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
No comments:
Post a Comment