* DRINK BOOK OF THE MONTH! Whiskey; a tasting course, by Eddie Ludlow (DK Books)

  

1.WHISKEY; a tasting course (DK Books, 2019, 224 pages, ISBN 978-1-4654-8239-6, $25 USD hardbound) is by Eddie Ludlow, former Brand Ambassador for Glenmorangie and now co-owner with his wife of The Whiskey Lounge, an event-centered spot for all manner of things whiskey. They believe that the best way to find out about whiskey is by tasting it, similar to the approach by wine writers. So here there are 20 tailored tasting sessions of four samples each, structured to take you through the experience of aromas and flavours, ranging from the scents of Japanese oak through to the smoky tang of Islay peat. They've got some tasting tours and insider tips on smart buying. They cover the basics on how whiskey is produced and how to taste spirits, with stops for tasting vocabulary on aromatics, body, and finish, plus deep background. They begin of course with Scottish single malts, progressing to Irish, bourbon, rye, Japanese/Asian, and the like. There are suggestions for what bottles to buy, and if you have a group, then you can easily absorb the costs. Good, strong schematic diagrams.

Audience and level of use: whiskey lovers looking for new angles, millennials.

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: Scotch whisky was the unwitting beneficiary of the phylloxera grapevine-destroying parasite. As stocks of grape-based alcohol ran low, sales of Scotch whisky soared.

The downside to this book: too many small generic photos take away space from the instructions.

The upside to this book: whiskey and food (including chocolate) are covered, along with cocktails.

Quality/Price Rating: 93.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

 

The Event: Advanced Shiraz Masterclass with Nigel Westblade, chief winemaker of Peter Lehmann, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the winery.

The Date and Time:  Wednesday October 9, 2019  2PM - 4PM

The Event: Advanced Shiraz Masterclass with Nigel Westblade, chief winemaker of Peter Lehmann, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the winery.

The Venue: Independent Wine Education Guild, Toronto

The Target Audience: a full house of two dozen wine experts

The Availability/Catalogue:

The Quote/Background: Nigel spoke on the Barossa and the Shiraz grape, with reference to Peter Lehmann (repped in Ontario by Phillipe Dandurand). He describe the Barossa region (Barossa Valley and  Eden Valley) and its 17 sub-regions: the area is responsible for 43% of all Oz premium wine exports; the are has some of the oldest vines in Australia; 550 growers tend to 800 hand-picked vineyards (blocks are kept separate or blended later, depending on quality). Peter Lehmann makes dozens of different wines each year.

The Wines:  We tasted in order of price, from low to high. Only the first few are currently at the LCBO.

 

-Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2017 Barossa $21.95 Vintages +522235 – in French and US oak for a year, 14.5% ABV, RS 1 h/L. Mocha tones.

-Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2018 Barossa $21.95 Vintages TBD +522235 – in US oak, very appealing, 14.5% ABV.

-Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz Barossa $19.95 +572875 – 10% new French and US oak for a year, grapes from western side of Barossa. 14.5% ABV, RS 0.55g/L. Expressive lunch wine.

-Peter Lehmann Futures Shiraz 2016 Barossa - $~35+ new and old French oak for 15 months. 14.8% ABV, RS 3.1g/L. Full flavours and nicely aged. My fave of the tasting.

-Peter Lehmann Masters 8 Songs Shiraz Barossa (Barossa Valley and Eden Valley) - $~50+

60% new French oak for 15 months. 14.5% ABV, RS 0.67g/L opulent and chocolate-y.

-Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2013 Barossa – $~100+ French oak for 15 months, 14.5% ABV, RS 3 g/L. Very bright, close to Rhone syrah in tones.

-Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2010 Barossa – Library wine -  90% French oak and 10% US oak for 14 months, 14% ABV, RS 3.5 g/L. Very bright, close to Rhone syrah in tones.

-Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2003 Barossa – Library wine -  90% French oak and 10% US oak for 18 months, 14.5% ABV, RS 2.75 g/L. Very bright, close to Rhone syrah in tones. Aged beautifully, now 16+ years old.

-Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz 2015 Barossa – from the Moppa sub-region, organic 40 year old vines, 3 tonnes/hectare. Only made 1000 magnums, selling for $2000 AUD each. Price in Canada TBD. Lots of red and blue fruit, mocha and anise tones.

 

The Contact Person: dlenartowich@pdandurand.com; dshing@galleonwines.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

RE: * FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH! Super Roots by Tanita de Rujit (Hardie Grant Books)

J Thank you!

 

All my best,

Danielle Johnson, Senior Publicist

Raincoast Books | 2440 Viking Way, Richmond, BC V6V 1N2  

Direct Line (604) 448-7163 | www.raincoast.com

 

 

From: Dean Tudor [mailto:dtudor@pathcom.com]
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2019 8:28 AM
To: blog1
Subject: * FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH! Super Roots by Tanita de Rujit (Hardie Grant Books)

 

SUPER ROOTS: cooking with healing spices to boost your mood (Hardie Grant Books, 2019, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-78488-241-9, $22.99 paperbound) is by Tanita de Ruijt, a Dutch chef at the Japanese udon-ya Koya Bar in London UK. A lot of the food here is Asiatic. There is preliminary material on “top 12 healing recipes to suit your mood”, notes on sweet and starchy, salty and umami, pungent and spicy, bitter, sour and “balanced”. There is a separate chapter on the pantry that needs to be maintained. Then it's all arranged by your mood of the moment: tired, hungover, bloated, and sick. The book could have been improved if it also used more metric in the recipes (and reduced the imperial), or at least had a metric conversion chart.

Audience and level of use: those needing a change in diets

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: kimchi hummus; gado gado with turmeric peanut sauce; Korean hangover soup; spring onions, herbs and turmeric pancakes; sunshine curry spinach; spice salsa verde;  urap urap coconut salad.

The downside to this book: needs more metric

The upside to this book: good idea for anybody to eat these preps.

Quality/Price Rating: 92

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

* FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH! Super Roots by Tanita de Rujit (Hardie Grant Books)

SUPER ROOTS: cooking with healing spices to boost your mood (Hardie Grant Books, 2019, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-78488-241-9, $22.99 paperbound) is by Tanita de Ruijt, a Dutch chef at the Japanese udon-ya Koya Bar in London UK. A lot of the food here is Asiatic. There is preliminary material on "top 12 healing recipes to suit your mood", notes on sweet and starchy, salty and umami, pungent and spicy, bitter, sour and "balanced". There is a separate chapter on the pantry that needs to be maintained. Then it's all arranged by your mood of the moment: tired, hungover, bloated, and sick. The book could have been improved if it also used more metric in the recipes (and reduced the imperial), or at least had a metric conversion chart.

Audience and level of use: those needing a change in diets

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: kimchi hummus; gado gado with turmeric peanut sauce; Korean hangover soup; spring onions, herbs and turmeric pancakes; sunshine curry spinach; spice salsa verde;  urap urap coconut salad.

The downside to this book: needs more metric

The upside to this book: good idea for anybody to eat these preps.

Quality/Price Rating: 92

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 26, 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 26, 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 portion  is based on my sampling of the table 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. These wines are basically those that fit the categories of  any of the Featured Themes, Wines of the Month, Local Talent, and "new" -- wines that the LCBO has ordered in sufficient quantities for the Ontario marketplace. Not put out for us are the re-orders (even though they may be of a different vintage) , ISDs, or the expensive wines.  Thus, my report comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of these 50+ category wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value in terms of their price.

 

NOTE: The second part (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" wines of a reduced tasting  --

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

 

Fizz+48801    LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'IVOIRE BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France $19.95

 

Under $20

=========

W+ 547877    THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula 2017    $19.95   13.1% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

W+10770    NOVAS GRAN RESERVA PINOT GRIS    Bío Bío Valley    2018    $15.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+149328    RUSSIAN JACK SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2018    $19.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+667774    WILLM RÉSERVE PINOT BLANC    AC Alsace    2017    $17.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+12009    DOMAINE LA BAZILLÈRE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE    AC    2018    $13.95  12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+391847    THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC    AP    2018    $16.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

W+570457    KELLEREI BOZEN BOLZANO CHARDONNAY    DOC Südtirol-Alto Adige    2018 $18.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+10945    BALBÁS VERDEJO    DO Rueda    2018    $15.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+648915    CHÂTEAU DUBRAUD    AP Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye    2015    $17.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10315    CHÂTEAU LAMARTINE PRESTIGE DU MALBEC    AP Cahors    2015    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+10816    PARADISO DARIONE PODERE BELMANTELLO PRIMITIVO    IGP Puglia    2017    $17.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10402    VELARINO SUSUMANIELLO SALENTO    IGT    2017    $16.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+10682    POTENTE    DO Montsant    2016    $18.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+297317    XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE    AP    2017    $16.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10340    LA COURONNE DE PRINCE    AC Côtes du Rhône    2016    $19.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+247882    HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY TREE RED VQA Ontario 2016    $18.95   13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10688    LINAJES CRIANZA    DO Ribera del Duero    2014    $19.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

 

 

Over $20

=========

W+10338    ROPITEAU CHABLIS    AC    2017    $25.95     12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+231712    GIRARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2016    $44.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+330704    BENI DI BATASIOLO RISERVA BAROLO    DOCG    2010    $39.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+522235    PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN SHIRAZ    Barossa Valley, South Australia    2017    $21.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+420760    ELOUAN PINOT NOIR    Oregon    2016    $29.95     13.6% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10443    TINTO NEGRO FINCA LA ESCUELA LA PIEDRA MALBEC    Mendoza    2016    $24.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+11834    CHÂTEAU DE SAINT-PEY    AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru     2016    $34.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+416735    CHÂTEAU LE DOYENNÉ    AC Côtes de Bordeaux    2014    $24.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+994608    CASTELLO DI BOSSI C. BERARDENGA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $22.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+438580    QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2014    $34.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+995910    REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2016    $42.95     15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+10829    ÁLVAREZ DE TOLEDO COLECCIÓN DE FAMILIA MENCÍA    DO Bierzo    2015    $23.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+239277    MONTECILLO GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2009    $29.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+646075    CRASTO SUPERIOR    DOC Douro    2015    $24.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+671164    ST. FRANCIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Sonoma County    2016    $34.95 14.8% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+616433    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2015 $39.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+332858    CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES PAUL BOSC ESTATE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016 $39.95  13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

 

PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered for sampling by media] with agents --

 

    274761    G. MARQUIS SILVER LINE BLANC DE NOIRS ICE ROSÉ SPARKLING    Traditional method, Icewine dosage, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario        $29.95    MAGNOTTA WINERY

    37499    JANSZ PREMIUM SPARKLING ROSÉ    Traditional method, Tasmania        $28.95    B AND W WINES

    558825    SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA    Traditional method, DO, Spain        $32.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    511428    REDSTONE CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2013    $25.70    TAWSE WINERY INC.

    431593    TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $25.95    TAWSE WINERY INC.

    302059    CAVE SPRING ESTATE GEWÜRZTRAMINER    Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $18.95    CAVE SPRING CELLARS LTD.,

    68015    FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2018    $17.95    FLAT ROCK CELLARS

    537076    MISSION HILL RESERVE PINOT GRIS    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2018    $22.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    317131    ST. FRANCIS CHARDONNAY    Sonoma County    2017    $22.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    541557    LAKE SONOMA CHARDONNAY    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County    2017    $26.95    HOBBS & COMPANY

    235945    CROSSBARN CHARDONNAY    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County    2017    $34.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    713552    FROG'S LEAP CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2017    $44.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    232702    ZUCCARDI Q CHARDONNAY    Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza    2017    $19.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    332494    STAETE LANDT JOSEPHINE CHARDONNAY    Marlborough, South Island    2016    $27.95    LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

    328559     CELLAR CHARDONNAY    WO Western Cape    2016    $17.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    732917    LOUIS JADOT POUILLY-FUISSÉ    AC    2017    $38.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    322628    HENRI BOURGEOIS LA CHAPELLE DES AUGUSTINS SANCERRE    AC    2016    $39.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    599274    LOOSEN BROS. DR. L RIESLING    Qualitätswein    2017    $14.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    512376    CASTELLO DELLA SALA CERVARO DELLA SALA    IGT Umbria    2017    $74.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    707158    ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA    DOC    2018    $19.95    JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS

    408146    MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO    DOC Vinho Verde    2018    $16.95    THE VINE AGENCY

    427500    WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR    VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula    2015    $29.95    WESTCOTT VINEYARDS

    522938    CROSSBARN PINOT NOIR    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County    2016    $49.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    590356    STAGS' LEAP WINERY PETITE SIRAH    Napa Valley    2016    $58.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    16915    J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Paso Robles    2016    $47.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    328377    EASTON ZINFANDEL    Amador County, Sierra Foothills    2015    $29.95    VINEXX

    260919    SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2017    $20.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    118067    VIÑA COBOS FELINO MALBEC    Mendoza    2017    $19.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    712463    PRIMUS THE BLEND    DO Colchagua Valley    2015    $19.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    562918    CONCHA Y TORO TERRUNYO CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Las Terrazas Block, Pirque Vineyard, DO Pirque, Maipo Valley    2016    $34.95    ESCALADE WINE & SPIRITS

    387910    VIÑA ERRAZURIZ SYRAH    Aconcagua Costa    2017    $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    59899    CHAIN OF PONDS THE LEDGE SHIRAZ    Single vineyard, Adelaide Hills, South Australia    2016    $24.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.

    219469    TWO HANDS SEXY BEAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2018    $26.95    B AND W WINES

    478271    SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Coonawarra, South Australia    2017    $17.95    NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC

    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    446609    SIDEWOOD MAPPINGA SHIRAZ    Adelaide Hills, South Australia    2015    $49.95    VINOLUNA

    327387    ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $19.95    EPIC WINES AND SPIRITS INC.

    520528    PEPPER TREE MERLOT    Estate grown, Wrattonbully, South Australia    2016    $22.95    AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

    90241    TURKEY FLAT BUTCHERS BLOCK SHIRAZ/GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE    Barossa Valley, South Australia    2016    $19.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    538918    ASTROLABE PROVINCE MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR    Marlborough, South Island    2015    $29.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    666586    BEL ORMEAU LES CLOS    AP Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye    2015    $16.95    TERRA FIRMA WINES

    534339    VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE    AC    2016    $16.95    VINOLUNA

    448464    LES DARONS    AP Languedoc    2017    $16.95    ROUGE ET BLANC LTD

    381020    DOMAINE DE BILA-HAUT L'ESQUERDA    AC Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Lesquerde    2017    $27.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    17400    PIERRE AMADIEU ROMANE-MACHOTTE GIGONDAS    AC    2016    $28.95    MACDONALD AND COMPANY

    494674    LES CASSAGNES DE LA NERTHE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    AP    2016    $24.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    354191    DOMAINE LAFAGE CUVÉE NICOLAS VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE NOIR    IGP Côtes Catalanes    2017    $18.95    GLENCAIRN WINE MERCHANTS

    140111    BOUTARI GRANDE RESERVE XINOMAVRO    PDO Naoussa    2013    $22.95    THE KOLONAKI GROUP INC

    216309    CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $22.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    384552    ANTINORI BADIA A PASSIGNANO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $49.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    480533    SASSICAIA    DOC Bolgheri-Sassicaia    2016    $229.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    747030    LA VITE LUCENTE    IGT Toscana    2017    $34.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    13755    TOMMASI POGGIO AL TUFO ROMPICOLLO    IGT Toscana    2016    $18.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.

    147876    TENUTA SAN GUIDO LE DIFESE    IGT Toscana    2017    $35.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    72439    TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO    IGT Toscana    2017    $62.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    995704    ZENATO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE    DOC    2016    $18.95    JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS

    976092    MASI BROLO CAMPOFIORIN ORO    IGT Rosso Verona    2015    $26.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    440305    QUADRUS RED    DOC Douro    2014    $22.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    67843    BUIL & GINÉ GINÉ GINÉ    DOCa Priorat    2016    $29.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    398925    ALCEÑO 12 MESES MONASTRELL    DO Jumilla    2014    $15.95    THE CASE FOR WINE

    533364    DOW'S LBV PORT    DOP    2012    $24.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.

    87577    GONZALEZ BYASS NECTAR PEDRO XIMÉNEZ DULCE SHERRY    DO        $24.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    515817    EMILIO LUSTAU ALMACENISTA FINO DEL PUERTO OBREGÓN SHERRY    DO        $24.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED

    347401    GEORGIAN HILLS BARTLETT FROZEN TO THE CORE    Blue Mountains, Ontario    2015    $21.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    987263    MONIACK MEAD    United Kingdom        $18.95    MARCHANDS DES AMERIQUES INC

    422584    DOM PÉRIGNON LUMINOUS BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC    2008    $285.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    429365    DOM PÉRIGNON LUMINOUS ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE    AC    2006    $373.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    520403    BACHELDER WISMER VINEYARD #1 WINGFIELD BLOCK CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2015    $47.95    S. SCHIRALLI AGENCIES LTD.,

    10873    COPAIN DUPRATT CHARDONNAY    Anderson Valley, Mendocino    2016    $64.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    931006    HAMILTON RUSSELL CHARDONNAY    WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay    2018    $47.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    361816    BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR    VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016    $47.95    S. SCHIRALLI AGENCIES LTD.,

    11847    CULMINA MERLOT    BC VQA Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley    2014    $43.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    10962    MASI BROLO CAMPOFIORIN ORO    IGT Rosso Verona    2015    $56.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    452102    MIGUEL TORRES PURGATORI    DO Costers del Segre    2014    $44.9    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

 

The October 10 2019 Event: Luncheon featuring Boekenhoutskloof Winery and its chief winemaker, Marc Kent.

The Date and Time:  Thursday, October 10, 2019  11:45AM  - 2:15 PM

The Event: Luncheon featuring Boekenhoutskloof Winery and its chief winemaker, Marc Kent.

The Venue: George

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: The wines are, or will be, available via the channels of the LCBO.

The Quote/Background: Marc has been with the company for a quarter of a century, so he is well versed in the philosophy and style. They have grapes from Swartland, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek. He differentiated amongst the three regions as the tasting progressed.

The Wines: We tasted the wines before the luncheon. Prices are from the agency and may be affected by availability channels.

 

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

-Boekenhoutskloof Patina Chenin Blanc 2017 Swartland $29.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2018 Swartland  $15.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Patina Syrah 2017 Swartland $29.95 [my fave]

-Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2015 Swartland $55.95

-Heiderberg Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Stellenbosch $14.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Stellenbosch $55.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Franschhoek $55.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Franschhoek Library wine

-Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2015 Franschhoek $49.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2005 Franschhoek Library wine

 

 

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

-Heiderberg Winery Vinologist Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Cape Town $12.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Chenin Blanc 2019 Swartland $15.95

-Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2017 Swartland $37.95

-Boekenhoutskloof Porseleinberg 2016 Swartland $99.95

-Heiderberg Winery Vinologist Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Stellenbosch $12.95

 

The Food: our menu featured George salad, beef tenderloin or cornish hen, and pavlova.

The Downside: Personally, I had wished for cheese for the wines.

The Upside: a chance to talk with the winemaker, Marc Kent

The Contact Person: demberley@univins.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The October 7 Event: Rogers & Company Portfolio Trade Tasting

The Date and Time:  Monday October 7, 2019  1:30 PM to 8PM

The Event: Rogers & Company Portfolio Trade Tasting

The Venue: George

The Target Audience: wine trade sommeliers and media

The Availability/Catalogue: New wineries this year include Tenuta Cocci Grifoni (Le Marche), Vignerons de Bel Air (Burgundy), and Tenute Falezza (Valpolicella). The catalogue was re-sorted this year by winery in alphabetical order, for the most part.

The Quote/Background: The catalogue had much info about each wine, including wine press  scores, size and number of wines per case, and space for notes.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine, preferring to be eclectic. Prices include HST but not bottle deposits.

 

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

-Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2013 $50.95

-Altesino Brunello di Montalcino "Montosoli" 2014 $109.95  [my fave red]

-Barbour Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa $223.95

-Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $274.95

-Bull & Gine Pieret DOQ Priorat 2013 $85.95

-Cain Five 2013 Napa $168.95

-Champagne Delamotte Bruct NV $60.95

-Champagne Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs d'Ay Grand Cru Brut NV $59.95

-Chateau Montelena Napa Chardonnay 2016 $75.95

-Chateau Montelena "The Montelena Estate" Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 $137.95 [value]

-Continuum Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa $357.95

-Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2018 $54.95

-Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2017 $97.95

-Dominus Estate Napanook 2015 Napa $133.95

-Dominus Estate 2015 Napa $391.95

-Duckhorn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Napa $130.95

-Duckhorn Napa Merlot "Three Palms" 2016 $130.95

-Chateau Corbin Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 $71.95

-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2015 Tuscany $131.95

-Forman Vineyard Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $144.95

-Grgich Hills Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $87.95

-Mas Doix "Salanques" 2016 Priorat $67.95

-Mas Doix "Doix" 2015 Priorat $152.95

-Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2009 $175.95

-O'Shaughnessy Estate Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa $154.95

-Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2016 Sonoma $66.95  [my fave white]

-Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 $132.95

-Pazo Senorans Albarino 2018 Rias Baixas $27.95

-Pio Cesare Barolo 2015 Piedmont $71.95

-Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG 2015 $54.95

-Quintessa Napa 2016 $212.95

-Red Cap Vineyards Howell Mountain  Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Napa $138.95

-Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2016 Sonoma $66.95

-Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2017 Napa $76.95

-Shafer One Point Five Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $136.95

-Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2015 $423.95

-Ulysses Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Napa $280 LCBO Classics+478800

-Cobos Marchiori Estate Malbec 2016 Mendoza $266.95

 

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

-Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013 $50.95

-Cain Five 2007 Napa $336.95

-Domaine des Hates Chablis 2018 $29.95

-Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2018 $41.95

-Duckhorn Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2017 $32.95

-Dickhorn Napa Chardonnay 2017 $44.95

-Flowers Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 $54.95

-Frog's Leap Napa Chardonnay 2017 $43.95

-Mas Doix "Les Crestes" 2018 Priorat $39.95

-Mas Doix "1902" 2015  $379.95

-Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2014 $31.95

-Marques de Murrieta Capellania Rioja 2014 $43.95

-Marques de Murrieta Rioja Gran Reserva 2012 $77.95

-Mount Eden Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2015 Santa Cruz $48.95

-Paul Hobbs CrossBarn Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2017 $32.95

-Paul Hobbs CrossBarn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $64.95

-Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Santa Cruz $97.95

-Ridgeview Bloomsbury Brut NV Sussex $49.95

-Robert Craig "Affinity" Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $105.95

-Santa Barbara Winery Central Coast Chardonnay 2017  $22.95

-Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Tara Falerio DOC Pecorino 2018  $16.95  [value white]

-Terra Costantino "deAetna" Etna Bianco 2017 Sicily $30.95

-Truchard Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa $39.95

-Tr3smano "Vendimia" Ribera del Duero 2016 $76.95

-Vina Cobos Bramare Lujan de Cuyo Malbec 2016 Mendoza $42.95

-Vina Cobos Bramare Rebon Estate Malbec 2016 Mendoza $88.95

-Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay 2018 Mendoza $18.95

 

The Food: server platters of green figs, skewered chicken breast, and arancini. There were stationary platters of cheeses and biscuits.

The Downside: there was a hectic lineup to get in, but then this was 1:30 starting time.

The Upside: a great opportunity to speak with many principals.

The Contact Person: s.stoddart@rogcowines.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The September 24 Event: Profile Wine Group 2019 Portfolio Tasting

The Date and Time: Tuesday September 24 2019  2PM – 8:30PM

The Event: Profile Wine Group 2019 Portfolio Tasting

The Venue: Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place

The Target Audience: wine trade, media, private clients

The Availability/Catalogue: 57 wineries presented about 300 wines. All were available through the usual mechanisms of consignment, private orders, or the LCBO (as noted). Basic information included winery, name, vintage, availability channel, and price. The booklet was arranged by country and then by table within. Very convenient.

The Quote/Background: There was a special Vintages table with six recently released wines, while other LCBO products were scattered about the room. A map of all tables was provided in the booklet.

The Wines:  I did not taste every wine.

 

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

-Champagne Devaux Cuvee Augusta $50.99  PO

-Champagne Devaux Coeur des Bar Blanc de Noir $59.99 Consignment

-Champagne Devaux Grande Reserve $60.99 Consignment

-Champagne Devaux Cuvee D $65.99 PO

-Champagne Devaux Ultra D $69.99 PO

-Champagne Devaux D Rose $79.99 Consignment

-Chateau de Nages Vieilles Vignes White 2017 $19.95 Vintages November

-Domaine des Deux Roches Pouilly-Fuisse Vieilles Vignes 2017 $42.99 Consignment

-Jean-Luc Colombo Viognier La Violette 2018 $19.99 Consignment

-Jean-Luc Colombo Cote Rotie La Divine 2016 $109.99 PO

-Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Ruchets 2013 $129.99 PO

-Pierre Sparr Cremant Brut Rose NV $19.95 Vintages

-Fattoria Le Pupille Saffredi Maremma Toscana 2016 $124.99 Consignment

-Lungarotti L'U Umbria Rosso 2016 $19.99 Consignment

-Rocca delle Macie Sergio Zingarelli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2014 $119.99 PO

-Tenuta Rocca Chiara Chardonnay Langhe 2017  $28.99 Consignment

-Segura Viudas Cava Brut Organic  $18.99 PO

-Segura Viudas Cava Torre Galimany Gran Reserva 2014 $24.99 PO

-Argyle Brut 2015   $29.99   PO

-J Lohr Cuvee POM 2015 $95.99  PO

-Markham Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $59.99  Consignment

-Miner Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 $117.99 PO

-Miner The Oracle 2014  $139.99  Consignment

-Palmaz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2014  $229.99  PO

-Palmaz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2015  $269.99  Consignment

-Peter Franus Coturo Napa Chardonnay 2015  $41.99  Consignment

-Peter Franus Brandlin Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2016  $99.99  Consignment

-Sbragia Home Ranch Chardonnay 2018  $34.99  PO

-Sbragia Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet 2014  $81.99 Consignment

-Somerston Priest Ranch Snake Oil 2016  $169.99  PO

-Textbook Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016  $119.99  PO

 

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

-Palmaz Amalia Chardonnay 2016  $114.99  PO

-Miner Viognier 2017 $35.99 PO

-Miner Napa Chardonnay 2017 $44.99 Consignment

-Markham Napa Merlot 2016  $34.99  Consignment

-J Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2017 $19.95 Vintages

-J Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2017 $34.95 Vintages

-Argyle Blanc de Noirs 2015  $53.99  PO

-Velenosi Reve Pecorino Offida 2017 $31.99 PO

-Bodegas LAN Culmen Reserva 2011 $109.99 PO

-Bodega Garzon Reserva Albarino 2018 $21.95 Vintages

-La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli 2013 $139.99 Consignment

-Dandelion Honeypot of the Barossa Roussane 2017 $19.95 Vintages

-Dandelion Red Queen of the Eden Valley Shiraz 2016 $89.99 PO

-Katnook Estate Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $74.99 PO

-Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2016 $19.95 Vintages July 2020

-Textbook Napa Chardonnay 2017   $32.99  Consignment

-Textbook Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2016   $39.99  Consignment

 

The Food: Cibo pasta from the steam table, Barrocco coffee, Speducci salumni and cured meats, breads.

The Downside: I had just come from another rich wine portfolio tasting.

The Upside: another chance to speak with producers.

The Contact Person: aprodhon@profilewinegroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The September 24 2019 Event: Odyssey: Galleon portfolio tasting

The Date and Time: Tuesday September 24 2019  1 – 4 PM

The Event: Odyssey: Galleon portfolio tasting

The Venue: Shangri-La Hotel

The Target Audience: wine trade, media, private clients

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available in the LCBO system or by private order (PO). The catalogue was a model, with label reproductions, vintage years, CSPC, prices, and listed in table number order.

The Quote/Background: there were some 16 high-end premium wineries to be tasted. This is the fine wine boutique of the Phillippe Dandurand wine agency.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine.

 

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

-Trapiche Terroir Series Finca Orellana Malbec 2014 Mendoza $42.95 +178145 Vintages Nov

-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 $84.95 Vintages December

-Dom. Nathalie & Gilles Fevre Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent 2016 $51.95  Consignment

-Ca' del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta Magnum NV $110 Consignment

-Ca' del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta Rose NV $67 Consignment

-Champagne Labruyere Prologue NV $67 Consignment

-Champagne Labruyere Page Blanche Brut NV $95 Consignment

-Champagne Labruyere Anthologie Brut NV $79 Consignment

-Fontanafredda Barbaresco Coste Rubin DOCG 2015 $57.95  Consignment

-Podere Castorani Amorino Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016 $22.95  Consignment

-Jose Maria da Fonseca J Alentejano 2015 $69.95  PO

-Familla Torres Vardon Kennett Cuvee Esplendor Penedes 2013 $44.95 Consignment

-Familla Tores Sons de Prades Chardonnay Conca de Barbera 2014 $40.95 Consignment

-Trinchero Neyers Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 $114.99 Consignment

-Vina Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Chile $19.95 Consignment

 

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

-Trapiche Terroir Series Finca Coletto Malbec 2014 Mendoza $42.95 +482968 Vintages

-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014 $250; 2017 $300 Consignment

-Joseph Drouhin Nuits St-Georges 2015 $79.95 Consignment

-Goerges Duboeuf Domaine des Preauds Pouilly-Fuisse 2016 $34.95 Consignment

-Ferrari Trento Brut NV $24.95 +352153 Vintages November

-Podere Castorani Scia Chardonnay Fiano Puglia 2017 $13.95 Consignment

-Jose Maria de Fonseca Hexagon White Peninsula de Setubal 2014 $45  PO

-Jose Maria de Fonseca Jose de Sousa Mayor Alentejano 2015 $52 PO

-Araex Grands Rolland & Galarreta Rueda 2016 $24.95  Consignment

-Torres Mas La Plana Penedes 2015 $53 Consignment

-Torres Grans Muralle Conca de Barbera 2015 $125 Consignment

-Marimar Estate Albarino Russian River Valley 2017 $39 Consignment

-Trinchero Ziata Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2016 $54 Consignment

-Trinchero Neyers Vineyards Left Bank Red Napa 2016 $74.99 Consignment

-Vina Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve Red 2015 $79.95  Consignment

-Vina Errazuriz La Cumbre Aconcagua Costa 2013 $89.95 Consignment

-Vina Errazuriz Kai Aconcagua Costa 2013 $149.95 Consignment

 

The Food: custom designed individual platters of four cheeses and four cold cuts, plus 21 different jars of dips, relishes, pickles, compotes, hummus, and truffled aioli. Breads and dried fruits, nuts.

The Downside: I had to leave early for my next event.

The Upside: a chance to speak with producers (eg, Errazuriz)

The Contact Person: dshing@galleonwines.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 95

 

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 http://winewriterscircle.ca
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 12, 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 12, 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 portion  is based on my sampling of the table 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. These wines are basically those that fit the categories of  any of the Featured Themes, Wines of the Month, Local Talent, and "new" -- wines that the LCBO has ordered in sufficient quantities for the Ontario marketplace. Not put out for us are the re-orders (even though they may be of a different vintage) , ISDs, or the expensive wines.  Thus, my report comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of these 50+ category wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value in terms of their price.

 

NOTE: The second part (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" wines of a reduced tasting  --

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

 

Fizz+648618    GÉRARD BERTRAND THOMAS JEFFERSON BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX    Traditonal method, AP, Languedoc, France    2017    $22.95  12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  92

 

R+359810    SÉGLA    Second wine of Château Rauzan-Ségla, AC Margaux    2010    $68.95

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 93

 

Under $20

=========

W+165670    MONTE DEL FRÁ CA' DEL MAGRO    DOC Custoza Superiore    2016    $19.95  13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5

W+518985    MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ANTEA    DOCa Rioja    2015    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+677476    JIM BARRY COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Coonawarra, South Australia    2016    $19.95     14.3% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+413237    GÉRARD BERTRAND SYRAH/GRENACHE    AP Languedoc    2015    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  90

R+999946    REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE    DOC    2017    $18.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+557165    HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE RIESLING    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2018    $19.95  11% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+ 37911    SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    DO Maipo Valley    2017    $19.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 93

R+11837    CHÂTEAU LA CROIX ST-PIERRE GRANDE RÉSERVE    AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye    2016    $19.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+434464    CHÂTEAU SAINT-ANTOINE RÉSERVE DU CHÂTEAU    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    2015    $15.95   13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+10623    CALMEL & JOSEPH SAINT CHINIAN    AP    2015    $15.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+328831    M. CHAPOUTIER BELLERUCHE CÔTES DU RHÔNE GRENACHE/SYRAH    AC    2017    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+10359    FEUDO ARANCIO CABERNET SAUVIGNON    DOC Sicilia    2016    $15.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88

R+646893    BERGAMOTA PRIVATE SELECTION    DOC Dão    2015    $13.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89.5

R+194753    RIOJA BORDÓN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2012    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  90.5

R+471854    RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA    DOCa Rioja    2016    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

Over $20

=========

W+11721    KARL ERBES ÜRZIGER WÜRZGARTEN RIESLING SPÄTLESE    Qualitätswein    2016    $26.95 7.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+616466    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $29.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89.5

R+647917    CHÂTEAU LILIAN LADOUYS    Cru Bourgeois, AC Saint-Estèphe    2014    $49.95

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+74922    LUIGI BOSCA D.O.C. MALBEC    Single vineyard, DOC Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza    2016    $29.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+ 469031    CUDDY BY TAWSE CABERNET/MERLOT    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2015    $27.95   13.5%ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+11581    DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CABERNET FRANC    VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula    2016    $27.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+73098    BURROWING OWL ESTATE BOTTLED CABERNET SAUVIGNON    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2016    $44.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+10463    CLINE SONOMA COAST SYRAH    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County    2017    $22.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5

R+10465    KLINKER BRICK BRICKMASON RED BLEND    Mokelumne River, Lodi    2016    $21.95 14.6% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+59683    TRUCHARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Carneros, Napa Valley    2015    $41.95    14.2% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88

R+963397    WENTE WETMORE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Single vineyard, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay    2016    $29.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+131888    DOUBLE CANYON HORSE HEAVEN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley    2015    $29.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+980334    BODEGA PIEDRA NEGRA GRAN LURTON SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2013    $24.95    15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+437954    CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC    Cru Bourgeois, AP Médoc    2014    $24.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+539924    DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    PGI Achaia    2011    $29.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+10129    FONTANABIANCA BORDINI BARBARESCO    DOCG    2015    $49.95    SELECT WINE  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89

R+11595    TERRA COSTANTINO ETNA ROSSO    DOC    2016    $31.95 15.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89

R+378257    BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2014    $56.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89

R+642496    BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2012    $29.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89

R+923748    DON JACOBO GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2005    $38.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR:  90

 

PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered for media sampling by LCBO] with agents --

 

    667295    MANDOIS ORIGINE BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        $48.95    EPIC WINES AND SPIRITS INC.

    256289    BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 SPARKLING    Nova Scotia    2018    $24.95    LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

    4085    GRAHAM BECK BRUT ROSÉ    Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa    2013    $24.95    VINEXX

    89011    FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $17.95    FEATHERSTONE WINERY

    417774    DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $27.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    256552    CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY    Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $19.95    CAVE SPRING CELLARS LTD.,

    392357    KONZELMANN LAKEFRONT SERIES LATE HARVEST GEWÜRZTRAMINER    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $15.95    KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY

    458778    JOEL GOTT CHARDONNAY    California    2017    $23.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    171272    J. LOHR ARROYO VISTA CHARDONNAY    Arroyo Seco, Monterey County    2017    $34.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    339689    BLACK STALLION CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2017    $29.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    443507    SANTA EMA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC    DO Leyda Valley    2018    $16.95    RUSSIAN STANDARD VODKA CANADA LTD

    458760    ELDERTON E SERIES CHARDONNAY    Barossa, South Australia    2017    $16.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    924704    RAPAURA SPRINGS WAIRAU CLASSIC SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2017    $21.95    VINEXX

    369850    KIM CRAWFORD PINOT GRIS    Marlborough, South Island    2019    $19.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    260240    JOSEPH CATTIN HATSCHBOURG PINOT GRIS    AC Alsace Grand Cru    2016    $23.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    461640    WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS    AC    2017    $28.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    16725    TERRES SECRÈTES LES PRÉLUDES SAINT-VÉRAN    AC    2017    $19.95    VINEXX

    363150    LE FILS DES GRAS MOUTONS MUSCADET SÈVRE-ET-MAINE SUR LIE    AC    2017    $15.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    485532    CHÂTEAU SAINT-NABOR CÔTES DU RHONE BLANC    AC    2018    $14.95    DB WINE & SPIRITS INC.

    517375    ROYAL TOKAJI LATE HARVEST TOKAJI    PDO    2017    $21.95    H.H.D. IMPORTS

    169169    CRITONE BIANCO VAL DI NETO    IGT    2017    $17.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    SIGNATURE WINES & SPIRITS

    246413    THE MAGICIAN SHIRAZ/PINOT NOIR    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $29.95    REIF ESTATE WINERY

    997353    INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR    Single vineyard, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016    $30.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    546473    REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2013    $21.95    TAWSE WINERY INC.

    275958    SOUTHBROOK SAUNDERS FAMILY VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC    Vegan friendly, single vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $34.95    VINEXX

    59717    EARTHQUAKE ZINFANDEL    Lodi    2015    $42.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.

    732040    LA CREMA SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County    2016    $18.95    B AND W WINES

    442459    VIÑALBA RESERVA MALBEC/TOURIGA NACIONAL    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2017    $18.95    GLENCAIRN WINE MERCHANTS

    255760    KOYLE ROYALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Los Lingues Vineyard, DO Colchagua Valley    2016    $24.95    TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

    62364    MONTES PURPLE ANGEL    DO Colchagua Valley    2016    $62.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    108183    SCHILD ESTATE GRENACHE/MOURVÈDRE/SHIRAZ    Barossa Valley, South Australia    2016    $19.95    NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC

    931600    CORIOLE ESTATE GROWN SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2016    $24.95    DU CHASSE WINES & SPIRITS

    311258    WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $17.95    AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

    156869    RAPAURA SPRINGS PINOT NOIR    Marlborough, South Island    2017    $22.95    VINEXX

    10877    LOVICO GAMZA    AOC Suhindol    2015    $13.95    DEMETRA VP

    196121    DOMAINE DU PEGAU CUVÉE RÉSERVÉE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE    AC    2013    $78.95    WINEONLINE MARKETING COMPANY LTD

    667451    OGIER LES PAILLANCHES CROZES-HERMITAGE    AC    2017    $24.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    437079    XAVIER VIGNON 100% CÔTES DU RHÔNE    AP    2016    $19.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    251637    CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN ROCHES NOIRES    AC Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun    2016    $22.95    EUROVINTAGE INTERNATIONAL INC

    286393    CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DES MÛRES    AP Languedoc    2017    $19.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    562587    DOMAINE D'ALBAS ROUGE    AP Minervois    2016    $15.95    BONTA TRADING

    682781    MILDIANI KINDZMARAULI SEMI-SWEET RED    Kakheti    2016    $18.95    THE DOCHAS COMPANY INC.

    550350    EUGEN ALTSCHUH PINOT NOIR    Qualitätswein    2017    $19.95    LOUIS CHARLES AGENCY

    286708    LANTIDES NEMÉA AGIORGITIKO    PDO Neméa    2016    $19.95    NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC

    399907    SAN VINCENTI CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2016    $19.95    DB WINE & SPIRITS INC.

    943613    BARONE RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2016    $24.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.

    403477    SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2014    $48.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    324137    MASI RISERVA DI COSTASERA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2013    $69.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    552497    PELEE ISLAND LOLA CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ    VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore    2018    $15.95    PELEE ISLAND WINERY

    588475    VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN VINTAGE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE    With gift box, AC    2008    $111.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    36616    TABLAS CREEK CÔTES DE TABLAS BLANC    Adelaida District, Paso Robles    2017    $37.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    701748    CHATEAU MONTELENA CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2016    $74.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    11644    DR. SIEMENS SERRIGER WÜRTZBERG RIESLING AUSLESE    Qualitätswein    2010    $19.95    H.H.D. IMPORTS

    667154    CONDE DE LOS ANDES BLANCO    DOCa Rioja    2015    $38.95    WINEWORLD IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS LTD

    646885    SOUTHBROOK LAUNDRY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR    VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula    2016    $34.95    VINEXX

    393827    MORAINE PINOT NOIR    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2017    $34.95    STEM WINE GROUP

    107367    CERES COMPOSITION PINOT NOIR    Bannockburn, Central Otago, South Island    2016    $36.95    VINOLUNA

    539973    DOMAINE SAINT-PRÉFERT CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE    AC    2016    $67.95    DBINO INC.

    279083    LA MANNELLA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $69.95    NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC

    236356    CASTELLO ROMITORIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $63.95    WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.

    245225    FULIGNI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $99.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    348037    MASI RISERVA DI COSTASERA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2013    $156.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    442160    DOMAINE DES BERNARDINS MUSCAT BEAUMES DE VENISE    Vin doux naturel, AC    2017    $22.95    TERRA FIRMA WINES

                       

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The September 19 2019 Event: Walk-around tasting of Italian and Spanish high quality wines (Native Grape Odyssey Maestro) in Toronto

The Date and Time:  Thursday September 19, 2019  3PM to 5PM

The Event: Walk-around tasting of Italian and Spanish high quality wines (Native Grape Odyssey Maestro)

The Venue: Peter Pan Restaurant

The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available, mostly by consignment or by private order.

The Quote/Background: Vinitaly International acts as an aggregator for wine producers and helps them establish trade relations with wine markets, through exhibitions, tastings, and courses. They also coordinate the Native Grape Odyssey (NGO) educational project. Funding comes from the EU, the UIV [Italian] and the OIVE [Spanish] promotional groups to lobby for PDO and PGI wines in Japan, Canada and Russia. This tasting will also be back in 2020 in the Fall in Toronto.

The Wines: Coming from the Grandi Marchi, I did not try every wine. All prices should be licensee.

 

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

-Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Animante NV  $43   Bonta Trading

-Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Brut Nature NV  $50   Bonta Trading

-Travaglini Gattinara 2015 $31.95 Nov Vintages

-Travaglini Gattinara Reserva 2013 $60  Classics October

-Speri Valpolicella Classico Superiore Sant Urbano $32.99  Lifford

-Speri Amarone 2013 $72.99  Lifford

-Feudi Greco di Tufo 2018 $21.99  Stem

-Feudi Taurasi 2014 $48.99  Stem

-Foradori Vigneti della Dolomiti Manzoni Bianco Fontanasanta 2018 $37.95  Living Vine

-Arianna Occipinti Terre Siciliane SP68 Rosso 2018  $32.95  Living Vine

-Vittorio Bera e Figli Moscato d'Asti 2018  $29.95  Living Vine

-'A Vita Vino Bianco Leuko 2018   $27.95   Living Vine

 

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

-Travaglini Gattinara Nebbiolo Coste Della Sesia 2017 $21.99 Lifford

-Montesecondo Rosso Toscana 2017 $27.95  Living Vine

-Antica Enotria Puglia Rosso 2017 $18.95  Living Vine

-Lunaria Coste di Moro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2015  $23.95  Living Vine

 

The Food: charcuterie, cheese, popcorn, potato crisps, various breads and relishes.

The Downside: I had less time than I had thought, and the room was excessively crowded.

Unfortunately there were also ver few Spanish wines.

The Upside: a chance to taste consignment and private order wines.

The Contact Person: info@nativegrapeodyssey.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Sept 19, 2019 Event: Grandi Marchi: Instituto del Vino Italiano di Qualita

 The Date and Time: Thursday, September 19, 2019  2PM to 4:30PM
The Event: Grandi Marchi: Instituto del Vino Italiano di Qualita
The Venue: ROM
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: 17 producers (all family-owned) were arranged alphabetically, with full details about their companies and a listing of the wines being presented. No prices nor agents were specified.
The Quote/Background: This was the trade component to the evening consumer event.
The Wines: I did not try all the wines.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Lowengang Chardonnay Alto Adige 2016
-Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Il Pareto Toscana Rosso IGT 2016
-Antinori Cont'Ugo Bolgheri 2016
-Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2018
-Ca'del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta NV Fizz
-Ca'del Bosco Cuvee Prestige Franciacorta Rose NV Fizz
-Col D'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012
-Col D'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2014
-Gaja Sito Moresco Langhe 2017
-Gaja Promis Ca'Marcanda Toscana IGT 2017
-Masi Agricola Riserva di Costasera Amarone Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2013
-Michele Chiarlo Palas Barolo 2015
-Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d'Asti 2018
-Pio Cesare Barolo 2015
-Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2015

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Chardonnay Alto Adige 2018
-Antinori Prunotto Barolo 2015
-Mastroberardino Novaserra Greco di Tufo 2018

The Food: from Daniel et Daniel, headed up by a fab artichoke parmesan white bean dip. Charcuterie, cheeses, terrines, dried fruit, breads, biscuits.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast
The Upside: a chance to taste some newer vintages in the Ontario marketplace.
The Contact Person: v.smith@ieeemusa.com
The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88