By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for top wines available through LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
MAJOR THEME: Ontario Wines
Top Wines UNDER $20
=================
FIZZ+42128 JULIEN BARTHAZAC BRUT CREMANT DE BORDEAUX $19.95
W+37559 ESTERHÁZY KLIMT GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 AUSTRIA $15.95
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES RIESLING 2022 VQA $19.95
W+303628 SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2023 CHILE $17.95 W+269852 WILLM GEWURZTRAMINER RESERVE 2022 ALSACE $19.95
W+44218 KTIMA KISSA PENTANEMI 2024 GREECE $18.95
W+17561 ORCHARD LANE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $19.95
W+610295 AVELEDA ALVARINHO 2024 PORTUGAL $15.95
W+45168 SIMONSIG STARTING BLOCKS CHENIN BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $15.95 W+113696 VIÑA ESMERALDA 2024 SPAIN $14.95
R+28085 SOPHENIA KARMA MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
R+23905 KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 AUSTRALIA $19.95
R+494690 DEMAZET ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 $15.95
R+44211 OLIVIER COSTE OLD STAR CARIGNAN NOIR 2022 LANGUEDOC $19.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $16.95
R+10605 UGGIANO ROCCIALTA CHIANTI RISERVA 2021 $18.95
Top Wines OVER $20
================
FIZZ+380030 KEW BLANC DE NOIRS 2020 VQA $32.95
FIZZ+130047 KRONE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE SPARKLING 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $21.95
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $21.95
W+319640 THIRTY BENCH STEEL POST VINEYARD SMALLLOT RIESLING 2021 VQA $28.95
W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $55.00
W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $30.00
W+45172 PASCAL BOUCHARD BLANCS CAILLOUX PETIT CHABLIS 2023 $28.95
W+42445 DOMAINE FLEURIET TRADITION SANCERRE 2023 LOIRE $36.85
W+36445 FANTINI CALALENTA PECORINO 2024 ABRUZZI $20.95
W+17364 ELENA WALCH PINOT GRIGIO 2024 ALTO ADIGE $26.95
W+45453 DOMAINE CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON CUVÉE TRINCH! ÉPAULÉ JETÉ LOIRE $25.95
R+333229 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 AUSTRALIA $24.95
R+11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $34.95
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $31.95
R+284570 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA $29.95
R+184564 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $55.00
R+42029 CELLIER DES SAINT-ETIENNE MOULIN-A-VENT 2022 BEAUJOLAIS $24.95
R+512111 CHÂTEAU BEL ORME TRONQUOY-DE-LALANDE 2019 BORDEAUX $34.95
R+40445 TSIMBIDI LA-LU-DI AGIORGITIKO 2022 GREECE $21.95
R+44670 ASCHERI S. GIACOMO NEBBIOLO 2023 PIEDMONT $29.95
R+276030 MURIEL RESERVA 2019 SPAIN $21.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale to Sept. 14, 2025....better hurry!!!
W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00
LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale Mon Sept 15 through Sunday October 12, 2025....
W H I T E W I N ES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
286278 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $21.95 Save $1.00
VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.
URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING 6
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 33 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES
13TH STREET GAMAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
177824 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
RED WINES
FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, vegan
64618 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES
AC, Beaujolais, France
365924 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $23.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
sustainable
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula
149237 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3
TAWSE GROWERS BLEND PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
130989 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some Recent Wines that I have tasted....
REPORT ON TRE BICCHIERI 2025 WINE TASTING EVENT TORONTO
The Date and Time: May 12, 2025 12:30 PM - 4:30PM
The Event: Tre Bicchieri tasting in Toronto
The Venue: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: QR codes were used.
The Quote/Background: this was a smaller assortment of wines than usual. The crowd remained the same size as always. The masterclass was on Abruzzo wines. Here are the participating wineries:
ANDREOLA ARILLO IN TERRABIANCA BERSANO
BERTANI CASALE DEL GIGLIO
CASTELLO DI GABBIANO
CASTELLO DI QUERCETO COLOGNOLE
CORTONESI CUSUMANO FAMIGLIA CECCHI
FRANCESCO TORNATORE GIODO IL BORRO
ISTINE LE MICCINE MARCHESI FRESCOBALDI
MARIA CATERINA DEI MARILISA ALLEGRINI
MASCIARELLI MENHIR MARANGELLI
MEZZACORONA OTTELLA PANIZZI
PASINI SAN GIOVANNI PASQUA
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE - FAMIGLIA ZINGARELLI
SORELLE BRONCA TENUTA BORGO CONVENTI
TENUTA CASADEI TENUTA DI ARCENO
TENUTA STELLA TORRE A CONA
UMANI RONCHI VILLA SANDI VINICOLA ARNO
ZENATO
The Wines: [I did not notice any Franciacorta, and please excuse any typos, thx]
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Villa Della Torre [Valpolicella, Amarone & Lugana]
-Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri Allegrini
-San Polo Montalcino Allegrini
-Tenuta della Famiglia Cecchi Villa Rosa Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2020
-Famigilia Cecchi Villa Cerna Primocolle 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva
-Cecchi Chianti Classico 2021
-Castello di Roncade Treviso Cabernet Piave Veneto 2022 $19.95 Tifa
-Poggio tonde Chianti Il Presone 2017 $26.95 Tifa
-Giuliana Vicini Pescura Trebbiano d'Abrusso 2023 $19.95 Tifa
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Pecorino Superiore 2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Nerube Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2024 organic
-Jasci & Marchesani Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2024 organic
-Tornatore Etna Rosso 2023 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Rosso Pietrarizzo 2022 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Rosso Riserva 2020 Sicily
-Tornatore Etna Bianco 2023
-Tornatore Etna Rosato 2024 Sicily
-Torre A Cona Rosso dell' anno single vineyard
-Torre A Cona Molino degli Innocenti Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Badia a Corte Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Terre di Cino Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva
-Torre A Cona Vermentino Maremma Toscana 2024
-Stephania Pepe Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Cuore di Vino 2006
-Stephania Pepe Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Pepe Rosa 2005
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozanno Riserva 2021
-Zenato Lugana Riserva 2021
-Cantina Tollo Pecorino Orapiena 2024
-Cantina Tollo Orapiena Riserva 2024
-Montepulciano d'Abrusso Pierame 2022
-Torre A Cona Fontesanta Toscana Rosato IGT 2024
-Ciavolich IGT Terre d'Abruzzo Pecorino Aries 2024
-Ciavolich Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Divus 2020
-Cirelli Pecorino Abruzzo 2022 organic
-Valori Colline Teramane Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore organic
-Valori Abruzzo Pecorino Chiamami Quando Piove 2024 organic
The Food: there were cheese boards, meat boards, marinated roasted bell peppers, salads, breads, sun dried tomatoes, and some cooked orecchiette from Puro Artignale, and espresso coffees roasted in Rome from Alunni.
The Downside: a smaller show than in the past
The Upside: a chance to taste some really impressive Italian wines
The Contact Person: gamberorossocanada@sogood.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
No comments:
Post a Comment