Search This Blog

Friday, May 31, 2019

FOOD AND DRINK BOOKS IN REVIEW FOR APRIL 2019 [published monthly since 2000]

FOOD AND DRINK BOOKS IN REVIEW FOR MAY  2019 [published monthly since 2000]
======================================
 
By Dean Tudor, Gothic Epicures Writing, deantudor@deantudor.com
 
I have been reviewing cookbooks for FIFTY PLUS years --
 
Reviewer Timeline: Cookbook Reviewer, Library Journal, 1969-1974; Cookbook Columnist and Lead Reviewer, The Booklist (American Library Association), 1974-1985; Freelance Cookbook Reviewer, 1985-1999; Gothic Epicures Writing Lead Cookbook Reviewer, 2000+
 
These food and wine book reviews are always available at www.deantudor.com and at http://gothicepicures.blogspot.ca
 
Most prices listed below are in Canadian currency as printed on the cover or listed at Amazon.ca.
 
It's the season for gifting books: parties, holidays, weddings, anniversaries, graduating, and the like....
 
TOP GIFT BOOKS
========================
 
Art/travel/restaurant cookbooks might be some of the best books to give a loved one. Most may cost you an arm and a leg. Books for the coffee table have their place in the gift scheme: just about every such book is only bought as a gift! And are often perused first by the donor. Don't let the prices daunt you. Such books are available at a discount from online vendors. Because of the "economy", not too many pricey food and wine books were released this year. Herewith, and in random order:
 
 
1.NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATIONS (Gibbs Smith, 2019, 192 pages, $30 hardbound) is by Kevin Belton, a local chef with a PBS New Orleans cooking show. It's detailed, with sections on specific foods such as oysters, gumbo, crawfish, boudin, catfish, hand pies, jambalaya, rice, blue crabs, fried chicken, beignet, shrimp. This is followed by celebrations for the BBQ, the jazz festival, Bastille Day, Oktoberfest, and the cultures of Greece and Sicily and Latin America with explorations of neighbourhoods. Quite a nice package, well-laid out, with useful directions.
 
 
 
2.THE IMMIGRANT COOKBOOK (Interlink Books, 2018,  224 pages, $49.95 hardbound) is a collection of recipes and stories edited by Leyla Moushabeck, with about 100 different contributors. Each prep section gives a recipe and the story behind the recipe. Many of the sources behind each dish are professional chefs, and their individual stories are related, from childhood to food success. It has been endorsed by top chefs  – Ottolenghi, Waters, Deborah Madison, David Lebovitz, and the late Anthony Bourdain. The publisher will donate $5 from the sale of each cookbook to the ACLU.  It's arranged from apps to desserts, and any of them certainly do beat the presidential mac and cheeseburger. 'Nuff said.
 
 
3.TORTELLINI AT MIDNIGHT (Hardie Grant Books, 2019, 256 pages,  $35 USD hardbound) is by Emiko Davies, who is of mixed heritage but married a Tuscan man and lives in Italy. These are heirloom preps from four generations deep and many miles wide from Taranto in Puglia to Turin and then Tuscany in the north. It has a lot of memoir material, the food is comforting, and the photography a traveller's dream. There are great stories here for every dish. It is all arranged by one of the three regions followed by a series of  seven menus for larger holiday events (New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, All Saints' Day, etc.), all with page references to the preps themselves.  Recipes are in both metric and avoirdupois. Nifty gift package.
 
 
4.BALADI PALESTINE (Interlink Books, 2019, 256 pages, $49.95 hardbound) is by Joudie Kalla, a UK professional chef who also wrote the cookbook "Palestine on a Plate". "Baladi" means "my home, my land". Here she takes us on a culinary journey through her homeland with rare Palestinian family recipes reflecting the diverse landscapes and seasons. It's arranged by geographic feature, which chapters on river and sea (salmon, sardines, sea bass, red mullet, monkfish, sea bream, squid), hills and orchards (lime, pomegranate, mango, lemon, ice cream, pastries), the farm (lamb, poultry), the earth (potatoes, beets, zucchini, fava beans, shallots), the markets (coffee, eggs, turmeric, eggplants, chili). Each dish has a story. Excellent photography too.
 
 
 
5.CATALAN FOOD (Clarkson Potter, 2018, 273 pages, $40 hardbound) is by Daniel Olivella, a Catalan chef who opened Catalan cuisine restaurants in San Francisco and Texas. His collaborator is Caroline Wright. Catalan cuisine is one of the culinary crossroads: passing through were Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Jews, and others. There is lots of material and photos about Catalonia and its food, followed by recipes arranged by menu, beginning with small plates (pica pica), veggies (verdur4s i legums), paella, seafood, meats (del corral), pork, breads and desserts. A very useful armchair travel tool with many Mediterranean dishes.
 
 
6.ETHIOPIA (Interlink Books, 2019, 224 pages, $49.95 hardbound) is by  Yohanis Gebreyesus, chef-owner of Antica in Addis Ababa and host of a weekly food program on EBS, Ethiopia's  national television network. It's an impressive work on Ethiopian cuisine, with many recipes and traditions noted from the Horn of Africa. Its cuisine has been influenced by a religious  mix of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  Typical dishes include dor wat (chicken stewed with berber spice), siga ribs (fried beef), asa shorba (spiced fish soup), gomen (collard greens with giner and garlic), azifa (green lentil salad), dinich alicha (potatoes and carrots in onion turmeric sauce. Of course, the tome opens with
injera and flatbreads, found in every global Ethiopian restaurant, followed by seasonings, soup to nuts, through to drinks. Every prep is geographically located and has a story as well as terrific photos. Where appropriate there are thoughts from local artisans.
 
 
 
7.TOKYO STORIES (Hardie Grant Books, 2019, 256 pages, $50 hardbound) is by Tim Anderson. It's subtitle is " a Japanese cookbook" . It is more – it is a tour through the various styles of food outlets in Tokyo: department store food halls in the basement; top floor hotel restaurants; noodle shops; sushi bars; yakitori shacks; convenience stores; vending machine foods;  and street foods in general. You're goning to find cheesy fried chicken, gyoza, ramen, curries, udon, onigirl, and others. He's got 80 recipes with his memoir-like stories and "on location" photography. It's arranged by food type (street, local, national, global, modern) after a primer on depachika (Japanes ingredients). Good fun for anyone who loves Japanese food.
 
 
8.ANDALUZ (Interlink Books, 2019, 304 pages, $49.95 hardbound) is by Fiona Dunlop, food and travel writer and photographer who has also written The North African Kitchen and Mexican Modern. Here, wit an endorsement from Yotam Ottolenghi she now covers the food, history, and culture of the south part of Spain by the coast. Moorish rule of nearly eight centuries has created a distinctly Arabian/Berberian influence on the food, with ingredients such as couscous, rice, eggplant, oranges, olives, apricots, marzipan, and a wide range of spices. With material on markets and both chef and home cook profiles, Dunlop gives us a pretty determined travel/food look at a specific region, from Granada (east) to Cordoba and Seville (south). Do try her mezquita salad (eggplant, tomato and olives)  or mozarabic albondigas in almond and saffron sauce. There's a listing of recommended restaurants, a bibliography, and two indexes to the recipes (by course and by ingredient).  And, of course, there are her own  photographs.
 
 
9.FOOD OF THE ITALIAN SOUTH (Clarkson Potter, 2019, 256 pages, $40 hardbound) is by Katie Parla, an American Rome-based food and beverage journalist and author of the IACP award winner, "Tasting Rome" (2016). Here she moves on "south" to Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise and Puglia in a travel journey of classic and lost dishes of tomato-based pasta-heavy Italian food. Each rustic recipe has a cultural story to tell, and Parla does it well in, um, parlaying it with insights. The arrangement is traditional, from antipasti through dolci with a section on making your own amari and vermouths, and concludes with a bibliography, a resources list, and conversion charts. There is a whole section on the wonderful carrati con ragu di castrato (mutton sauce in winter) and carrati con ricotta e noci (cheese and walnut sauce in summer).
 
 
10.FROM THE LAND OF NIGHTINGALES & ROSES (Interlink Books, 2019, 318 pages, $49.95 hardbound) is by Maryam Sinaiee, an Iranian-born political analyst but now full-time food blogger of Iranian food. It's casual home cooking of Persian dishes,  arranged by season, beginning with Spring. Food history and culture are also covered, along with her own food styling photography and historical photos. Each season introduces memoir material about Iranian life while the preps themselves have more historical and detailed instructions. Each dish has a local name, such as kotlet for beef and potato fritters, Lamb preps include braised shanks, ground meat kebabs, sweet and sour lamb, lamb and eggplant stew, lamb and dried plum stew, rice with lamb and green beans, lamb stew with dried limes, and other variations. It all concludes with a glossary.
 
 
11.BLACK SEA (Quadrille, 2018, 280 pages, $50 hardbound) is by Caroline Eden, an inveterate traveller who gives us a hefty tome that is part travelogue and part  cookbook. It's the tale of Odessa, Istanbul, and Trabzon. Covered are Bessarabia (65% of which is Moldova), Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey – as they border on the Black Sea. So it is a commentary on local foods, and embraces memoir material on the Jewish tables of Odessa, fisherwomen of Bulgaria, and White Russians in Istanbul. Of particular interest is the food of Trabzon (Trebizond)  -- when did you last see a Trabzon cookbook?  She gives us extensive food and cultural notes along with preps such as frontline pilaf, Trabzon kaygana with anchovies and herbs, bebe cake, Sumela brunch,  and apricot and cinnamon hosaf.
 
 
12.SPICE (DK Books, 2018, 224 pages, $32 hardbound)  is a publisher's reference work on spices. The scientific aspect has been written or overseen by Dr. Stuart Farrimond, science and health writer, while British food writer Laura Nickoll co-ordinated the non-science content of the spice profiles (the bulk of the tool). The 120 pages dedicated to profiles divides all spices into phenols, terpenes, acids, aldehydes, pyrazines, and compounds, with sub-divisions. Each of the 60 profiles is connected to one or more of the 40 regional guides presented. There are also 65 top-notch recipes. Eight other food writers, mainly British, worked on the profiles, the regions, and the recipes. Great team work for a food reference tool!
 
 
13.WHERE TO DRINK WINE (Quadrille, 2018, 288 pages, $42.99 hardbound) is by Chris Losh, editor of Imbibe (UK). It's a guide to the world's must-visit wineries. It you've got the big bucks to travel, there is enough here for a lifetime (but start early). He opens with France and moves through Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Greece, North America (including both three places in the Okanagan Valley and nine in the Niagara Peninsula), South America, South Africa, the Antipodes, plus China, Georgia and Lebanon. Oh, if only they weren't so scattered!!  Basically, it is a descriptive work for each wine region with some commentary on those welcoming wineries such as, for Champagne, Pommery, Taittinger, Mailly, Moet & Chandon, and more. He gives us multiple reasons for each visit but no tasting notes. There is much to be seen at each winery, such as visitor centres, museums, art work, knowledgeable staff, etc. It's a must have reference too for the bucket list!
 
 
 
14.THE CIDER INSIDER (Quadrille Books, 2018, 224 pages, $26 hardbound) is by Susanna Forbes. It is a fairly comprehensive guide to over 100 international craft ciders and their global styles. It's arranged by country, with the UK getting the lion's share followed by France, and then Spain, Europe, North America, and then the antipodes. There are glossaries and flavour guides throughout, with a good bibliography of resources. There is not much for Canada (four from Quebec and one from BC) which is probably as it should be since cider production was not made legal in Canada until the 1970s. Its main contribution is the glorious "ice cider" made like ice wine. Each company gets a detailed description with deets on location and apples used, and where to go next for more in that style. Currently, it is a pretty unique reference tool, well worth reading.
 
 
15.THE DEVIL'S DINNER (St. Martin's Press, 2018, 296 pages, $36.50 hardbound) is by Stuart Walton. It's a gastronomic and cultural history of chili peppers. He also manages to go into depth about the biological impact, beginning with Mexico and South America. Spaniards returning to Europe brought chilis back with them, and this produced piri-piri and pimientos (Iberia), paprika in Austro-Hungary, and permeated the Indian sub-continent. There is much detail here in this look, culminating with a discussion on the hotness of chilis and how it became a guy thing. Notes and a bibliography complete the work.
 
 
16.WHAT MAKES A WINE WORTH DRINKING (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,  2018, 182 pages, $36 hardbound) is by Terry Theise, an importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria and Champagne. He's also authored the title  "Reading Between the Wines" and has written wine articles for magazines. Here he concentrates on praising the sublime in wine. It's in a somewhat autobiographical tone, but he does tell us how to find and appreciate exceptional wine and how it can lead to a richer and fuller life. Just the perfect gift for the oenophile in your life. What makes a wine worth drinking is its authenticity: it's usually small-scaled artisanal wine of subtlety.  Taste matters, so that is first on the table in his tome – what does a good wine actually taste like?  Enjoy...and try also https://hosemasterofwine.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-makes-wine-worth-drinking-in.html
 
 
 
17.BELLA FIGURA (Appetite by Random House, 2018, 284 pages, $29.95 hardbound) tells us how to live, love, and eat the Italian way. It's by Kamin Mohammadi, a now-British journalist and broadcaster living and working outside Florence and in London. Living in Florence had changed her life, and she makes it a great spin on armchair travel. It's the "slow food" approach to life – taking the time to do things well.  Her memoir opens in January 2008 and moves through, monthly chapter by chapter, to the end of that year.  Topics include: how to taste the sweetness of life, how to celebrate being a woman, how to eat and not put on weight, and how style has nothing to do with money.  Recipes are scattered throughout, and at the end there is a summary of 21 different "rules".
 
 
18.RITZ & ESCOFFIER (Clarkson Potter, 2018, 312 page, $35 hardbound) is by Luke Barr who wrote the amazing bestseller "Provence, 1970".  He deals with the hotelier Ritz and Chef Escoffier in the context of the rise of the leisure class.  In essence, he covers not just the two men but also the social aspects of the hospitality industry in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Savoy in London was the first hotel with electricity and elevators; all rooms had baths. "Toute le monde" stayed there, and Escoffier ran the first restaurant in Europe to welcome unaccompanied women. Barr covers the relationship between the two, and (after disaster and opulence) follows them to Paris  and the Hotel Ritz. Notes and sources, plus an index, are included.
 
====================================

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

The May 8, 2019 Event: Pure Discovery 2019 [New Zealand wines]

The Date and Time:  Wednesday May 8 2019  2PM to 5PM
The Event: Pure Discovery 2019
The Venue: George Brown College, Adelaide Street
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: wines were available at LCBO or consignment or PO.
The Quote/Background: In a split with the usual trade-consumer show tradition of trade in the afternoon and consumer at night, the NZ show had the consumer edition two days earlier on Monday at the Globe and Mail Centre. Some twenty NZ wineries participated in the event. There were also plenty of  theme tables such as "aromatic wines", "chardonnay", LCBO Vintages, "lighter wines", "pinot noir", and "sparkling" tables. There were fewer wines and fewer people invited. Also, there was some co-ordination with VQA Ontario on the pinot noir table, allowing for a comparison of Ontario and NZ pinot. A great idea!! But I only had the time to sample NZ, and pinot noir was not really part of my strategy this year. The other reds were just a few merlot and syrah labels.
 
The Wines: As usual, I did not taste every wine. Prices are average retail.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Babich Te Henga 2018 $12.95 
-Churton Viognier Marlborough 2016 $44  Le Sommelier
-Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Viognier Gisborne 2016 $26  The Living Vine
-Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay North Canterbury 2016  $43 Woodman [my FAVE today]
-Palliser Estate Chardonnay Martinborough 2017  $42  FWM
-Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay Auckland 2017  $32  Connexion Oenophilia
-Tatty Bogler Chardonnay Waitaki Valley 2017  $30   Abcon
-Carrick EBM Chardonnay Central Otago 2011  $47 Noble Estates
-Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015  $59.20 Charton Hobbs
-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley Marlborough 2018 $19.95 +225557
-Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay Wairarapa 2017 $25.95 Vintages
-Stoneleigh Wild Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018 $19.95  Corby
-Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough 2009  $49.95  Noble Estates
-Greywacke Pinot Noir Marlborough 2013  $54  Connexion Oenophilia
-Stoneleigh Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NV  $14.22   Corby
-Nautilus Cuvee Brut Marlborough 2015  $39  Breakthrough Beverage Canada
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Villa Maria Keltern Chardonnay Gisborne 2017 $49  Dandurand
-Te Awanga Mister Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017  $22 Azureau
-Aronui Chardonnay Nelson 2016  $25  Connexion Oenophilia
-Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay Marlborough 2016   $38  DB Wine
-Greywacke Chardonnay Marlborough 2015  $44   Connexion Oenophilia
-Felton Road Chardonnay Bannockburn Gentral Otago 2010  $59 Lifford
-Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah Hawke's Bay 2015 $104.95 Select Wines
-Craggy Range Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017 $28.95 Select Wines
-Loveblock Orange Marlborough 2018 $28.95  Vine Agency
-Luna Estate Eclipse Chardonnay Martinborough 2017 $34.95  Terra Firma
-Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018 $24.95  Arterra
-Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir Marlborough 2017 $29.95  Arterra
-Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wairarapa 2018 $24.99  FWM
-Villa Maria Southern Clays Pinot Noir Marlborough 2014  $60  Dandurand
-Quartz Reef MT Vintage 2013 Blanc de Blancs Central Otago  $80  Amethyst
-Toi Toi Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NV  $17  Von Terra
-Te Awanga Estate Reserve Chardonnay Hawke's Bay 2017  $35  Azureau
-Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Syrah Hawke's Bay 2014  $59.95  Hobbs & Co
-Paddy Borthwick Chardonnay Wellington 2018  $25.95  Nicholas Pearce
-Ant Moore Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017  $18.95 Licensee  The Living Vine
 
The Food: There was sustainable smoked salmon courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council, and platters of cheeses and charcuterie from the Cheese Boutique.
The Downside: the catalogue, while a gem of work with its directory and facts, was printed on clay-based paper that took no pen or pencil. So my choice was to use either blood or a roller nib. I used both.
The Upside: a refreshing change from other shows, with the involvement of VQA Ontario wines.
The Contact Person: info@amcc-inc.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Thursday, May 23, 2019

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for MAY 25, 2019

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for MAY 25, 2019
 
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.
 
These notes for good wines available through  LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at  http://www.deantudor.com
 
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).
 
NOTE: The first report is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50+  different labels out of about 125 released every two weeks. Thus, my report will not be as voluminous as in the past and comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of the 50+ wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value.
 
NOTE: The second report (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to the media, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency, in fairness to all.
 
PART ONE:  The "best" of a reduced tasting based on 57 wines available to sample --
 
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --
 
Rose+409870    GÉRARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSÉ IGP Pays d'Oc  2018 $16.95  Rated: 90pt
Fruit+341024    SOUTHBROOK FRAMBOISE    Ontario    $19.95 375 mL    Rated: 92pts
Fizz+528752    BENAJMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT NV Traditional method, Nova Scotia        $32.95     Rated: 93pts
 
 
Under $20
W+520627    CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SÉMILLON/SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $22.95     12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+284588    WATERKLOOF CIRCLE OF LIFE    WO Stellenbosch    2015    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+918805    CATENA CHARDONNAY    Mendoza    2017    $19.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+429233    THE LANE VINEYARD BLOCK 1A CHARDONNAY    Adelaide Hills, South Australia    2017    $19.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
W+644518    MOULIN DE GASSAC CLASSIC    IGP Pays d'Hérault    2018    $12.95 11.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+644930    FEUDO ANTICO BIOLOGICO PECORINO    IGP Terre di Chieti    2017    $14.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+629824    CASA MONTE PÍO ALBARIÑO    DO Rías Baixas    2016    $18.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+645127    MURIEL FINCAS DE LA VILLA BLANCO    DOCa Rioja    2018    $14.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+367318    KEW SOLDIER'S GRANT    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $19.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+632943    MONTGRAS LIMITED EDITION 25TH ANNIVERSARY RED    DO Colchagua Valley    2015    $17.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+91488    TYRRELL'S RUFUS STONE SHIRAZ    Heathcote, Victoria    2016    $19.95     14.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+403683    GÉRARD BERTRAND FITOU GRENACHE/CARIGNAN    AP    2016    $17.95
13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+247882    HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY TREE RED VQA Ontario    2016    $18.95  13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+452789    CONFIDENCIAL RESERVA    Vinho Regional Lisboa    2014    $14.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+634014    CHÂTEAU GAUMARAN    AC Médoc    2014    $17.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  90
R+647479    ZACHARIAS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    PDO Peloponnese    2016    $15.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+631606    NATIV RUE DELL'INCHIOSTRO AGLIANICO    IGT Campania    2017    $19.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+644989    LORNANO RISERVA CHIANTI COLLI SENESI    DOCG    2016    $19.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+39925    CVNE CUNE CRIANZA    DOCa Rioja    2015    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91
 
Over $20
W+155382    MARCHESI DI BAROLO GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI    DOCG    2017    $22.95 12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+650135    SOUTHBROOK HEATHER'S HOME VINEYARD RIESLING    VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula    2017    $22.95      MVC/QPR: 89
W+425322    WESTCOTT LILLIAS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY    VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula    2018    $21.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+ 416511    VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY    Margaret River, Western Australia    2018    $24.95        13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+ 374553    MARIE-PIERRE MANCIAT LES PETITES BRUYÈRES POUILLY-FUISSÉ    AC    2017    $34.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
W+635847    DOMAINE DE LA GAVERIE SEC VOUVRAY    AC    2017    $19.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+168179    MARCHESI DI BAROLO LA TRADIZIONE BAROLO    DOCG     $42.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+471797    CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SYRAH    VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016    $24.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5
R+698142    COSENTINO CIGAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON Columbia Valley    2016    $24.95     14.2% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+665976    HEDGES THE BOURGEOISIE    Columbia Valley    2016    $24.95     13.2% ABV, MVC/QPR:  90
R+492413    CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC    Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza    2016  $22.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+638650    BEAUMIRAIL VACQUEYRAS    AP    2016    $21.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+559872    VASSE FELIX FILIUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Margaret River, Western Australia    2016    $24.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+651471    WATERKLOOF CIRCUMSTANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    WO Stellenbosch    2015    $24.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+424804    STÉPHANE AVIRON VIEILLES VIGNES MORGON CÔTE DU PY    AC    2014    $23.95  13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+634055    L'ÉCLAT DE TOUR DE PEZ    AC Saint-Estèphe    2014    $35.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88
R+636746    PRIMO DU CHÂTEAU LA CLIDE    AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru    2010    $57.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+636688    MICHELE CHIARLO PALÁS BARBARESCO    DOCG    2014    $29.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+276584    MARZIANO ABBONA PRESSENDA BAROLO    DOCG    2012    $53.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89
R+995910    REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2016    $42.95     15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+ 668491    CA' DE' ROCCHI MONTERÈ VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE    DOP    2015    $23.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+424390    CVNE IMPERIAL RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $39.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91
 
 
PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered for sampling by media] --
 
    368415    LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE    AC    2013    $102.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS
    302752    SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT ROSÉ    Italy        $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    519009    THE FOREIGN AFFAIR UNOAKED CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $23.95    CORBY SPIRIT AND WINE LIMITED
    251223    KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY    Sonoma Coast    2017    $99.95    THE VINE AGENCY
    181453    MCMANIS PINOT GRIGIO    River Junction, California    2018    $18.95    THE VINE AGENCY
    662775    D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $17.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.
    974527    VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2018    $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    734517    TRIMBACH RIESLING    AC Alsace    2016    $25.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS
    366419    DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER CHABLIS    AC    2017    $28.95    C & E WORLDFINDS
    350124    BEAUVIGNAC PICPOUL DE PINET    AP    2018    $14.95    GRAPE EXPECTATIONS WINE AGENCY
    645168    BALTHASAR RESS HALLGARTEN TROCKEN RIESLING    Prädikatswein    2016    $18.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.
    707158    ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA    DOC    2018    $19.95    JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS
    647487    H. KENDERMANN CUPO LA NOTTE TENTAZIONE    Romania    2018    $16.95    PMA CANADA LTD.
    12617    LAKEVIEW CABERNET SAUVIGNON    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2015    $29.95    TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS
    126763    MISSION HILL RESERVE SHIRAZ    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2015    $29.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS
    315002    CA' MOMI HEARTCRAFT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2016    $34.95    KYLIX WINES
    633966    SKYFALL MERLOT    Columbia Valley    2016    $21.95    TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS
    687822    HOGUE GENESIS SYRAH    Columbia Valley    2015    $18.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.
    656363    WEINERT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Mendoza    2008    $27.95    THE CASE FOR WINE
    260919    SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2016    $19.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.
    590380    THE BONSAI VINE GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2016    $29.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.
    522235    PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN SHIRAZ    Barossa, South Australia    2017    $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    327403    PAXTON MV SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2016    $19.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.
    660332    KATNOOK FOUNDER'S BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Coonawarra, South Australia    2015    $19.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.
    632646    ROCKCLIFFE THIRD REEF PINOT NOIR    Great Southern, Western Australia    2017    $18.95    JOHN GIBSON AGENCIES
    682005    JIM JIM THE DOWN-UNDERDOG SHIRAZ    South Australia    2017    $16.95    VINEXX
    129353    THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK    WO Swartland    2017    $39.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.
    419390    BULGARIANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Thracian Valley    2015    $15.95    BRAND NEW DAY WINES & SPIRITS
    10538    CHÂTEAU PEYRABON    AC Haut-Médoc    2015    $28.95    RARE EARTH WINES
        NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC
    572230    CAVE DE TAIN GRAND CLASSIQUE CROZES-HERMITAGE    AC    2015    $24.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.
    566844    FAMILLE PERRIN LES CORNUDS VINSOBRES    AC    2016    $17.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC
    681668    CHÂTEAU CROZE DE PYS PRESTIGE MALBEC CAHORS    AP    2015    $19.95    H.H.D. IMPORTS
    120907    VESEVO BENEVENTANO AGLIANICO    IGT Beneventano    2015    $16.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.
    5405    UMBERTO CESARI MOMA ROSSO    IGT Rubicone    2016    $15.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.
    339937    CASTELLO DI ALBOLA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $19.95    IMPRESE INC.
    378257    BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $56.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS
    91694    SANTA MARGHERITA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $22.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    483818    LEONARDO ROSSO    IGT Toscana    2016    $14.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.
    470351    ODISSEIA RESERVA TINTO    DOC Douro    2015    $19.95    VINYA
    443804    PATA NEGRA RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $18.95    CHRISTOPHER STEWART WINE & SPIRITS
    114306    CERRO AÑON RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $20.95    MACDONALD AND COMPANY
    210872    TORRES CELESTE CRIANZA    DO Ribera del Duero    2015    $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    545939    MARQUÉS DE TORO FINCA LA MOURA    Single vineyard, DO Mencía    2012    $13.95    TERRA FINE WINES
    644906    W. & J. GRAHAM'S THE TAWNY MATURE RESERVE TAWNY PORT    DOP        $24.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS
    547703    LAKEVIEW CELLARS GEWÜRZTRAMINER ICEWINE    VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    2017    $34.95    TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS
    614842    PALATINE HILLS VIDAL ICEWINE    VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario    2012    $19.95    VINTAGES
    48819    CREEKSIDE ROSÉ    VQA Ontario    2018    $15.95    HOBBS & COMPANY
    468652    CHARLES SMITH VINO SANGIOVESE ROSÉ    Washington    2018    $17.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS
    556233    CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS CUVÉE JOSÉPHINE ROSÉ    AP Luberon    2018    $25.95    THE VINE AGENCY
    636787    JEEPER BRUT GRAND ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE    AC        $93.95    DBINO INC.
    409326    PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC    2006    $79.95    BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE CANADA INC.
    632034    TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SERIES SEMILLON    Hunter Valley, New South Wales    2017    $28.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.
    557710    DENIS RACE MONTMAINS 1ER CRU CHABLIS    AC    2016    $38.95    THE CASE FOR WINE
    940809    REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTATT KASELER NIES'CHEN RIESLING KABINETT    VDP Grosse Lage    2016    $27.95    H.H.D. IMPORTS
    992354    POGGIO ALLE GAZZE DELL'ORNELLAIA    IGT Toscana    2016    $69.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS
    14217    CLIFF LEDE STAGS LEAP DISTRICT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Stags Leap District, Napa Valley    2016    $119.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES
    379313    SAURUS BARREL FERMENTED MALBEC    Patagonia    2017    $34.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.
    630731    VIÑA LEYDA LOT 8 SYRAH    Leyda Valley    2013    $29.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.
    668681    SERAFINO CABERNET SAUVIGNON    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2015    $29.95    LOYAL IMPORTS
    636233    CHÂTEAU CAMILLE GAUCHERAUD    AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye    2010    $20.95    AMV - WHIZ TRADING LRD
    109876    PLANETA BURDESE    IGT Sicilia    2013    $43.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Monday, May 20, 2019

The May 6, 2019 Event: Winemaker Dinner with the Cantina Frentana (Rocca San Giovanni Chiete) range from Abruzzi.

The Date and Time: Monday May 6, 2019  7PM to 10PM
The Event: Winemaker Dinner with the Cantina Frentana (Rocca San Giovanni Chiete) range from Abruzzi.
The Venue: Posticino Ristorante, Queensway.
The Target Audience: clients of Caliber Fine Wines and Spirits, the Ontario agent.
The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available through private order or consignment.
The Quote/Background: Both Sandy (Caliber) and Felice di Biase (Sales Manager) spoke about the wines. There was also a guitarist performing. Over two dozen attended.
The Wines:
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cantina Frentana Cococciola Spumante Brut NV [from the cococciola grape] $20.30
-Cantina Frentana Pecorino Abruzzo DOC Costa del Mulino 2017 $11.55 LCBO
-Cantina Frentana 60th Edition Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2015 $22.50 
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cantina Frentana Torre Vinaria Pecorino Abruzzo DOC 2017 $19.55
-Cantina Frentana Cerasuolo Abruzzo DOC Costa del Mulino 2017 $18.10
-Cantina Frentana Panarda Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2012 $24.95 [North American appeal with its mocha tones]
 
The Food: a full Italian dinner which started with bruschetta (spumante), and then a seafood salad of shrimp, calamari, and scallops (two pecorino wines), spaghetti ragu (rosato), mushroom risotto (60th edition), and a three meat platter with lamb, veal, and beef (panarda). Chef Antonio Pirone exceeded himself with terrific excellent food, well prepared. Unfortunately, I had to leave before dessert and espresso.
The Downside: I had to leave right after the savoury dishes.
The Upside: A chance to break bread with Sandy (Caliber) and Felice (Frentana).
The Contact Person: caliber@winevintages.com; toto.pirone@hotmail.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Saturday, May 18, 2019

TheMay 3, 2019 Event: Tasting of wines from Le Cimate of Montefalco, Umbria.

The Date and Time: Friday May 3 2019, 1PM to 4 PM
The Event: Tasting of wines from Le Cimate of Montefalco, Umbria.
The Venue: Biagio
The Target Audience: influencers and wine media and clients
The Availability/Catalogue: almost all the wines we tasted were available from Cottonwood Agency.
The Quote/Background: Paolo Bortoloni makes the wines for Le Cimate, and he was along to speak about the wines in context with the company's philosophy. The family owns a total of 170 hectares, with 108 used for grain, 15 for DOP olive groves (9,000 trees), and 20 for DOCG vines. There are four different types of grapes: sagrantino, sangiovese, trebbiano spoletino, refosco.
The Wines: All wines are in six-packs.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Le Cimat Trebbiano Spoletino 2018 +864280  $38.12   13.5% ABV
-Le Cimat Montefalco Rosso DOC 2012  $43.89  [blend of sangiovese, merlot, sagrantino, cabernet] 14.5% ABV
-Le Cimat Sagrantino DOCG 2011 15.5% ABV  $66.64?  [older is better]
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Le Cimat Saudade Umbria IGT Rosato 2018 $35.90   13.5% ABV
-Le Cimat Sagrantino DOCG 2013 +864272 15.5% ABV $66.64
-Le Cimat Sagrantino DOCG 2012 15.5% ABV $66.64?
 
The Food: platters of Italian appetizers: puff paste, mainly spinach and cheese, anchovy, tomato, deep fried olives.
The Downside: I arrived late due to TTC issues.
The Upside: A chance to try the Montefalco Sagrantino vertical of 2011, 2012, and 2013.
The Contact Person:  elizabeth@cottonwoodagency.com; pbartoloni@lecimate.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

The April 29, 2019 Event: California Wine Tour 2019 Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday April 29, 2019  1PM to 5PM
The Event: California Wine Tour 2019 Toronto
The Venue: Fairmont Royal York
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: the Media Room opened at 1PM, which gave us a 1.5 hour jump on the big show (thanks!!).
The Quote/Background: I did not taste all the wines in the show. But I did try some from the show room itself, plus what I could glean from the media room. Prices were generally given to the trade "on demand". The best booth was Nichols, with its older wines, a terrific area.
 
The Wines: I did not taste every wine in the show, just the ones below and a few others in the media room ---
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Talley Vineyard Chardonnay 1997 $80 Marchands des Ameriques
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Reserve Merlot Vinas del Sol Vineyard 1999 $74
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Pinot Noir Paragon Vineyard 1999 $75
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Meritage Ninety Nine 199 $67
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Reserve Merlot VDS 1998 $49
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 $49
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Reserve Pinot Noir LaColline 1997 $56
-Nichols Winery & Cellars Soleil & Terroir Chardonnay Paragon 1998 $75
 
-J Cuvee 20 Sparkling
-Chandon Brut Rose NV $34.95 Vintages
-Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV  $34.84   Airen
-Scott Family Chardonnay 2016 Arroyo Seco  $29.95  Majestic Cons.
-Rutherford Ranch Napa Chardonnay $25  Majestic  Cons
-Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2015  Rogers Con
-Schug Carneros Estate Chardonnay 2017  $26.99  Lifford Cons
-Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $129.99 Noble Estates  PO
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis 2016  $84.95  Vintages
-Signorello Estate Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $284.95 Profile Cons
-Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Merlot Three Palms Vineyard 2016  $145  Rogers Cons
-Gary Farrell Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay 2015   $45 USD
-Whitehall Lane Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2015   $77.95  The Vine  Cons
-St. Supery Estate Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017  $29.95  Von Terra  PO
-White Rock Vineyards Claret 2015 Napa
-Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley 2014
-Rutherford Wine Company Lander-Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $19.95  Vintages
-Mer Soleil Chardonnay 2016 Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands
-Taub Family Vineyards Heritance Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $49.95 Vintages 2020
-Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $34.95  Vintages
-Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel 2015  $26.95  Vintages
-Chalone Estate Pinot Noir 2015  Stem
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Scott Family Pinot Noir 2016 Arroyo Seco  $35  Majestic Cons.
-Emmolo Merlot 2016  $69.95  A Peller Cons
-Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon  $27.95  Vintages
-Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016  $39.95  Vintages
-Chalk Hill Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2017  $34.99  Lifford Cons
-Argot Simpatico Ranch Chardonnay 2014 Bennett Valley Sonoma County $42.25 Vintages
-Francis Ford Coppola Archimedes Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma 2015  $101.99 Noble estates  PO
-Hall and Walt Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $285   Vintages
-J Lohr Vineyards Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2016  $49.95  Vintages
-Share & Splash Angels & Cowboys Rose 2018  $24.95  Vintages
-Lange Twins Ivory & Burt Zinfandel 2015 Roust Canada
-Gary Farrell Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015   $55 USD
-Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir 2016   $45 USD
-Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay 2017   $35 USD
-Delicato Black Stallion Estate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $42.95  Vintages
-Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Lake 2015   $29.95  Vintages
-Whitehall Lane Tre Leoni 2016  $49.95  The Vine  Cons
-Cline Family Big Break Zinfandel 2016  $46.95  Vinesx
-Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Rutherford 2016
-Four Virtues Lodi Zinfandel Bourbon Barrel Aged 2017  $23  Majestic  Cons
-Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2015  Stem
-Morgan Bay Cellars Chardonnay 2017 $17 Majestic  Cons
 
The Food: uniquely this time the food was mostly related to the "S" word – sliders, sushi and shashimi, all of which was appreciated. At another table, there were charcuterie (pronounced as "s"!) platters with meats and cheeses (that "s" again!!). Thanks guys!
The Downside: it got crowded really fast, packed within 15 minutes
The Upside: it was good to see the Second Harvest Silent Auction.
The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Monday, May 13, 2019

The Event: A carryover of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SIXTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario.

The Date and Time:  Wednesday April 17, 2019   3PM to 7PM
The Event: A carryover of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SIXTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario. Today we tasted SPARKLING roses as a separate category.
The Venue: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's Toronto Head Offices.
The Target Audience: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada members.
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are (or will be) available either year round or for the seasonal offering Spring/Summer 2019.
The Quote/Background: We had decided to taste the sparklers against each other in a separate tasting of the fizzes, apart from the still wines. The Queenston Mile Pet-Nat was an acquired taste.
The Wines: As always, this was NOT a competition, and the tasting notes I made were my own, for ratings and rankings. Wines are either at the LCBO (CSPC given) or the winery.
Wines are arranged randomly within each grade category.
 
Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Château des Charmes    Rosé Sparkling    2014    $34.95    78055    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir & Chardonnay     12%
-Colio Estate Wines    Lily Rosé    2017    $17.95    536565    Canada    Lake Erie North Shore    90% Riesling, 10% Cabernet Franc    12%
-Di Profio Estate    Sparkling Gamay Rosé     2016    $28.95    Niagara    12.2%
-Trius Winery     Trius Brut Rose    Non-Vintage     $32.95     184309    Canada    VQA Niagara Peninsula     70% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Meunier, 3% Gamay Noir    12%
-Peller Estates    Peller Estates Signature Series Ice Cuvee Rose    2018    $35.75 113035 VQA Niagara Peninsula     70% Pinot Noir, 26.6% Chardonnay, 3.5% Gamay Noir    12%
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Fielding    Sparkling Rosé, Traditional Method    NV    $32.95     Canada    Niagara Peninsula    PN/Chardonnay    12%
-Bottega    Bottega Vino Dei Poeti Brut Rose    2017     $14.95     277202    Italy    Veneto    Raboso & Pinot Nero    11.50%
-Burning Kiln Winery    Sparks    2017     $26.95     Canada    VQA Ontario (Norfolk County)    95% Pinot Noir 5% Pinot Gris    13.1%
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Oyster Bay    Sparkling Cuvee Rose    nv    $21.95    280172    New Zealand        pinot noir, chard      12.5%
-London Born Wine Co.    Sparkling Rose    2017    $24.95 VQAOntario Gamay Noir    11%
-Queenston Mile    Pet Nat    2018    $40        VQA St David's Bench    Pinot Noir    11%
-Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits    FRESH Sparkling Rosé    Non-Vintage    $15.95    341347    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Riesling/Gamay Noir    12.5%
 
The Food: bread and water
The Contact Person:  deantudor@deantudor.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 95
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for May 11, 2019

 
WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for May 11, 2019
 
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.
 
These notes for good wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com
 
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).
 
NOTE: The first report is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50 - 60 different labels out of about 125- 150 released every two weeks. Thus, my report will not be as voluminous as in the past and comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of the 50 – 60 different wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value.
 
NOTE: The second report (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to me, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency in fairness to all.
 
PART ONE:  The "best" of a reduced tasting – 64 wines were offered to sample...
 
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --
 
Rose +556209      GÉRARD BERTRAND PERLES DE GRENACHE ROSÉ    IGP Pays d'Oc     2018    $18.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90.5
Rose  +490961    IZADI LARROSA ROSÉ    DOCa Rioja    2018    $16.95  12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
Rose +493130     SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE ROSÉ    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2018    $21.95     12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
Rose +30445     CABRIZ ROSÉ    DOC Dão    2018    $13.95   12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
Rose +39974     FLAT ROCK PINK TWISTED ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $17.95   
12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
 
Sparkling +122846    QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ROSÉ PÉT-NAT SPARKLING    Unfiltered, ancestral method, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2018    $39.95
13% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88 [an acquired taste for many but a good example of the style]
 
Under $20
=========
W+251116    HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY TREE WHITE    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $17.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+Y    636019    EDGEBASTON CHARDONNAY    WO Stellenbosch    2017    $15.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91
W+469023    CUDDY BY TAWSE CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2013    $25.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+9167    MOMO ORGANIC SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2016    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+635854    OHH POITOU SAUVIGNON BLANC    AP Haut-Poitou    2017    $16.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91
W+631697    LATIUM MORINI SOAVE    DOC    2017    $14.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+606764    ARBOLEDA SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    DO Aconcagua Valley    2017    $19.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5
R+311258    WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $17.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+273672    STORIA ANTICA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE    DOC    2016    $17.95
14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+999946    REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE    DOC    2017    $18.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89.5
R+646521    CREEKSIDE GAMAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $18.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+981175    DOMAINE DE LA MADONE LE PERRÉON BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES    AC    2017    $16.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+540831    CHÂTEAU DU GRAND CAUMONT CUVÉE TRADITION CORBIÈRES    AP    2016    $13.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+647230    CAVINO PANDORA    PGI Peloponnese    2017    $12.95    12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+640201    PODERE LA CORTE LE DUE LUNE MONFERRATO ROSSO    DOC    2016    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+366955    MASSERIA ALTEMURA SASSEO PRIMITIVO    IGT Salento    2016    $16.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88
R+632877    MINA VELHA RESERVA    Vinho Regional Lisboa    2015    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+168815    BURGO VIEJO CRIANZA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+ 167684    HONORO VERA MONASTRELL    DOP Jumilla    2017    $13.95  15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92
R+ 166579    MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO /CARIÑENA    DOP Cariñena    2014    $14.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91
R+645028    TRES REYES TEMPRANILLO/SYRAH    Vino de la Tierra de Castilla    2015    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
 
Over $20
W+643361    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE RIESLING    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2018    $24.95     10.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+630632    LOVEBLOCK LOVE LETTER ESTATE BLEND SAUVIGNON BLANC    Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island    2017    $23.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
W+507517    PADDY BORTHWICK CHARDONNAY    Wairarapa, North Island    2017    $25.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+648519    VIGNERONS DE BEL AIR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR    AC    2017    $22.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+186171    DECOY CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Sonoma County    2016    $37.95     13.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+645184    RAPAURA SPRINGS RESERVE PINOT NOIR    Central Otago, South Island    2017    $24.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+645242    TOHU SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR    Marlborough, South Island    2016    $34.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+676692    ALLÉE BLEUE SHIRAZ WO Franschhoek 2015    $22.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+680496    CASTELLO DI QUERCETO CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG     2016    $23.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88
R+645069    AVENTINO 200 BARRELS    Ribera del Douro 2011 $29.9514.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90
R+638551    LE PARVIS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE    AC    2016    $53.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
R+73817    RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2016    $39.95 14%ABV, MVC/QPR: 89
 
PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered to media] --
 
    13961    UNITED STARS KINDZMARAULI    PDO Kindzmarauli, Kakheti    2017    17.95    THE DOCHAS COMPANY INC.               
    698027    ADAMO LEGACY PÉT-NAT SPARKLING    Ancestral method, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario    2018    20.95    ADAMO ESTATE WINERY            523845    CHARLES BAKER B-SIDE RIESLING    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    21.95    STRATUS VINEYARDS               
    147512    13TH STREET JUNE'S VINEYARD RIESLING    VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula    2018    19.95    THE THIRTEENTH STREET WINE CORP.               
    716928    RAYMOND RESERVE SELECTION CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2016    27.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC               
    333286    DUCK POND FRIES FAMILY CELLARS PINOT GRIS    Willamette Valley    2016    19.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.               
    414144    ESSAY CHENIN BLANC/VIOGNIER/ROUSSANNE    WO Coastal Region    2018    14.95    VON TERRA ENTERPRISES LTD.               
    445239    CHÂTEAU DE CHAINTRÉ POUILLY-FUISSÉ    AC    2016    34.95    OLD CELLAR COLLECTION               
    477877    FEUDO MACCARI OLLI GRILLO    DOC Sicilia    2017    15.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.               
    489583    CVNE MONOPOLE CLÁSICO    DOCa Rioja    2015    31.95    VON TERRA ENTERPRISES LTD.               
    315945    CREW CABERNET FRANC    VQA Lake Erie North Shore    2016    22.95    EPIC WINES AND SPIRITS INC.               
    256644    HITCHING POST HOMETOWN PINOT NOIR    Central Coast    2016    32.95    GLEN-WARD WINES INC.               
    183186    IRONY SMALL LOT RESERVE MERLOT    Napa Valley    2014    24.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.               
    943472    SILVER OAK ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Alexander Valley, Sonoma County    2014    124.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES               
    657940    KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE PINOT NOIR    California    2017    24.95    BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE CANADA INC.               
    974287    WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS ESTATE PINOT NOIR    Willamette Valley    2016    39.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS               
    220376    DUSTED VALLEY BOOMTOWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley    2017    23.95    GLEN-WARD WINES INC.               
    983742    L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH    Guadalupe Valley, Baja California    2016    13.95    JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS               
    34942    SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CARMENÈRE    DO Rapel Valley    2015    22.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC               
    214742    TAHBILK ESTATE SHIRAZ    Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria    2016    22.95    GRAPE EXPECTATIONS WINE AGENCY               
    68767    NEDERBURG MANOR HOUSE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    WO Western Cape    2015    16.95    PMA CANADA LTD.               
    486761    CAP ROYAL ROUGE    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    2015    18.95    LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS               
    546119    CHÂTEAU DE RIBEBON    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    2015    15.95    TRADESA CORP.               
    374264    CHÂTEAU VIEILLE DYNASTIE    AC Lalande-de-Pomerol    2016    28.95    EX-CELLARS WINE SERVICES               
    512509    CHÂTEAU CHAPELLE D'ALIÉNOR    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    2015    21.95    TRADESA CORP.               
    511204    MARCEL CABELIER VIEILLES VIGNES PINOT NOIR    AP Côtes du Jura    2016    19.95    ANDREW PELLER IMPORT AGENCY               
    295618    CAVINO NEMEA GRANDE RESERVE    PDO Nemea    2012    18.95    VINETER               
    454488    DAMILANO LECINQUEVIGNE BAROLO    DOCG    2013    45.95    VINOLUNA               
    747030    LA VITE LUCENTE    IGT Toscana    2016    34.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS               
    35295    CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    27.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.               
    540914    SCARANTO GOVERNO ALL'USO    IGT Toscana    2016    18.95    FRONTIER WINE MERCHANTS               
    535336    GUICCIARDINI STROZZI MOMI    DOP Maremma Toscana    2016    21.95    LE SOMMELIER INC.               
    496794    BOTTER AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA    DOCG    2015    44.95    THE CASE FOR WINE               
    431262    REDE RESERVA    DOC Douro    2011    14.95    VINYA               
    313270    DON JACOBO RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2011    23.95    SAINT GERMAIN LTD.               
    223958    BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT    DOP        28.95    EUROVINTAGE INTERNATIONAL INC               
    390351    PONDVIEW GOLD SERIES VIDAL ICEWINE    VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    2015    19.95    PONDVIEW ESTATE WINERY               
    FLAT ROCK CELLARS               
    654871    LIQUEUR DU 9E CENTENAIRE CHARTREUSE    France        $81.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.               
    610527    FAILLA SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County    2015    $56.95    ALL THE RIGHT GRAPES INC.               
    247023    TRIMBACH RÉSERVE RIESLING    AC Alsace    2016    $34.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS               
    636563    LES VIEUX MURS POUILLY-FUISSÉ    AC    2015    $43.95    B AND W WINES               
    635821    DOMAINE DU LANDREAU LE PETIT CLOS    AC Coteaux du Layon    2015    $24.95    CLASSIQUE IMPORTS               
    610501    SEBASTIANI GRAVEL BED RED    Sonoma County    2016    $44.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.               
    646190    JOEL GOTT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2014    $97.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.               
    648378    ABREMUNDOS OCTAVA BASSA MALBEC    Argentina    2014    $32.95    WINEONLINE MARKETING COMPANY LTD               
    633875    CHÂTEAU MALESCASSE    Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc    2008    $36.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.               
    647008    CHÂTEAU D'AGASSAC    AC Haut-Médoc    2010    $49.95    LUNAE WINES & SPIRITS LTD               
    635805    LE GRIOTTIER    AC Morgon    2015    $24.95    HEXAGON WINES            638346    QUINTA NOVA UNOAKED RED BLEND    DOC Douro    2017    $24.95    LE SOMMELIER INC.               
    359927    FINCA LA EMPERATRIZ RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $31.95    30 50 IMPORTS               
    644922    ARNAUD DE VILLENEUVE RIVESALTES AMBRÉ TRADITION 5 YEARS    Vin doux naturel, AP, Languedoc, France        $22.95    BANQPAY INTERNATIONAL        48132    LUSTAU CAPATAZ ANDRÉS DELUXE CREAM SWEET SHERRY    DO        $15.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED               
    648089    CHÂTEAU D'ESCLANS GARRUS ROSÉ    AP Côtes de Provence    2017    $179.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES               
    648071    CHÂTEAU D'ESLANS LES CLANS ROSÉ    AP Côtes de Provence, France    2017    $79.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES               

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SIXTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario!

The Date and Time:  Monday April 15, 2019   3PM to 7PM
The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SIXTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario!
The Venue: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's Toronto Head Offices.
The Target Audience: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada members.
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are (or will be) available either year round or for the seasonal offering Spring/Summer 2019.
The Quote/Background: All wines submitted were tasted. What follows below are my OWN tasting scores from my OWN notes. My BEST wines scored 91 or more; my BETTER wines were in that narrow 88 – 90 range. My individual scores are given; those from other writers will vary in their writings. In fact, write-ups by other writers will also vary, as well as photos. This was NOT a competition since all wines were tasted with exposed labels and prices, plus tech/sales sheets and an overall spreadsheet.
 
The Wines: It is important to realize that Ontario roses are surely world-class, holding their own against those of France, Portugal and Spain. Prices are generally RETAIL unless otherwise specified. The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada would very much like to thank both Drinks Ontario and Wine Marketing Association of Ontario for encouraging their members to participate. There were some 97 wines sent in (including 12 fizzes, see below), well over last year's total of 85 wines....It is getting bigger every year!! Thanks guys. Wines are either at the LCBO (CSPC given) or the winery or consignment/private order. The roses are listed randomly within their score categories. My personal faves (wines I will actually buy):
 
BEST VALUE - Casa Santos Lima    LAB Rose    2018    $9.75    635213    Portugal    Lisboa    castelao, camarate, cabsauv    12.5% 
BEST SWEET - Accolade Wines Australia LTD     Banrock Station Pink Moscato    2018    $11.95     170134    Australia    South Australia    6%
BEST DOMESTIC - Queenston Mile    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $30.00  VQA St David's Bench    Pinot Noir    13%
BEST IMPORT - Chateau de Berne    Romance    2018    $19.99 (consignment Southern Glazer's)    N/A    France    Provence    Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Merlot    12.5%
 
Again, wines are arranged randomly within each GOOD, BETTER, BEST grade category.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %
 
-Bodegas Izadi    Izadi Larrosa Rose D.O.Ca    2018     $16.95     490961    Spain    Rioja    100% Garnacha    13.5%
-Maison d'Aix    AIX Rose    2018    $22.95    451906        Coteau d'Aix En Provence        12.5%
-Domaine des Nugues Rose        2017    $17.95    556126    France     Beaujolais-Villages    Gamay Noir    12.5%
-13th Street Winery    Gamay vin Gris    2018    $24.95    NA    Canada    Creek Shores    gamay    11.5%
-Casa Santos Lima    LAB Rose    2018    $9.75    635213    Portugal    Lisboa    castelao,camarate,cabsauv    12.5%
-When Pigs Fly    Rose    2018    $19.95        Ontario VQA Vinemount Ridge    pinot noir Vieni Vineyard    13%
-Tawse Winery    Quarry Road Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $27.95     N/A    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir    12%
-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose    2017    $19.95    279117    Canada    Niagara Peninsula     85% Cabernet Franc / 15% Merlot    11.4%
-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Triomphe Cabernet Franc Rose    2018    $19.95    279117    Canada    Niagara Peninsula     100% Cabernet Franc    11.4%
-Southbrook Organic Vineyards    Estate Cabernet Rose    2016    $24.95        Canada    Four Mile Creek    60% Cabernet Sauvignon     12.5%
sweet    -Accolade Wines Australia LTD     Banrock Station Pink Moscato    2018    $11.95     170134    Australia    South Australia    N/A    6%
-Planeta    Planeta Rose Sicilia DOC    2018     $17.95     111856    Italy    Sicily    Nero d'Avola, Syrah    12.5%
-Quinta de Cabriz    Cabriz Colheita Seleccionada Dao DOC Rose    2018     $13.95     30445    Portugal    Dao    50% Touriga Nacional and 50% Alfrocheiro    12.5%
-Chateau de Berne    Romance    2018    $19.99 (consignment)    N/A    France    Provence    Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Merlot    12.5%
-Mas des Bressades    Cuvée Tradition Rosé    2018    $16.95    648477    France    Costieres des Nimes    Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault    13.5%
-Malivoire    Rose Moira    2018  $24.95     Beamsville Bench    pinot noir    12.5%
-Henry of Pelham    Three of Hearts Rose  2018    $19.95    552562        Niagara    pinot noir88/gris12    11.5%
-Queenston Mile    Pinot Noir Rose    2017    $30.00  VQA St David's Bench    Pinot Noir    13%
-Trius Winery     Trius Rose    2018    $17.95     341743    Canada    VQA Niagara Peninsula     44% Gamay Noir, 30% Pinot Noir, 25% Syrah, 1% Pinot Meunier    11.5
-Leaning Post Wines     Rosé    2018     $20.00     n/a    Canada    Ontario, Niagara Lakeshore    Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon    12.5%
-Cave Spring    Rose    2018    $15.95    295006        Niagara Peninsula        13%
-North42Degrees    Cabernet Sauvignon Rose    2018    $17.95            VQA Four Mile Creek    Cab Sauv    12.5%
-Di Profio Estate     Gamay Rosé    2017    $18.95        Canada    Niagara    Gamay Noir    12.8%
-Peninsula Ridge Estates    Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rose    2018    $14.95    177840    Canada    Niagara    100% Cabernet Franc    13%
-Westcott Vineyards    Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $22.95 Niagara    Pinot Noir    12.5%
-Featherstone Estate Winery    Rose    2018    $15.95    117861    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cab Franc    13.1%
-Château des Charmes    Rosé Cuvée d'Andrée    2016    $16.95    333260    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir    12.5%
 
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %
 
-Famille JM CAZES    JM Cazes Rose de L'Ostal IGP    2018     $15.95     450809    France    Languedoc    50% Syrah, 50% Grenache     13%
-Lorgeril    L'Orangeraie Rosé    2017    $10.45    279661    France    South of France    Cinsault, Grenache      12.5%
-Lorgeril    Gris de Garille     2018    $13.95    731220    France    Cite de Carcassonne, SF    Cinsault, Grenache, Merlot    12.5%
-Gerard Bertrand    Perles de Grenache Rose    2018    $18.95    556209        Pays d'Oc    grenache    12%
-Conde de Valdemar Rose 2018 $14.45 168278    Spain    Rioja    tempranillo    13%
-Famille Perrin    La Vieille Ferme Ventoux Rose    2018    $12.45     622134    France    Ventoux    Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah    13%
-Domaine Bassac    Margalh Rose Organic    2018    $14.95    155515    France     Languedoc    cinsault, syrah, greanche    12.5%
-Megalomaniac - JHC Cellars of Distinction Pink Slip    2018    $19.95 85126 Niagara    Pinot Noir 57, Syrah, 19, Chardonnay Musqué 17, Gamay 5, Merlot 2    12%
-Inniskillin    Pinot Noir Rose    2018    $14.95    N/A    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay      12.5%
-Flat Rock Cellars    Pink Twisted    2018    $17.95    39974        Niagara Peninsula    pinot noir, gewurz, riesling    11.8%
-Oyster Bay    Rose    2018    $19.95    493171    New Zealand    Marlborough    pinot noir, chard    12.5%
-Henry of Pelham    Rose Classic    2018    $14.95    250217        Niagara    pinotnoir79/gamay/gris/SB    11%
-Henry of Pelham    Sibling Rivalry Pink    2018    $13.95    171033        Niagara    cabfr39/gamay28/pnoir28     11.5%
-Fielding    Pinot Noir Rosé, Estate Bottled    2018    $24.95    NA    Canada    Lincoln Lakeshore    PN    12.1%
-Fielding    Rosé    2018    15.95    53421    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Gamay/PN    11.8
38    Fielding    Long Weekend Rosé    2018    $13.45    576181    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Merlot/CF/CS/Vio    11.8%
-Pasqua    11 Minutes Rose Trevenezie    2018    $19.95     556142    Italy    Trevenezie    Corvina, Trebbiano di Lugana, Strah, Carmenere     12.5%
-Fantini    Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo     2018    $10.95    635342    Italy    Abruzzo    Montepulciano    13%
-Sogrape    Gazela Vinho Verde Rose    n/a    $9.95     404533    Portugal    Vinhos Verdes    Borracal, Espadeiro, Amaranal, Vinhao    9.5%
-Bacalhôa    JP Azeitão Syrah Rosé    2018    $8.95    404566    Portugal    Setubal Peninsula    Syrah and Moscatel Roxo    12.5%
-Malivoire    Vivant Rose    2018  $19.95  498535 Beamsville Bench    pinot noir    12%
-Malivoire    Ladybug    2018    $16.95  559088 Beamsville Bench    Cabfr/pinotnoir/gamay    12%
-Tawse Winery    Sketches Of Niagara Rose    2018    $17.95     172643    Canada    Niagara    Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Gamay    12%
-Redstone Winery    Rose (LCBO label)    2018    $17.95     650655    Canada    Niagara    Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot, Pinot Gris      12%
-Huff Estates  Rose  2018  $20  VQA Ontario  100% cabernet franc   12.5% 
-Huff Estates  All Day Rose  2017  $18  VQA Ontario  cabernet franc   12.5% 
-Vineland Estates    Rotling    2018    $20     VQA Ontario     Vidal, Cab Franc    12.5%
-Vineland  Estates Game Changer The Memory Rose    2018    $16.95 VQA Ontario    mix of reds    12.5%
-Creekside     Undercurrent Dos Pinots    2018    $23     VQA     pinotnoir76/pinotgris24    11%
-Creekside     Rose    2018    $15.95    48819        VQA     pinotnoir52/merlot48    12%
-Wayne Gretzky Winery     Wayne Gretzky Rose     2018    $16.95     NA    Canada    VQA Niagara Peninsula     80% Pinot Noir, 17% Pinot Grigio, 3% Gamay Noir      12%
-Pillitteri Estates Winery  Racina - Pinot Squared    2018    $35        Canada    Niagara-on-the-Lake    Pinot Grigio/Pinot Noir 12.5%
-Alvento Winery    South Wind    2018    $20.15        Niagara    Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurzt    12%
-Ravine Vineyard    Cabernet Rosé    2018    $25.00        Canada    Niagara-on-the-Lake    100% Cabernet Franc    11%
-Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits    EastDell Summer Rosé    2017    $14.95    560243    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Riesling/Gamay Noir    12.5%
-Palatine Hills Estate Winery    Cabernet Franc Rosé    2018    $19.95    N/A    Canada     Niagara    100% Cabernet Franc    12%
-The Foreign Affair Winery    Amarosé    2018    $18.95    388702    Canada    Ontario - Niagara Peninsula    Pinot Noir (76%) Chardonnay (24%)    13.8%
-Burning Kiln Winery    Broken Needle    2017     $19.95     n/a    Canada    VQA Ontario (Norfolk County)    100% Pinot Noir    11.7%
-Gerard Bertrand    Cotes des Roses    2017    $18.95    373985        AOP Languedoc    grenache/cinsault/syrah       13%
                                   
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer    Product Name    Vintage    Price    LCBO #     Country    Region    Grape Varieties    Alc. %
 
-Gerard Bertrand    Gris Blanc    2018    $16.95    409870        Pays d'Oc    grenache noir/gris    13%
-Harwood Estate Vineyards     North Beach Rose     2017    $18.95            Ontario    Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Merlot     11%
-The Roost Wine Company    Nine Yards Rosé    2018    $22.95     Canada    ON - -Southern Georgian Bay    Cold Climate Blend Winery    12.5%
-13th Street Winery    Pink palette    2018    $15.95    275834    Canada    Niagara peninsula    Cabernet Franc    13.5%
-13th Street Winery    Burger Blend Rose    2018    $14.95    609545    Canada    Niagara peninsula    Cab Franc, Merlot, Gamay, pinot Noir    12%
-Jackson-Triggs    Reserve Rose    2017    $14.95    N/A    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay    12.5%
-Megalomaniac - JHC Cellars of Distinction    Homegrown Rosé    2018    $14.95    639856    Canada    Niagara    Riesling 50, Vidal 40, Baco Noir 10         11%
sweet -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Apothic Rose    2018     $16.95     545780    United States    California    Grenache, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Carignane, and other Select Varietals    13%
sweet    -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Barefoot Pink Pinot Grigio    NV     $9.95     639971    United States    California    Pinot Gris, Moscato and other wines    12%
sweet    -E&J Gallo Winery Canada Limited     Barefoot Pink Moscato     NV     $9.95     642983 United States California Moscato, French Colombard,and other wines    9%
sweet    -Coopers Hawk Vineyards    Rose    2017    $15.95    296533    VQA Ontario        9%
-Bottega    Bottega Pinot Grigio Rose DOC delle Venezie    2017     $14.95     490938    Italy    Veneto    Pinot Grigio    12%
-Muga    Rosé    2018    $14.95 03795 Spain  Rioja Garnacha, Viura, Tempranillo    12.5%
-Susana Balbo    Signature Rose    2018    $21.95    493130    Argentina    Uco Valley    60% Malbec 40% Pinot Noir    13.2%
-Shingleback    Red Knot Rose    2018    $16.95    639997    Australia    McLaren Vale    78% Pinot Noir, 16% Shiraz, 6% Grenache    12%
-DGB - Beachhouse Wines    The Beachhouse Rose    2018    $10.95     164343    S. Africa    Western Cape (wellington)    Pinotage    12.5%
-Redstone Winery    Rose (Bistro label)    2017    $16.95     N/A    Canada    Niagara    Cab Franc, Pinot Noir    12%
-Coopers Hawk Vineyards    Dry Rose    2017  $17.95  winery VQA Ontario       
-PondView Estate Winery    Cabernet Franc Rosé    2018    $16.95    n/a    Canada    Niagara Peninsula    Cabernet Franc    12%
-London Born Wine Co.    White Gamay    2017    $16.95    N/A    Canada    Ontario    Gamay Noir    12.5%
-Sandbanks Winery    Rose    2018    $13.95    244616    Canada    Ontario    95% Vidal, 5% Zweigelt       12%
           
The Food: baguettes, biscuits, water, California oven-roasted almonds, arbequina and nicois olives.
The Downside: it was a lot of wines with many monochromatic notes in a similar price range, but we took a lot of breaks for food, water, etc. Rince bouche with soda water helped.
The Upside: a chance to taste around 85 (!) wines, many of which were top notch. And there were so many 2018s – really, really fresh.
The Contact Person: organizer – deantudor@deantudor.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 95
 
Chimo! www.deantudor.com