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

THE RESTAURANT/CELEBRITY COOKBOOK...

...is one of the hottest trends in cookbooks.
Actually, they've been around for many years, but never in such
proliferation. They are automatic sellers, since the book can be
flogged at the restaurant or TV show and since the chef ends up
being a celebrity somewhere, doing guest cooking or catering or
even turning up on the Food Network. Most of these books will
certainly appeal to fans of the chef and/or the restaurant
and/or the media personality. Many of the recipes in these books
actually come off the menus of the restaurants involved.
Occasionally, there will be, in these books, special notes or
preps, or recipes for items no longer on the menu. Stories or
anecdotes will be related to the history of a dish. But because
most of these books are American, they use only US volume
measurements for the ingredients; sometimes there is a table of
metric equivalents, but more often there is not. I'll try to
point this out. The usual shtick is "favourite recipes made easy
for everyday cooks". There is also PR copy on "demystifying
ethnic ingredients". PR bumpf also includes much use of the
magic phrase "mouth-watering recipes" as if that is what it
takes to sell such a book. I keep hearing from readers, users,
and other food writers that some restaurant recipes (not
necessarily from these books) don't seem to work, but how could
that be? They all claim to be kitchen tested for the home, and
many books identify the food researcher by name. Most books are
loaded with tips, techniques, and advice, as well as gregarious
stories about life in the restaurant world. Photos abound,
usually of the chef bounding about. The celebrity books, with
well-known chefs or entertainers, seem to have too much self-
involvement and ego. And, of course, there are a lot of food
shots, verging on gastroporn. The endorsements are from other
celebrities in a magnificent case of logrolling. If resources
are cited, they are usually American mail order firms, with
websites. Some companies, though, will ship around the world, so
don't ignore them altogether. Here's a rundown on the latest
crop of such books –

 

13. THE MIGHTY GASTROPOLIS PORTLAND; a journey through the
center of America's new food revolution (Chronicle Books, 2012,
192 pages, ISBN 978-1-4521-0596-3, $24.95 US soft covers) is by
Karen Brooks, with Gideon Bosker and Teri Gelber – all local
food writers in Portland Oregon. This is a good guide to the
street food capital of the USA, headed by log rolling from five
top food writers (including Ruth Reichl). It's a collection of
stories with recipes about some 100 top food emporiums, along
with photos. I've been to Portland, and I've eaten at a few
places on the list (Evoe) and off the list (Secret Society, run
by my "conflict of interest" nephew). Sadly, I have missed all
the food cart pods, but these are included here in the book and
I will return to them later in life. Also here are the Portland
Farmer's Market, the People's Food Farmers Market, and, of
course, lots of those food carts for which Portland is renowned.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and
avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of equivalents.
Try Pok pok's grilled corn with salty coconut cream and limes,
or Da' Sterling Bombs (espresso ganache stuffed chocolate
cookies), or grilled steak with bacon-roasted mushrooms and
black trumpet butter.
Quality/price rating: 88.

 

14. CRISTINA'S OF SUN VALLEY CON GUSTO! (Gibbs Smith, 2012, 200
pages, ISBN 978-1-4236-3189-7, $30 US hard covers) is by
Cristina Ceccatelli Cook, who opened her eponymous place in
1993. This is her third cookbook from her restaurant. Originally
from Tuscany, she gives us a mostly Italian-inspired cookbook,
heavily endorsed by older musical celebrities such as Steve
Miller and Carole King. Photos of the establishment have been
kept to a minimum, allowing for more expression of the plated
dishes. There are chapters for antipasti (liver crostini),
salads, soups, stews, panini, pasta, fish (black cod in salsa
verde), meat (pork osso buco with porchetta), veggies, desserts
(sbrisiolona) and breakfasts.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois
measurements, but there is a table of metric equivalents. A
great book for her fans. Quality/price rating: 85.

 

15, RAW FOOD DETOX (Ryland, Peters and Small, 2013, 144 pages,
ISBN 978-1-84975-265-7, $21.95 US hard covers) is by Anya Ladra,
founder of Raw Fairies, a raw food delivery company in the UK.
As the publisher notes, "revitalize and rejuvenate with these
delicious low-calorie recipes to help you lose weight and
improve your energy levels. She uses plant-based organic
ingredients and methods such as soaking, sprouting, and
dehydrating. A raw food detox is supposed to promote clear
glowing skin and give you better energy. It is also touted as
painless. She begins with a five-day cleansing detox. Then there
are chapters devoted to juices and smoothies, salads and
dressings, mains, snacks, sweets and desserts. Carrot and lemon
juice with omega-3 oils is a good start to the day, followed by
a sprouted buckwheat salad or tomato quiche with almond pastry.
For snacks, we could all enjoy spicy almonds or Italian flaxseed
crackers. For the meat eaters, there's a mushroom pate and a
range of desserts. The diet is easy; the dishes may take a
little insight to prepare.
recipes have their ingredients listed mainly in avoirdupois with
some metric measurements, but there is no table of equivalents.
There's a list of suppliers in the UK and the US. Quality/price
rating: 87.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

* FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH! *

IT'S ALL GOOD: delicious, easy recipes that will make you look good
and feel great (Grand Central Life & Style, 2013,;distr. Hachette, 303
pages, ISBN 978-1-4555-2271-2, $32 US hard covers) is by Gwyneth
Paltrow. The prominent focusing food writer is Julia Turshen. Here,
Paltrow emphasizes the foods that promote her "clear eyes, glowing
skin, and fit body". Because she was anemic, deficient in Vitamin D,
and her adrenal levels were too high, she began an elimination diet: no
coffee, alcohol, dairy, sugar, shellfish, gluten or soy. Only organic
food and nothing processed at all. Earlier she had written the well-
received "My Father's Daughter" – a collection about family food. There
are some of those recipes here in this current book, along with others
from her website, GOOP.com. The preps here are tied into three
categories, noted by icons: elimination diet, vegan, and protein-
packed. Nearly all diets follow the same rules (eat plant-based whole
foods, lean protein, no white flour/sugar/dairy, no caffeine and no
alcohol), and so this book is perfectly adaptable to all regimens.
There are also 35 menus, sorted by kind and by week.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements,
but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: dieters and others seeking a clean life.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: tomatillo salsa, sweet
leftover quinoa, striped bass grilled with cucumber, Spanish chopped
salad, spicy brussels sprouts, "buttermilk" waffles, salmon burgers,
fish tacos, chopped salads, many-mushroom soup.
The downside to this book: too many pix of Paltrow and friends
The upside to this book: good sense.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

5-Star Tasting of Ontario PN, CF, Chard, Riesling and Sparklers at Casa Loma April 10

The Date and Time: Wednesday, April 10, 2013   6Pm to 9PM

The Event: 5 Stars: Toronto's First-Ever Tasting to focus solely on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Sparklers, put together by the Ontario Wine Society and the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma.

The Venue: Casa Loma

The Target Audience: members and guests of both organizations.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines were available for purchase from the wineries.

The Quote/Background: the wine media were invited to the Billiards Room for a private tasting of all the wines.

The Wines: there were over 30 wineries and about 130 wines; I did not taste all the wines. All wines tasted were VQA.

 

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

-Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2010, $29.95 LCBO only

-Bachelder Niagara Saunder's Chardonnay 2010, $44.95 LCBO only

-Coyote's Run Rare Vintage Pinot Noir 2010, $49.95

-Flatrock Cellars Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2010, $25.15

-Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2010, $35

-Rockway Glen Small Lot Reserve Chardonnay 2011, $18.95

-Southbrook Whimsy Lot 20 Chardonnay 2010, $34.95

-Stoney Ridge Excellence Chardonnay 2010, $27.95

-Tawse Quarry Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, $34.95

 

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

-13^th Street Cuvee 13 Rose Sparkling, $24.95

-By Chadsey's Cairns Riesling VQA PEC 2011, $23.20

-Calamus StarStruck Sparkling 100% Pinot noir 2011, $26.95

-Calamus Vinemount Ridge Riesling 2011, $16.20.

-Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011, $29.95

-Coyote's Run Red Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011, $24.95

-Coyote's Run Pinot Noir 2011, $19.95

-Flatrock Cellars Riddled Sparkling 2008, $25.20

-Flatrock Cellars Estate Chardonnay 2009, $17.15

-Flatrock Cellars Gravity Pinot Noir 2010, $30.15

-Flatrock Cellars Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2010, $20.15

-GreenLane Old Vines Riesling 2010, $29.95 LCBO only

-Henry Of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2007, $40

-Henry Of Pelham Cuvee Catherine Carte Blanche Sparkling, $44.95

-Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2010, $32.20

-Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2010, $38.20

-Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011, $24.20

-Huff Cuvee Peter H. Huff Sparkling 2007, $40

-Huff Riesling Off-Dry 2011, $18

-Keint-he Chardonnay 2009, $20

-Keint-he Pinot Noir Little Creek – Benway 2009, $35

-Keint-he Pinot Noir Little Creek – Closson 2009, $29

-Lailey Cabernet Franc 2010, $25.20

-Lighthall Pinot Noir 2011, $25

-Niagara College Dean's List Pinot Noir 2009, $25.15

-Niagara College Dean's List Cabernet Franc 2010, $28.15

-Niagara College Semi-Dry Riesling 2010, $14.15

-Pondview Cabernet Franc 2010, $30.15

-Rockway Glen Small Lot Reserve Cabernet Franc, $23.95

-Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2011, $21.95

-Stanners Chardonnay 2010, $25

-Stoney Ridge Excellence Pinot Noir 2010, $29.95

-Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2011, $19.95

-Tawse Van Bers Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2009, $49.95

 

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

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

-By Chadsey's Cairns Riesling VQA PEC 2009, $19.20

-Casa Dea Riesling 2011, $16.95

-Cornerstone Riesling 2012, $17

-Coyote's Run Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, $14.95

-Flatrock Cellars Estate Pinot Noir 2010, $20.15

-Grange of PEC GPE Estate Pinot Noir 2009, $16.95

-Grange of PEC GPE Estate Riesling 2009, $14.95

-Grange of PEC GPE Estate Chardonnay 2011, $15.95

-GreenLane Chardonnay 2010, $21.95

-GreenLane Estate Riesling 2011, $15.95

-GreenLane Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, $17.95

-Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Riesling 2008, $30

-Huff Cuvee Janine Sparkling Rose 2010, $30

-Huff Pinot Noir 2011, $25

-Huff South Bay Chardonnay 2010, $30

-Huff South Bay Rose 2011, $18

-Niagara College Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, $15.15

-Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2010, $23.95

-Stanners Pinot Noir 2010, $30

-Stanners Cabernet Franc 2009, $22

-Stanners Riesling 2011, $23

-Stoney Ridge Excellence Cabernet Franc 2009, $29.95

-Strewn Chardonnay Amalgam Terroir 2008, $23.15

-Sugarbush Riesling 2011, $17

-Sugarbush Pinot Noir 2010, $19

-Sugarbush Chardonnay 2011, $20

-Sugarbush Cabernet Franc 2011, $20

-Vineland Elevation Chardonnay, $19.95

-Tawse Quarry Road Vineyard Riesling 2012, $21.95

-Tawse Grower's Blend Pinot Noir 2010, $26.95

 

The Food: grilled Italian style veggies (peppers, eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, etc.), tomatoes and calamari, mussels and salami, prosciutto, breads.

The Downside: the lighting in the Billiards room was subdued and more appropriate for snooker than for tasting wines.

The Upside: a great opportunity to chat/taste with winemakers/owners.

The Contact Person: sdarby@rogers.com

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com