March 2013 California Style Thematic

The Date and Time: Wednesday, February 6, 2013  11AM to 2:30 PM

The Event: Media pre-tasting of the LCBO March California Style Thematic

The Venue: LCBO Event Kitchen Scrivener Square

The Target Audience: wine media

The Avail ability/Catalogue: all wines are available at the LCBO or Vintages Essentials.

The Quote/Background: The thematic will run in more than 630 stores from March 3 through March 31. It will be assisted by free air miles and LTOs on 52 wines, running from $1 to $2. Many different wines will be part of the Thematic: red, white, rose, sparkling. There are special releases of 35 premium wines through Vintages March 2 and March 16. There will be adverts and articles, special dinners, videos, a  trade and consumer tasting on March 21, and more.

The Wines: We did not taste all 87 wines in the thematic, and indeed, I did not taste all the wines presented to us today.

 

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

-Sebastiani Merlot 2006, $17

-Ghost Pines Chardonnay Winemaker's Blend 2010, $19.95

 

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

-Firestone Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Ynez 2010, $19.95

-Aquinas Pinot Noir Napa Valley 2010, $17.95

-Hahn Chardonnay Monterey 2010, $16.95

-Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2011, $16.95

-7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel 2010, $24.95

-Menage a Trois Red 2011, $17.95

-Cupcake Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $14.95

-Menage a Trois White 2011, $17.95

-Sterling Vintner's Merlot 2009, $15.95

-Big House Cardinal Zin 2011, $12.95

-Cupcake Chardonnay 2011, $14.95

-Pepperwood Grove Old Vine Zinfandel 2010, $n/a

-Kitchen Sink California Red NV, $12.95

-Entwine Pinot Grigio Livermore Valley, $14.95

-Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $12.95

-Smoking Loon Old Vine Zinfandel 2011, $14.95

-Sonoma Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, $26.95

 

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

-Cline Zinfandel 2011, $13.35

-Ironstone Obsession Symphony California 2011, $14.50

-Zinfatuation Zinfandel 2010, $16.95

-Big House The Birdman Pinot Grigio 2011, $12.95

-Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, $14.95

-Project Paso Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $17.95

-181 Merlot Lodi 2010, $16.95

-Sterling Vintner's Pinot Noir 2011, $15.95

-Hess Select Chardonnay 2010, $15.95

-Bonterra Chardonnay 2010, $18.95

-Bonterra Pinot Noir 2010, $19.95

 

The Food: great roast turkey sandwiches, beef Thai rolls, chicken wraps, beef sandwiches, wild rice and edamame salad, and more…from Stephen Clarke of Nibbles Nosh.

The Downside: it was difficult to match the wine being tasted with the list of participating wineries. There was no order to the listing. Unfortunately, some of the larger wineries were missing from the media promotion; I was so looking forward to tasting them.

The Upside: a chance to re-connect with California – it has been 10 months since the big California show.

The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

APVSA tasting in Toronto, Jan 11/13

The Date and Time: Friday, January 11, 2013  11AM to 6PM

The Event: the monthly APVSA tasting (Association pour la promotion des

vins et spiritueux en Amerique du Nord).

The Venue: Delta Chelsea Inn

The Target Audience: wine agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: no wines are currently available in

Ontario. The group is here to get some agents to agree to rep the principal. Some of the wines are available in Quebec and Alberta.

Most of the wines were French, and there is sales staff available to comment on the prices and production. This road show also visits such places as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Miami, Washington DC, and Montreal. Occasionally, the show will have wines from Italy, Uruguay, Spain and Australia. Sometimes spirits and VDN are also available.

The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be acknowledged, is that (by and large) they were about the same as wines that we already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be any price advantages, either. But these 40 or so wines could be made available through Vintages or Consignment. In the past, quite a few have been picked up for sale in Ontario; these were mostly the good value or unique wines. Here were my faves from today, regardless of FOB cost which must be requested due to competitive pricing. I did not try every wine.

The Wines:

 

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

-Dominique Pabiot Pouilly Fume 2011 Les Vieilles Terres

-Maurice Schueller Cremant d'Alsace 2008

-Bonnevie Bocart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvee Prestige NV (mostly chardonnay)

-Bonnevie Bocart Champagne Tradition Brut NV

-Pierre de Montignac Medoc 2010

-Seguret Cote de Rhone Village Domaine de l'Amanve 2010 Reserve

 

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

Rating terms):

-Dom. Rossignol-Fevriz Volnay 1er Cru Carelle sous La Chapelle 2010

-Dom. Rossignol-Fevriz Pommard 2010

-Dom. Felix Bourgogne Cotes d'Auxerre 2011 Blanc 2011

-Dom. Felix Bourgogne Cotes d'Auxerre 2009 Rouge 2011

-Dom. Perraud Earl Macon Rouge 2010

-Dom. Perraud Earl Saint Veran 2011

-Dom. Perraud Earl Chardonnay Macon Villages 2010

-Dominique Pabiot Pouilly Fume 2011 Cuvee Plaisir

-Maurice Schueller Muscat 2011 Alsace

-Maurice Schueller Riesling Alsace 2011

-Dom. La Tour des Vidoux 2010 Cotes de Provence Rouge

-Dom. La Tour des Vidoux Cuvee Farnoux 2009 Cotes de Provence Rouge

-Pierre de Montignac Medoc 2008

-Château Maison Noble 2006

-Primo du Château La Clide 2009 St Emilion Grand Cru

-Château Armandiare Diamant Rouge 2007 Cahors

-Château Armandiare Malbec Ancestral 2010 Cahors

-Château Armandiare Malbec Noir Delice NV Cahors

-Lunar Apoge Tavel 2011 [Demeter]

-Berthet Reyne Cairanne 2011 Vieilles Vignes

 

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

-Dom. Rossignol-Fevriz Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2010

-Dom Felix Irancy 2010

-Dom Felix Saint Bris 2011

-Dom Felix Bourgogne Aligote 2011

-Dom. Perraud Earl Bourgogne Rouge 2010

-Dom. Perraud Earl Chardonnay Macon Villages 2011

-Maurice Schueller Gewurztraminer 2011

-Maurice Schueller Pinot Blanc Alsace 2011

-Château La Brauterie de Peyraud Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 2010

-Château Les Graves David Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 2010

-Château Armandiare La Fee Violine Malbec 2012 Cahors

 

The Contact Person: Pascal p.fernand@apvsa.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event (numerical grade):

84.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Tasting of BC Wines Le Vieux Pin and La Stella, Jan 16/13

 The Date and Time: Wednesday, January 16, 2013  4:30 PM – 6PM

The Event: Tasting of BC icon wines Le Vieux Pin and La Stella.

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve

The Target Audience: clients and wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through B & W Wines (see below)

The Quote/Background: Both wineries deal with sustainable and/or organic procedures and products. Le Vieux Pin is near Oliver in the south Okanagan, making small batches with different yeast strains – before blending. La Stella is near Osoyoos Lake, south Okanagan, specializing in low yields.

The Wines:

 

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

-Le Vieux Pin Petit Rouge 2008, Vintages Online +297416, $29.95 [merlot, cab sauv., pinot noir]

-Le Vieux Pin Ava 2011, $40 licensee B & W Wines [viognier/roussanne/marsanne]

-La Stella La Sophia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $100 licensee [15.1% ABV]

 

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

-Le Vieux Pin Syrah 2010, $49 licensee

-Le Vieux Pin Retouche 2010, $85 licensee [syrah/cab sauv] [14.9% ABV]

-La Stella Fortissimo 2010, $45 licensee [merlot/cab franc/cab sauv/sangiovese]

-La Stella Maestoso Solo Merlot 2009, $110 licensee

 

The Food: terrine, cheeses, breads.

The Contact Person: mcuff@bwwines.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

Wine Australia Sommelier Immersion Program, Jan 16/13 - report

The Date and Time: Wednesday, January 16, 2013   9:30 AM to 4 PM

The Event: Day-long seminar for sommeliers on Australian wines, conducted by Mark Davidson, Wine Australia Global Education Director, illustrating the diversity of wine styles from Australia.

The Venue: Terroni Summerhill

The Target Audience: sommeliers plus invited wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: most of the wines tasted are at the LCBO, consignment or private order.

The Quote/Background: The immersion program was designed to compare the regional expressions of the major grape varieties and to explore the less well-known wine areas of Australia. There were flights devoted to riesling, semillon, chardonnay, pinot noir, grenache, cabernet sauvignon, and shiraz.

The Wines: We did not taste these 48 wines blind.

 

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

-J.C. Reeves Point Chardonnay 2007, +277848, $25.12

-Giant Steps Chardonnay Sexton Vineyard Yarra Valley 2008, +243154, $27.90

-Petaluma Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2010, ~$35-40   Select

-Eileen Hardy Chardonnay Tas and Yarra 2010, $59.95  +500991

-Yering Station Pinot Noir Reserve Yarra Valley 2010, ~$90  Select

-Wynns Cabernet Coonawarra 2008, $24.95 +84996

-Mt. Langi Shiraz Kneebones Grampians 2007, $21.95  +295527

-St. Hallett Shiraz Blackwell Barossa Valley 2008, $29.95 +535104

 

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

-Tahbilk Marsanne Nagambie Lakes 2007, +276980, $18.85

-Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2010, $21.95 Private B & W

-Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Shiraz Clare Valley 2011, +925453, $19.95.

-Peter Lehmann Riesling Wigan Eden Valley 2006, ~$30  Dionysus

-Brokenwood ILR Semillon Hunter Valley 2005, +227645, $44.95

-Peter Lehmann Semillon Margaret Barossa Valley 2006, ~30  Dionysus

-Stonier Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula 2010, +25353, $24.95

-Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Chardonnay Wild Ferment Strathbogie Victoria 2011, $35.95

-Stonier Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula 2010, $24.95  +25338

-Riorret Pinot Noir Merricks Grove Mornington Peninsula 2009, $34.95 +282657

-Schild GMS Bush Vine Barossa Valley 2010, $21.95 +108183

-Yalumba Grenache Single Site Moppa/Barossa 2006, $61.95  B & W

-Tahbilk Cabernet Nagambie Lakes 2008, $22.95 +138818

-Chapel Hill Cabernet NcLaren Vale 2010, $25.95 +965830

-Yalumba Cabernet Menzies Coonawarra 2008, $44.30, +473645

-Yalumba Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Barossa Valley 2008, $51.95 +528356

-Tahbilk Shiraz Nagambie Lakes 2008, $20.95 +214742

-Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz Stratbogie Ranges 2010, $35.95 +243592

-Brokenwood Shiraz Hunter Valley 2010, $45.95  Lifford

 

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

-Shingleback Cabernet McLaren Vale 2010, +662957, $24.95

-D'Arenberg High Trellis Cabernet McLaren Vale 2010, +943456, $19.95

-Wakefield Riesling Clare Valley 2012, +301523, $14.95

-Mitchell Riesling Clare Valley 2011, $22.95 Consign Lifford

-Kilikanoon Riesling Mort's Block Clare Valley 2012, ~$25   Diamond

-Hardy's HRB Riesling D650 Clare and Tasmania 2011, ~$30 Accolade

-Brokenwood Semillon Hunter Valley 2012, $22.95 Consign Lifford

-Oakridge Chardonnay Over The Shoulder Yarra Valley 2011, $24.95 +285759

-Shaw & Smith Chardonnay M3 Adelaide Hills 2010, +995811, $44.95

-Penfolds Chardonnay Yattarna 2009, $110  +558643

-Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir Yarra Valley 2011, ~$25   Terra Firma

-Oakridge Pinot Noir Yarra Valley 2010, $38.95 +284059

-Yalumba Grenache Bush Vine Barossa 2006, $19.95  B & W

-Wakefield Cabernet St. Andrews Clare Valley 2009, $64.95 Consign Profile

-Fraser Gallop Cabernet Margaret River 2009, $45.95 +283069

-D'Arenberg Galvo Garage McLaren Vale 2007, $24.90 +907584 [Bord blend]

-Tar & Roses Siraz Heathcote 2010, $21.95 +282731

-Yering Station Shiraz/Viognier Village Yarra Valley 2010, $21.95 +311431

-Shaw & Smith Shiraz Adelaide Hills 2009, $44.95 +686659

-Chapel Hill Shiraz McLaren Vale 2009, $26.95 +743989

-Wirra Wirra Shiraz Catapult McLaren Vale 2009, $19.95 +278564

 

The Food: Brioche and coffees for breakfast, followed by a buffet lunch with antipasti of meats and cheeses, chick pea pancakes and veggies, baked mushrooms, caprese salad, pizzas, rigatoni, and chocolate cake. With the lunch, we were served six other wines, which I have folded into the notes above.

The Downside: there was a lot of time spent on generalities, which I had assumed that everyone knew about -- since these were sommeliers and writers, not sommelier students.

The Upside: a chance to taste 48 wines in a sit-down venue.

The Contact Person: Erika.neudorf@wineaustralia.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2013
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. 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 normally available for a re-tasting.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Chateau de Poce Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2011: MVC but a softer finish,
more herbal than most. +313569, $13.95, QPR : 92

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Quintarelli Primofiore 2008 IGT Veneto, +20867, $56.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: succulent, off-
dry character, 10% ABV, enjoyable, twist top. +89029, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontes 2011 Mendoza: 13% ABV for this
organic wine that exhibits some spritz, twist top, good long citric
finish, needs food. +232694, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: MVC grass and herbs,
or, as one wine writer notes for just about all the MVC savvies
reviewed, "rev your lawnmowers; this is pure grassy goodness" NM
+957407, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Man Vintners Chardonnay 2011 WO Coastal Region South Africa: useful,
balanced but with some marmalade and butterscotch moments, fruit and
oak, 13.5% ABV. +295329, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau de Carolle Blanc 2010 Graves: uses all three grapes
(sauvignon, semillon, muscadelle) for a balanced blend without the
savvy hit. 12.5% ABV. +307256, $16.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Colchagua Valley: soft, fruit, engaging, a mouthful of flavour,
organic, 14% ABV. +66746, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Remhoogte Estate Wine 2006 WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: plush and
lush, micro-oxygenated fruit, merlot 40%, cab sauv at 23, shiraz at 22,
pinotage at 15. 15% ABV. Gold Medalist. +694539, $18.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine Roumagnac Rencontres 2010 Fronton: nicely aged, 12.5% ABV,
spices and fed fruit. Gold Medalist. +311472, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Poderi Angelini Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Puglia: older style, some
raisins showing, 15% ABV. +268136, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Sampietrana 1952 Riserva Brindisi 2008 Puglia: combo of Negroamaro
and montepulciano grapes. 13.5% ABV. Gold Medalist. +310086, $15.95,
QPR: 89.
6. Beronia Reserva 2008 Rioja: fleshy, woody, palate filling, 18 months
in French and US oak. 14% ABV. +50203, $18.95, 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. R. Pouillon & Fils 1er Cru Brut Rose Champagne, +314518, $44.95
retail.
2. Peller Estates Ice Cuvee Rose VQA Niagara MC, +113035, $34.95
3. La Crema Chardonnay 2010 Russian River Valley, +67231, $37.95
4. Arlewood Marsanne/Roussanne 2010 Margaret River, +313247, $22.95
5. Rodney Strong Merlot 2008 Sonoma County, +497933, $21.95.
6. Treana Red 2009 Paso Robles, +11221, $39.95.
7. Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, +971705, $40.95.
6. Best's Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2010, +222323, $24.95.
7. Cirrus Syrah 2007 WO Stellenbosch, +54338, $33.95.
8. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, +930966, $21.95.
9. Villa Girardi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2008, +159913,
$41.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com