MY DINNER WITH ZOLTAN, AUG 19/09

The Time and Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009  6PM to 9PM
The Event: a dinner-tasting with sommelier Zoltan Szabo reviewing his
wine list.
The Venue: Eight Wine Bar, Cosmopolitan Hotel.
The Target Audience: three wine writers.
The Availability/Catalogue: all the wines are available, at least for
now, off the menu at Eight Wine Bar. They change every two weeks, but
may reappear later. By the glass, they are at 3, 5 or 8 ounces. These
wines are also available by the bottle, and everything is put into a
rotation. They have a healthy pre-dinner service on Fridays at 5 PM
called "Buck an Ounce". About 20 wines are featured, and you can get as
little as one ounce for tasting purposes. Great idea, and a good way to
spend $20 plus tip and tax.
The Quote/Background: unfortunately, due to the usual circumstances,
Zoltan was not available. This was a shame because we had been working
to set this up for about 18 months. Maya Haidar, the Manager, stepped
in and was extremely courteous in explaining the situation and in
presenting the wines. She was no less enthusiastic than Zoltan would
have been. Travis the bartender helped her out.
The Wines: we had several wines on their own, and then with the food,
based on Maya's recommendations. This all worked out rather well.
Prices are as found on the menu.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, MVC zest and body, $43
bottle.
-Chateau des Charmes Gewurztraminer 2007 VQA Niagara, very close to
Alsace, sure to be a winner of some sorts at the Ontario Wine Review
Gewurztraminer competition later this fall, $46 bottle.
-Flor del Montgo Garnacha Shiraz 2006 Old Vines, Spain, with 85% 40
year old grenache and 15% 20 year old syrah, excellent depth and
meditative value, evolving, $52 bottle.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Terre Alfierie Monferrato 2008 Piedmont, 13% ABV, with 85% arneis, 10%
chardonnay and 5% sauvignon blanc, and 100% floral and aromatic, $8 for
three ounces, $70 a bottle.
-Heron Lake Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Margaret River,
classic Euro leanness.
-Montanaro Liquore di Camomilla (chamomile and grappa), 32% ABV
*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Sud Est Frizzante Conti Zecca 2007 IGT, 12.5% ABV, with pinot blanc
and chardonnay, lightly sparkling, $50 bottle.

 

The Food: We decided to have the Lounge Menu, since that is where we
were (the dining area was totally booked by St. Michael's Hospital that
night). We had a variety of foods to share, beginning with house made
charcuterie platters of cured meats (bresaola, maple-infused bacon,
duck prosciutto), foie gras pate and terrine, pistachio pate, icewine
apple, fig chutney, apricots, mustard, pickle, breads, toasts, walnut
bread. And a platter of several artisanal cheeses including smoked
cheddar and goat. Then we split a caprese pizza (buffalo mozzarella,
tomato, basil). Our regular selection was also shared: an eggplant
lasagna with fresh ricotta and Manchego cream sauce with yellow
tomatoes, veal cheek ravioli in cream sauce with leeks and shallots,
and a gourmet burger. Prices were reasonable (under $17 each selection)
and quantities large. We wisely skipped dessert
The Downside: where was Zoltan? We termed the night "Waiting for
Zoltan"
The Upside: Zoltan who?
The Contact Person: maya.haidar@cosmotoronto.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 93.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com