A YEAR IN CHAMPAGNE: DVD review, First Run Features

A YEAR IN CHAMPAGNE (First Run Features, 2014, 82 minutes, FRF916554D, $31.48 CAD, cheaper in US and at Amazon) has been written and directed by David Kennard, who is now in the midst of his wine trilogy. Previously, he had done A Year in Burgundy and is now involved with filming A Year in Port, to be released early next year. Overall, it is a fine doc, rated 6.7 at IMDB (which seems low to me for it is not an instructional video but rather a POV doc). It apparently may be coming to DevourFest, the food film festival held every November in Wolfville Nova Scotia (they had showed A Year in Burgundy last year). The video shows the process and the vintners of Champagne, assisted by the presence of Martine Saunier, a wine importer from the US. I remember her being more involved, though, in the Burgundy film. There is a description and actual viewing of the process and rules in Champagne, a very heavily regulated major industry that really has no competitors since it is both unique and a Protected Designation of Origin. The video does go into its uniqueness but not into its PDO status. As I said, this is a POV doc not an instructional one. Throughout the world, it is the brand name that is important in selling and marketing Champagne. There are good descriptions on the region's chalky soil, its northernmost position, frost, rain and rot. There is a brief history, from Attila the Hun through WWI which showed the impact of invasions and wars, and the need for deep cellaring. There are about one billion bottles in the cellars of Champagne. Kennard chose a diverging range of producers and vineyards to visit; thankfully, none was really commercial or a co-op: Bollinger, Diebolt-Vallois, Gosset, San-Chamant, Stephane Coquillitte, and Gonnet-Medeville. The 2012 year began as a grim one with moist bad weather and pests. But as August opened, the sun came out and the crop was saved – down in quantity but up in quality. Kennard does not explore the Champagne label for what is on it, and thus did not remark on the five or so designations that are part of the Champagne rules. The two that affect us the most are RM and NM, for grower and negociant champagnes. There is also no talk of the varieties allowed in Champagne, although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are noted as well as the one mention of Pinot Meunier. Apart from the narration, it is all in French with English subtitles. If you turn on the subtitles, then you'll also get the English narration in written English. Bonus tracks include deleted scenes and there are biography scripts. I would have picked better music for the beginning (Why Blue Danube? Why not some Piaf? Keeps it French....), but this is still a worthwhile video that I enjoyed very much. Quality/Price Rating: 88.

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

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

The Event: DAY OF WINE AND ROSES ...Annual April Rose tasting conducted by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada.

The Date and Time: Friday, April 24, 2015  10:30AM to 1:30PM+

The Event: Annual April Rose tasting conducted by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada.

The Venue: Condo Meeting Room

The Target Audience: members of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada (now celebrating its 30th year).

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available either at the LCBO (general, Vintages) or as part of the LCBO seasonal rose program or at the Ontario winery.

The Quote/Background: Agents and wineries were requested to submit for tasting by the writers. A dozen writers turned up, not a bad crowd given everybody's schedule these days of intense dinners and trade shows. The spreadsheet was put together, but some did not submit these electronically and some did not submit a spreadsheet at all – this made life arduous in that some minimum data had to be pulled off websites. NEVERTHELESS, we appreciated everybody's efforts to participate, and look forward to more next year. Last year we had 70 wines, this year: 80. Can 100 be next? WOW...

The Wines: I tasted all wines that were put out, with a few faves indicated (see below). There was no consensus reached since this was NOT a competition nor a judging. Each writer took his own notes and formed his own opinions. Individual writers will decide where to place stories, such as blogs, articles, backgrounders, broadcasts, web episodes, etc. In my notes I emphasized fruitiness and freshness, as well as some brisk character on the palate and in the finish. Some roses are just for quaffing/sipping on the patio; others can go with first courses and seafood, and sweet ones can be with desserts or cheeses. The wines listed below are GROUPED, but not ranked within.

 

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):  [[13 wines]]

-Delegat's Wine Estate Limited,NV,Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé,$21.95,280172,New Zealand,Hawke's Bay  [nicely dry, refreshing]

-Cono Sur,2014,Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose,$13.90,365205,Chile,Bio Bio Valley,Pinot Noir [best value Rose of this tasting]

-Cordoniu,Seleccion Raventos Brut NV, $15.95  [always a winner]

-Kir Yianni,2013,Akakies  Sparkling Rose,$18.95,,Greece,xinomavro,kolonaki

-Piper Heidsieck Champagne,Rose NV  [although some stale notes in this sample]

-Mas des Bressades,2014,Cuvée Tradition Rosé,$15.95,950576,France,Costières de Nîmes,"50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Cinsault  [good value in still rose]

-Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery ,2014,Cabernet Rosé,$20.00 ,415893 VQA Cabernet Franc

-Flat Rock Cellars,2014,Pink Twisted,$16.95,39974,Canada,Niagara Pen.,"Pinot Noir, Syrah & Riesling  [one of the best in Ontario]

-Cono Sur,NV,Bicicleta Pinot Noir Rose,$8.40,318014,Chile,Bio Bio Valley,Pinot Noir [hard to beat this price]

-Chapoutier Beaurevoir Tavel 2013

-Maison Mori d'Azur,2013,Cloud Chaser Dry Rose $27.95,,Provence gren/cinsault/mourvedre Kolonaki

-Gassier Sables d'Azur 2014 Rose Cotes de Provence, $15.95 [solid south of France rose]

-G.Marquis,The Silver Line Ice Cuvee, $22.75  [best off-dry rose sparkler]

 

 

 

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

-Henry of Pelham,NV,Cuvee Catherine Brut,29.95, +217505 Niagara VQA,,

-Viticoltoni Acquesi Brachetto d'Acqui Sparkling Rose Piedmont Italy, $12.90

-Vignobles Lorgeril,2014,L'Orangeraie Rosé,$9.95,279661,France,Pays d'Oc,"50% Cinsault, 20% Merlot, 15% Syrah, 15% Grenache

-E. Guigal,2014,Côtes du Rhône Rosé,$18.95,225003,France,Côte du Rhône AOC,"50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre

-Bottega SPA,Vino Dei Poeti Brut Rose NV,$13.45 ,277202,Italy,Veneto,Pinot Noir & Raboso

-Remy Pannier,2014,Rose d'Anjou,13.95,12641,France,Loire,60CF/30Grolleau/10Gamay

-Perrin et Fils,2014,La Vieille Ferme Rosé,$10.95,622134,France,Rhône Valley,"Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah

-Ogier,,Ventoux Rose 2013, $12.95

-Gerard Bertrand,2014,Cote des Rose,$18.95, Languedoc,,+373985 Family Wine Merchants

-Mediterra,2013,Thalia Dry Rose,$9.95,,Crete,,Kotsalfali Kolonaki

-Bellingham Wines,2014,Berry Bush Rose, $10.95 ,406611,South Africa,Coastal,Pinotage

-Kim Crawford,2014,Kim Crawford Pansy! Rose,$17.00 ,650325,New Zealand,Hawke's Bay,100% Merlot

-Westcott Vineyards,2012,Delphine ,$15 VQA Vinemount Ridge,"Cab Franc, Pinot Noir

-Bacalhoa Vinhos de Portugal,2014,JP Azeitao Rose,$8.95,,Portugal,,Moscatel/Syrah,PMA

-Bodegas Muga,2014,Muga Rioja Rosé,$13.95,603795,Spain,Rioja,"60% Garnacha, 30% Viura, 10% Tempranillo

-Kacaba Vineyards,2014,Rebecca Rose,$14.95 VQA Niagara,Gamay,

-Henry of Pelham,2014,Rose,$13.95, VQA,PN/Gamay/CS

-Pondview Estate Winery,2014,Cabernet Franc Rose, $14.95 ,241802,Canada,Niagara on the Lake,Cabernet Franc,

-Vieni,2013,Classic Brut,$22.95,,Vinemount  VQA,,Ch/PN/PM

-Henkell,Rose Sparkling, $14.95

-MARTINI & ROSSI Martini Rosé Sparkling Wine,$13.95 ,384669,

 

 

 

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

-Gerard Bertrand,2014,Gris Blanc,$16.95 Tautavel +409870,,Family Wine Merchants

-Yellow Tail,Rose Bubbles, $11.95

-Chateau Bellevue La Foret,,Rose 2013, $14.95

-G. DuBoeuf Beaujolais 2013,Rose, $17.95

-Robert Giraud,2014,Chateau Timberlay Clairet,$15.95,,Bordeaux France,,,PMA

-Sogrape Vinhos, S.A.",n/v,Gazela Vinho Verde Rosè,$9.45,404533,Portugal 35% Borraçal, 30% Espadeiro, 30% Amaral, 5% Vinhão

-Campo Viejo Tempranillo Rose 2014 Rioja, $11.80

-Faustino V Tempranillo Rose 2014 Rioja, $12.95

-Torres,2014,Sangre de Torres Rose,$13.95 Spain,+233437,Family Wine Merchants

-Folonari,,Pinot Grigio Rose 2014, $9.90

-Masi,2014,Rosa dei Masi,$14.95,377267,Italy,Verona,Refosco,

-CITRA,2014,Citra Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, $8.45 ,404541 Ortona Abruzzo,Montpulciano,

-13th Street Cuvee Rose,$24.95 ,147504 VQA Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Gamay Noir

-Sue-Ann Staff,2013,Fancy Farm Girl Flirty Bubbles,$29.95, VQA Niagara -Peninsula,Riesling/Merlot (Churchill Cellars )

-Diamond Estates Winery,2012,FRESH Sparkling Rose,$13.95 ,341347,Canada,Niagara Peninsula,"Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

-Vieni,2012,Rose Brut,$29.95,,Vinemount VQA,,PN/PM/Riesling/Chard

-Colio Estate Wines,N/V,Girls' Night Out Sparkling Rosé $14.95,360941, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Noir

-Agrilandia,2013 Fortulla Rose, IGT Rosato di Toscana $26.95 50% cabernet franc, 50% cabernet sauvignon","Infinite Intelligence Inc

-Kir Yianni,2014,Akakies Dry Rose,$12.95,,Greece,,Xinomavro,Kolonaki

-Lazy Days Rose 2014 South Africa, $10.95

-Trivento,,Tribu Malbec Rose Argentina,$11.95 Malbec,

-Trapiche,,Malkina Rose $11.95 Argentina,,

-Bod. Volcanes de Chile Summit Reserve Rose 2014, $9.95

-Jacob's Creek,,Moscato Rose $11.90 Australia

-Truett Hurst,2014,Fuchsia Rose,$15.95,406769,California ,,Zinfandel blend,

-Sutter Home,,White Zinfandel California, $9.05

-Charles & Charles Rose Washington State, $15.95

-John Howard Cellars of Distinction,2014,Megalomaniac Pink Slip Rose,$17.95, 85126, Niagara Riesling/Merlot

-Strewn,2014,Cabernet Rosé,$13.95 VQA Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

-Pelee Island Winery ,2013,Cabernet Franc Rose ,$12.75,377564,VQA 100% Cabernet Franc

-Peninsula Ridge,2014,Beal Vyds Cabernet Rose,$11.95,,Ont VQA,,Cab Sauv,PMA

-House Wine Co.,2014,Pink House,$12.95 VQA,Chard/Merlot/CS,Family Wine Merchants

-Sibling Rivalry,2014,Pink,$13.95 VQA,PN/Gamay/CS,Family Wine Merchants

-Southbrook Vineyards,2014,Triomphe Cabernet Franc,$19.95 ,279117 VQA Niagara Peninsula,100% Cabernet Franc

-Creekside Estate Winery,2014,Cabernet VQA Rose 2014 ,$15.95 ,+48819 100% Cabernet Sauvignon,Hobbs

-Featherstone Winery,2014,Rose,$14.95 ,117861 VQA12% Merlot/81%gamay/7%CabFranc,

-Fielding Estate Winery,2014,Rosé,$15.95,53421,VQA Gamay, Cab Franc

-Colio Estate Wines,2013,Girls' Night Out Rosé,$12.95,89862,VQA Ontario,Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc

-Rockway Glen,2014,Patio 9 Pink ,$13.95,323766,Canada,Niagara Vidal, Cab Sauv

-Diamond Estates Winery Cotton Candy Rose,$9.95 ,369652,Canada,Niagara Peninsula,Blend,

-Tawse Echos Rose 2014 VQA Niagara

-Cave Spring Cellars,2013,Rosé,$14.95,295006 VQA Niagara Escarpment,61.5% Cabernet Franc,38.5% PN

-Pillitteri Estates Winery,2013,Dry Rosé,$15 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake,Merlot 55% Cabernet Franc 45%

-Diamond Estates Winery,2013,EastDell Estates Summer Rose,$12.95 , 560243,VQA Niagara Peninsula,"Riesling, Merlot

-Sue-Ann Staff,2013,Fancy Farm Girl Foxy Pink,$17.00 VQA Niagara Peninsula,Riesling/Cab Franc, (Churchill Cellars)

-Westcott Vineyards,2013,Delphine ,$15,,VQA Vinemount Ridge,Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot

 

The Food: bread and water, plus some chocolates.

The Downside: 80 wines may appear to be daunting, but the first batch were sparklers (just one champagne) followed by international and then domestic still wines. At the finish we tried the sweeties.

The Upside: The WWCC appreciated the opportunity to taste and write about these roses before Mother's Day, June weddings, and summer. It has been a big help.

The Contact Person:  deantudor@deantudor.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93.

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

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

The Event: Shucking with Savvy: Sauvignon Blanc Day April 24/15

The Date and Time: Friday April 24, 2015  1 – 5 PM

The Event: Shucking with Savvy: Sauvignon Blanc Day

The Venue: John & Sons Oyster House

The Target Audience: wine opinion makers and writers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available in Ontario through the normal distribution channels of LCBO, consignment, etc.

The Quote/Background: this is the second year that New Zealand Wine Canada has hosted an oyster and savvy party. There were 17 wines plus a variety of oysters, By the time I got there, John & Sons were serving oysters from BC and Massachusetts. Joining us was St Supery Napa Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (von Terra), a different style of savvy.

The Wines:

 

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

-Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc South Island 2014, $24.95

-Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $22.50

 

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

-Ara Pathway Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $14.95

-Awatere River Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $19.85

-Forrest Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $25

-Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $18.95

-MOMO Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013, $17.95

-Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $16.95

-Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $19.95

-Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013, $18.80

 

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

-Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013, $29.95

-Babich Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $14.95

-Haha Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013, $16.95

-Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $19.95

-Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2014, $16.95

-Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2013, $16.95

-Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc South Island 2012, $15.95

 

The Food: oysters, water

The Downside: I had just curated a Rose tasting, but the pause between events refreshed my palate. Nothing like briny oysters and savvy to get a "reset".

The Upside: a chance to re-visit NZ savvies since my time at the NZ trade show in May will be limited.

The Contact Person: rketchin@ketchin.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: City Fare 2015; Southwest Ontario arrives in Toronto

The Date and Time:  Saturday, May 30, 2015   2PM to 5PM

The Event: City Fare 2015; Southwest Ontario arrives in Toronto

The Venue: Wychwood Barns

The Target Audience: media and about 500 others (there was a split between the afternoon 2 – 5 and the evening 7 – 10. We opted for the afternoon).

The Availability/Catalogue: products are available mostly in the region. From time time wines and beers travel via the LCBO or private order.

The Quote/Background: The show was jointly organized with iYellow club; hence, there were many young food and wine explorers at the exhibits, photographing, texting, etc. I was there mainly for the alcohol, my wife Ann @infalliblenana was there for the food as a basis for her blogs.

The Beers and Wines:

 

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

-Oxley  Chardonnay 2013 VQA, $18.95

-Wooden Bear Golden Russet 2013 Dry, $14.95

-Wooden Bear Claw Draught Hard Apple Cider

-Colio Lily Sparkling

-Burning Kiln Cabernet Frank

 

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

-Oxley Riesling 2013 VQA, $18.95

-Railway City Brewing Dead Elephant India Pale Ale

-Railway City Brewing Iron Spike Blonde Ale

-Wooden Bear Claw Draught Hard Perry Cider

-Cooper's Hawk Cab Merlot 2012

-Cooper's Hawk Touche [off-dry white]

-Burning Kiln Cureman's Chardonnay

 

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

-Alton Farms Sauvignon Blanc 2013, $14

-Alton Farms Dry Riesling 2013, $18

 

The Food: it was variable, with sweets intermingled with savouries and wines. This made it hard to move orderly from booth to booth. We started with some sweet food, to cut our appetites, and then moved to savoury foods and then beer and then wines. You need a plan at these things...There were tarts (pecan, salted cashew, rum raisin, chocolate chip) from Killer Desserts in Port Stanley, there was maple syrup (Jakeman's, in a take home sample bottle: THANK YOU), cheeses (Bright Brand asiago and old cheddar; MountainOak Dutch gold cheese and Dutch smoked cheese). Smackwater Jacks had liquid nitrogen ice cream, bacon skewers, and stuffed Belgian endive. Blue Elephant Brew House provided spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, and sweet potato bread pudding. Papa D's Hot Sawce had mac 'n' cheese and meatball tacos flavoured with, well, their hot sauce. The Twisted Lemon in Cayuga gave us a sauced whole wheat ravioli, while their bartender crafted a complicated Geneva gin with burnt meringue cocktail (my wife had that). Bayside Brewing had a range of beers. The Arts and Cookery Bank had five (5) types of marshmallows [my fave was the coconut]. There were some non-alcoholic ciders, including an apple-strawberry-rhubarb cider. JP's Barbeque served up some beef BBQ on a bun, nicely sauced. Sixthirtynine did an amazing trout crudo (I shamelessly took two). One of the dessert highlights was the verde fresco chocolate from Chocolatea...and of course, who could ever forget Robbie's Gourmet Sausages [lamb merguez with chimichurri sauce}. There were also tourism groups and real farms (e.g., Norpac Beef) on display. It was a terrific day for food and drink!!! There are separate brochures available for beer/ale trails (36 breweries) and for wine routes.

The Downside: there was rain off and on. Also, there was no real list of what we were getting, nor press kits. We picked up materials as we went along, but inevitably we felt burdened with samples, pen, paper, glass, plate and more with only two hands.

The Upside: the crowds were spread out nicely, with each booth having about five people or fewer at a time. There was entertainment from a pretty sharp Bluegrass Band.

The Contact Person: joanne@swotc.ca or jen@swotc.ca

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Spring Portfolio wine tasting of 30.50 Imports

The Date and Time: Monday, April 27, 2015  1 – 4 PM

The Event: Spring Portfolio wine tasting of 30.50 Imports

The Venue: Crush

The Target Audience: wine writers and trade clients

The Availability/Catalogue: a few items were Vintages, some were private order, but most were consignment.

The Quote/Background: it was crowded but then the room size comes into play. Eventually everybody spread out.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine. Private orders/Vintages are specified. Prices here are retail.

 

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

-Castello di Verduno Barolo Massara 2006, $74.95

-Castello di Verduno Barbaresco Rabaja 2006, $69.95

-Azienda Agricola 499 Moscato d'Asti 2014, $22.50

-Fattoria di San Quintino VinSDanto del Chianti 2011, $29.95  375mL, P.O.

-Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino 2009, $69.70

-Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino 2010, $79.95

-Valle de Junco Lapa dos Gaivoes Escolha 2011, $34.95

-Sidonio de Sousa Garrafeira 2009, $49.95  [my fave wine of the tasting]

-Belem's Madeira Wine 10 year old Verdelho, $64.95

-Porta da Teira Ninfa Escolha 2011, $34.95

-Bod. Tradicion 30 Year Old Palo Cortado, $129 Vintages

-Bod. Tradicion 30 Year Old Oloroso, $104 Vintages

-Chapuy Carte Verte Brut NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, $59.95

-Chateau Musar Red 2003, $69.95

 

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

-Castello di Verduno Barolo Monvigliero Riserva 2006, $100

-Azienda Agricola 499 Moscato Bianco Dry 2012, $24.95

-Azienda Agricola 499 Langhe Freisa 2012, $29.95

-Chiusa Grande Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Terre Casale 2013, $14.95

-Fattoria Casablanca Coppaia Bianco Vermintino 2013, $15.95

-Fattoria Casablanca Chianti Colli Senesi 2013, $19.95

-Fattoria di San Quintino Sangiovese IGT La Fagiana 2013, $34.95  P.O.

-Il Paradiso di Frassina Gea Rosso di Montalcino 2012, $39.95

-Il Paradiso di Frassina DO 12 Uve IGT 2008, $59.95

-Caiarossa Pergolaia 2006 Tuscany, $34.95

-Caiarossa 2006 Tuscany, $79.95

-Musella Amarone dell Valpolicella Riserva 2009, $74.95

-Daniele Pintus Vermentino 2013 Sardinia, $24.95

-Daniele Pintus Canonnau 2013 Sardinia, $24.95

-Douro Prime Inquieto Reserva 2010, $39.95

-Porta da Teira Ninfa Tinto 2012, $24.95

-Bod. Commenge Don Miguel 2010 Ribera del Duero, $45

-Chateau Musar Hochar Pere et Fils Red 2009, $34.95

-Chateau Musar Jeune Red 2011, $25.95

 

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

-Castello di Verduno Langhe Nebbiolo 2012, $29.95

-Castello di Verduno Verduno Basadone 2013, $29.95

-Azienda Agricola 499 Langhe Freisa Selection Coste dei Fre 2012, $39.95

-Cantina di Venosa Aglianico del Vulture Vignali 2011, $19.95

-Fattoria Casablanca Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva 2010, $29.95

-Fattoria Casablanca Coppai Chianti Colli Senesi 2013, $15.95

-Fattoria di San Quintino Chianti 2013, $15.95

-Castello La Leccia Chianti Classico 2011, $29.95

-Porta da Teira Ninfa Branco (SB/Fernao Pires) 2012, $24.95

-Bod. Briego Reserva 2009 Ribera del Duero, $34.95

-Celler Cesca Vicent Red 2012 Priorat, $24.95

-Chateau Barrejat Seduction 2012 Madiran, $24.95

 

The Food: charcuterie, cheeses, toasted breads, crackers, water.

The Downside: too bad it was not held on the main floor.

The Upside: a rare Monday event

The Contact Person: nelson@3050imports.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: The inaugural Trillium Chefs Canada Awards Dinner prefaced by a talk by Miguel Torres, the Riedel Wine Maker of the Year Award

The Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 3:15 to 6PM

The Event: The inaugural Trillium Chefs Canada Awards Dinner prefaced by a talk by Miguel Torres, the Riedel Wine Maker of the Year Award. The event benefited the Trillium Chefs Canada in their bid to win Gold at the 2016 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany.

The Venue: Lai Wah Heen Restaurant

The Target Audience: writers and guests

The Availability/Catalogue: wiens are available through the LCBO or through the agent, Family Wine Merchants.

The Quote/Background: Torres' presentation was about corporate responsibility in being green and returning the earth to a good shape. They are committed to reducing carbon emissions, using solar panels, reducing water usage, reducing gas consumption, encouraging wind farms, reducing bottle weight, and experimenting with new vineyard management techniques in the Pyrenees. These are all for their properties world wide in California and Chile as well as Spain.

The Wines: we sampled what was in the market at the current time in Ontario. There was an excellent Cordillera Brut (all pinot noir) from Chile's Curico Valley (90 points), a brilliant Vina Esmeralda 2014 (moscatel and gewurztraminer) from Catalan that has been a regular summer drink of mine for about 40 years (so I'm biased, 90 points), a tight Gran Coronas Reserva 2010 (cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo) from Penedes (88 points), and the oaky Estate Mas La Plana 2010 (all cabernet sauvignon) surprisingly more approachable than the Reserva (91 points). We also had a sample of Torres 5 Brandy.

The Food: earlier on, with the interviews and media scrum, we had some sushi from EDO.

The Downside: there was a dinner afterwards.

The Upside: a chance to meet and greet Miguel Torres.

The Contact Person: spuritt@hotmail.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 30, 2015

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 30, 2015

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at www.deantudor.com since 1994. My LCBO 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. It is getting more difficult to endorse wines under $20 for the simple reason that the LCBO does not release many of them into the Vintages program, ones that can be deemed to be worthy of your consideration. So I will now just ADD some "under $25" suggestions, along with point values.

 

 

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

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2012 Columbia Valley Washington, +366542, $17.95: creamy oak, soft tannins, cork closure, 13.5% ABV, well-framed and lingers. Yum. QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $25:  [not many this time]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1.Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2013 VQA Beamsville Bench, +183491, $23.95. QPR: 90.

2.Maison Roche de Bellene Vieilles Vignes Bourgogne Chardonnay 2012, +299867, $20.95. QPR: 90

3.Marnier-Lapostolle Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre 2013, +340893, $24.95. QPR: 90.

 

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $25:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1.Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Wahluke Slope Washington, +360222, $19.95: excellently positioned, very good and big wine with typical cabby MVC cassis and some wood. Cork closure, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

2.Laura Hartwig Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Colchagua Valley, +727495, $17.95: another cabby, but in Euro style. Complexity needs more time. Barrel-aged French oak for one year. 14% ABV

3.Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2012 Casablanca Valley, +37937, $14.95: it is not too often you see an under-valued wine at the LCBO, but here is one the mark-up guys overlooked. Massive cherries and wood, 14% ABV. Twist top. Yum. QPR: 89.

4.O'Leary Walker Pinot Noir 2012 Adelaide Hills Australia, +408419, $24.95. QPR: 90.

5.Rustenberg Merlot 2010 WO Stellenbosch, +404194, $19.95: mint, mocha, black currants, 14% ABV, twist top. Good aging. QPR: 89.

6.Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2012, +973453, $23.95. QPR: 90.

7.Domaine Bellavista La Cuvee d'Ava Cotes du Roussillon 2011, +383398, $15.95: this wine does not need a dose of MSG, it already has it in its mourvedre/syrah/grenache frame. Good depth and well-priced. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

8.San Michele a Torri Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2013, +900258, $16.95: from one of the rarer regions in Chianti, a svelte light and polite Chianti at a decent price. 13% ABV. QPT: 88.

9.Mula Velha Premium Tinto 2012 Lisboa, +409250, $15.95: juicy, North American appeal, very aromatic. 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

10.VSL G Garnacha 2011 Madrid, +132266, $18.95: this "garnacha of the month" is organic but also 15% ABV. Very nice expression of the G spot: a sweet and spicy song. QPR: 89.

11.Bodegas Campina Sabor Real Vinas Centenarias Tempranillo 2009 Toro, +244772, $15.95:  good value for an aged robust wine, made from vines planted in 1895. QPR: 89.

12.P Dardenne Vina Mayor Reserva 2009 Ribera del Duero, +209155, $24.95. QPR: 89

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $25 RETAIL

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.Oldenburg Chardonnay 2012 WO Stellenbosch, +374645, $26.95 retail.

2.Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace Grand Cru, +307694, $33.95.

3.Lucien Muzard & Fils Les Meix Chavaux Meursault 2013, +407072, $58.95.

4.Segla 2006 Margaux, +359810, $53.95.

5.Pierre Amadieu Romane-Machotte Gigondas 2012, +17400, $27.95.

6.Badia a Coltibuono Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, +683474, $38.95.

7.Marchesi Torrigiani Guidaccio 2008 IGT Toscana, +674499, $48.95.

8.Poggio Bonelli Poggiassai 2010, +85365, $32.95.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.

The Date and Time: Monday, April 20, 2015   11AM to 4PM

The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.

The Venue: St. James Cathedral Centre

The Target Audience: I was there for the first two hours where it was just the writers, so we had room and space to roam around and talk to the wineries.

The Availability/Catalogue: Everything  is available at the winery, some are also at the LCBO. Some wines are restricted to licensees only.

The Quote/Background: the wines were presented from East to West

The Wines:  I did not taste every wine. Prices are retail except where specified.

 

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

-Norman Hardie Prince Edward County Pinot Noir 201, $39.

-Norman Hardie Niagara Pinot Noir 2011, $39.

-Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2013, $22.75

-Southbrook Whimsy "Minerality" Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2012, $34.75

-Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012, $35

-Stratus Tollgate White Wine 2011, $19.75

-Stratus White 2012, $38

-13th Street Winery Cuvee Rose NV, $24.95

-Flat Rock Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2014, $19.95

-Flat Rock Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2012, $24.95

-Flat Rock Riddled 2009, $29.95

-Cave Spring Riesling Estate Extra-Dry 2010, $24.95

-Cave Spring Cabernet Franc Estate 2012, $29.95

-Tawse Spark Riesling Blend 2013, $24.95

-Malivoire Stouck Meritage 2011, $34.95

-Bachelder Saunders Chardonnay 2012, $44.95

-Bachelder Wismer Chardonnay 2012, $44.95

-Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir Locust Lane Beamsville 2013, $48

 

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

-Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling 2014, $27

-Flat Rock Chardonnay 2012, $18.95

-Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2013, $29.95

-Cave Spring CSV Chardonnay 2012, $29.95

-Cave Spring The Adam Steps Riesling 2013, $24.95

-Bachelder Pinot Noir Parfum 2013

-Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2012, $39

-Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc, $21.75

-Stratus Red 2010, $44

-13th Street Essence Syrah 2012, $44.95

-Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay Vinemount Ridge 2012, $35.95

-Malivoire Cabernet Franc Creek Shores 2013, $24.95

 

The Food: the regulars were there, providing great food- Best Baa Dairy, Monforte Dairy, Upper Canada Cheese Company, Fat Chance Sliced Cold Salmon Co., and De La Terre Kitchen for breads and spreads. Backhouse (eggs and prosciutto) I think is new.

The Downside: nothing, really

The Upside: a chance for some space and some good talking.

The Contact Person: www.somewhereness.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 16, 2015

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 16, 2015

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at www.deantudor.com since 1994. My LCBO 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. It is getting more difficult to endorse wines under $20 for the simple reason that the LCBO does not release many of them into the Vintages program, ones that can be deemed to be worthy of your consideration. So I will now just ADD some "under $25" suggestions, along with point values.

 

 

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

 

Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2008 Gioa del Colle Puglia, +724674, $13.95: best value of the release at this price, great aged wine (seven years or so). Dried fruit, sun-dried veggies, plummy. QPR: 91.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $25:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1.Cave Spring Pinot Gris 2013 VQA Niagara, +621086, $17.95: nifty off-dry on plate, juicy entry with lush concentration, reminiscent of Alsace. Sip, quaff or first course wine. 13% ABV. QPR: 89.

2.Finca El Origen Reserva Torrontes 2014 Salta Argentina, +262089, $15.95: deep fruit and high alcohol, 14.3% – the wine of Toronto! Twist top, fresh taste of exotic fruits. QPR: 89.

3.Howard Park Flint Rock Chardonnay 2012 Western Australia, +410027, $22.95. QPR: 90.

4.Tahbilk Marsanne 2013 Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, +117945, $17.95: I've consumed many vintages over the years, and this is one of the best, albeit very juicy. Twist top. 12.5% ABV. QPR: 88.

5.Yalumba Viognier 2013 Eden Valley South Australia, +954644, $24.95. QPR: 90.

6.Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Awatere Valley Marlborough, +225557, $18.95: yes, it's time for the Eradus annual swing through Ontario, with its zesty over-the-top green notes, 13.5% ABV, twist top. No price change since last year. QPR: 89.

7.Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough, +324228, $21.95. QPR: 90.

8.Rustenberg Chardonnay 2013 WO Stellenbosch, +598631, $19.95: tastes we;; aged, good forest floor complexity in a Euro toasty mode. QPR: 89.

9.William Fevre Saint-Bris 2013 Burgundy, +626523, $20.95. QPR: 90.

10.La Cave du Coudray Reserve du Chron Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2013 Sur Lie, +413757, $13.95: the Muscadet release of the month, 12% ABV, green and lean food wine. Perfect for summer dining. QPR: 89.

11.Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles de Colombo Cotes du Rhone 2013, +413187, $17.95: mouthfeel of sunshine, 13% ABV, summer beckons. Patio or first course wine for succulence. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $25:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1.De Bortoli Gulf Station Shiraz/Viognier 2010, +408328, $19.95: good Rhone quality and nicely aged for five years, 13% ABV, twist top. Euro all the way. QPR: 89.

2.De Morgenzon DMZ Syrah 2012 QO Western Cape: another Rhone-like beauty, although I thought the label referred to DeMilitarized Zone. 14%. QPR: 88.

3.Chateau Haut Peyraud 2010 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, +413948, $16.95: very decent Bordeaux at a rock bottom price, hard to avoid. 14% ABV. MVC all the way, mostly Merlot grapes. QPR: 89.

4.Chateau de Gourgazaud Cuvee Mathilde Minervois 2013, +958629, $14.95: gutsy syrah dominates, very good value, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

5.Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2013 IGT Terra degli Osci Molise, +591974, $13.95: good basic sangiovese hits, MVC for the grape, 13% ABV. Needs food. QPR: 88.

6.Tommais Graticcio Appassionato 2013 "Product of Italy", +338939, $15.95: normally I see this designation on olive oil bottles, but here who knows? Aged in oak, 13% ABV, twist top, very dense with appassionato texture, and bargain priced. QP: 88.

7.Ondarre Reserva 2009 Rioja, +723452, $18.95: another affordable Rioja at the reserve level with six years of aging. Oaked consistency, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

8.Convento San Francisco 2005 Ribera del Duero, +206409, $23.95. QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $25 RETAIL

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.Bergstrom Old Stones Chardonnay 2011 Willamette Oregon, +419753, $41.95 retail.

2.Domaine Berthenet Montagny 1er Cru 2013, +405993, $27.95.

3.D'Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2011 McLaren Vale, +48785, $25.95.

4.Viticcio Beatrice Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2011, +404244, $47.95.

5.E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +727503, $58.95.

6.Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +976662, $36.95.

 

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

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 AND DRINK BOOKS IN REVIEW,,,,

 

 

3.BUT I COULD NEVER GO VEGAN! (The Experiment, 2014, 308 pages, ISBN 978-1-61519-210-6, $23.95 US paper covers) is by Kristy Turner, once a caseophile (and professional fromagier) but now the writer of a vegan food blog. Her subtitle is the engaging "125 recipes that prove you can live without cheese, it's not all rabbit food, and your friends will still come over for dinner". It also takes seven logrollers. Her enticement is through the substitutions for cheese, which of course can be consumed by vegetarians but not by vegans. She calls for making your own BBQ sauce, seitan, ranch dressing, and tofu sour cream. She claims you will never miss with tempeh bacon mac 'n' cheese with pecan parmesan, tofu chevre, or mushroom cheddar grilled cheese sandwich. At brunch, she recommends a caramel apple-stuffed French toast. At dinner there is carrot cashew pate and gnocchi alla vodka. Ice creram includes mango lassi and oatmeal raisin ice cream sandwiches. The book is a good way to move from vegetarianism to veganism. Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements.

Audience and level of use: vegans, vegetarians-in-transit.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: see above

The downside to this book: what if I never liked cheese?

The upside to this book: a number of other recipes are also useful

Quality/Price Rating: 86.

 

 

4.SALAD LOVE (Appetite by Random House, 2014, 304 pages, ISBN 978-0-449-01676-3, $27 CAN paper covers) is by David Bez. It was co-published in the UK by Quadrille. He was determined to eat more veggies, so he created a blog (Salad Pride) to record one new salad every day using seasonal, healthy foods. The 260 preps here are derived from that blog, The salads are usually some leafy platform, some protein, some toppings, some crunch with nuts and toasts. It can be as simple as mixing and matching, noting that you'll need a base, some veggies/fruits, proteins, toppings, herbs, and dressings. But there are a few different ones, such as using grains for the base, or ribbons of veggies such as carrots and zucchini. He's got 24 nice looking (the book is well-illustrated) dressings, so lots can be accommodated. The salads are arranged by season, starting with summer. Each salad has a photo, the ingredients for layering, and a dressing. Each also has a term such as vegetarian or pescatarian, and in many cases there are alternatives to the salad, such as a vegan option or a raw option. For example, the pinto beans, artichokes and sesame seeds salad is vegan but also presents an omnivore alternative.

Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: salad lovers, those looking to put more veggies on their plates.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: smoked mackerel, cauliflower and asparagus; chorizo, black quinoa, asparagus and edamame; crabmeat, avocado and marinated peppers; roasted turkey, butternut squash and chickpeas; eggs, asparagus, croutons and pecorino.

The downside to this book: hmm, I wonder which recipes are missing, since there are 365 days in a year.

The upside to this book: all of the options are indexed.

Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

 

5.DIY NUT MILKS, NUT BUTTERS & MORE (The Experiment, 2014, 194 pages, ISBN 978-1-61519-230-4, $16.95 US paper covers) is by Melissa King www.mywholefoodlife.com who is a recipe developer and blogger. She's got a good selection of six log rollers for her book which mainly tells you how to make creamy nut milks, butters, and other items. She's arranged it by topics of milks, butters, nut pulps, smoothies, breakfasts, no=bake treats and baked treats, ending with ice creams. Nuts include cashews, almonds, Brazils, hazelnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, peanuts, pecans, macadamias, and walnuts. There's also a resources list. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois measurements with some metric, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: millennials, GF and vegan (for the most part, with substitutions).

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: strawberry Brazil nut milk, no-bake brownie bars, salted caramel Brazil nut butter, flourless almond butter blondies, grain-free energy bites, chocolate hazelnut coconut tart.

The downside to this book: I wanted more recipes, there are only about 50 plus.

The upside to this book: good topic and worth exploring.

Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

 

 

6.THE SOUP CLUB COOKBOOK (Clarkson Potter, 2015, 240 pages, ISBN 978-0-7704-3462-5, $25 US paper covers) is by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock, who have formed a soup club in order to share food. It's a great idea, and can also be applied to other common, family foods such as sandwiches or pastas. It is a continuing pot luck affair in that, on a rotational basis, families only have to prepare one meal every now and then (dependent on number of members). Most of the preps here make 8 US quarts (8 litres), and the authors provide dozens of tips for quantity cooking or customized tailoring. There are, of course, some guidelines for starting your own club and getting larger equipment. Soups are arranged by type: beans, hearty, chilled, fish, and meat. Other preps here include food for forks and fingers (salads, veggies,  breads,  snacks) – just to make life more interesting. Preparations have their ingredients listed only in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: beginners, social club joiners, harried families.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: cucumber-yogurt soup; Thai fish curry; cauliflower korma; beef mole chili; caldo verde; borscht; leek soup.

The downside to this book: as with any club, one must ensure that everyone does equal work and spends equal money on ingredients.

The upside to this book: if you can boil water, you can make soup.

Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

 

7.BOB'S RED MILL EVERYDAY GLUTEN-FREE COOKBOOK (Robert Rose, 2015, 336 pages, ISBN 978-0-7788-0500-7, $24.95 CAN paper covers) is by Camilla V. Saulsbury, food writer and blogger (powerhungry.com). She has written many other cookbooks for Rose. But I am puzzled as to why the title includes Bob's Red Mill since not one of the products is even mentioned, not even the All Purpose flour mix. You can get these flours through a variety of health food or bulk stores, or by email. But other producers also make millet, amaranth, teff, etc. There is no mention of the book on Bob's website, and he has a remarkably good collection of GF recipes too. So he's not selling the book himself, nor is he directing URL traffic to Robert Rose or Amazon. There's nothing copyrighted by Bob, but there is his trademark on the front and back cover. So it is an endorsement of sorts, that he "approves" of the book, to kick along the sales. That's fine. The book is a collection of 281 whole-grain recipes that are GF, for everyday use. It has been done up in the Rose style of cook notes, tips, double column ingredient quantities for metric and avoirdupois (just follow one or the other) – and use your own flour from whatever producer, for Bob is not directly named. Arrangement is by course (breakfasts, soups, salads, seafood-poultry-meat, breads, and desserts.

Audience and level of use: those seeking whole-grain GF recipes

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: rhubarb vanilla crumble; coconut,pineapple and basmati salad; multi-seed quinoa crackers; Gianduja biscotti; sesame ginger pork with millet slaw; teff date bread.

The downside to this book: why Bob's Red Mill? The products are not even mentioned.

The upside to this book: a good looking collection, sure to satisfy.

Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

 

8.FERMENTED FOODS FOR VITALITY & HEALTH (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-607-5, $19.95 US paper covers) is by Dunja Gulin, a chef who runs fermented foods workshops, and is the author of several vegan cookbooks such as The Vegan Pantry. Naturally fermented foods boost the digestive immune system with pro-biotics, and appear in just about every culture (Japan's miso, Korea's kimchi, everybody's sourdough, beer, wine). Pro-biotics increase energy levels, stabilize blood pressure, improve sleeping patterns, and promote healthier skin. Gulin here has 60 ways to make fermented foods part of a normal meal pattern. It is all sorted by course (breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, salads, breads, condiments, drinks), concluding with an international list of sources and resources. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois with some metric measurements, but there is no table of equivalents.

Audience and level of use: those interested in exploring new food patterns and pro-biotics

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: vegan yogurt; water kefir; probiotic gazpacho; sauerkraut with quinces; sourdough grissini; spicy leek and miso condiment; Scandinavian chanterelle salad; purple sauerkraut with dulse and caraway seeds.

Quality/Price Rating: 87.

 

 

 

9.WELL FED, FLAT BROKE (Arsenal Press, 2015, 257 pages, ISBN 978-1-55152-579-2, $24.95 CAN paper covers) is by Emily Wight, who blogs at wellfedflatbroke.com in the continuing saga of balancing a career and parenthood – and eating to stay alive. Here are some imaginative and nutritious meals for those on a budget and perhaps with messy kitchens (students, families, basement dwellers). The 120 preps cover the range from simple to intriguing, from breakfasts through snacks, from apps to desserts, with notes along the way for pantry stocking, picky eaters, and select kitchen equipment. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois with some metric measurements too, but there is no table of equivalents.

Audience and level of use: millennials?

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: rapini and sausage with white beans; rigatoni with chickpeas and tomatoes; tomato chicken curry; mustard fried chicken; roast paprika chicken; buttermilk Dutch baby with bacon-baked apple.

The downside to this book: too many pix of the author and not enough of the food.

The upside to this book: good theme, nice blog.

Quality/Price Rating: 86.

 

 

10.OUT OF THE POD (Ryland  Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-611-2, $21.95 US hard covers) is by Vicky Jones, formerly wine and food editor of the UK's House & Garden magazine. Here are 60 preps for simple home cooking involving beans, chickpeas, lentils and other legumes. She's got a primer on buying, storing, soaking, and cooking, plus a summary of nutritional benefits. All the classics are included.

Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: beginner

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: Moors and Christian, cassoulet, paella, pakoras, Moroccan harira soup, dosas, Greek fava dip, falafel.

The downside to this book: too short, but then it fits into the publisher's 160 page book series.

The upside to this book: she very wisely has separate chapters for both "main dishes" and "vegetarian main dishes"

Quality/Price Rating: 87.

 

 

11.THE REAL PALEO DIET COOKBOOK (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, 353 pages, ISBN 978-0-54430-326-3, $35 US hard covers) is by Loren Cordain, Ph.D, generally acknowledged as the originator of the paleo diet; he's written at least four other books on paleo foods. Here arev 250 recipes with 75 full-colour photos. Paleo food is based on whole, unprocessed foods headed by animal proteins, veggies, fruits, nuts, oils and fats. The paleo way has been shown to "ease" digestive diseases, skin conditions, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. The book is arranged by course – from apps to desserts -- with a breakout for proteins of beef (& bison), pork (& lamb), poultry, fish (&shellfish) and a  chapter for breakfast/brunch. There is also, of course, the primer on paleo food and why you need this diet. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: paleo lovers; guy chefs.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: ancho-rubbed lamb chops; Brussels sprouts and apple salad; fruit-stuffed top loin roast with brandy sauce; grilled salmon with artichoke heart salad; Asian beef and veggie stir-fry; curried chicken stew with root veggies; peach-brandy glazed drumsticks.

The downside to this book: book weighs too much for heavy kitchen use.

The upside to this book: delicious recipes, very guy-inspiring.

Quality/Price Rating: 88.

 

 

12.PLANT-BASED PALEO (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-612-9, $19.95 US hard covers) is by Jenna Zoe, author of Super Healthy Snacks and Treats and founder of Foods to Love website. She's got 60 protein-rich preps here for vegans (seeds, sprouted grains, fruits and veggies). She argues that you can have a paleo diet based on vegan principles since a plant-based diet gives us all that we require, by going back to the source. It is arranged by course, from breakfast to munchies to salads and sides, light lunches, evening feasts, and desserts. It is a great book for vegans or for those already practicing a plant-based diet. Important foods for accent points include chia seeds, hemp, coconut oil, tree nuts, cacao, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, and gluten-free flours. She's also got a resources list. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: vegans

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: guacamole; summery noodles with spiced almond butter; fusion noodles with asparagus; cauliflower rice couscous; carob latte; butternut squash fried; Asian kale salad; lemon tahini sauce; chocolate orange pie.

The downside to this book: could be bigger

The upside to this book: useful adjunct to other paleo books.

Quality/Price Rating: 88.

 

 

 

13.THE SALAD BOWL (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-601-3 $21.95 US hard covers) is by Nicola Graimes, a UK food writer specializing in vegetarian cookery. These are 75 or so fresh, haelthy and wholesome preps for all seasons. Arrangement is by principal ingredient: meat/poultry, fish/shellfish, dairy, grains, beans/pulses, and fruits/veggies. Her chapters are vividly photographed. Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: beginner

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: spiced chicken with white beans and chilli dressing; Vietnamese beef salad; chilli prawns with avocado dressing; warm pearl barley and smoked cheddar; put lentils, grapefruit and feta cheese with harissa dressing.

The downside to this book: a bit short in length.

The upside to this book: good detail and photos.

Quality/Price Rating: 85.

 

 

14.THE PERFECT EGG (Ten Speed Press, 2015, 168 pages, ISBN 978-1-60774-625-6, $18.99 US hard covers) is by Teri Lyn Fisher and  Jenny Park, both food bloggers at spoonforkbacon.com, creating drinks, recipes, and pictures. Here are more than 70 recipes for egg use, arranged by the topics morning, noon, and night, with specific sections on egg primer basics, snacks, and sweets. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there are tables of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use: beginner to intermediate.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: beef empanadas; havarti dill popovers; mini toad-in-a-hole sandwiches; gyeran bbang (Korean); matcha kimi balls (Japan); hot and sour soup.

The downside to this book: I think it needed more recipes.

The upside to this book: a huge variation on the number of egg salad sandwiches and buttermilk pancakes.

Quality/Price Rating: 85.

 

 

15.VIRGIN TERRITORY (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, 338 pages, ISBN 978-1-118-20322-4, $29.99 US hard covers) is by Nancy Harmon Jenkins, author of many books dealing with Mediterranean food and olive oil. She's a frequent contributor to major US food publications and newspaper food pages, and is also a radio and TV commentator. Here she highlights EVOO in about 100 preps, roaming from small dishes to soups, breads, pasta, rice, veggies, seafood, meal, poultry, sauces, and desserts. It's a good book, but even  Jenkins seems to need ten log rollers (Hesser, Madison, Nestle, Wolfert, et al)! She does have a hundred page primer with history and cultural material as well as technical stuff on how to buy and how to cook with it. It's also a well-illustrated book with pictures of her own Tuscan olive grove. She's got a list of acceptable all-purpose cooking oils, as well as some more expensive brands. In general, I have found that the best brands of olive oils usually comes from a winery that has made them from olive groves on their own property. But you may differ...Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.

Audience and level of use:

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: seafood tagine; quince and ginger olive oil cake; roasted squash soup with cumin; roasted red peppers with anchovies; pasta alla checca; broccoli or cauliflower with lemon, capers and black olives.

The downside to this book: I was expecting more recipes, and fewer classics.

The upside to this book: there is a very good bibliography for further reading and other recipes.

Quality/Price Rating: 87.

 

 

16. LIGHTEN UP, Y'ALL (Ted Speed Press, 2015, 224 pages, ISBN 978-1-60774-573-0, $24.99 US hard covers) is by Virginia Willis, author of a series of Y'ALL cookbooks and other southern foods. Even so, she needed five log rollers such as the Lee brothers (counts are one or two?). She was told to lose weight, so she re-developed a lot of her standard fare into "lighter" food, and this is the resulting book. The range is full: nibbles, salads, slaw, veggies, seafood, grains/grits, poultry, meat, soups, stews, biscuits, sweets. It is mainly classics (but no chess pie). And it might help to trim the meat better, in order to get ride of some fat (eg, lamb rack). Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents. Each prep also has nutritional data covering calories, fats, carbs, fiber, and protein.

Audience and level of use: lovers of southern food who must diet.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: buttermilk pie; red beans and greens; Creole dirty rice; turkey meatloaf with mushroom gravy; pulled pork with red pepper; rack of lamb with pecan-mint dipping sauce; yogurt piecrust; lemon-chia seed cake; vegetable corn bread.

The downside to this book: just the classics are covered, which is actually what she wanted to do.

The upside to this book: a good read on the classics re-done.

Quality/Price Rating: 87.

 

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Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: A review of the 2013 Vintage in Burgundy, from Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre Chablis, plus Villa Ponciago in Fleurie.

The Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2015  11AM to 3PM

The Event: A review of the 2013 Vintage in Burgundy, from Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre Chablis, plus Villa Ponciago in Fleurie.

The Venue: Canoe

The Target Audience: wine trade, private clients

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available via special order, or is already at the LCBO.

The Quote/Background: It was another challenging and "complicated" vintage, said M. Luc Bouchard. Volumes were down; it took a winemaker's skill to produce concentrated wines that may take time to come around. 2013 is the third vintage of small crops in four years.

The Wines: There were over 25 high end wines plus some others at the LCBO and Vintages.

I did not taste every wine since I had to leave early.

 

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

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Puligny-Montrachet, $75

-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2013, $119

-William Fevre Chablis Beauroy 1er Cru 2013, $56

-Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV, $70

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune de Chateau Rouge 1er Cru 2009, +325142, $37

-William Fevre Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru 2013, $56

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2013, $63

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Pommard, $59

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru, $126

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault Genevrieres 1er Cru, $114

 

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

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru, $286

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, $447

-William Fevre Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru 2012, $53

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Montagny 1er Cru Cote Chalonnaise, $79

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Nuit St Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru, $142

-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2013, $139

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2012, $55

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chambolle Musigny, $73

-Villa Ponciago Grand Cuvee La Roche Muriers 2013, $58

-William Fevre Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru 2013, $56

-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2013, $94

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Le Corton Grand Cru, $164

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Beaune Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus 1er Cru, $140

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2012 Beaune Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus 1er Cru, $135

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Savigny les Beaune les Lavieres 1er Cru, $60

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot 1er Cru, $107

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, $243

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault Les Clous, $61

 

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

-William Fevre Chablis Montmains 1er Cru 2013, $56

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Pouilly Fuisse 2013, +51466, $29

-Bouchard Pere & Fils Macon-Lugny Saint-Pierre 2013, +51573, $17

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault, $66

-William Fevre Chablis Royaux 2013, +27643, $23

-William Fevre Chablis Villages Saint Bris 2013, $19.95 Vintages [sauvignon blanc]

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Beaune Marconnets 1er Cru, $68

-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2011 Volnay 1er Cru, $63

 

The Food: international gourmet cheeses, dried fruit, breads, excellent charcuterie and terrine. Plus, of course, fresh oysters.

The Downside: I had to leave early.

The Upside: my one big chance to look at the 2013 vintage in Burgundy.

The Contact Person: jason@woodmanwinesandspirits.com

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com