The Original Cool: Loire Valley wines tasted, Oct 30/13

The Date and Time: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 10:30 AM to 2 PM
The Event: The Original Cool: Loire Valley wines.
The Venue: Midfield Wine Bar and Tavern, Dundas West
The Target Audience: sommeliers and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: most are available via the LCBO
distribution channels, although some came from Quebec.
The Quote/Background: John Szabo collated a variety of wines and gave a
presentation/tasting on certain wine styles. There were three flights
sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, cabernet franc) plus other wines with
lunch. The Loire has 69 appellations, 53 of which are AOP, with 400
million bottles a year from 7,000 wineries and 24 co-ops.
The Wines: There were 21 wines in all, including seven more with the
food.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Paul Prieur & Fils Sancerre 2011, $25.95 Vintages
-Domaine de Belliviere L'Effraie 2011 Coteaux du Loir, $27.60 SAQ
-Domaine des Petits Quarts Cuvee Le Malabe Bonnezeaux 1989, [direct
from France] N/A

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Brut Tete de Cuvee, $16.95 Vintages
-Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Sec 2011, $18.95 Vintages
-Chateau Favray Pouilly Fume 2011, $21.95 Vintages
-Domaine Seguin Pouilly Fume 2011, $23.95 Vintages
-Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre 2012, $24.95 Vintages
-Secret de Chai Par Eric Laurent Saumur 2011, $13.95 Vintages
-Domaines Couly Dutheil Baronnie Madeleine 2010 Chinon, $21.95 Vintages
-Langlois Chateau Saumur Champigny 2010, $15.25 Vintages
-Domaine de Rochville Le Page Saumur Champigny 2008, $15.25 Vintages
-Pascal et Alain Lorieux Agnes Sorel Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil 2009,
$25.35 SAQ

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Famille Bougrier Touraine 2011, $16.95 Vintages
-Domaine de la Gitonniere Touraine 2011, $13.95 Vintages
-Domaine Philippe Portier Quincy 2011, $17.95 Vintages
-Remy Pannier Anjou 2012 Blanc, $13.95 LCBO GL
-Domaine des Deux Vallees Savennieres 2010, $19.95 Vintages
-Domaine Fl Savennieres Roches-aux-Moines 2008, $69.25 SAQ
-Domaine du Petit Clocher Anjou 2011 Red, $14.75 LCBO GL
-Domaine de la Garreliere Touraine 2011 Red, $19.95 Consignment The
Living Vine

The Food: cold trout with asparagus, potato and crème fraiche; two
quail with sauteed mushrooms, green beans and crisped shallots; goat
cheese with fruit and roasted nuts. Simple but elegant accompaniments
that worked rather well. Kudos to the menu planner.
The Downside: the cabernet franc wines were too cold; I had to let mine
be cupped.
The Upside: a small but vital grouping, sharing a wealth of
information.
The Contact Person: Johanna.raynaud@sopexa.com; marion.roy@sopexa.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
89.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com