The Time and Date: Thursday, May 13, 2010  11AM to 4 PM

The Event: New Wines of Greece.

The Venue: Metropolitan Toronto Hotel

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: Most wines were available now (or later in the year) through the normal LCBO distribution channels. A few will have to be privately ordered.

The Quote/Background: John Szabo MS led a 90-minute seminar that featured a comparative tasting of Greek and International varieties. He began with the white Moschofilero (comparing with Alvarinho and Pinot Grigio) and Assyrtiko varieties (comparing with Chablis and Gruner Veltliner). For reds, he had Agiorgitiko (compared with Muga Rioja and Bordeaux Merlot) and Xinomavro (compared with Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. Some prices were a little vague, and it was difficult to navigate at times.

 

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

-Argyros Vinsanto 1989, over $100 a half-litre  Praxis

-Boutari Grande Reserve Naoussa 2004, $18   Kolonaki

-Domaine Mercouri Red 2007 [refosco,mavrodaphne]  Rubaiyat

-Cava Papaioannou 2001 Peloponnese [cab.sauv.] $27.95 Kolonaki

 

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

-Amethystos Cava Red 2004 [cab sauv] Dionysius

-Antonopoulos Adoli Ghis White 2009, $23.25 Kolonaki

-Ktima Biblia Chora Ovilos White 2009  Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Ktima Biblia Chora Ovilos Red 2008  Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Gentilini Robola of Cephalonia White 2009 Kolonaki

-Domaine Gerovassiliou Red 2005 [syrah,merlot,Grenache] Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Domaine Estate Hatzimichalis Cabernet Sauvignon 2006   Dionysis

-Domaine Katsaros Red  [cab,merlot] Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Kir-Yianni Dyo Elies 2008 [syrah,merlot,xinomavro] Kolonaki

-Papaioannou Old Vines Estate Nemea 2004 organic $34.80 Kolonaki

-Parparoussis Muscat of Rio Patras 2005  Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Ktima Pavlidis Thema White 2009 [sauv.bl.,assyrtiko] $23.25 Kolonaki

-Ktima Pavlidis Thema Red 2008 [syrah,agiorgitiko] $27.45 Kolonaki

-Domaine Sigalas Santorini Barrel White 2009  Kolonaki

-Skouras Megas Oenos 2006 Red $38  Kolonaki

-Domaine Spiropoulos Mantinia 2009 White   Rubaiyat

-Domaine Spiropoulos Porfyros 2006 [cab.,merlot]   Rubaiyat

 

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

-Amethystos Red 2007 [cab, merlot, limnio] Dionysius

-Antonopoulos Malagouzia 2009 White, $19.95 Kolonaki

-Argyros Atlantis White 2009  Praxis

-Domaine Gerovassiliou Viognier 2008 Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Domaine Hatzimichalis Chardonnay 2008   Dionysus

-Domaine Hatzimichalis Kapnias Chardonnay 2008   Dionysis

-Domaine Katsaros Merlot Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Domaine Katsaros Chardonnay Cava Spiliadis Montreal

-Katogi Averhoff Strofilia Red 2007 [agiorgitiko,cab,syrah] Rubaiyat

-Kir-Yianni Paranga 2008 [syrah,merlot,xinomavro] $15.45 Kolonaki

-Limnos Muscat de Limnos Grand Cru White 2009   Kolonaki

-Lyrarakis Vilana White 2009  Churchill

-Mediterra White 2008 Crete  [sauv.bl.,vilana]  Kolonaki

-Tsantali Metohi Chromitsa 2009 White  Praxis

 

The Food: salmon, sushi, roast beef, lamb lollipops, skewered meats, cheese, shrimp, breads, crackers, dried fruit and others.

The Downside: I thought the wines did not show as well as they could have.

The Upside: a very effective seminar, concentrating on just two grape varieties.

The Contact Person: www.allaboutgreekwine.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 91.

 

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

 

 

May 17/10: Vina Montes tasting at Spoke Club

 The Time and Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2010  2 Pm to 4 PM

The Event: A tasting of recent Vina Montes wines with winemaker Aurelio Montes.

The Venue: Spoke Club

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: some wines are here in Vintages or LCBO right now, others are coming later in the year. The agent is Whitehall.

The Quote/Background: Aurelio Montes spoke on organic methods in Chile and in his winery, and then led the wine tasting after an opening reception with Montes Cherub Rose Syrah 2009 (+37887, $14.95 Vintages). He spoke on the food pairing possibilities of the Cherub and on the Classics series.

The Wines:

 

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

-Montes Folly 2006 Apalta Valley, $89.95 Vintages

-Montes Alpha M 2006 Colchagua Valley, $89.95 Vintages

 

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

-Montes Purple Angel 2007 Colchagua Valley, $49.95 Vintages late 2010 [carmenere]

-Montes Alpha Carmenere 2007 Colchagua Valley, $19.95 +143230

-Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Colchagua Valley, $12.95 +157883 LCBO

 

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

-Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Casablanca/Curico, $12.95 +159954 LCBO

 

The Food: shrimp in a basket, blue cheese, breads, glazed nuts, other cheeses, honey.

The Downside: for me, it was one of three events that harried day, so I was late in getting to the reception.

The Upside: a chance to taste upscale quality reds such as Alpha M

The Contact Person: Stephen.marentette@whitehall.ca.

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89

 

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

 

 

June 12, 2010: LCBO Vintages Releases

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 12, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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 available for re-
tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Morgenhof Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: both
herby and full-bodied, delicious as a sipper or a food wine. +18507,
$13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Stellar Organic Winery Running Duck Chardonnay 2009 Western Cape:
very tasty, off-dry or low-acid in mouthfeel, some oak and vanillin.
13.5% ABV. +149856, $12.95, QPR: 90.
3. Morgenhof Estate Chenin Blanc 2008 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: some
honeysuckle complexity from the combo of natural fruit aromas and added
oaking, well-integrated. +978544, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Rosewood Estates Semillon 2008 Beamsville Bench VQA: tasty stone
fruit, long length for food from the finishing acid. +177758, $18, QPR:
90.
5. D'Arenberg The Money Spider Roussanne 2008 McLaren Vale: another
productive aromatic sizzler, ending with some honeyed tones. +656710,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Wakefield Chardonnay 2008 Clare Valley/Adelaide Hills: integrated
oak tones, neat balance. +711556, $16.95, QPR: 90.
7. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough: delicious with
interesting herbs and development through to the engaging finish.
+677450, $19.95, QPR: 90.
8. Te Kairanga Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Martinborough: another quality
sipper from NZ, great mouthfeel. +32805, $16.95, QPR: 909.
9. Kuhlmann-Platz Muehlforst Gewurztraminer 2005 Alsace: off0-dry
finish but regular MVC. 13% ABV. +168864, $15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Chateau Le Bonnat Blanc 2007 Graves: an affordable Semillon-
sauvignon blend with enough complexity at this level, quality. +170274,
$17.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. De Grendel Merlot 2007 Durbanville: very good consistent Merlot
softness, and a large longer finish. +149849, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Queen of Hearts Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Santa Barbara: 14.5% ABV,
tons of black fruit, toasty, tasty, B-I-G. +135368, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Blue Pyrenees Shiraz 2006 Victoria: the bottle fell over from the
weight of the six gold medals on the label. +935890, $16.95, QPR: 90.
4. Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Yarra Valley: tasty, food wine, long
long and enjoyable finish. +165910, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Tahbilk Shiraz 2006 Victoria: a personal fave of mine when it was
"Chateau Tahbilk". I still have some 1983 and 1985 left in my cellar.
This one can also be laid down. +214742, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Chateau La Croix de Queynac 2003 Bordeaux Superiore: ready now. So
ripe it seems New World, but not overly sweet. +138636, $13.95, QPR:
90.
7. Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Pays d'Oc: juicy, New World
style but finishes dry. +171967, $12.95, QPR: 90.
8. Les Piliers Syrah 2007 Costieres de Nimes: full of syrah complexity
at a ridiculous price. +678086, $14.95, QPR: 90.
9. Argiolas Costera 2007 Connonau di Sardegna: earthy, fruity,
delicious mushroom complexity and length. +99028, $17.95, QPR: 90.
10. Pedro Martinez Alesanco Reserva 2005 Rioja: typical Rioja at a
Reserva level, price makes it worthwhile. Nicely aged. +170092, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
11. Seniorio de Ardura Crianza 2006 Rioja: a bit youthful but emerging
tastiness, good Spanish intensity at this price level. +171447, $13.95,
QPRL: 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
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Morgan Highland Chardonnay 2007 Santa Lucia Highland, +953273,
$32.95 retail.
2. Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, +189795, $74.95.
3. Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007, +169771, $34.95.
4. Paolo Conterno Barolo 2005, +172783, $37.95.

 

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

 

 

May 11/10: Wine Agents' Evening Tasting at Australian Wine Society meeting.

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010  6PM to 9PM

The Event: Wine Agents' Evening Tasting, Australian Wine Society

The Venue: U of T Faculty Club

The Target Audience: members of the AWS

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available through consignment or Vintages, although there were a few "private orders".

The Quote/Background: 13 agents presented selections from their Australian wine portfolios. The booklet was replete with data and large print, lacking only prices. Some wines didn't make it, others were added. C'est la vie…

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines; I had to leave early for a concert.

 

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

-Josef Chromy Pinot Gris Tasmania 2008, $22.95 +162974

-Pirramimma Old Bush Vine Grenache 2004, $21.95 +108068

-Andrew Pirie Estate Pinot Noir 2007 Tasmania, $39 Ex-Cellars

-Torbreck Roussanne-Marsanne-Viognier 2008 Barossa, $21.95 Kylix

-Small Gully Mr. Blacks Concoction Shiraz-Viognier 2006 Barossa, $23.95 Kylix

-Geoff Merrill Premium G & W Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 McLaren Vale, $25.50 TWC Imports

-Geoff Merrill Reserve Shiraz 2003 McLaren Vale, $49.95 +96040

-Ulithorne Paternus Cabernet Shiraz 2008, $47 Le Sommelier

 

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

-Joseph Chromy Pepik Pinot Noir Tasmania 2009, $21.95 +162990

-Langmeil Three Gardens Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre Barossa, $19.95 +644047

-Andrew Pirie Estate Sparkling NV Tasmania, $37 Ex-Cellars

-Andrew Pirie Estate South Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $24 Ex-Cellars

-Torbreck Old Vines GSM 2006 Barossa, $21.95 Kylix

-Small Gully Robert's Formula Shiraz 2005, $17.95 Vintages August 2010

-Billy Goat Hill Cabernet Merlot, $18.95 Palmyra

-Stone Gully Shiraz Zinfandel, $15.40 Palmyra

-Geoff Merrill Pimpala Road Shiraz 2006, $16.25 TWC

-Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz 2006 Clare Valley, $24.95 Vintages

-Skillogalee Take Two Shiraz/Cab 2006, $22.70 WorldWide Cellar

-Farmers Leap Brave Shiraz 2005, $35.95  Groupe Soleil

-Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $25.95 Hobbs & Co

-Robert Oatley Shiraz 2007, $17.95 Profile

 

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

-DeBortoli Willowglen Riverina Chardonnay 2008, $13.95 Abcon

-St. Kilda Chardonnay 2008, $13.50 Appellation Wines

-St. Kilda Shiraz 2008, $13.80 Appellation Wines

-McPherson Shiraz 2009 Murray Darling SA, $14.45 Kylix

-Ferngrove Frankland Estate Shiraz 2007 WA, $19.95 Vintages

-Scarlet Ridge Classic Red, $16.55 Palmyra

-Skillogalee Chardonnay 2007 Clare Valley, $22.95 WorldWide Cellar

-Farmers Leap Shiraz 2004, $24.95  Groupe Soleil

-Grant Burge 51 Cabernet-Shiraz 2008, $15.95 HHD Imports

-Clairault Semillion/Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $23.95 Hobbs & Co

-Clairault Tall Poppy Select Shiraz 2008, $13.95 Hobbs & Co

 

The Food: cheeses, pate, breads, crackers.

The Downside: I had to leave early, no time to properly nosh or gab.

The Upside: I had a personal invite from organizer Malcolm Cocks.

The Contact Person: Malcolm Cocks <malcolmc@sentex.ca>

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 92.

 

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

 

 

DRINK AND FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH!

100 PERFECT PAIRING; small plates to enjoy with wines you love
(Wiley, 2010, 188 pages, ISBN 978-0-470-44631-7, $16.95 US hard covers)
is by Jill Silverman Hough, a free lance food writer and recipe
developer. This is a collection of some easy-to-make food apps with
wine pairings, about 100 of them arranged by 12 grape varieties. It is
more of a one-way book: it is best to use if you know and love a
particular grape. You can use the index to track down preps by type of
food, such as sandwiches, salads, shellfish, bacon, beans, and the
like. It is meant for everyday wine and food enjoyment. There are the
basic principles of food matching (weight, salt, spices, acid, and
sweetness) plus some fine tuning. Certainly, the book is useful for
those who want just a little food or one course, and just a glass of
wine. Nothing neither formal nor elaborate here, but then that's not
the point of the book. She adds lots of food and tips in sidebars.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements,
but there is no metric table of equivalents.
Audience and level of use: beginners in the kitchen, those looking for
some wine in their food lives.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: for sauvignon blanc, she
suggests minted pea bruschetta, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, smoked
trout salad, spinach salad with edamame and pecorino, celery root and
scallion soup, fresh corn with citrus butter (I'd add some chipotle to
this butter), and chicken and endive sandwich.
The downside to this book: she could have spent more time examining the
regional differences of wines and how this affects food tastes. But
then, most Americans drink New World fruity upfront wines anyway.
The upside to this book: a nifty book at a great price.
Quality/Price Rating: 90.

 

 

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

 

 

May 10/10: Mani Agency Portfolio Tasting at Romagna Mia

 The Time and Date: Monday, May 10, 2010  Noon to 5 PM

The Event: Mani Agency Portfolio tasting

The Venue: Romagna Mia restaurant

The Target Audience: restaurants and wine media.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is generally available in small lots through consignment.

The Quote/Background: prices are retail.

The Wines:

 

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

-Monti Barbera d'Alba 2006, $62

-Spring Mountain Elivette 2005 Napa, $95 [bord blend]

-Castello di San Sano Borro al Fumo 2004, $47.50 supertuscan

-Chateau D'Angles Terroir De La Clape Red 2005 Syrah, Grenache and Old Vines Carignan Languedoc, $27.75

-Trossos del Priorat Lo Mon 2006 Spain, $47.50 Garnacha, Carignan, cab sauv, syrah

-Trossos del Priorat Lo Mon 2007 Spain, $47.50 same grapes

 

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

-Serracavallo Terraccia 2006 Calabria, $27.50 [magliocco & cab sauvignon]

-Monti Barolo 2005, $88

-Spring Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, $70

-Spring Mountain Estate Syrah 2006 Napa, $65

-Spring Mountain Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Napa, $60

-Chateau Chevalier Pinot Noir 2006 Spring Mountain District, $38.50

-Balbi Soprani Brachetto D'Acqui Piedmont, $22.50 sparkling off-dry red

-Ca Viola Dolcetto D'Alba Barturot 2008 Piedmont, $29.95

-Ca Viola Langhe Rosso Bric du Luv 2006, $65

-Castello di San Sano Chianti Classico Riserva Guarnellotto 2004, $32.50

-Castello di San Sano Chianti Vigneto Della Rana 2008, $16.50

-Morellino di Scansano Celestina Fe 2008 Tuscany, $24.95

-Chateau D'Angles Terroir De La Clape White 2006 Bourboulenc Grenache Marsanne Roussanne, $27.75

-Chateau D'Angles Coteaux du Languedoc Red 2006 Syrah Grenache Mourvedre, $18.95

-Chateau D'Angles Terroir De La Clape Rose 2009 Cinsault Syrah Grenache, $27.75

 

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

-Chateau Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Spring Mountain District, $49.50

-Chateau Chevalier Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Spring Mountain District, $42.50

-Villa Frattina Prosecco Spumante Friuli, $15.95

-Villa Frattina Pinot Grigio 2008 Friuli, $19.50

-Ca Viola Dolcetto D'Alba Vilot 2008 Piedmont, $29.95

-Ca Viola Barbera D'Alba Brichet 2008 Piedmont, $37.50

-Castello di San Sano Chianti Classico 2007, $28.75

-Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2008, $28.75

-Poggia Graffetta Nero D'Avola 2008 Sicily, $21.75

-Poggia Graffetta Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc 2007 Sicily, $21.75

-Poggia Graffetta Syrah 2008 Sicily, $21.75

 

The Food: house made charcuterie, shrimp and balsamic, deep-fried stuffed olives, pizza, and other similar goodies.

The Contact Person: philipdwharton@hotmail.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

 

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