Wines of Portugal Annual Tasting, April 29/13

The Date and Time: Monday, April 29, 2013  1:30 PM to 7:30 PM

The Event: Wines of Portugal Annual Tasting

The Venue: AGO

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are mainly in stock, but a few were private orders. Others were in various distribution channels.

The Quote/Background: Many wines in the catalogue were not presented, many wines that were presented were not in the catalogue. Prices were missing, but otherwise the information included names and addresses and descriptions of the wines and wineries. Twenty companies were listed.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine, but I did try to taste the tawny ports, madeiras and muscatels.

 

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

-Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Albis 2012 [dry muscat]

-Ramos Pinto Porto 30 Years

-Churchill's Tawny Port 20 Years Old

-Esporao White Reserve 2012 Alentejo, $24 FWP

-Esporao Red Reserve 2010 Alentejo, $25  FWP

-Balcalhoa Tinto da Anfora Grande Escolha 2008 Alentejo, $46.95 Diamond

-Henriques & Henriques Fine Rich Single Harvest 1997 Madeira [tinta negra]

 

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

-Terras de Alter Telhas White 2011 Alentejo, $24.95 [viognier] Select

-Quinta do Noval Cedro do Noval Tinto Regional Duriense 2009

-DaCosta 10 Years Old Port

-Burmester 10 Years Old Port

-Kopke 20 Years Old Port

-Taylor Fladgate LBV 2007

-Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny

-Quinta do Portal Moscatel Reserva 2004 Douro

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Alambre 2008 Moscatel

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Domingos Soares Franco Coleccao Privada Moscatel Roxo 2004 Alambre

-Ramos Pinto Porto 20 Years Qta Bom Retiro

-Palacio da Bacalhoa 2008

-Bacalhoa Moscatel de Setubal 2009, $16.95 Diamond

-Henriques & Henriques Sercial 10 Years Old Madeira

-Henriques & Henriques Verdelho 10 Years Old Madeira

-Henriques & Henriques Rainwater Madeira

 

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

-Quinta do Noval 10 Year Old Tawny

 

The Food: cheeses, breads, fresh fruit, plus platters of fish and chips, dates, chicken balls, and shrimp.

The Downside: I was rushed as there was a 30.50 tasting immediately before. Also, many tables could have had flyers about the wines being shown, but they didn't. Kudos to the few that did.

The Upside: a chance to speak with some visiting winemakers.

The Contact Person: dstgermaine@artscom.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

New Zealand Organic/Bio Wines Tasting, April 25/13

The Date and Time: Thursday, April 25, 2013   4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

The Event: New Zealand biodynamic and organic wines from The Living Vine

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve

The Target Audience: clients, wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are landed

The Quote/Background: 14 wines were for tasting. All were organic, with Cambridge Road also being bio-dynamic.

The Wines:

 

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

-Ant Moore Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, $23.95

-Archangel Pinot Noir 2010 Central Otago, $39.95

-Ostler Pinot Gris Audrey's 2011 North Canterbury, $39.95

-Ostler Pinot Noir Caroline's 2009 North Canterbury, $39.95

-Cambridge Road Pinot Noir 2010 Martinborough, $105.95

 

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

-Archangel Riesling 201 Central Otago, $26.95

-Terra Sancta Jackson's Block Pinot Noir Central 2011 Otago, $49.95

-Ostler Pinot Gris Lakeside 2011 North Canterbury, $37.95

-Cambridge Road Dovetail Pinot Noir 2010 Martinborough, $99.95 [field blend]

-Cambridge Road Pinot Noir 2009 Martinborough, $74.95

 

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

-Ant Moore Signature Pinot Noir 2010 Marlborough, $29.95

-Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir Central 2011 Otago, $39.95

-Tosq Pinot Noir 2010 Central Otago, $44.95

-Ostler Riesling Lakeside 2011 North Canterbury, $34.95

 

The Food: breads, cheeses, and terrines.

The Downside: I was personally short of time, could not chat.

The Upside: quality wine glasses, and a big, big crowd of people.

The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

PAIRING FOOD & WINE FOR DUMMIES

PAIRING FOOD & WINE FOR DUMMIES (John Wiley & Sons, 2013, 382 pages, ISBN 978-1-118-39957-6, $22.99 US soft covers) is by John Szabo, Canada's first Master Sommelier (2004). He is now a wine consultant to restaurant and a free-lance wine writer (e.g. winealign.com). Here he has done an excellent job of dialing down the process of food and wine pairing, and that is a good thing since many people still to seem to follow the older rigid rules. Knowing the best wines to pair with food (and vice versa) is the height of the modern art of social food graces. Of course, there are many apps for this matching: just key in your wine or your food and back come some choices. But Szabo tries to explain the rationales, and hopefully reduce your dependence on Internet resources. When dining out, you can only go to the bathroom or lobby just so many times when you want to check your apps/email/texts/tweets. He proposes strategies for food low and high (burgers, bbq, Asiatic, fusion, haute cuisines). Along the way he delves into using your own senses and tastes to develop likes and dislikes with your mouthfeel. Styles of wine and food are discussed, restaurant sommelier advice is consumed, and finding a restaurant that knows what it is doing with wines – all are important here. At the end, he goes into how to put on a wine and food party, beyond the cheese and snacks, to figure out which kinds of wine to served, how much wine, and with which foods.

Audience and level of use: beginners, those without a phone app.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: his top ten food-friendly wines include unoaked chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc, champagne, pinot noir, gamay, and valpolicella.

The downside to this book: wine markups in restaurants are not discussed.

The upside to this book: useful enough for both Canada and the US.

Quality/Price Rating: 92.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 27, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 27, 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

 

J. Geiler Medaille Pinot Gris Alsace: good body and balance, orchard
fruit, long length, sip or food, 13.5% ABV, gold medalist. +315119,
$18.95, QPR: 90.

 

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

 

Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2010 WO Swartland, +225458, $21.95 retail

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Angels Gate Sauvignon Blanc 2011 VQA Niagara: a basic savvy, not
overly zested, may appeal to new wine drinkers. 13% ABV, slight hot
finish, twist top. +277590, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Loan Wines Unwooded Special Reserve Semillon 2004 Barossa: rustic,
nicely aged, a minor gem at this price; old Hunter style Semillon.
Twist top, 12.5% ABV. Organic. +301127, $15.95, QPR: 89.
3. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Awatere Marlborough: a kiwi savvy that
pleases year in and year out, many lemons and zest, more body than most
on the mid-palate, twist top, 13.5%, good price. +225557, $17, QPR: 89.
4. Durnberg Gruner Veltliner 2011 Alte Reben Austria: 25-year old
vines, grapefruit and minerals, twist top, 12% ABV, good price.
+320374, $15.95, QPR: 89.
5. Tommasi Adorato Parziale Appassimento Bianco 2011 Veneto: partially
dried grapes make this wine worth a shot in only for its fruity
intensity and concentration. Very good value. +320721, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine des Aspes Viognier 2011 IGP Pays d'Oc: 31-year old vines, on
the dry side of viognier but with good fruit and honey, a lift on the
finish. 13% ABV, twist top. +712638, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. La Cappuccina Soave 2012 Veneto: good body, nicely shaped with
melons and plums, organic wine, 12% ABV. +81489, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Wildass Red 2011 VQA NOTL: smooth, chocolate tones, 14% ABV. +86363,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Familia Zuccardi Organica Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mendoza: organic,
full and fruity in the Cali style, 13.5% ABV. Twist top. +68452,
$13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chilcas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Colchagua: good
intensity, black fruit, aged a year in new French oak, 14.5% ABV.
+309757, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Chateau Haut-Plaisance 2010 Montagne Saint-Emilion: good flavours
for that BBQ Cali appeal (juiced up merlot with a cab franc spine), 15%
ABV. Gold Medalist. +326587, $17, QPR: 89.
5. Mocali Morellino di Scansano 2010: trendy regional wine, evolving
cherries and mocha, affordable, 14% ABV. +317115, $16.95, QPR: 89.
6. Le Arche Atesio Appassimento Rosso 2010 IGT Veneto: delicious
Italianate wine, full of stuffing concentration, 14% ABV. +320747,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
7. Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2008 DO Calatayud: there seems
to be a centenaria garnacha every month now. Here is the latest: North
American Cali appeal of sweetness, but firm, dry finish. Spicy mocha
and cherries. +194795, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

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. Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Penedes, +129676,
$54.95 retail
2. Jean-Marc Brocard Mont de Millieu Chablis 1er Cru 2010, +265348,
$27.95.
3. Henri Bourgeois La Chapelle Des Augustins Sancerre 2010, +322628,
$29.95
4. Quails' Gate Merlot 2010 VQA Okanagan, +169961, $25.95
5. Burning Kiln Strip Room Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2011 VQA Ontario,
+327700, $24.95
6. Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2011 VQA NOTL, +275958, $21.95
7. Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2005 WO Stellenbosch, +709303,
$25.95.
8. Clos du Roy 2010 Fronsac, +321307, $22.95
9. Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010, +169771, $41.95.
10. Masi Grandarella 2009 IGT Rosso delle Venezie Appassimento,
+606921, $25.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

California Wine Fair, April 8/13

 The Date and Time: Monday, April 8, 2013    11 AM to 5:30 PM

The Event: California Wine Fair, Toronto

The Venue: Fairmont Royal York

The Target Audience: trade and wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: variable availability, some at LCBO, some private orders, some consignment.

The Quote/Background: There were lots of wines. I mostly confined myself to the Media Room, but at 2:30 I ventured out to the larger trade room to catch a few more wines.

The Wines: Of course, I did not try every wine (about 400 of them?)…

 

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

-Fog Crest Estate Chardonnay 2010 Russian River Valley

-Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV

-Gloria Ferrer Va de Vi Brut NV $26.95 LCBO

-Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa Rutherford

-MacRostie Winery Chardonnay 2011 Sonoma Coast

-Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2011 Sonoma Coast

-Sebastiani Chardonnay 2010 Sonoma County

-Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Napa

 

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

-Bogle Vineyards Phantom 2009 California

-Cline Cellars Cashmere 2011 California

-Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Landslide 2009 Alexander Valley

-Conway Vineyards Bien Nacido Chardonnay 2009 Santa Barbara County

-Conway Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Rutherford

-Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry 2009 Napa

-Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2010 Chalone

-Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Rutherford

-Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Happy Canyon

-Don Sebastiani & Sons Project Paso Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Paso Robles

-Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot 2010 Napa

-Ehret Family Bellarina Meritage 2008 Knights Valley

-Ehret Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Knights Valley

-Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel 2008 Rutherford Napa

-Eos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Paso Robles

-Eos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Paso Robles

-Jekel Vineyards Chardonnay 2010 Monterey

-Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley

-Geyser Peak Reserve Alexandre Meritage 2006 Alexander Valley

-Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2010 Napa Valley

-Heitz Ink Grade Vineyard Zinfandel 2009 Napa

-Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa

-Heitz Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Napa

-Hartford Court Chardonnay 2011 Russian River

-Justin Vineyards Chardonnay 2011 Paso Robles

-Justin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Paso Robles

-Justin Vineyards Isosceles 2010 Paso Robles

-Kenneth Volk Chardonnay 2009 Santa Maria Valley $23.95 LCBO

-Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 2009 Santa Barbara County

-Nichols Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Paso Robles

-Nichols Winery Chardonnay 2002 Edna Valley

-Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa

-Schug Carneros Estate Chardonnay 2011 Carneros

-Signorello Estate Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa

-Villa Mount Eden Pinot Noir 2009 Sonoma Coast

-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Merlot 2008 Napa

-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay KARIA 2010 Napa

-Wild Thing Zinfandel 2009

 

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

-Benovia Chardonnay 2011 Russian River

-Buena Vista Pinot Noir 2011 Carneros

-Bonterra Organic Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Mendocino

-C.G.Di Arie Interlude 2009 Sierra Foothills

-Blackstone Syrah 2011 California

-Clos du Bois Chardonnay 2011 California

-Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend 2010 North Coast

-Primal Roots White Blend 2011 California

-Revolution Red Blend California

-Cuvaison Chardonnay 2011 Carneros Napa

-Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa

-Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Blend (50 – 50) 2009 Paso Robles

-Ehret Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Knights Valley

-Ehret Family Bella's Blend 2008 Knights Valley

-Eos Estate Chardonnay 2011 Paso Robles

-Esser Chardonnay 2011 Monterey

-Foppiano Vineyards Petite Sirah 2010 Russian River Valley

-Ironstone Obsession RED 2011 California

-J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2011 Arroyo Seco

-J. Lohr Falcon's Perch Pinot Noir 2011 Monterey

-Isabel Mondavi Pinot Noir 2009 Carneros

-Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2011 Russian River

-Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon Three Vineyards 2010 Dry Creek Valley

-Peju Merlot 2009 Napa

-Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2012 California $19.99 Consignment Lifford

-Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi 2010 California

-Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Central Coast

-Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley

-Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa

-Schug Carneros Estate Pinot Noir 2010 Carneros

-Silver Oak Twomey Cellars Merlot 2008 Napa

-39 North Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendocino

-St. Supery Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Napa

-Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay 2008 Santa Cruz Mountains

-Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer 2010 Monterey

-Trefethen Vineyards Chardonnay 2011 Oak Knoll District Napa

-Trinchero Folie a deux Chardonnay 2011 Russian River

-Kunde Family Estate Chardonnay 2011 Sonoma Valley

-Waterstone Merlot 2009 Napa

-Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Napa

-Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Moscato 2011 California

-Sequana Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River Valley

-Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa

-Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

 

The Food: In the show, there were room-temperature international cheeses, dried fruits, strawbs, breads, veggies and drips, crackers, pates and terrines.

The Downside: it was difficult to hear many of the pourers in the large trade show.

The Upside: the media room was quiet

The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com