Somewhereness Ontario wines, April 16, 2013

The Date and Time: Tuesday, April 16, 2013   Noon to 4 PM

The Event: Somewhereness: old soils, new wines.

The Venue: MaRS Discovery District

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available at the winery, and a few at the LCBO. Cave Spring was listed as Cave Springs.

The Quote/Background: Twelve wineries (two from PEC) brought their wines for the fifth annual Somewhereness Event (three times at MaRS, once at St. Lawrence Mkt, and once at TIFF). One wine producer told me: "I have to check to see if the wine is corked, otherwise I check to see if it is screwed."

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. Prices are RETAIL.

 

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

-Hinterland Wine Company Les Etoiles 2009 MT, $39

-Hinterland Wine Company Rose 2010 MT, $37

-Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! "Damy" Chardonnay, $34.75

-Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2011, $35

-Stratus Vineyards Red 2009, $44

-Stratus Vineyards Tollgate Fume Blanc 2009, $24.95

-Stratus Vineyards Tollgate Chardonnay 2011, $24.95

-13^th Street Winery 13 Sauvignon Blanc 2011 [wooded], $18.95

-Flat Rock Cellars 2009 Chardonnay, $16.95

-Tawse Winery 2010 Lauritzen Vineyard Pinot Noir, $44.95

-Bachelder Niagara Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, $44.95

 

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

-Norman Hardie Wines Riesling 2011, $21

-Norman Hardie Wines County Chardonnay 2011, $35

-Norman Hardie Wines Pinot Noir 2009 Niagara, $39

-Hinterland Wine Company Whitecap 2012 M Charmat, $22

-Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! "Sirugue" Chardonnay, $34.75

-Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Chardonnay 2012, $21.75

-Southbrook Vineyards Whimsey! Cabernet Franc "101", $34.75

-Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $23.75

-Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2010, $35

-Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling 2012, $27

-Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling 2011, $35

-Stratus Vineyards Meritage 2009, $48

-13^th Street Winery 13 Pinot Noir 2011, $21.95

-13^th Street Winery Cuvee 13 Rose NV, $24.95

-Flat Rock Cellars 2012 Riesling, $16.95

-Flat Rock Cellars Gravity 2010, $29.95

-Cave Spring Cellars NV Brut Dolomite, $24.95

-Cave Spring Cellars 2009 Riesling CSV Estate Bottled, $29.95

-Cave Spring Cellars 2008 Chardonnay CSV Estate Bottled, $29.95

-Cave Spring Cellars 2011 Riesling "The Adam Steps" Estate Bottled, $24.95

-Tawse Winery Quarry Road Riesling 2012, $23.95

-Tawse Winery Van Ber's Cabernet Franc 2009, $49.95

-Malivoire Wine Company M2 Small Lot Chardonnay, $19.75

-Malivoire Wine Company Moira Chardonnay 2009, $39.75

-Malivoire Wine Company 2011 Courtney Gamay, $29.75

-Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2010, $29.95

-Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery Estate Chardonnay 2010, $32

-Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery Terroir Cache Red Meritage 2009, $32.75

-Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery Estate Pinot Noir 2010, $38

 

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

-Norman Hardie Wines County Pinot Noir 2011, $35

-Southbrook Vineyards Whimsy! Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $34.75

-Stratus Vineyards Wildass Rose 2012, $19.75

-Stratus Vineyards Syrah 2010, $48

-13^th Street Winery June's Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 Creek Shores, $21.95

-13^th Street Winery Chardonnay Sandstone Reserve 2011 Four Mile Creek, $34.95.

-Flat Rock Cellars 2012 Unplugged Chardonnay, $16.95

-Flat Rock Cellars 2010 Pinot Noir, $19.95

-Flat Rock Cellars 2011 Nadja's Vineyard Riesling, $19.95

-Cave Spring Cellars 2009 Pinot Noir Estate Bottled

-Cave Spring Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc Dolomite, $21.95

-Tawse Winery Quarry Road Gewurztraminer 2012, $24.95

-Tawse Winery Quarry Road Chardonnay 2010, $36.95

-Tawse Winery Quarry Road Pinot Noir 2010, $34.95

-Tawse Winery Cabernet Merlot 2011, $20.95

-Malivoire Wine Company M2 Small Lot Gamay 2011, $19.75

-Malivoire Wine Company 2012 Pinot Gris, $19.95

-Malivoire Wine Company 2009 Small Lot Pinot Noir, $29.75

 

The Food: Best Baa Dairy, Monforte Dairy (cow, water buffalo, sheep), Upper Canada Cheese Company, Fat Chance Hand Sliced Cold Smoked Salmon Co., and Pingue meats from Gastrohomestead.

The Downside: it partially conflicted with a Malbec tasting (see below)

The Upside: the first hour was for the media, and we took advantage of no crowds to talk to the wineries.

The Contact Person: somewhereness@gmail.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Konrad Ejbich, Ontario Today, cancelled!!!

I'm not sure if you are aware that Konrad Ejbich's phone-in wine show on Ontario Today (last Friday of each month) has been cancelled...without any notice, and without any "goodbye" show, etc.

 

The last show was April 26, and Konrad just found out a few days ago....

 

If you enjoy the show, could I ask you to send a comment of dismay/outrage or whatever?

 

During the "business week" Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm EST you can call 416-205-3311 and go through the voice message till you reach "make a comment"... or...

 

You can use the online page CBC-Contact Us and fill out the form.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/contact/

 

You can even write a note by snail mail (address on contact page).

 

It is preferable to leave a comment with Audience Relations than it is to contact the show directly as Audience Relations comments are seen by all shows, whereas comments that go directly to the show are limited to the show producer. If you do write an email from the contact page, you may want to copy it to ontariotoday@cbc.ca for the extra strength it may carry. But Audience Relations is preferable.

 

I do not know what will happen, but at least CBC will know that Konrad has an involved audience....and give him a proper sendoff.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 11, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 11, 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

 

San Jose de Aguaron Monasterio de las Vinas Reserva 2006 DO Carinena:
good value from an aged Spanish garnacha (70%) that is not Cali in
style. 13% ABV. +166579, $14.95, QPR: 91.

 

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

 

Balbas Reserva 2001 DP Ribera del Duero, +85183, $20.95. Rated: 92+

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. La Consulta San Polo Auka Torrontes 2012 Mendoza: the latest
sunshine in a bottle to arrive from Argentina, a value sipper for its
summer aromatics. At 13.5% ABV, not a light wine, but good for a
demanding crowd. +322842, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Bodegas Vetus Flor de Vetus Verdejo 2012 DO Rueda: light and crisp,
12.5% ABV, more a first course or appetizer wine, not a solo sipper.
+320259, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2008 Columbia Valley Washington
State: nicely aged wine commonly found in many US restaurants. With
strong MVC Merlot tones, some herbs and crisp-dryness for food. 13.5%
ABV. +263418, $15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Margaret River: a good value
MVC cabernet sauvignon done up in Euro style, twist top, 14.5% ABV.
3. Chateau Saint-Nicolas 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac: North
American fruity style but definitely Bordeaux in quality and taste. 14%
ABV. +138602, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Tenimenti Baroque Primitivo 2011 IGP Salento: great name for a 
primitivo, but this is a food one, not the fleshy-flashy style for
North American appeal. Detailed spicing and a super long dry finish.
13.5% ABV.
5. Manuel Martinez Vinos Sin Ley Puerta Bonita Garnacha 2009 DO Vinos
de Madrid: not as off-dry as other garnacha that come through the LCBO
system. This one is made from 120-year-old vines, 14.5% ABV, more to
regular Euro tastes. +132266, $18.95, 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. Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2011 VQA Okanagan Valley, +350108, $23.95
retail. Rated: 89.
2. Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2010
Mosel, +678011, $29.95. Rated: 88.
3. Colchester Ridge Crew Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 VQA Lake Erie North
Shore, +328385, $25. Rated: 89.
4. Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz/Viognier 2011 Victoria
Australia, +18887, $24.95. Rated: 90.
5. Chateau Vieux Sarpe 2010 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +943662, $39.95.
Rated: 89.
6. San Silvestro Riserva Barbaresco 2007, +317123, $29.95. Rated: 90
7. Canonica a Cerreto Sandiavolo 2006 IGT Toscana, +270256, $24.95.
Rated: 91.
8. Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +318352, $37.95. Rated: 89.
9. La Marquesa Valserrano Reserva 2007 Rioja, +314963, $25.95. Rated:
90.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Family Wine Merchants Portfolio Tasting, April 15

The Date and Time: Monday, April 15, 2013  2Pm to 5PM

The Event: Family Wine Merchants Portfolio Tasting

The Venue: Arcadian Loft

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: the wines were heavy on the French, with a smattering across the board from different countries. About a third of the wines were private orders, but the rest were LCBO, Vintages, or Consignment.

The Quote/Background: the catalogue was very well put-together with sufficient background detail.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine. Prices are RETAIL.

 

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

-Best's Great Western Victoria 2010 Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon, $56.95 PO

-Taittinger Brut Reserve NV, $69.95 CON

-Taittinger Brut Reserve 2005, $79.95 Vintages

-Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurene 2009 Oregon, $59.95 PO

-Ferraton Pere et Fils 2010 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge La Matiniere, $19.95 Vintages June 8

-Fess Parker Santa Ynez Ashley's Pinot Noir 2010, $67.95 PO

-Fess Parker Santa Ynez Ashley's Chardonnay 2010, $40 PO

-Greywacke Marlborough NZ Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2011, $38.95 PO

-Greywacke Marlborough NZ Pinot Noir 2011, $45.95 PO

-Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Brut, $29.95 LCBO

-Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Estate Blanc de Blanc Carte Blanche Brut, $44.95 Vintages

-Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2009 Riesling VQA, $30 PO

-Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2009 Pinot Noir VQA, $40 PO

-Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Marquis de Laguiche 2010, $101.95 PO

-Torres Penedes Mas La Plana 2008, Vintages $54.95

-Marimar Estate Russian River 2009 La Masia Chardonnay, $48.95 PO

 

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

-Avontuur Estate South Africa 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, $26.95 PO

-Avontuur Estate South Africa 2010 Minelli Pinot Noir Reserve, $33.95 PO

-Best's Great Western Victoria 2010 Great Western Bin O Shiraz, $68.95 PO

-Baron de Hoen Alsace Polo Club Brut NV MC, $14

-Baron de Hoen Alsace Riesling Grafebrebeen Single Vineyard, $36,95 PO

-Domaine de la President 2011 Cotes du Rhone Villages Grands Classiques, $33.95 PO

-Taittinger Nocturne NV, $69.95 PO

-Cusumano Sagana 2010 Sicily [nero d'avola], $28.95 PO

-Ferraton Pere et Fils 2009 Cornas Les Grands Muriers Rouge, $46.95 Classics Oct 21 Online

-Fess Parker Santa Ynez Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2010, $37.95 PO

-Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1995 Port, $80.95 Classics May 7

-Gerard Bertrand Reserve Speciale Viognier 2011 Languedoc, $15.95 Vintages

-Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catharine Rose Brut VQA, $29.95 LCBO

-Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve 2010 Chardonnay VQA, $35 PO

-Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2010 VQA, $17.95 Vintages

-Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red 2010 VQA, $18.95 Vintages

-Joseph Drouhin Chablis Drouhin-Vaudron 2011, $19.95 LCBO

-Luigi Bosca De Sangre Mendoza 2010, $28.95 PO

-Palliser Martinborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $28.95 PO

-Palliser Martinborough NZ Great Paloma Pinot Noir 2011, $72.95 PO

-Te Pa Winery Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $31.95 PO

-Torres Penedes Vina Esmeralda 2011, $13.95 Vintages

-Torres Rioja Ibericos Tempranillo, $17.95 CON

-Torres Priorat Salmas 2010, Vintages Oct 12  $35.95

-Jean Leon 2012 3055 Chardonnay, $18.95 Vintages July

-Jean Leon Penedes Vinya La Scala Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2003, $57.95 PO

-Miguel Torres Curico Chile Santa Digna Eselado Rose Sparkling, $19.95 Vintages

-Miguel Torres Curico Chile Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc, $12.95 LCBO

-Miguel Torres Curico Chile Cordeillaerta Chardonnay 2011, Vintages $18.95

-Miguel Torres Curico Chile Cordillera Carménère, Vintages $19.95

-Miguel Torres Curico Chile Manso de Velasco Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $48.95 PO

-Marimar Estate Russian River 2009 Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir, $55.95 PO

-Waterkloof Stellenbosch Circle of Life White 2011, Vintages $24.95

-False Bay Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $21.95 PO

-Deutsches Weintor Gewurztraminer 2011, $15.95 PO

 

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

-Baron de Hoen Alsace Cremant Blanc de Blancs Mausberg NV, +171785

-Chateau La Roque de By Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2010, $46.95 PO

-Chateau Mont-Redon 2012 Cotes de Provence Rose Riotor, $24.95 PO

-Chateau Mont-Redon 2011 Lirac, $28.95 PO

-Chateau Mont-Redon 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, $37.95 Vintages June 22

-Chateau Mont-Redon 2000 Chateauneuf-du-Pape [magnum], $130.95 PO

-Cusumano Jale Chardonnay 2011 Sicily, $19.9 Vintages July20

-Domaine Drouhin 2011 Chardonnay Arthur Dundee Hills Oregon, $38.95 PO

-Ferraton Pere et Fils 2010 Saint-Joseph La Source Rouge, $26.95 Vintages Aug 3

-Fess Parker Santa Ynez Viognier 2011, $24.95 Vintages

-Fess Parker Santa Ynez Parker Station Pinot Noir 2011, $24.95 PO

-Pyren Vineyards Victoria Broken Quartz 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $26.95 PO

-Torres Penedes 2010 Celeste, $21.95 Vintages

-Jean Leon Penedes Vinya Le Havre Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2006, $36.95 PO

 

The Food: prosciutto bread sticks, cured salmon, smoked fish, grilled Italian veggies, caramelized tomatoes, breads and crackers, charcuterie tray, cheese (smoked, blue, etc.)

The Downside: the room smelled musty, which was off-putting for about a half hour, and distracted me from proper nosing.

The Upside: a chance to talk with some winemakers.

The Contact Person: giroux.danielle@gmail.com

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Canadian Cheese Grand Prix Luncheon, April 22, 2013

The Date and Time: Monday, April 22, 2013  11AM to 3PM

The Event: Canadian Cheese Grand Prix 2013 – presentation of winners in 19 categories. Plus the Grand Champion of 2013.

The Venue: TIFF Bell Blue Room

The Target Audience: wine and food media

The Availability/Catalogue: all cheeses are for sale by their respective producers. We sampled the biennial winners, as presented by Chef Michael Howell, former owner of Tempest Restaurant, Nova Scotia, and current spokesperson-chef for the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

The Quote/Background: It was a small group, about 32 invitees. In February, 225 cheeses (cow milk only) were rated out of 100 points over two days in Montreal, and winners were later announced. Today was a presentation to food writers. The Grand Champion was the ricotta from Quality Cheese Inc. of Ontario. The categories, of course, included many levels for cheddars (depending on age), different styles of fresh cheeses, hard cheeses, blues, flavoured cheeses, and now organic cheeses.

 

The Cheeses: some of the more interesting cheeses were Le Mamirolle (Quebec, a washed-rind cheese), Grizzly Gouda (Alberta), Louis D'or (Quebec, a Swiss-type), Bleu d'Elizabeth (my overall fave, a blue from Quebec that was unpasteurized and organic), Applewood Smoked Cheddar (PEI), and a Five-Year Old Cheddar from Black River (PEC in Ontario). There were comments back and forth between Chef Howell and the audience. Dairyfarmers.ca is the DFC website, with more data on the cheeses and the competition.

 

The Wines: we were served Cave Spring Meritage (bottled for Biff's) and Cave Spring Riesling (bottled for Canoe).

 

The Food: we sampled all the cheeses (with seconds) and breads. In addition, we had some great wild BC salmon tacos, an Indian ball, and some veggie sushi. For dessert, there was an excellent Grand Champion ricotta pannacotta with strawberries. Chef Jason Bangerter of O & B prepared the food; he won the DFC Grilled Cheese competition at the CNE last year (Chef Howell had won it the year before).

 

The Downside: it was lightly attended, which was a shame for such an important food event. Also, I have always disagreed with the biennial time period…one really needs an annual event to keep up and to maintain a forward motion. On the other hand, it may be useful for the sheep and goat cheese producers to step in during the alternate years, and do their own version of prize-winning cheeses using goat/sheep milks.

The Upside: hey, a chance to see my son-in-law, Chef Michael Howell (minor conflict-of-interest noted).

The Contact Person: lisa@merkato.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

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