The April 4 2019 Event: Wines of Portugal Grand Tasting

The Date and Time:  Thursday April 4, 2019  2PM to 6 PM

The Event: Wines of Portugal Grand Tasting

The Venue: Artscape Daniels Launchpad, Queens Quay East

The Target Audience: media, trade, sommeliers, et al

The Availability/Catalogue: About 300 wines were poured, from 30 wineries (many looking for agents). Very few wines are actually landed here in Ontario.

The Quote/Background: The crowds were nicely spread out through the show, so it was just a matter of weaving in and out. Without a catalogue it was awkward for many tasters to get full particulars. Prices and availability were vague. I downloaded the program and printed off the catalogue portion: there were blank spaces where names of agents should have been.

The Wines: I only tasted selected red and white table wines; my time did not permit rose, ports and sparklers, and other assorted goodies. Prices were speculative.

 

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

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC Reserva Red 2017    Airen

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC Reserva White 2017    Airen

-Quinta Nova Pomares Moscatel Galego 2018 $19.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Mirabilis Grande Reserva 2017 $88.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Referencia Grande Reserva 2016 $114.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta da Lapa Reserva 2017 Branco    United Stars

-Dona Maria Julio Bastos Amantis Reserva Branco Viognier 2015

-Casa Santos Lima Confidencial Reserva 2014     Majestic

-Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2016     Majestic

-Quinta de Chocapalha Reserva White 2016     Von Terra

-Wine & Soul Pintas Character 2016 Tinto old vineyards    Von Terra

-Sogrape Vinhos Casa Ferreirnha Planalto Reserva 2017 Branco    Authentic W & S

-Santos & Seixo Santos da Casa Reserva Douro White 2017

 

 

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

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC White 2018    Airen

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Quintela Colheita White 2018    Airen

-Quinta Nova Pomares Branco 2018 $19.95   Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Grainha Reserva Branco 2017 $32.95   Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Grainha Reserva Tinto 2016 $32.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta da Lapa Alvarinho 2018   United Stars

-Quinta da Lapa Nana 2018 Branco    United Stars

-Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Branco 2018   The Vine Agency

-Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Maria Papolla Loureiro/Alvarinho 2018   The Vine Agency

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Branco 2017    P Dandurand

-J. Portugal Ramos Loios 2018 Branco    Sylvestre

-Casa Santos Lima Passion of Portugal Reserva 2016  $10.95    Majestic

-Campolargo Branco 2016 Sercial   Groupe Soleil

-Wine & Soul Guru 2017 Branco    Von Terra

-Santos & Seixo Santos da Casa Reserva Alvarinho 2017

-Santa Vitoria Branco 2018

 

The Food: from Cyn's Catering – cold cuts, sausages (hot and spicy), cheeses, breads, sweet and savoury custards, hot cod croquettes, Portuguese empanadas of potatoes/seafood/beef, et al.

The Downside: I arrived two hours late, coming from a matinee concert. So I did not have sufficient time to taste as many wines as I had wanted to.

The Upside: there were some very fine wines in the show.

The Contact Person: chloe.benayoun@sopexa.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com