WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the January 24, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of 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 individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the 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. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEMES • Chilean wines, Niagara VQA wines

TOP WHITE WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
461400 MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $14.95
46402 MANOS NEGRAS ATREVIDA CHARDONNAY 2023 ARGENTINA $17.95
48089 FALCONHEAD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $19.95
10632 LACHETEAU LES CIMES HAUT-POITOU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 LOIRE $15.95
295626 STADT KREMS GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 AUSTRIA $19.95
37420 HUBER VISION ORGANIC GRÜNER VELTLINER 2024 $19.95
25713 KOUROS ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $14.95
47979 VOLCANES DE CHILE RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $14.95
44281 MONTES LIMITED SELECTION CHARDONNAY 2023 CHILE  $17.95
406991 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA DE LOS ANDES CHARDONNAY 2024 $18.95
259788 JOSEPH CATTIN RIESLING 2024 ALSACE $18.95
33416 COLLEMASSARI MELACCE ORGANIC VERMENTINO 2024 $19.95

TOP RED WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
======================================
36310 THE OWL & THE DUST DEVIL REMOLINOS VINEYARD MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 
35672 EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION ORGANIC CABERNET CHILE $17.95
12993 DOMAINE DE LA BAUME LES THERMES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 LANGUEDOC $16.95
22798 FAUSTINO V RESERVA 2018 RIOJA $19.95
25257 GUARDA RIOS RED 2022 PORTUGAL $11.95
178459 ANTICHE TERRE VENETE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA 2023 $17.95 
20951 DOMAINE FOND CROZE CONFIDENCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 $16.95 
47088 PAJARU VIENTU APPASSIMENTO 2024 PUGLIA $19.95
46629 BOCCANTINO SUSUMANIELLO PRIMITIVO 2023 $15.95



TOP WHITE WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
44203 BOUVET LADUBAY SAUMUR SAPHIR BRUT VINTAGE SPARKLING 2022 $23.95 
578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $26.95
404087 KACABA RESERVE RIESLING 2023 VQA $24.15
14960 DOMAINE DU BICHERON MÂCON-PÉRONNE 2022  $23.95

TOP RED WINES OVER $20 in this release.
======================================
11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $34.95
11665 CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $36.95
541151 ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR 2022 CHILE $23.95
534339 VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2024 BEAUJOLAIS $20.95
14469 CHÂTEAU MAYNE-VIEIL FRONSAC 2020 $20.95
525931 CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL LALANDE DE POMEROL 2022 $35.95
491852 BOLLA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2019 $39.95

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale to February 1...better hurry...

BOUTARI THE AUTHENTIC ASSYRTIKO
PGI Macedonia, Greece
44246 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO
PGI Peloponnese, Greece, vegan
32387 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON WO Western Cape, South Africa
(KWV)
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/
CARIÑENA/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Cariñena, Spain
(Grandes Vinos y Viñedos)
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

SMALL GULLY THE FORMULA
ROBERT'S SHIRAZ
South Australia
142935 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TORRES GRAN
CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Penedès, Spain
36483 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95
Save $24 on a case of 12

SANTA MARGHERITA
BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING
302752 (D – 10 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95

ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE
CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING
AOP, Loire, France, traditional method
42057 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $19.95 Save $1.00

BORDEAUX ROSÉ
AOC, Bordeaux, France, vegan
43531 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00

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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --


REPORT ON THE ALTO ADIGE UNCORKED TASTING, FALL 2025

The Date and Time: Tuesday October 14, 2025  12:30 to 5PM
The Event: Tasting a variety of wines from the Alto Adige Uncorked region of Italy.
The Venue: Aria Restaurant
The Target Audience: wine trade, wine media, agents, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: It was another huge booklet, listing some 19 wineries not at the LCBO as of October 14. There were notes about every winery, and of course a listing of the wines that they were presenting (almost all of them Alto Adige DOC but also with some IGTs). BTW, a quick check of the LCBO catalogue shows that there are 33 wines from Alto Adige, all from four wineries: Alois Lageder, Elena Walch, Cavit and Tiefenbruner (these four were not at the trade tasting). The area is well-known for its white wines.
The Quote/Background: The masterclass was overbooked, and the room for some 110 wines to sample was very tight.
The Wines: I did not try everything -- no time. Prices were not indicated....

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

-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay Riserva Stegher 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Colterenzio Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva Lafoa 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Cuvee Blanc de Castel 2023 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 
-Castle Englar Gewurztraminer Orange 2021 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Kaltern Sauvignon Stern 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Bianco Riserva Aichberg 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Manincor Sauvignon Tannenberg 20214 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Pinot Nero Riserva Select 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Cabernet Franc Riserva Podalirius 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Riserva Doran 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Merlot Riserva Gant 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Pinot Nero Riserva 2022 Alto Adige DOC

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cantina Bozen Pinot Grigio 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Winery Castel Sallegg Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Chardonnay Doss 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Sauvignon Raif 2024 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Colterenzio Chardonnay Lafoa 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Chardonnay Belasy 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Gewurztraminer Joseph 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Sauvignon Blanc Cosmas 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Sauvignon Kofl 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Cuvee Bianco Amos 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Merlot Antiope 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Chardonnay Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay Fallwind 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Somereto 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Tramin Chardonnay Glarea 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Chardonnay Buchholz 2024 Alto Adige DOC

The Food: buffet style - dried apricots, tzatziki, raw veggies, red beet hummus, white bean puree, outstanding chicken liver pate, pita bread, olives, diverse salami, prosciutto, breadsticks, cured hams, nine different cheeses including asiago italiano, chevre des pyrenees, appenzeller, caciottina toscana, cossanella, et al, and four excellent terrines from the Cheese Boutique: game terrine with pork and cranberries, elk terrine and figs, duck rillettes and foie gras, duck terrine and orange.
The Downside: it was very crowded and I spent considerable time trying to get samples to taste and spit. 
The Upside: great food
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.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.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

REPORT ON THE ALTO ADIGE UNCORKED TASTING, FALL 2025

REPORT ON THE ALTO ADIGE UNCORKED TASTING, FALL 2025

The Date and Time: Tuesday October 14, 2025  12:30 to 5PM
The Event: Tasting a variety of wines from the Alto Adige Uncorked region of Italy.
The Venue: Aria Restaurant
The Target Audience: wine trade, wine media, agents, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: It was another huge booklet, listing some 19 wineries not at the LCBO as of October 14. There were notes about every winery, and of course a listing of the wines that they were presenting (almost all of them Alto Adige DOC but also with some IGTs). BTW, a quick check of the LCBO catalogue shows that there are 33 wines from Alto Adige, all from four wineries: Alois Lageder, Elena Walch, Cavit and Tiefenbruner (these four were not at the trade tasting). The area is well-known for its white wines.
The Quote/Background: The masterclass was overbooked, and the room for some 110 wines to sample was very tight.
The Wines: I did not try everything -- no time. Prices were not indicated....

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

-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Bozen Chardonnay Riserva Stegher 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Colterenzio Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva Lafoa 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Cuvee Blanc de Castel 2023 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 
-Castle Englar Gewurztraminer Orange 2021 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Kaltern Sauvignon Stern 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Bianco Riserva Aichberg 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Manincor Sauvignon Tannenberg 20214 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Pinot Nero Riserva Select 2021 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Cabernet Franc Riserva Podalirius 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Riserva Doran 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Merlot Riserva Gant 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Pinot Nero Riserva 2022 Alto Adige DOC

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cantina Bozen Pinot Grigio 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Winery Castel Sallegg Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Chardonnay Doss 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Castelfeder Sauvignon Raif 2024 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
-Cantina Colterenzio Chardonnay Lafoa 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Castle Englar Chardonnay Belasy 2022 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta J. Hofstatter Gewurztraminer Joseph 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Tenuta Kornell Sauvignon Blanc Cosmas 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Sauvignon Kofl 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Kurtatsch Cuvee Bianco Amos 2023 Alto Adige DOC
-Morandell Winery Merlot Antiope 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Hans Rottensteiner Winery Chardonnay Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-St. Michael-Eppan Winery Chardonnay Fallwind 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Teriano Chardonnay Somereto 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Cantina Tramin Chardonnay Glarea 2024 Alto Adige DOC
-Peter Zemmer Chardonnay Buchholz 2024 Alto Adige DOC

The Food: buffet style - dried apricots, tzatziki, raw veggies, red beet hummus, white bean puree, outstanding chicken liver pate, pita bread, olives, diverse salami, prosciutto, breadsticks, cured hams, nine different cheeses including asiago italiano, chevre des pyrenees, appenzeller, caciottina toscana, cossanella, et al, and four excellent terrines from the Cheese Boutique: game terrine with pork and cranberries, elk terrine and figs, duck rillettes and foie gras, duck terrine and orange.
The Downside: it was very crowded and I spent considerable time trying to get samples to taste and spit. 
The Upside: great food
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.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.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the January 10, 2026 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  20 wines under & over $20 for the January 10, 2026 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of 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 individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the 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. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.

What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price). 

THEME • Smart Buys (but only 22 wines), Portugal

TOP Wines UNDER $20 for the release.
=================
+46399 EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS TORRONTÉS 2024 ARGENTINA $18.95
+19345 13TH STREET EXPRESSION SERIES RIESLING 2024 VQA $19.95
+673236 LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER 2023 LANGUEDOC
$16.95
+47327 LE GARENNE CHENIN BLANC 2024 LOIRE $18.95
+31380 MADRE BECCO REALE BIO PECORINO 2024 ABRUZZO
$16.95 
+465880 RAPAURA SPRINGS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $19.95
+45094 LAVRADORES DE FEITORIA TREPADEIRA WHITE 2023 PORTUGAL $13.95
+13356 BRUCE JACK CHENIN BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95  
+44787 SIERRA NORTE FUENTESECA MACABEO/SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 SPAIN $14.95
 

+46403 LOS CLOP SUR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 ARGENTINA $14.95
+45379 THOMPSON STEER LIMESTONE COAST SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $17.95
+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2023 VQA $19.95
+44675 LA JUNTA AMIGO PERRO RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 CHILE $15.95
+13434 ESCUDO ROJO GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 CHILE $17.95
+31694 LA ROSELIÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES LAUDUN 2022 $19.95
+44463 CHÂTEAU LAUR CAHORS 2021 $16.95
+32534 PIETRAME EDIZIONE LIMITATA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $15.95
+18783 LAVAU CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2024 PORTUGAL $14.95
+31183 CASTELLO D'ALBA RESERVA 2022 PORTUGAL $18.95
+26250 PROVOLO VALPOLICELLA 2023 $15.95
+45409 SANTOS & SEIXO PERSPECTIVA RESERVA RED 2020 PORTUGAL $13.95
+28606 CABRAL SELEÇÃO 2022 PORTUGAL $16.95
+45093 RAVASQUEIRA LAGAR RED BLEND 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
+21193 PIEKENIERSKLOOF SIX HATS SHIRAZ 2025 SOUTH AFRICA
$15.95
+44771 LEZA GARCÍA VALDEPALACIOS CRIANZA 2020 SPAIN
$14.95
+44774 MARQUÉS DE LA CONCORDIA LAGUNILLA RESERVA 2018 SPAIN $18.95
 
TOP Wines OVER $20 for the release.
===============

+388603 PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE $20.95 
+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $25.95
+557769 CLOSERIE DES ALISIERS PETIT CHABLIS 2023 $29.95
+18709 PROSPER MAUFOUX MÂCON-VILLAGES 2023 $20.95 
+36874 SPY VALLEY E BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 NEW ZEALAND
 $21.95
+48905 RAVINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA $22.95

+42482 FOGOLAR PICONE VINEYARD CABERNET FRANC 2022 VQA $29.95
+307686 TAWSE QUARRY ROAD PINOT NOIR 2023 VQA $35.95
+36194 FIELDING CABERNET FRANC 2023 VQA $26.15
+648428 BLASON DE BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2022 $25.95 
+42394 DOMAINE FONT SARADE LES HAUTS DE LA PONCHE VACQUEYRAS 2024 RHÔNE $31.95
+35974 BROTTE LES HAUTS DE BARVILLE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2022 $49.95
+14200 CECCHI RISERVA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $24.95
+25591 PODERE MONTALE MONTECUCCO SANGIOVESE 2019 $29.95
+44777 HERMANOS HERNAIZ FINCA LA SELVA GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2015 $20.95


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale Jan 5 to Feb 1

LIMITED TIME OFFERS
Save on these popular wines from January 5 to February 1, 2026

BOUTARI THE AUTHENTIC ASSYRTIKO
PGI Macedonia, Greece
44246 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO
PGI Peloponnese, Greece, vegan
32387 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

CATHEDRAL CELLAR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON WO Western Cape, South Africa
(KWV)
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00

MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/
CARIÑENA/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Cariñena, Spain
(Grandes Vinos y Viñedos)
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

SMALL GULLY THE FORMULA
ROBERT'S SHIRAZ
South Australia
142935 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00

TORRES GRAN
CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Penedès, Spain
36483 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95
Save $24 on a case of 12

SANTA MARGHERITA
BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING
302752 (D – 10 g/L)
750 ml REG. $21.95
NOW $18.95

ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE
CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING
AOP, Loire, France, traditional method
42057 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $19.95 Save $1.00

BORDEAUX ROSÉ
AOC, Bordeaux, France, vegan
43531 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00



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 New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- 

REPORT ON LEGACY PORTUGESE MAY WINE TASTING IN TORONTO

The Event: WOP Taste the Legacy Toronto (Portuguese wines)
The Venue: The Well 15th floor
The Target Audience: wine media and wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: each table had its own brochures and data tech sheets
The Quote/Background: There were more white wines than I thought, even though I tried my best to taste them all. Many producers had sparkling wines, which made for an exciting tasting.
The Wines: I tasted mainly white wines, but I did incorporate the masterclass wines. Please excuse any misspelling or typos.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Symington  Contacto Alvarinho White 21024 Vinhos Verdes
-Soalheiro Bruto Alvarinho Espumante
-Cabral Reserva Douro 2023 +35446 $13.95
-Soalheiro Bruto Alvarinho Espumante
-Casal Branco Falcoaria Vinhas Velhas White 2022 Tejo
-Soalheiro Classico 2024 Alvarinho
-Sogrape Vinhos Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda Red 2021 Porto e Douro
-Fiuza Marques de Alvito Reserva Red 2017 Tejo
-Churchill's Estates Grafite Grande Reserva Red 2016 Porto e Douro
-Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho
-Dona Vitoria Colecao Privada
-Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvarinho & Pinot Noir
-Sogrape Vinhos Quinta dos Carvalhais White 2023  Dao Elafoes
-Quinta Vale d'Aldeia Grande Reserva White 2022 Porto e Douro
-Soalheiro Bruto Rose Espumante
-Soalheiro Bruto Nature Espumante
-Guarda Rios Branco 2024
-Quinta de Pancas Cabernet Sauvignon
-Issimo Caves Arcos do Rei 2018
-Zip Douro Branco 2024
-Quinta do Albrna Aristo Chardonnay 2024


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quinta do Paco de Treixeiro 2024
-Treixeiro Vinho Verde 2023 repped by Epic
-Animus Vinho Verde 2024
-Vale Santa Lucia Douro 2024
-Vale Santa Lucia Rose 2024
-Marques de Mariavala NV
-Marques de Marialva Blanc de Blancs NV
-Marques de Marialva Grande Riserva Red 2015 Bairrada
-J.P. Ramos Lyma Vinho Verdes 2024
-Quinta do Casal Monteiro
-LAB Vinho Regional Lisboa White 2024
-J.P. Ramos Loios 2024
-Rocim Fresh from Amphora White 2024 Alentejo
-Textura Pura White 2022 Dao e Lafoes
-Companhia das Lezirias Senhora Vinho Novo Red 2023 Tejo
-Herdade Dos Lagos Amphora Red 2022 Alentejo

The Food: Antipasto Harvest Table from Oliver & Bonacini -- the cheese platter was a collection of cheeses from within 100KM and included Brigid's Brie, Fenugreek Gouda, and Celtic Blue Cheese -- along with artisanal breads and flatbread, fruits, crisp biscuits, marinated veggies, pickles, and then the inevitable meat platter of copicola, salami, prosciutto, truffled sausages, and more....
The Downside: it was a long walk to the Masterclass and back, also using elevators for 15 flights,
The Upside: there was plenty of room to spread out.
The Contact Person: hbenzallat@hopscotchgroupe.com
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.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

TORONTO WINTERLICIOUS JAN 30 - FEB 12 "LUNCHES"

Some recommendations for Winterlicious lunches --- many restaurants are not open for lunch, so do try these menus (touted by me, not-paid-for) -- arranged in random order: 

...ViBo $41
--ViBo's Soup of the Moment
--Roman Style Rice Balls with a garlic cream
--Pomegranate Endive Pear Medley topped with toasted almonds and ricotta salata
--Warm Forest Mushroom rucola and green salad topped with Quebec goat cheese
Main Dish
--Herbed Pork Tenderloin with a maple pecan crunch and roasted local vegetables
--Pollo alla Parmigiana breaded chicken with tomato rags and fontina cheese
--Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken snow peas and sun dried tomato with a light tomato cream
--Orange Roughy Fish snow peas tomato concasse with saffron cream
--Sicilian Eggplant alla Parmigiana
Dessert
--Warm Sticky Toffee warmed date cake served with caffe latte gelato
--Fresh Berries topped with a plump dollop of cold zabayone sauce
--Winter Sorbetto and Gelato

...Adega $48
--Caldo Verde Soup with portuguese chourico
--Avocado & Tomato Salad with shaved parmesan, balsamic reduction
--Grilled Sardines with salsa verde
--Salmon Tartare with avocado mousse
Main Dish
--Mushroom Risottowith porcini-truffle butter & fresh parmesan
--Linguine with Tiger Shrimp with chipotle pepper, fresh basil tomato sauce
--Pan Seared Rockfish Fillet with mediterranean salsa
--Free Range Piri-Piri Chicken Breast with spinach, stilton, cashew, apple cider vinaigrette
Dessert
--Mixed Sorbet with fresh fruit
--Pastel de Nata with cinnamon, berry coulis
--Natas do Ceu with sweet egg yolk

...Arisu $34
--Gimbap Korean-style rice rolls with beef, pickled radish, cucumber, carrot, spinach and burdock
root, wrapped in seaweed and pan-fried in a light egg coating
--Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodle Salad)
A chilled buckwheat noodle salad with vegetables in a perfectly balanced parrilla oil sauce,
light, refreshing and full of flavour
--Petite Potato Pancake Crispy mini pancakes made from finely shredded potato and a touch of
flour, served with a savoury soy dipping sauce on the side
Main Dish
--Bulgogi BBQ (Min 2 Orders Required) Thinly sliced marinated beef grilled to perfection with a
savoury-sweet Korean BBQ sauce, served with steamed rice, creamy egg custard, cheese corn butter, and
assorted Korean side dishes
--Dakgalbi Ssambap (Min 2 Orders Required)
Tender chicken stir-fried with vegetables, mozzarella cheese and sweet and spicy gochujang sauce,
served with steamed rice, fresh lettuce wraps and assorted Korean side dishes - a perfect balance of
spice, crunch and flavour
--Korean Vegetable Hot Pot
A heart-warming Korean-style hot pot filled with seasonal vegetables, assorted mushrooms, tofu,
yubu and glass noodles, gently simmered in a light, savoury broth
--8 Bites on Rice Crunch Eight artisanal rice crisps each topped with a unique seafood and sauce
combination, featuring salmon, tuna, butterfish, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp, botan ebi and scallop
Dessert
--Berry Bingsu A refreshing Korean shaved ice dessert topped with fresh strawberries, chewy rice
cakes and a drizzle of sweet condensed milk
--Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge) A traditional Korean winter dessert made from sweet red beans
and soft rice balls - warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy treat
--Yuzu Slush with Crispy Nurungji A frosty blend of Korean yuzu syrup and ice paired with crispy
fried rice crust for a light yet satisfying finish

...Bellona $27
--Calamari Italiani Panko breaded oyster mushroom, served with a lemon dill aioli
--Whipped Ricotta and Marinated Olives Pistachio and honey whipped ricotta with house marinated
olives, served with the house baked focaccia
--Cantina Salad Mixed greens, dehydrated honey crisp apple, pickled bermuda onion, candied walnuts
and mozzarella cheese, served with a velvety prosecco vinaigrette
--Eggplant Sliders Breaded eggplant, fior di latte, basil and tomato sauce, served on the house
baked focaccia
Main Dish
--La Sagreta Ravioli Red wine infused ravioli, stuffed with tofu cream cheese and tossed with
portobello mushrooms in a signature blush sauce
--Rigatoni Truffle Alfredo Rigatoni pasta tossed in a velvety truffle cream sauce, finished with aged
pecorino romano, housemade focaccia bread crumbs and fresh cracked pepper
--Giovanni Pizza Vegan pepperoni, "crumbled sausage" made from cremini mushroom and brown rice, green
pepper, cremini mushroom, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
--Sofia Pizza Marinated roma tomatoes with goat cheese, roasted garlic, parmesan, mozzarella, extra
virgin olive oil, fresh basil and balsamic glaze
Dessert
--Tiramisu Espresso and rum soaked vanilla cake with coconut whipped cream
--Apple Fritters Honey crisp apples battered and tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with vanilla ice
cream and caramel.
--Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake Moist, fragrant and lightly drizzled with a delicate spiced maple sugar glaze

...Biff's Bistro $41
Appetizer
--SOUP AUX CHAMPIGNONS Biff's mushroom soup, chives, truffle crème fraîche
--CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT Biff's mustard, pickles, grilled sourdough
--PEAR SALAD poached pears, goat cheese, walnuts, mixed greens, maple vinaigrette
--SMOKED WHITEFISH BRANDADE lemon crème fraîche, baguette crostini, chives
Main Dish
--BIFF'S BISTRO BURGER charbroiled burger, caramelized onion, raclette, bibb lettuce, cornichon
aïoli, frites
--TARTINE AU POULET roast chicken, rosemary focaccia, whipped boursin,pistou, red pepper, arugula
salad
--HADDOCK toasted almonds, green beans, baby potatoes, brown butter hollandaise sauce
--ROASTED SQUASH RISOTTO butternut squash purée, fried brussels sprouts, curried pumpkin seeds,
parmigiano-reggiano
Dessert
--APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE apple sponge, salted caramel, apple butter, spiced streusel
--POT AU CHOCOLATE chocolate custard, sablé cookie, chantilly, cocoa nibs
--BASQUE CHEESECAKE dark cherries, port reduction, toasted almonds

...Maison Selby $48
Appetizer
--Country Salad pear, endive, radicchio, hazelnuts, parmigiano-reggiano
--Truffle & Mushroom Tart comté, tartufata cream, vol-au-vent
--Duck Liver Mousse apple, winter radish, dijon, sourdough
Main Dish
--Salmon Meunière lentilles du puy, swiss chard, caper brown butter sauce, lemon
--Escalope de Veau breaded veal cutlet, broccolini, pomme purée, café au lait sauce
--Squash Pasta conchiglie, butternut squash crème, parmigiano-reggiano, crispy herbs
--Steak Frites flat iron steak, green beans, fries, béarnaise sauce
Dessert
--Café au Lait Financier mocha chantilly, shortbread crumb
--Crêpe Brûlée spiced apples, ricotta cream, nougatine
--Cantal Vieux raw cow's milk cheese, truffle honey, fruit & nut cracker

...Clandestina Mexican $34
--Guac and Chips Best avocados vs best tortilla chips
--Esquites Popular Mexican street food made from corn kernels sautéed in butter, mixed with creamy
mayonnaise and seasoned with chili powder, lime juice and crumbled cheese
--Bean Dip Refried beans served with queso fresco and tortilla chips
Main Dish
--Breakfast Burrito Loaded with scrambled eggs, beans, rice, crema and salsa
--Chilaquiles Verdes Traditional Mexican dish made with fried corn tortillas cut into small
pieces, then simmered in flavourful green sauce and served with crema and queso fresco
--Fish Tacos Corn-battered basa fish with guacamole, cucumber, cabbage slaw, jicama, carrot and
chipotle aioli
Dessert
----Flan Caramel custard
Churros The most popular Mexican pastry covered with cinnamon sugar and chocolate or caramel sauce
--Helado con Cafe Mexican vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso

...Soula Greek $27
--Spetsofai Orange sausage and red peppers cooked in a hearty tomato sauce with spices
--Greek Style Lentil Soup Slow cooked in tomato sauce with carrots, celery and onions, finished with
olives and spinach
--Keftedes Arni (Lamb Meatballs) Juicy and well seasoned ground lamb infused with the aromas of
fresh mint, garlic and oregano
--Kolokithokeftedes Zucchini croquettes with feta, kefalograviera cheese and fresh herbs
--Sesame Baked Feta Creamy feta wrapped in crispy phyllo, finished with a drizzle of raw honey and
a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds
Main Dish
--Vegetable Moussaka Layers of zucchini, eggplant, spinach, sweet peppers and potatoes, topped
with bechamel and tomato sauce, served with mixed greens in a balsamic vinaigrette
--Chicken Souvlaki Tender cuts of grilled chicken breast served with lemon roasted potatoes,
basmati rice, greek salad and tzatziki
--Atlantic Salmon Finished with white wine, lemon, dill and garlic butter sauce, served over
garlic mashed potatoes, roasted garlic carrots and asparagus
--Exohiko (Rosemary Lamb Pie) Slowly stewed with onions and mushrooms in a feta and rosemary
sauce, wrapped in phyllo pastry and served with mixed greens, lemon roasted potatoes and tzatziki
--Bifteki Olymbou Lean ground beef with traditional spices served with fries and mixed greens in a
balsamic vinaigrette
Dessert
--Ravani A traditional greek cake with honey syrup and sprinkled almonds
--Baklava Layers of house made phyllo, nuts and distilled greek honey
--Karidopita Moist and flavourful honey walnut cake with hints of cinnamon

...Cucina Buca $41
--CARPACCIO DI MANZO thinly sliced marinated beef tenderloin, arugula, cured egg yolk, parmigiano
reggiano
--INSALATA DI RUCOLA arugula, bagna cauda, sicilian anchovies, pine nuts
--INSALATA DI RADICCHIO radicchio, gremolata, ontario grape, pistachio
Main Dish
--RIGATONI ALL' ANATRA bronze die-extruded duck egg pasta, duck offal ragù, venetian spices,
mascarpone, basil
--POLLO ARROSTO grilled & smoked gianone half chicken, roasted ontario potato, lemon
--MELANZANE ARROSTO roasted eggplant, confit garlic-peperoncino, herbs
Dessert
--PANNA COTTA goat milk panna cotta, almond crumble, amarena cherry
--GELATO choice of house-made gelato
--SORBETTO choice of house-made sorbetto...

...and a tenth recommendation for an early dinner (5PM) at Scaramouche's annual Lobsterlicious feast, usually Mondays through Thursdays...until the run out of lobsters [now available!]

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
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