The Event: Annual 12 Wines of Christmas tasting by Lifford Wine Agency

The Date and Time:  Thursday, December 3, 2015     5PM to 9PM

The Event: Annual 12 Wines of Christmas tasting by Lifford Wine Agency

The Venue: 471 Jarvis, Main Offices

The Target Audience: clients, wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available either by consignment (case of 12 or 6 or 3) or at the LCBO. There were 22 products in all.

The Quote/Background: This was a social tasting to offer a sampling of some wines in the Lifford consignment portfolio.

The Wines: I did not try the Dillons Rose Gin, the Meukow VSOP Cognac, nor the Old Ballentruan Single Malt – I just tried the wines.

 

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

-Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2013 Nova Scotia, $24.99 in cases of 12

-Elena Walch Gewurztraminer 2014 $26.99

-Bachelder Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012, $39.99

-Argentiera Villa Donoratrico 2012, $43.99 in cases of 6  [1.5L – $89.99 bottle in cases of 3]

-Marietta Old Vine Red Lot 62, $26.99 [mostly zinfandel]

-Mitolo Jester Gift Set Australia, +186759, $44.95 [2x750mL Cabernet Sauvignon 2013/Shiraz 2013]

 

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

-Boschendal The Pavillion Red Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.95 +222299 LCBO

-Santa Margherita Prosecco Brut Valdobbiadene, $16.95 on sale $2LTO +106450 Vintages

-Nicolas Feuillatte  Brut NV, $49.95 +537605 LCBO

-Rivera Marese 2014, $17.99

-Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay 2012, $47.50

-Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2013, $48.99 in cases of 6

-Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $61.99 in cases of 6

-Paulo Scavino Barolo 2011, $67.99 in cases of 6

 

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

-Boschendal The Pavillion White Chenin Blanc Viognier, $10.95 +281311 LCBO

-Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, $18.95 +106450 Vintages

-Chateau d'Agassac 2010, $49.99 in cases of 6

-Donnafugata Sedara 2013, $15.99 

 

The Food: The food was phenomenal, with cheeses and biscuits from the Cheese Boutique. I counted 12 international cheeses or so, including a not-quite-stinky Epoisses de Bourgogne. Complementing the cheeses, on the other side of the room, was www.angelobean.com, artisan sausage maker from PEC. Many of us remember him from his time as an LCBO product consultant. He had a dozen salume and about six salsicce on display for sampling (mostly from heritage pork shoulders). Overwhelming. I enjoyed his baco noir-infused sausages: so succulent.

The Downside: The Feuillatte Pomme d'Or 2002 gift set ($186.95) was not available for tasting :-( -- and of course all the consignment wines were sold by the case, which could mean forming a group purchase.

The Upside:  A great pre-Christmas treat.

The Contact Person: angelo@angelobean.com; summerh@lifford.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com