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

 

 

May 7/10: New white wines in Ontario market

The Time and Date: Friday, May 7, 2010  10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The Event: monthly meeting of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada

The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square

The Target Audience: WWCC members

The Availability/Catalogue: new white wines in the marketplace

The Wines:

 

 

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

-Thirty Bench Riesling 2009 VQA, $30

-Cave Spring Riesling Estate 2008 Beamsville Bench, $17.95 +286377

-Cave Spring Riesling CSV 2008 Beamsville Bench, $29.95 +566026 Sept 18, 2010

-Cave Spring Sauvignon Blanc Estate Beamsville Bench, $17.95 +71662 Aug 7, 2010

-Cave Spring Chenin Blanc Estate Beamsville Bench, $16.95 +627315 June 26, 2010

-Coyote's Run Five Mile Riesling/Pinot Blanc/Gewurztraminer 2009, $13.95

-Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged VQA 2008, $12.95

-Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough

-J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2007 Arroyo Seco

-Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2008 Napa

-Lander-Jenkins Spirit Hawk Chardonnay 2008 California

-Douloufakis Enotria Rose 2009 [syrah-kotsifali] Crete, $11.95 +169391

 

The Contact Person: sdarby@rogers.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

 

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

 

 

May 4/10: French Wine Connection, looking for Ontario agents

The Time and Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010  Noon to 5 PM

The Event: French Wine Connection 2010 – North America

The Venue: Roy Thompson Hall, Lobby

The Target Audience: wine agents and consultants and media types.

The Availability/Catalogue: overall, nothing was currently available, but a few items had been here through some agents. Prices quoted were mostly FOB Euros.

The Quote/Background: This is a road show for 42 French wineries who wish to be in the markets of Toronto, Los Angeles, and Miami. It is a major initiative of the French Trade Commissions in North America, in partnership with Sopexa. There were also spirits such as Calvados and Cognacs, mixed drinks, and the like. Plus Cidre Dupont Bouche de Normandie ($12 Canadian).

The Wines:  There might have been 450 wines; I did not taste them all.

 

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

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Hatschbourg 2007 Alsace

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace

-Chat. Fongraves Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2007

-Champagne Cuillier Pere et Fils Brut

-Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Vanite Premier Cru

 

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

-Dom. Bott Freres Gewurztraminer Reserve Personnelle 2008 Alsace

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Cremant d'Alsace NV

-Klipfel Gewurztraminer Cuvee Louis Klipfel 2008 Alsace

-Chat. Fongraves Chat. Julien du Pey Saint Emilion 2007

-Chat. Vieux Mougnac Bordeaux Superieur 2001

-Clos de L'Eglise Lalande de Pomerol 2008

-Chat. Tour de Calens Graves 2007 Rouge

-Domaine de Bellevue Sauvignon 2009 Touraine

-Champagne Cuillier Pere et Fils Grande Reserve

-Champagne Brochet-Hervieux 1er Cru Cuvee HBH 1997

-Dom. De Cabasse Gigondas 2007

-Dom. Bott Freres Riesling Cuvee Particuliere 2007

-Dom. Joseph Cattin Riesling 2009 Alsace

-Champagne Lacourte-Godbillon Premier Cru 2002

 

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

-Schoenheitz Riesling Herrenreben 2007 Alsace

-Schoenheitz Pinot Gris Holder 2008 Alsace

-Chat. Maucamps Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois Superieur 2004

-Chat. Laronde Desormes Cuvee Bordeaux Superieur 2004

-Chateau Plaisir Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol 2006

-Chat. Vray Croix de Gay Pomerol 2006

-Chat. Laulerie Bergerac 2009 Blanc Sec

-Chat. Moulin Galhaud Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2005

-Dom. Nathalie et Gilles Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent 2008

-Chat. Du Petit Thouars Reserve Cabernet Franc 2003 Touraine

-Chat. Cassemichere Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie 2009

-Dom. De Cabasse Les Deux Anges Sablet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2008

 

The Food: Badoit still and sparkling waters, ham off the bone, veggies, roast beef, smoked salmon, pate and terrines, tapenade, cheeses (including a Blue Benedictine from PQ). Catered by Daniel and Daniel.

The Downside: too many wines for one go. It was also lightly attended.

The Upside: a chance to try wines that may be in the marketplace.

The Contact Person: alexia.guuinic@sopexa.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 91.

 

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

 

 

May 3/2010: Grand Marchi Tasting, Italian wines

The Time and Date: Monday, May 3, 2010  2:00 Pm to 4:00 Pm

The Event: Grand Marchi tastng event.

The Venue: King Edward Hotel

The Target Audience: wine trade.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines were available through Vintages, either now or by future order (placed at the event).

The Quote/Background: "great Italian wines from great Italian families"

The Wines: There were 66 wines, but I could not taste them all.

 

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

-Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2004, +178210, $125

-Biondi Santi Villa Poggio Salvi Rosso di Montalcino 2008, +737312, $25

-Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Annamaria Clementi 2002, +567990, $109

-Ca' del Bosco Carmenero 2001, +178244, $59

-Folonari Tenute di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +177279, $30

-Jermann W…Dreams…2007, +51524, $59

-Masi Serego Alighieri Vaio Amaron Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004, +462812, $69.95

-Pio Cesare Barolo 2005, +736587, $75

-Pio Cesare il Bricco Barbaresco 2005, +730275, $99

-Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo 2005, +974956, $99

 

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

-Marchesi Antinori Achelo Cortona Syrah 2007, +177410, $19

-Marchesi Antinori Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore 2008, +178186, $15

-Marchesi Antinori Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006, +177402, $25

-Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004, +177329, $89

-Biondi Santi Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2005 +921916, $59

-Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Prestige Brut, +105353, $45

-Ca' del Bosco Maurizio Zanella 2003, +567982, $79

-Michele Chiarlo Countacc! Montemareto Monferrato Rosso 2006, +178269, $25.

-Folonari Cabreo Black 2007 Tuscany, +180109, $55

-Folonari Campo al Mare 2007, +567925, $32.

-Jermann Chardonnay 2008, +964734, $29

-Jermann Sauvignon Blanc 2008, +583252, $28

-Alois Lageder Krafuss Pinot Noir 2006, +177253, $45

-Lungarotti Rubesco Vigna Monticchio Riserva 2004, +177501, $2

-Lungarotti San Giorgio 2003, +941468, $42

-Masi Campolongo di Turbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004, +548677, $99.95

-Masi Osar 2003, +580233, $65

-Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici 2005, +112193, $44

-Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Rosso del Conte 2005 Sicily, +946731, $59

-Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto 2008, +567941, $55

-Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2008, +177337, $25

-Umani Ronchi Plenio Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva 2006, +583427, $22

-Umani Ronchi Jorio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007, +177287, $15

 

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

-Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso Vermentino 2008, +177428, $25

-Carpene Malvolti Viognier Brut NV, +177469, $17

-Michele Chiarlo le Marne Gavi 2009, +178251, $15

-Donnafugata Sedara Nero d'Avola 2008, +900274, $15

-Donnafugata Tancredi Contessa Entellina 2006, +990424, $29

-Folonari Cabreo il Borgo 2007, +122770, $55

-Alois Lageder Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2006, +30320, $25

-Lungarotti Giubilante 2006, +980672, $19

-Masi Toar 2005, +342444, $22

-Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Blanco 2008, +178160, $17

-Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso 2008, +948091, $19

 

The Food: gourmet breads and crackers, Italian cheeses (Parmigiano, Gorgonzola, etc.), dried fruits.

The Downside: I could not taste all the wines, there were too many.

The Upside: lots of room and a chance to chat with the principals, who included Piero Antinori, Alberto Chiarlo, Giovanni Folonari, Silvio Jermann, Alois Lageder, and Chiara Lungarotti.

The Contact Person: rose.holness@lcbo.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

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