New German Wine Releases tasted at George Brown College, Aug 17, 2010

The Time and Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2010  1:30 – 3 PM

The Event: New German wine releases with Bob Blumer

The Venue: George Brown College Chef School restaurant

The Target Audience: media, LCBO product consultants.

The Availability/Catalogue: 13 new German wines are (or will be) on the LCBVO shelves this coming season, with the first batch out at Vintages on Aug 21. All of the wines except for two were Riesling.

The Quote/Background: Bob Blumer led a demonstration of Ahi sno-cones (tuna tartar served in a crispy wonton cone). Unfortunately, his mike did not always work and he was hard to hear.

The Wines:

 

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

-Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Nussbrunnen Riesling Spatlese 1997, $21.95, +160762 Vintages

-Fritz Allendorf Winkeler Hasensprung Riesling Kabinett 2008, $16.95, +160747 Vintages

 

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

-Nik. Weis Urban Riesling 2008, +184051 LCBO

-J Kollmann Vinum Germania Riesling QbA 2008, $12.95, +161745 Vintages

-RK Kesselstatt Riesling QbA 2008, $14.95 +733295 Vintages

-Becker-Steinhauer Veldenzer Kirchberg Riesling Kabinette 2008, $15.95, +161786 Vintages

-L Guntrum Niersteiner Bergkirche Riesling Kabinette 2008, $15.95, +160671 Vintages

 

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

-Graf Schonborn Hallburger Schlossberg Kabinett Trocken 2008, $18.95, +70953 Vintages

-J Kollmann Vinum Germania Pinot Noir QbA 2008, $14.95, +161752 Vintages

-Werner Anselmann Huxelrebe Auslese 2007, $14.95, +681445 Vintages.

-Schmitt Sohn Funf German Riesling, +175026 LCBO October

-F.W. Langguth Black Slate Riesling QbA 2009 Mosel, +176917, $10.95 Fall LCBO

-Carl Reh Riesling Kabinette 2008, $12.95, LCBO

 

The Food: served by George Brown students. At the pinot noir table, there were filet mignon sliders with caramelized onion marmalade. With sylvaner, there were sugar and spice pecans. The sweet wine table had three types of cheese, including fabulous aged Gouda from Thunder Bay Cheese. The two Riesling table wines were accompanied by coconut shrimp lollypops and ahi sno-cones. First rate matches.

The Downside: it was crowded because two of the five tables were mostly inaccessible -- the food was in the way and there was too much wine being poured at these dry Riesling tables (9 of the 13 wines were here). The layout could have been modified.

The Upside: some really good wines were on display, carefully matched with the food.

The Contact Person: ted@androscom.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

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

 

 

South African Red Blends Wine Tasting, July 22, 2010

The Time and Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010  11AM to 2:30 PM

The Event: South African Red Blend Tasting, with Andre Morgenthal of Wines of South Africa (WOSA), followed by a Braai-inspired lunch.

The Venue: LCBO Summerhill Event Kitchen

The Target Audience: wine writers.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are in the system somewhere.

The Quote/Background: Andre Morgenthal spoke to the wines, and we had some lively discussions. Most of the wines were Bordeaux-like blends, although some of these also had syrah and others had a big chunk of merlot for softening. Then Andre cooked up a Braai, an Afrikaans styled roast or BBQ, for us after the tasting. We were able to compare and contrast all ten wines with food.

The Wines:

 

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

-De Toren Fusion V 2007 [CS/Mer/Mal/CF/PV], Lifford, $59.95 – my fave

-Rustenberg John X Merriman 2007, Woodman Wines

-Meerlust Rubicon 2005, Lifford, $39.95

 

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

-Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 2009 – as aperitif, went well with veggies.

-Juno Arthouse Shiraz/Mourvedre 2007, +148593, $14.95

-Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2009, +626333, $13.95

-KWV Cathedral Cellars Triptych 2006, +53124, $16.95

-Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2006, Woodman Wines

 

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

-Vergelegen Mill Race Cabernet/Merlot 2006, +146530, $17.95

-Cloof Lynchpin 2005, +95232, $49

 

The Food: the Braai was delicious. We began with grilled BBQ chicken, cut so that we all had some part of the bone for juiciness. Salad included beans (green, yellow, wax, and others) and there was a tomato collection as well. This was all followed by a roasted stew of lamb shanks, again cut with the bone. A cheese platter and biscuits completed the meal. We tried various wines with various foods, and in general, I would have to say that the more modest priced wines went better with the Braai. But then that's the nature of BBQ. I enjoyed the elegant wines on their own, or with the cheeses.

The Downside: we were short a few writers (sickness); they could have added more commentary.

The Upside: hey, more food to go around!

The Contact Person: keenan@propellerpr.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 92.

 

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

 

 

Portfolio Tasting of Concha y Toro wines at Over Joy, July 13, 2010

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2010  1:30PM to 5 PM

The Event: Portfolio tasting of Concha y Toro wines, emphasizing carmenere. Select Wines is the agency.

The Venue: Over Joy, Leslieville

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is (or will be) available in the system except for the Brut.

The Quote/Background: we tasted a wide variety of wines, mostly from $10 to $25, with a very serious carmenere at $120. The range included their series Frontera, Sunrise, Casillero del Diablo, Trio, Winemakers Lot, and Marques de Casa Concha. Concha y Toro own a variety of vineyards in most of the Chilean regions, e.g., Maipo, Rapel, Casablanca, and grow grape varieties specific to that region.

The Wines: prices are retail, sizes are 750mL unless magnum specified.

 

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

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Shiraz 2008, +568055, $12

-Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot #148 Carmenere 2007 Rapel, $16.95 Vintages

-Concha y Toro Carmin de Peumo Carmenere 2005 Puemo Valley, +52209, $119.95 Vintages Classics

-Concha y Toro Terrunyo Block 27 Carmenere 2006 Cachopoal Valley, +562892, $29.95 Vintages

-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2008 Maipo, $17.95

 

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

-Concha y Toro Frontera Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, +669093, magnum, $14.95.

-Concha y Toro Sunrise Cabernet, +47951, $9

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009, +578641, $10

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Carmenere 2008, +620666, $13

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Malbec 2008, +94060, $13

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, +278416, $13

-Concha y Toro Trio Sauvignon Blanc 2009, +678656, $12.95 Vintages

-Concha y Toro Trio Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Cabernet Franc 2008, +4333912, $16.95 Vintages

-Concha y Toro Brut Chardonnay Limari, $12.95 (possible)

-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Maipo, +337238 Vintages Essentials, $19.95.

-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2007 Maipo, +30957 Vintages Sept 18/10, $19.95.

 

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

-Concha y Toro Frontera Sauvignon Blanc 2009, +113019, magnum, $13.95.

-Concha y Toro Frontera Chardonnay 2009, +465849, magnum, $13.95.

-Concha y Toro Frontera Cabernet/Merlot 2008, +286187, magnum, $13.95.

-Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Reserva Merlot 2008, +427088, $11.95.

-Concha y Toro Xplorador Carmenere 2009, +177816, $9.95 October General List

-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2007 Rapel, $19.95

 

The Food: first-rate platters of charcuterie such as sausages, salami, smoked duck, smoked salmon. As well there were spinach turnovers, cheeses, skewered meats, stuffed mushroom caps, bruschetta, plus three major dips.

The Downside: it was lightly attended.

The Upside: more food and wine for the attendees.

The Contact Person: haddleton@selectwines.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

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

 

 

Sept 4/10 LCBO Vintages Release - some tasting notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 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. Sumac Ridge Black Sage Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 VQA Okanagan: nicely
aged and developed well, citric finish plus smoke. +393710, $14.95,
QPR: 89.
2. Geyser Peak Chardonnay 2008 Alexander Valley: 13.5% ABV, nice as
sipper or with food, lots of wood activity and smoke and vanilla,
finishing with fruit. +343475, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Veramonte Reserva Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca Valley: creamy, luxury,
best young (i.e., now), 13.5% sipper. +494443, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2008 South Africa: elegant blend of
toast, vanilla, and fruit – to a lingering finish. +172601, $15.95,
QPR: 90.
5. Kuhlmann-Platz Hunawihr Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: 13.5%, very good
MVC, hits all the highlights for gewurztraminer, but less dry than
others. +169474, $17.95, QPR: 90.
6. Luc Pirlet Les Barriques Viognier Reserve 2008 Vins de Pays d'Oc:
delicious floral wine, sip mostly but also with first course, buy it at
this price. +177675, $11.95, QPR: 91.
7. Perrin & Fils Reserve Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009: light floral
aromatics, useful as aperitif, sip or food, patio? +177675, $14.95,
QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Big Yellow Cab Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Mendocino: powerful fruit
components, chocolate and coffee tones, smoke, vanilla, with some age
behind it. +35014, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Alamos Syrah 2008 Mendoza: s strong syrah product, still needs time,
may repay cellaring. +183848, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Carta Vieja Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Lonocomilla
Chile: good complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon, MVC of black currant and
spices. +169888, $13.95, QPR: 90
4. Mount Langri Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2005 Victoria: good aging
shows with fruit now five years old, twist top, 14% ABV. +719575,
$16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Cuvee 2007: basic and pleasant everyday
sipper, 14% ABV. LCBO pre-release notes say it has Cabernet Franc but
this grape variety was not on the label. +684357, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Les Vignerons de la Suzienne Cuve du Comte 2007 Southern Rhone:
terrific syrah flavours at a bargain price, easily worth three times as
much. 13.5% ABV, Please don't buy all of this wine until Monday, so I
can have Saturday to load up for myself… +178822, $15.95, QPR: 94.
7. Beronia Elaboracion Especial Tempranillo 2008 Rioja: smoky wine, not
for the faint of heart, a keeper for the cellar but ready now. +723643,
$15.95, 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
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Huff Estates South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay 2007 VQA PEC, +88955,
$29.95 retail.
2. Bouchard Pere et Fils Domaine Les Clous Meursault 2007, +661322,
$44.95.
3. F. Tinel-Blondelet L'Arret Buffatte Pouilly-Fume 2008, +169730,
$21.95.
4. Bouchard Pere & Fils Domaine Teurons Beaune 1er Cru 2007, +169797,
$49.95.
5. Domaine de Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007,
+177618, $36.95
6. Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2006, +942607,
$54.95.
7. Antiche Terre Venete Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007, +177733,
$32.95.

 

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

 

 

REVIEW: The History of Michigan Wines

 

THE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN WINES; 150 years of winemaking along the Great Lakes (History Press, 2010, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-59629-947-4, $19.99 US paper covers) is by Lorri Hathaway and Sharon Kegerreis, authors of 2007's From the Vine: exploring Michigan wineries. This book is kind of a pre-quel in that it covers the beginnings of the wine industry in Michigan, from about the mid-1800s to today. The authors look at a basic history of the region's early settlers, some terroir, and vitis labrusca.  Disaster struck early: rot came in 1883, temperance came along a few years later, and then Michigan was one of the earliest states to impose prohibition. So essentially the book covers 1930s to 2010. What's interesting to us in Ontario is the fact that there were several wineries operating in the Windsor border area after 1927, producing wine for Michigan consumption. These were bootleg operations across the Detroit River. Some of them moved over to Michigan after 1932 to establish the first real modern Michigan wineries. Hathaway and Kegerreis have taken plenty of colour and black/white photos of people, labels, and vineyards. Like many local histories, the account is somewhat episodic – which may be useful since there is no index. If you know the time period of key actions or names, then you can safely dip into a relevant chapter. Still, an index is always to be preferred

The book concludes with a long bibliography and a listing of 73 current wineries (with their websites) sorted by the four AVAs and other regions. There are no tasting notes or other points of evaluation.

Audience and level of use: for the wine history buff or Michigan local history reader.

Some interesting or unusual facts: the first vineyard for commercial winemaking was planted in 1863 in the Monroe region

The downside to this book: there is no index, which is a shame since it can be difficult to retrieve information and names of people.

The upside to this book: a good contribution to information about the wines of North America.

Quality/Price Rating: 86.

 

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

 

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

FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH: August

 SIMPLY IN SEASON; 12 months of wine country cooking (Whitecap Books,
2010, 266 pages, ISBN 978-1-55285-951-3, $39.95 Canadian, soft covers)
is by Tony de Luca, a Niagara-on-the-Lake chef-owner of two
restaurants, Old Winery and de Luca's Wine Country. His first book for
Whitecap (Recipes from Wine Company) was a popular book. Here he relies
on local growers in Niagara to keep him in food season after season.
This SLO (seasonal, local, organic) book is arranged month-by-month.
The first dozen or so pages highlight his life via his short memoirs,
and his cooking philosophy. As is typical with most Whitecap Books, the
recipes have a large typeface, white space, clear notes, and bold
listings for their ingredients. Preparations have their ingredients
listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements, but there are no
tables of equivalents.
Audience and level of use: wine lovers, Canadian food cooks.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: for February, there is a
glazed pan seared foie gras; goat cheese and winter mushroom phyllo
turnovers; stuffed pinwheel of winter flounder; fennel seed and juniper
crusted venison loin; rice pudding with caramelized pears.
The downside to this book: the book may be too heavy for its binding,
only time will tell.
The upside to this book: gorgeous photography.
Quality/Price Rating: 88.

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

 

 

Wine Writers' Circle Tasting of July 2, 2010

 The Time and Date: Friday, July 2, 2010  10:30 AM to 2PM

The Event: monthly tasting of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada.

The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square.

The Target Audience: members of the Circle, a large turnout.

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are here now, some will be available through Vintages later in the summer.

The Wines:

 

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

-Skuttlebutt   Sauvignon Semillon  2008 12.5% alc  LCBO  #157867   $14.95   Margaret River

-Vineland Estates Fume Blanc  2007  Reserve  VQA  12.% alc  winery only  price tbd   Niagara Escarpment

-Vineland Estates Chardonnay  2007  Reserve   VQA13% alc    winery only  Niagara Escarpment

-Calamus Estate Riesling Reserve  2007  VQA  12% alc   $15.95  #180877  Vintag Aug 21/10   Niagara Peninsula

-Franciscan  Chardonnay   2007  13.5% alc  #496125  $24.95  Vintages Napa Valley

-Stratus Chardonnay  2007  VQA    14% alc   $38  winery only  Niagara-on-the-Lake

-Henry of Pelham Riesling  2007  Speck Family Reserve  VQA   12% alc   $30  Short Hills Bench

 

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

-Vineland Estates Chenin Blanc  2008  VQA  11.% alc   winery only   Niagara Peninsula

-Calamus Estate White  2008  VQA 12.3% alc  $12.20  Avail winery only   Niagara Peninsula

-Calamus Estate Riesling  2008  Semi Sweet  VQA  12.3% alc    Winery only  $16.20  Niagara Peninsula

 -Stoney Ridge Pinot Grigio  2009 VQA  12% alc   $17.20   Niagara Peninsula

-Jackson Triggs Gewurztraminer  2008  VQA  Delaine Vineyard  13.3% alc   #989350  $22.95  Vintages  Niagara Peninsula

 -Kapuka   Sauvignon Blanc   2009  #163576  Vintages   $14.95   New Zealand

-Henry of Pelham Chardonnay  2007  VQA   Speck Family Reserve    14% alc  $35  Short Hills Bench

-Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot  2007  VQA  Speck Family Reserve  14% alc  $50  Short Hills Bench

 

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

SeaGlass  Sauvignon Blanc  2009  13.% alc   #173575  July release   $13.95   Santa Barbara

-Vineland Estates Sauvignon Blanc Elevation  2007 VQA    winery only  $25.00  Niagara Escarpment

-Vineland Estates Chardonnay  2007  Elevation  VQA  12.5% alc   #164459    Vintages  $25.00

-Vineland Estates Riesling  2007  Elevation VQA  8% alc   #139121  Vintages  $25.00  Niagara Escarpment

-Vineland Estates Dry Riesling  2008  VQA  10% alc   #167551   $13.95  Niagara Peninsula

-Vineland Estates St Urban Riesling  2008  VQA  8.7% alc  # 38117  $20.00  Niagara Peninsula

-Calamus EstateChardonnay  2008  VQA  Unoaked   12.8% alc  $14.20  Avail winery  Niagara Peninsula

-Stoney Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2009  Kasper Vineyard  VQA  11.% alc  $17.2011.6% alc  Niagara Peninsula

-Stoney Ridge Pinot Noir  2007  Warren Classic  VQA  12.5% alc    $15.20 Twenty Mile Bench

-Legends Diva   Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc  2008  VQA  12.5% alc  Lincoln Lakeshore

-Beckett's Flat   Five Stones  Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon  2009  Kosher 13% alc  Margaret River

-Montlouis  Chenin  Sec  2007  12% alc  Montlouis sur Loire Controlee

-Colio Moonlight White 2009  Lake & River Series  VQA  11.8% alc   #183095  Gen List $10.96  

-Open   Sauvignon Blanc  2009  VQA    11.9% alc   #178681  Gen List  $11.95  Niagara Pen

-Jackson Triggs Sauvignon Blanc  2008  VQA  Proprietors' Reserve  13% alc   #58438  $13.95 Gen List  Niagara Peninsula

-Jackson Triggs   White Meritage  2008  VQA  Proprietors' Grand Reserve  12.4% alc  #109371  $19.95 Vintages  Niagara Peninsula

-Inniskillin  Pinot Gris  2008  VQA  Winemaker's Series  Barrel Aged  12% alc  Vintages  Niagara

-Inniskillin  Chardonnay  2008  Three Vineyards  Winemaker's Series  VQA  13.5% alc  #105379   $16.95  Vintages  Niagara Peninsula

-Cumulus   Block 50  Chardonnay   2007   13.5% alc  Vintages Sept 2010  $13.95   Central Ranges, Australia

-Pillitteri Estate Gewurztaminer Riesling  Fusion  2009  VQA  11.5% alc  #349126   $12.95  Niagara-on-the-Lake

-Stratus Riesling 2008  VQA  11% alc  $29  Vintages  Niagara Peninsula

-Henry of Pelham     Pinot Noir Reserve  2007  VQA   13.5% alc  Niagara Peninsula

-Torres  Sangre de Toro  2007    13.5% alc   Catalunya Spain

-Coronas   Tempranillo  2006  13.5% alc   Catalunya

-Loron & Fils   Montvallon  Bourgogne Blanc    Chardonnay  2008   12.5% alc   #167155  Gen List $13.95

-Yering  Station  Little Yering  Chardonnay 2008   13% alc  #145318    Gen List $14.95   Australia

-Leopard's Leap  Family Collection Sauvignon Blanc  2009  13.5% alc  #146886  Vintages $18.95  Western Cape  S. Africa

-Kacaba Riesling Reserve 2009   VQA   12% alc    $17.95  Winery only  Niagara Escarpment

-Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir  2007  VQA Speck Family Reserve   13.5% alc $40  Short Hills Bench 

 The Food: none

The Contact Person:  sdarby@rogers.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 87.

 

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

 

 

Gonzalez-Byass Sherry Tasting at Cava, July 6, 2010

The Time and Date: Tuesday, July 6, 2010  5PM to 7PM

The Event: a tasting with Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon of Gonzalez-Byass sherry house.

The Venue: Cava Restaurant

The Target Audience: media and others

The Availability/Catalogue: all the wines are here at Vintages.

The Quote/Background: I barely had a chance to talk with Felipe – it was crowded, hot and noisy, and we both had to shout at each other.

The Wines:

 

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

-Tio Pepe Fino, $15.95, +242669 Vintages – always a fave, sharp and fresh

 

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

-Alfonso Oloroso Seco, $14.95, +954776 Vintages – lovely bone dry finish over a caramel topping.

 

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

-Nutty Solera Oloroso, $12.95, +35204 Vintages – basic sherry

 

The Food: tapas such as stuffed mushroom caps, skewered meats, deep fried olives, paella-stuffed mussels, and more.

The Downside: it was hot, crowded, and noisy. Plus, I never got to have one piece of each tapas since it was hard for the one waiter to get through the crowd.

The Upside: in these circumstances, I really enjoyed my Uncle's drink.

The Contact Person: jason@woodmanwinesandpirits.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 83.

 

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