The Event: Taste Artisanal Salon: Premier Edition, Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday September 24, 2018  11AM to 6PM

The Event: Taste Artisanal Salon: Premier Edition

The Venue: St. James Cathedral Centre

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through LCBO distribution channels, including Destination stores, plus a few PoW (private order wine)

The Quote/Background: These are foods and drinks made in an artisanal manner (mostly small lots or by hand). There were small quantities of rum and of ciders. Chalk, Slate, Gravel brought in ciders from Normandy, in the $14 - $16 range, all as Private Orders. These were from both Pacory and Pierre Huet, and included perries as well (Poire Fermier, Poire Demi-Sec). Grim de Poire and Pommeau de Normandie were also offered, in the $35 range.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines. PoW is Private Order Wine

 

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

-Gustave Lorentz Gewurztraminer Reserve 2016 $22.95 Vintages

-Martin Berdugo Verdejo Rueda 2016 $22.60 PoW Amethyst

-Chateau Bel-Air La Royere L'Esprit de Bel-Air La Royere 2015 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux $25.95  AMV-Whiz

-HGA Altos de Torona Rosal 2015 Rias Baixas $25.95  Spanish Destination Store/online

-HGA Bodegas Regina Viarum Via Imperial Mencia 2015 Ribeira Sacra $21 Spanish Destination Store/online

-Tenuta Montenmagno Monferrato Rosso Violae 2017 $25.90 Lic  Heirloom Vine

-Dogliotti 870 Barolo DOCG 2013 n/a. $51 for the 2014. Lic  Heirloom Vine

-Conte d'Attimis Maniago Sauvignon DOC Colli Orientali 2017 $27.10 Lic  Heirloom Vine

-Foss Marai ROOS Brut Spumante +435610 $19.95

-Rossovermiglio Greco 2015 DOC Sannio $21.40  AMV-Whiz

-Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG 2015  $15.75  AMV-Whiz

-Zorzettig Cabernet Franc 2016 Colli Orientali $20.85  AMV-Whiz

-Arrocal Passion Ribeira del Duero 2012 $25.50  Royal York Discovery store

-Arrocal Seleccion Ribeira del Duero 2012 $33.40  Royal York Discovery store

-Arrocal Angel Ribeira del Duero 2012 $50  Royal York Discovery store

 

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

-Martin Berdugo Barrica Ribera del Duero 2015 $18.65 PoW Amethyst

-Martin Berdugo Rosado Ribera del Duero 2016 $17.45 PoW Amethyst

-Chateau Bel-Air La Royere Gormandise de Bel-Air La Royere 2016 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux $20.95  AMV-Whiz

-Lacey Estates Inox Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 VQA PEC $20.09 Licensee

-Lacey Estates Inspired Gewurztraminer 2016 VQA PEC $16.72 Licensee

-HGA Bodegas Regina Viarum Via Appia Mencia 2015 Ribeira Sacra $19.80 Spanish Destination Store/online

-Dogliotti 1870 Barbaresco DOCG 2014 n/a. $49.40 for the 2015. Lic  Heirloom Vine

-Castello di Roncade Bianco dell'Arnasa DOC Venezia Chardonnay 2015 $23.40 Lic Heirloom Vine

-Castello di Roncade Raboso dell'Arnasa DOC Piave 2014 $25.50 Lic Heirloom Vine

-Terre di Bruca Syrano Syrah IGT Sicilia 2016 organic $23  Lic Heirloom Vine

-Terre di Bruca Quaranta Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia 2015 organic$23.50   Lic Heirloom Vine

-Anselmi San Vincenzio 2017 +948158 $17.95

-Villacreces Pruno 2016 +312140 $22.95

-Rossovermiglio Fiano 2015 DOC Sannio $21.10  AMV-Whiz

-Tenuta di Trecciano Daniello IGT Rosso Toscana 2013 $37.25  AMV-Whiz

-Zorzettig Schioppettino 2015 $26  AMV-Whiz

-Arrocal Ribeira del Duero 2014 $19.30  Royal York Discovery store

 

The Food: a range of charcuterie and pate, cheeses, breads, preserves (for cheeses), pestos, all from Vinci caterers.

The Downside:  Desbarres Chocolate, which I did not try, was the only food artisan.

The Upside: Chalk, Slate, Gravel brought in ciders from Normandy

The Contact Person: annep@tastesenseltd.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com