REPORT FROM ALSACE ROCKS! IN TORONTO SEPTEMBER 2023

REPORT FROM ALSACE ROCKS! IN TORONTO SEPTEMBER 2023
The Date and Time: Sept 19 1PM - 5PM
The Event: Tasting Recent Vintages of Alsatian wines
The Venue: Second Floor Events, King Street West
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: a QR code at the site or a PDF later in the week, with info on the wines (but no prices)
The Quote/Background: Still wines are aromatic, unoaked, dry, complex, balanced, high quality and very food-friendly. 90% of the wines in Alsace are white. Seven main grape varieties (in order of vineyard plantings): Pinot Blanc (22%), Riesling (21%), Gewurztraminer (19%), Pinot Gris (16%), Pinot Noir (11%), Sylvaner (5%) and Muscat d'Alsace (2%). Crémant d'Alsace makes up 27% of total production and is made in the traditional method from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir (all Crémant d'Alsace Rosés are 100% Pinot Noir) and Chardonnay, the latter only for Crémant production. The AOC Alsace appellation is 70% of total production, Crémant d'Alsace is 27% and AOC Grand Cru is 3% (predominately Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Muscat d'Alsace). There were only 12 wineries attending here today which gave all of us a chance to concentrate on the few wines that were at the show. All the gewurztraminers were on one table, as were all the rieslings, the cremants, the pinot noirs, some blends and the older vintages. We had a great opportunity to compare and contrast producers. There were six tables in all.
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cave Jean Geiler Gewurztraminer Grand Cru 2020
-CAVE JEAN GEILER CRÉMANT D'ALSACE, RIESLING NV
-CAVE JEAN GEILER ALSACE, RIESLING, 2021 "INSPIRATION TERROIRS"
-CAVE JEAN GEILER ALSACE GRAND CRU FLORIMONT GEWURZTRAMINER, 2020
-DOMAINE WACH ALSACE, RIESLING, 2022 "ANDLAU"  not repped
-DOMAINE WACH ALSACE GRAND CRU KASTELBERG RIESLING, 2019   not repped
-DOMAINE SOHLER PHILIPPE ALSACE, RIESLING, 2022 "HEISSENBERG"  not repped
-DOMAINE KIRRENBOURG ALSACE GRAND CRU HENGST GEWURZTRAMINER, 2017
-CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE "GIERSBERGER", NV
-CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ ALSACE, RIESLING, 2021 BIO
-CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ ALSACE, GEWURZTRAMINER, 2021 "COLLECTION"
-ETIENNE SIMONIS ALSACE, GEWURZTRAMINER, 2021   not repped
-ETIENNE SIMONIS ALSACE GRAND CRU MARCKRAIN GEWURZTRAMINER, 2021   not repped
-WUNSCH & MANN CRÉMANT D'ALSACE "TRADITION" BIO, NV  [my fave fizz]
-WUNSCH & MANN ALSACE, GEWURZTRAMINER, 2022 "N°3", BIO
-DOPFF AU MOULIN CRÉMANT D'ALSACE "CUVÉE JULIEN", NV
-DOPFF AU MOULIN ALSACE GRAND CRU BRAND GEWURZTRAMINER, 2019
-ARTHUR METZ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE LIEU-DIT "SCHIEFERBERG", NV
-ARTHUR METZ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE "PRESTIGE", NV
-CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE PFAFFENHEIM ALSACE, GEWURZTRAMINER, 2020


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-ETIENNE SIMONIS CRÉMANT D'ALSACE EXTRA BRUT, NV    not repped
-ARTHUR METZ ALSACE, RIESLING, 2021 "HORIZON"
-Cave Jean Geiler Pinot Gris 2021 Bio
-Domaine Charles Frey Riesling 2022 "Granite"  not repped in Ontario
-DOMAINE KIRRENBOURG ALSACE GRAND CRU SCHLOSSBERG RIESLING, 2020 BIO
-Domaine Gruss Riesling Vieilles Vignes 2022
-DOMAINE GRUSS ALSACE GRAND CRU VORBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER, 2019
-CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE PFAFFENHEIM CRÉMANT D'ALSACE EXTRA BRUT, NV
-CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE PFAFFENHEIM ALSACE, RIESLING, 2021 "JUPITER"


The Food: there was a tapas station with tomato bread, ricotta ndjua on crostini, manchego on bread, chorizo and goat cheese, mussels escabeche. There was also a more traditional cheese/charcuterie platter with duck prosciutto, calabrese, truffled mortadella, Beemster cheese, Celtic blue, truffled Gouda.
The Downside: I wanted more riesling and gewurztraminer wines. Price ranges were not listed.
The Upside: there were a fair number of off-dry wines.
The Contact Person: nperez@sopexa.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

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Limited Time Offers Nov 6 through Nov 26 at LCBO

[The following LTOs are on sale from Nov 6 through Nov 26]:

Fizz+991562  Bailly Lapierre Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.45, save $3.50
W+958975  Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, now $26.95, save $3
W+324228  Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $19.95, save $3
R+274753  Hidden Bench Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench VQA, now $34.95, save $3
R+36483  Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes Spain, $20.95, save $3
Splurge+356220  Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Veneto, $47.95, save $5
Splurge+650432  Castelgiocondo Brunello de Montalcino Tuscany, $49.95, save $5

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

Virus-free.www.avg.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 4, 2023 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 4, 2023 release.

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  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor 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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.

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).

MAJOR THEME:  GIFTING SOLUTIONS

Wines Under $20
=========
W+10411 MOUNTADAM EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2019  AUSTRALIA $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+483834 CREW RIESLING 2020 VQA LENS $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+747600 PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER 2021 ALSACE $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+31168 FAMILLE ARNAUD QUART DU ROI LAUDUN COTES DU RHONE-VILLAGES
$19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+31380 MADRE BECCO REALE BIO PECORINO 2021 ABRUZZO $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+408146 MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO 2022 PORTUGAL $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+218354 GARCIARÉVALO FINCA TRES OLMOS LIAS VERDEJO 2021 SPAIN $14.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
W+35413 BODEGA DEL ABAD CIMABELLA GODELLO 2021 SPAIN $17.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+113191 EL ESTECO MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $18 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+183897 PASCUAL TOSO RESERVE MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+36231 ROCKWAY RED  NV VQA ONTARIO  $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+33627 FOGOLAR CABERNET FRANC 2019  VQA NIAGARA $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 CHILE $16.95 MVC/QPR: 92.
R+320499 BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE 2020  ROUSSILLON $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+5405 UMBERTO CESARI MOMA ROSSO 2021 EMILIA-ROMAGNA $19.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+32914 VILLADORIA ARGO LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2020 PIEDMONT $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+17884 BOLLATO DI GUARINI NEGROAMARO/PRIMITIVO 2021 PUGLIA $17.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+573519 VILLA PUCCINI RISERVA CHIANTI 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+13448 CASTELFORTE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+443721 CHÂTEAU KSARA RÉSERVE DU COUVENT 2020  LEBANON $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+470377 CASA DE CAMBRES RESERVA RED 2017  PORTUGAL $14.95  MVC/QPR: 88.
R+33520 VIÑEDOS DEL ALTURA BELOKI RIOJA CRIANZA 2019 $16.95  MVC/QPR: 88.


Wines Over $20
=========
FIZZES -- not rated
+29704 BARON-FUENTÉ BRUT TRADITION CHAMPAGNE NV $49.95
+36302 STRATUS FIELD BLEND ANCESTRAL SPARKLING WINE 2022 $35.00
+207993 DUFOULEUR PÈRE & FILS BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE 2019  $26.95
+280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE NV $23.95

W+35371 ROCKWAY FOXCROFT RIESLING 2022 VQA NIAGARA $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE VQA NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2021 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
W+733956 MALLORY & BENJAMIN TALMARD MÂCON-UCHIZY 2022 $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+35198 ALOIS LAGEDER PINOT GRIGIO 2022 ALTO ADIGE $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+75432 ATTEMS CICINIS 2021 FRIULI $36.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+556340 LA CHABLISIENNE LE FINAGE CHABLIS 2021 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+17605 PETER NICOLAY BERNKASTELER BADSTUBE RIESLING KABINETT 2021 $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+522342 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP HILLS ARE ALIVE SHIRAZ 2021 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2018 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+86363 STRATUS WILDASS RED 2019 VQA NIAGARA $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+349308 CHÂTEAU PEY LA TOUR RÉSERVE DU CHÂTEAU 2018 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+48884 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020  $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+11109 NOZZOLE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2019  $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+180067 POGGIO BONELLI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2018 $33.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+23782 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SUPER TROOPER SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2019 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 88.

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday November 5...

Fizz+213983  Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA Trad Method, now $29.95, save $3
Fizz+395384  Luc Belaire Rare Rose Sparkling France, now $37.95, save $3
W+31667  Alta-Yari Gran Torrontes Mendoza Arg, now $24.95, save $3
W+962886  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, now $32.95, save $3
R+352583  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, now $49.95, save $5
R+177295  Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte Puglia, now $23.95, save $3
R+652883  Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $54.95, save $5
R+954834  Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, now $26.95, save $3
R+353201  Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, now $49.95, save $3
R+303800  Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
R+225086  Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cab Sauvignon Emilia-Romagna, now $24.95, save $5

[The following LTOs are on sale from Nov 6 through Nov 26]:

Fizz+991562  Bailly Lapierre Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.45, save $3.50
W+958975  Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, now $26.95, save $3
W+324228  Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $19.95, save $3
R+274753  Hidden Bench Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench VQA, now $34.95, save $3
R+36483  Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes Spain, $20.95, save $3
Splurge+356220  Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Veneto, $47.95, save $5
Splurge+650432  Castelgiocondo Brunello de Montalcino Tuscany, $49.95, save $5

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---

REPORT ON THE VINHO VERDE TASTING trade show, June 2023....
The Event: Vinho Verde Tasting
The Venue: Second Floor Events, King Street
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: downloaded from the cloud. There were 14 producers and about 70 wines.
The Quote/Background: Christopher Sealy led the Masterclass which covered the major aspects of Vinho Verde, complete with Powerpoint and a paper map. The Vinho Verde region covers whites, reds, rose, and fortified wines; it lies between the Douro and the Minho rivers – it's the largest wine region in Portugal, with 1400 wine brands, 9 subregions, and 45 grape varieties. Each bottle is certified (numbered and identified) and forms part of the annual 70 million litres (45% exported) produced. Canada is its sixth largest market.
The Wines: I did not sample all the wines. Prices are retail.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quinta da Raza Alvarinho 2022, $22.95 (Christopher Stewart)
-Quinta da Raza Alvarinho Trajadura 2022, $21.95 (Christopher Stewart)
-Quinta da Raza Rose 2022, $14.95 (Christopher Stewart)
-Quintas do Homem Vale do Homem Loureiro Wild Ferment 2022, $19.95 (Kolonaki)
-Quintas do Homem Vale do Homem Spumante NV, $38.95 (Kolonaki)
-Vercoope Via Latina Grande Reserva 2018
-Guapos Wine Project Castelo Negro 2018
-Quinta das Arcas Alvarinho Reserva 2021
-Casal de Ventozela Prime Selection 2019 (1/3 alvarinho, avesso, loureiro)
-Casal de Ventozela Alvarinho 2022 Minho
-Aveleda Alvarinho 2022
-Aveleda Solos de Granito 2021
-Aveleda Solos de Xisto 2021
-Quinta d'Amares Pet-Nat NV

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quinta da Raza Avesso 2022, $22.95 (Christopher Stewart)
-Quinta da Raza Gouveio 2021, $28.95 (Christopher Stewart)
-Quintas do Homem Vale do Homem Rose 2022, $16.95 (Kolonaki)
-Vercoope Via Latina Seco Rose NV
-Quinta d'Amares Vinesa Alvarinho 2018
-Quinta da Lixa Colinas do Avesso 2016
-Adega Ponte de Lima Colheita Selecionnada Loureiro 2022
-Quinta do Ameal Loureiro 2021 Lima
-A & D Wines Quinta Santa Teresa Avesso Esculpido 2020
-A & D Wines Quinta Santa Teresa Avesso 2022
-3 Rostos Nativo Reserva 2020
-3 Rostos Flor de Linho Alvarinho 2022
-3 Rostos Barrete Padeiro Rose 2022
-3 Rostos Flor de Linho Azal 2022
-3 Rostos Barrete 2022

The Food: The Masterclass attendees each got a large rice bowl with their choice for veggies (bok choy, squash) and/or smoked chicken; the main tasting had a platter of cold cuts and cheeses and assorted veggies and fruits.
The Downside: like the Valpolicella tasting I attended last week, the wines all shared the same broad characteristics with some individual qualities. But after awhile it tended to reduce my palate's effectiveness of discernment. The Masterclass thus had great value for me. Good details are at www.vinhoverde.pt
The Upside: good food, good wines, good Masterclass seminar. Thanks to Chris Sealy.
The Contact Person: andrea@amcc-inc.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):  92.

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 FROM THE NATURAL WINES FROM CHILE TRADE TASTING SEPTEMBER 2023

REPORT FROM THE NATURAL WINES FROM CHILE TRADE TASTING SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
The Event: Natural Wines from Chile Trade Tasting, September 12, Noon – 2:30PM
The Venue: SIPS Toronto, Maud Street
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: at least two of these wines will be in the Ontario market, perhaps this year.
The Quote/Background: ProChile gave us (seminar of 20) local sommelier Heather MacDougall as moderator, and Chilean sommelier Mariana Martinez as principal speaker and discussant. She was on a hookup via the Internet. Natural wines is a large category that mainly includes no human or chemical interference with grapes. Categories include: transparency, sustainable, organic, biodynamic, and the like. Perhaps "orange wine" is where all the principles may intersect. Mariana talked about all of these and the various certification seals used in Chile. She also talked about Pais grapes and their usefulness in natural wine production. Much of the activity of natural wines occur in the Itata and Colchagua valleys. She spoke on details of all five wineries, plus of course she talked on tasting all the five wines with a palate. Discussions ensued on marketing, agents and prices.
The Wines:

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Probulk Wine Buena Vida de Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Leyda and Colchagua, with bought natural grapes.
-Vina Antiyal Kuyen 2019 Maipo, berries blue and black (syrah, cab sauv, carmenere, petit verdot), about $50 CDN.

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Co-op Marga Marga La Zaranda Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ~$40 CDN
-Villalobos Silvestre Carignan Colchagua 2019  $28 CDN
-Wildmakers Sabatico Maule 2018 Garnacha - Cariñena $20 USD


The Food: we had a board with charcuterie (salumi. mortadella), cheese (pecorino, gruyere), empanadas (chicken, beef, veggie), Taralli Pugliese, and some really good bread.
The Downside: we only had five wines. I think we needed more, say 8 in all, in order to make comparisons and evaluate different vintages of the same wine to indicate aging possibilities or changes in palate, different winemakers, and stages in "naturalness" viniculture.
The Upside: well, despite the above, it was a good exercise in learning about the character of Chilean natural wines.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.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

REPORT ON TASTING OF WINES FROM CHATEAU D'AIGUEVILLE COTES DU RHONE AND HENRI DE VILLAMONT BEAUNE BURGUNDY

REPORT ON TASTING OF WINES FROM CHATEAU D'AIGUEVILLE COTES DU RHONE AND HENRI DE VILLAMONT BEAUNE BURGUNDY
The Date and Time: July 27, 12:30 - 3PM
The Event: Chateau d'Aigueville and Henri de Villamont wine tasting.
The Venue: National Club
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: the wines will mostly be available at LCBO/Vintages over the next little while, before Christmas in most cases.
The Quote/Background: Domain Henri de Villamont (Savigny-les-Beaune) is one of the oldest producers in the region, with ten hectares in the Cote de Beaune (Savigny) and Cote de Nuits (Chambolle-Musigny). A wide range of appellations are matured in 4,000 barrels in their cellars. We sampled six different wines. From the organic certified Chateau d'Aigueville in the Southern Rhone (soon to be biodynamic with the 2023 harvest), we sampled six more wines. Both wineries are owned by the Schenk family wine merchants of Switzerland (in all, Schenk harvests 3500 hectares of vineyards world-wide).
The Wines: Prices are estimated retail...

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau d'Aigueville Vin de France La Source Blanc 2021 (mostly clairette)
-Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Chardonnay Prestige 2021 ($24)
-Henri de Villamont Macon-Villages 2018 ($29)
-Henri de Villamont Pouilly-Fuisse Grumes d'Or 2020 ($53)
-Henri de Villamont Santenay Les Champs-Claude 2017  ($43)
-Henri de Villamont Savigny-Les-Beaune Le Village 2019  ($59)
-Chateau d'Aigueville Cotes du Rhone Massif d'Uchaux 2020


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Pinot Noir Prestige 2021  ($24)
-Chateau d'Aigueville Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2021
-Chateau d'Aigueville Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2022
-Chateau d'Aigueville Cotes du Rhone Villages 2019
-Chateau d'Aigueville Vin de France La Rosee Rouge 2022 (all syrah)

The Food: iced heritage tomato caprese salad, followed by a large chicken supreme with veggies, and with fresh berries and ice cream for dessert.
The Downside: I had to leave early due to a prior engagement.
The Upside: it was hot outside but nicely chilled inside.
The Contact Person: Tom Noitsis-- sales@eurovintage.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91

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: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 21, 2023 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 21, 2023 release.

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  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor 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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.

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).

MAJOR THEME:    PREMIUM CALIFORNIA/GIFTING

Wines Under $20
=========

W+232694    SANTA JULIA ORGANIC TORRONTÉS    2022    Mendoza, Argentina    $14.95     MVC/QPR: 90.
W+30556    JUNIPER CROSSING ORIGINAL WHITE     2021    Margaret River, Western Australia        $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+11679    FOGOLAR CHARDONNAY 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+434472    ORGANIZED CRIME THE MISCHIEF    2021    VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
W+485334    KEW VINEYARDS MARSANNE    2020 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment        $19.95    MVC/QPR: 93
W+289553    UMANI RONCHI VELLODORO PECORINO 2022 Abruzzo    IGT Terre di Chieti        $17.95    MVC/QPR: 91.
W+31189    FIUZA VERDELHO    2019    Portugal  Tejo    Estate bottled    $11.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
W+646067    AVELEDA LOUREIRO    2021    Douro    Vegan, DOC Vinho Verde    $14.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
W+232439    CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY    2021Washington    Columbia Valley        $19.95    MVC/QPR: 90.
W+13338    RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC    2022    South Africa    Vegan, WO Stellenbosch    $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+224592    CHÂTEAU LE GRAND RETOUR PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    2020    $17.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+31976    LAS INVERNADAS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2021    Argentina    DO San Juan        $15.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+618348    NORTON D.O.C. MALBEC    2020    Argentina    Mendoza    Luján de Cuyo, $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+31965    LUIS CORREAS GRAN RESERVA MALBEC    2017    Estate bottled, Mendoza    $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+31694    LA ROSELIÈRE CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES LAUDUN    2020    $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+34070    SZÁSZI BIRTOK BALATON-FELVIDÉKI CABERNET FRANC 2019    Hungary        $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+551473    DRUMHELLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 Washington    Columbia Valley        $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+388645    ORESTIADI LUDOVICO RISERVA    2017    Sicily    IGT Rosso Terre Siciliane        $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+32534    PIETRAME EDIZIONE LIMITATA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO    2020     Abruzzo    DOP    Cantina Tollo    $17.95    MVC/QPR: 90.
R+25257    GUARDA RIOS RED    2020    Portugal     Alentejo    Vinho Regional Alentejano    Monte da Ravasqueira $12.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+574780    DEMUERTE    2020    Spain     Yecla    Vegan, DO $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
R+26329    CIMAL TEMPRANILLO    2019 DO La Mancha    Bodegas Bastida    $14.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+13633    OGV OLD GARNACHA VINES    2019    Spain     Calatayud    DO Calatayud    Virgen de la Sierra    $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.

Wines Over $20
=========

R+32536    TEZZA VALPANTENA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA    2016 Veneto    DOCG    $48.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+427500    WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR  2019    VQA Niagara Escarpment  $31.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+118695    CROSSBARN NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2019  Napa Valley    Paul Hobbs Winery     $84.95    MVC/QPR: 92.
R+21861    MARCHESI DI BAROLO TRADIZIONE BAROLO AND BARBARESCO    2018    Two bottles in wooden gift box, DOCG, Piedmont    1500ml  $124.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+187369    REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    2020    In wooden gift box, DOC, Veneto    1500ml $99.95 MVC/QPR: 89.    
R+384578    REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA AND VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO    2020    Two bottles in wooden gift box, Veneto  1500ml    $84.95     MVC/QPR: 89.
R+668707    MORANDE GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020        Sustainable, single vineyard, DO Valle del Maipo    $21.95    MVC/QPR: 90.
R+155408    MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO 2019    Piedmont DOCG $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+213132    LA PIEVE BAROLO    2019    Piedmont DOCG  $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+216309    CAVALIERE D'ORO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    2018 Tuscany    DOCG    Castello di Gabbiano    $24.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+14999    TENUTE FALEZZA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE    2019    Veneto    DOC        $22.95    MVC/QPR: 89.
R+903237    GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN ZINFANDEL    2018    Napa Valley $58.95    MVC/QPR: 91.
R+71407    GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2018 Napa Valley        $109.95
R+119081    PAUL HOBBS RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2020    Sonoma County        $95.95    MVC/QPR: 91.


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday November 5:

Fizz+213983  Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA Trad Method, now $29.95, save $3
Fizz+395384  Luc Belaire Rare Rose Sparkling France, now $37.95, save $3
W+31667  Alta-Yari Gran Torrontes Mendoza Arg, now $24.95, save $3
W+962886  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, now $32.95, save $3
R+352583  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, now $49.95, save $5
R+177295  Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte Puglia, now $23.95, save $3
R+652883  Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $54.95, save $5
R+954834  Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, now $26.95, save $3
R+353201  Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, now $49.95, save $3
R+303800  Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
R+225086  Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cab Sauvignon Emilia-Romagna, now $24.95, save $5
Fizz Splureg+25903 Gosset Grande Reserve Brut Champagne, now $76.80, save $9

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---

REPORT ON THE VINI VALPOLICELLA RETURNS trade tasting, June 2023...
The Date and Time:  Thursday  June 15, 2023  1PM to 4PM
The Event: Vini Valpolicella Returns
The Venue: Chelsea Hotel
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: as a small show, it was economical to produce a paper catalogue for 14 wineries and 70 wines.
The Quote/Background: Just about every producer here had three levels: superiore and/or classico; ripasso; and amarone and/or recioto. In the region there are 2251 grape growers, six co-ops, and 344 bottlers. 73.6 million bottles happened in 2021 (61% exported), with a quarter of them being Amarone and another half being Ripasso.
The Wines: I did not try every wine. I concentrated on Amarone and some Ripassos. I was feeling palate fatigue towards the end because many of these wines were very similar in their approaches.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cantine di Verona Valpolicella DOC Superiore 2015 Brolo dei Giusti 14.5%ABV Majestic
-Cantine di Verona Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Valpantena 2019 Ritocco 13.5%ABV Majestic
-Casalforte Valpolicella Ripasso DOC 2020 13.5%ABV Azureau
-Corte Figaretto Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena 2018 Brolo del Figaretto 16.5%ABV Colio Estate
-Corte Forte Amarone della Valpolicella DOPCG Classico 2016 Terre de San Zeno 15.5%ABV
-Costa Arente Amarone della Valpolicella DICG Valpantena 2017 17%ABV $107 consignment Independent Wine Company Wines
-Ilatium Morini Valpolicella DOC Superiore 2017 Prognai 15%ABV
-Ilatium Morini Amarone della Valpolicella 2018 DOCG Leon 16.5%ABV
-Massimago Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018 Conte Gastone 16%ABV  The Living Vine
-Rocca Sveva Cadis 1898 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva 2016 Rocca Sveva 15%ABV
-Sartori di Verona Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019 15%ABV Univins
-Sartori di Verona Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva 2015 15.5%ABV $69.95 LCBO

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cantine di Verona Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore 2018 Torre del Falasco 14%ABV
-Casalforte Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019 15%ABV   $39.95 Azureau
-Monte Zovo Famiglia Cottini Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2020 Villa Annaberta 15%ABV  $40  Dionysus
-Rocca Sveva Cadis 1898 Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Superiore 2017 Rocca Sveva 14%ABV
-Rocca Sveva Cadis 1898 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019 Cantina di Illasi 14.5%ABV
-Tinazzi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018 La Bastia Ca' de' Rocchi 15%ABV Vinoluna
-Valentina Cubi Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore 2018 Arusnatico 14%ABV
-Valentina Cubi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013 Morar 16%ABV

The Food: cheese and biscuits, strawberries.
The Downside: it was a small room, and got crowded really fast.
The Upside: a chance to taste a range of Valpolicella in its different formats.
The Contact Person: judith@townhallbrands.com; lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

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 16th ANNUAL TASTIN' FRANCE trade show, July 2023...

REPORT ON THE 16th ANNUAL TASTIN' FRANCE trade show, July 10, 2023...
The Date and Time: Monday July 10, 2023   11A - 4PM
The Event: Tastin' France: a B2B event with French wine producers seeking representation in Ontario, Quebec, and other provinces.
The Venue: Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, One Blue Jays Way
The Target Audience: wine professionals, buyers, LCBO, some media, etc.
The Availability/Catalogue: Ten producers showed their wines in Toronto, with a total of some 80 samples. The catalogue had a full listing of the products, including grapes and percentages. As well, there were names and addresses for each company, production numbers, and a good description of each winery.
The Quote/Background: This was the 16th annual trade tasting roadshow in three cities: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. Previous Toronto hotel sites have included the Park Plaza Hyatt and the Hotel Ochoa.
The Wines: I did not taste every wine.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Champagne Esterlin Blanc de Blancs Brut Eclat Champagne
-Champagne Esterlin Cleo Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 2010  [my fave of the day]
-Champagne Esterlin Brut Nature Champagne 2009
-Champagne Esterlin Brut Eclat Champagne
-Be Bio Chardonnay 2022 IGP Pays d'Oc
-Domaine des Pierettes Eros Rose 2022 [gamay, chenin] Loire
-Cave de Ribeauville Cremant Brut Alsace NV [auxerrois, pinot blanc]
-Cave de Ribeauville Pinot Gris Collection 2022 Alsace
-Cave de Ribeauville Gewurztraminer Collection 2021 Alsace
-Claude Leblanc Pouilly-Fuisse 2020
-Claude Leblanc Pouilly-Fuisse 1er cru 2020
-Claude Leblanc Rully 1er cru blanc Les Marissous 2021
-Claude Leblanc Hautes-Cotes-de-Nuits 2020
-Claude Leblanc Santenay 2020
-Claude Leblanc Nuits-Saint-Georges 2019
-Hesiode Pierre Bourree et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Village 2018
-Hesiode Pierre Bourree et Fils Nuit-Saint-Georges Village 2020
-Hesiode Pierre Bourree et Fils Pernand-Vergelesses Village 2018
-Fonoya Delta L'Homme Chardonnay 2022 IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert
-Le Cellier du Pic French Toast Rose 2022 IGP Pays d'Oc
-Be Bio Grenache Rose 2022 IGP Pays d'Oc
-Domaine du Vistre Mas du Vistre Blanc IGT Gard
-Vignobles Vellas Naughty Angel Viognier 2022 Languedoc
-Vignobles Vellas Les Silex Fumes Blanc 2022 IGP Saint Guilhem Le Desert
-Chateau Les Vergnes Blanc 2022 Bordeaux

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Champagne Esterlin Ex Solera Champagne NV
-Champagne Esterlin Pur Meunier Champagne NV
-Domaine des Pierettes Sen'S Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Touraine  [organic]
-Vignoble Demois L'ane Blanc 2020 Chinon
-Vignoble Demois L'ane Rose 2020 Chinon
-Cave de Ribeauville Riesling Collection Alsace 2020
-Claude Leblanc Saint-Veran 2022
-Hesiode Le Bois Braud Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie 2021 Loire
-Hesiode Laudacious Brut Nature NV Montlouis-sur-Loire
-Hesiode Pierre Bourree et Fils Auxey-Duresses Village 2016
-Domaine de Mayal Oplezir Rose 2022 Luberon
-Domaine de Mayal Cuvee Classique Blanc 2022 Luberon
-Domaine du Vistre Mas du Vistre Rose IGT Gard
-Vignobles Vellas Chai d'Oeuvre Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Languedoc
-Vignobles Vellas Mrs. Seafood 2021 Languedoc
-Vignobles Vellas Poison Rose 2022 Languedoc
-Vignobles Vellas Naturellement Pur Orange Wine 2021 Languedoc
-Chateau Les Vergnes Rose 2022 Bordeaux
-Univitis Grand Theatre Blanc 2022 Bordeaux
-Univitis Grand Theatre Rose 2022 Bordeaux

The Food: we were given disposable "Bento" boxes of charcuterie, fromages, grapes, nuts, and crackers. Plus unlimited coffee and tea.
The Downside: the Marriott was a bit awkward to get to via TTC since it had a separate entrance to the Rogers Centre. Also, inside there was an enormous walk to the extra-spacious and extra-high ballroom where the tasting was held. I felt a lot like Alice.
The Upside: a great opportunity to taste some fabulous wines from France that are not currently being listed at the LCBO.
The Contact Person: romane.champion.int@businessfrance.fr; rodolphe.desobry@businessfrance.fr
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

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

Virus-free.www.avg.com

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these  are good value...now on sale  through Sunday November 5:

Fizz+213983  Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA Trad Method, now $29.95, save $3
Fizz+395384  Luc Belaire Rare Rose Sparkling France, now $37.95, save $3
W+31667  Alta-Yari Gran Torrontes Mendoza Arg, now $24.95, save $3
W+962886  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, now $32.95, save $3
R+352583  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, now $49.95, save $5
R+177295  Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte Puglia, now $23.95, save $3
R+652883  Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $54.95, save $5
R+954834  Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, now $26.95, save $3
R+353201  Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, now $49.95, save $3
R+303800  Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
R+225086  Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cab Sauvignon Emilia-Romagna, now $24.95, save $5
Fizz Splurge+25903 Gosset Grande Reserve Brut Champagne, now $76.80, save $9

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

SPIRITUALITY and BITTERS NOTES

SPIRITUALITY and  BITTERS NOTES

Armagnac--

Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge 2004 700 mL. +11426 Vintages October 21, 2023 $118: comes in a red wood gift box for the Christmas holidays. There are about 181 producers of Armagnac in Gascony, and many make single vintage bottlings unlike in Cognac. Hence, there are many bottles of older Armagnac brandies (10, 15, 20, 30 year olds) that sell everywhere in the world -- but in small lots. Montal's 2004 was aged a minimum of 19 years in oak. Armagnac sells well in Quebec – they recognize a bargain.
2004 is a blend of colombard, folle blanche, baco, and ugni blanc in a continuous distillation. Extremely aromatic with overtones of roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits (such as apricots), and oak character. Exceptionally smooth on the mid-palate and great soft length on the finish. 40% ABV. Watch for it in in the LCBO's Holiday release Oct 21 or Nov 4. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.



Originally, I was going to call this review "Better Notes", but then I thought that was too coy. Bitters are better than they've ever been since they do a nice job of breaking down fried and breaded fats, oil and grease in the old tum-tum. Too many people today eat fried foods (I shudder to think what their digestive system will look like in 50 years), and that includes even some Japanese sushi. More sushi joints are adding tempura for extra crunch and filler, and as a way to keep costs down.

Zwack Unicum Bitters (500mL, +364851, $34) has come from Hungary (mostly) since 1790, with some production in other European countries. In 1992 it became a company limited by shares, and now has some involvement with other spirits such as Smirnoff vodka, Cinzano, Baileys, and Schlumberger TM sparkling wine.  At 40% ABV it has not changed over the years. It's full of great herb extracts, water, alcohol, and some sugar to ameliorate the finish. Over 40 different herbs and spices are infused and distilled, and then aged for 6 months in oak. It's widely used as a hot toddy. This digestive liqueur allows for indulgence and spicy conditions. It can even be used as an amaro for aperitifs or as a mixer.

Underberg Bitters (3 x 20mL in a box, +214809, $8.25) calls itself a "Natural Herbal Digestive"; it's been made in Germany since 1846. In 1949 the company began producing only the small 20mL bottles as a single-shot pacifist for digestive ails. Unlike other bitters and amari, Underberg has no added sugar, but finishes with the texture of palate sweetness from natural fructose. We know that it is gluten-free, and that licorice is one of the principal extracted herbs, and that the herbs come from 43 different countries. 44% ABV but easy to swallow.

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: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 7, 2023 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for OCTOBER 7, 2023 release.

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  https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor 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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.

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).

MAJOR THEME:  CLASSIC EURO WINES

Wines Under $20
=========
Fizz+422683    TOMMASI FILODORA BRUT PROSECCO $19.95    MVC/QPR: 89
Fizz+515254    VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT ORGANIC CAVA Penedès Traditional method, DO, Spain $15.95    MVC/QPR: 89    
W+89011    FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC    2022 Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula    $17.95     MVC/QPR: 91
W+32024    COLIO RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2020    Graveyard Vineyard, VQA Niagara Lakeshore    $19.95     MVC/QPR: 92
W+35299    VIENI RIESLING    2021    VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula    $17.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+34258    MASTRONARDI MERLOT CABERNET    2021 VQA Ontario $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89
R+186114    JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ/CABERNET    2021    Single vineyard, Padthaway, South Australia    $17.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+906073    FAMILLE PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS    2020    Rhone $32.95        MVC/QPR: 89
R+143099    MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION    2020    Rhône    Costières de Nîmes    $17.95    MVC/QPR: 90
R+561290    LOUIS BERNARD LOUIS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    2020     Rhône    $16.95     MVC/QPR: 89
R+460170    SANTA RITA MEDALLA REAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    2021    Chile     Maipo Valley    $18.95    MVC/QPR: 89

Wines Over $20
=========
W+ 369850    KIM CRAWFORD PINOT GRIS    2021    New Zealand Marlborough, South Island    $21.95     MVC/QPR: 89
W+415901    CAVE SPRING SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING    2017    Estate grown, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula  $24.95     MVC/QPR: 90
W+20455    LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY    2020    VQA Niagara Peninsula    $29.95    MVC/QPR: 91
R+265074    CLOSSON CHASE CHURCHSIDE PINOT NOIR    2021    Vegan, unfiltered, VQA Prince Edward County $45.00    MVC/QPR: 89
R+33994    BACHELDER WISMER-FOXCROFT 33% WHOLE CLUSTER CRU GAMAY NOIR    2020 Single vineyard, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    $29.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+361246    AUNTSFIELD SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021    New Zealand    Marlborough    Southern Valleys, South Island $34.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+33922    PRÉLUDE À GRAND-PUY DUCASSE    2015 Second wine of Ch. Grand-Puy Ducasse, AC Pauillac    $59.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+33009    GASSIER FLEUR DE SYRAH  2021 Rhône Costières de Nîmes    $22.95    MVC/QPR: 89
R+32533    DONNA FUGATA DEA VULCANO 2020    Sicily    DOC Etna Rosso    $29.95     MVC/QPR: 89
R+503904    CHÂTEAU CLARKE 2016    Listrac-Médoc  $54.95 MVC/QPR: 92
R+117960    CREEKSIDE LAURA'S RED 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula $25    MVC/QPR: 89
R+937128    FORIS ROGUE VALLEY PINOT NOIR    2021    Oregon Estate grown     $26.95    MVC/QPR: 89

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended  Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers  selections...these  are good value...on sale  through Sunday October 8...

W+250699 Banfi Principessa Gavia Gavi Piedmont, now $19.95, save $3.
W+326728 Oyster Bay Chardonnay Marlborough NZ, now $18.95, save $3
W+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling Beamsville VQA, now $18.95, save $3
R+167189 Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz, now $20.95, save $3
R+63891 Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend Colchagua Chile,  now $31.95, save $3
R+322586  Montes Alpha  Cabernet Sauvignon  Colchagua Chile,  now $19.95, save $3
R+590414 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough NZ,  now $19.95, save $3

Note: The following LTOs are on sale from Oct 9 through Nov 5:

Fizz+213983  Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA Trad Method, now $29.95, save $3
Fizz+395384  Luc Belaire Rare Rose Sparkling France, now $37.95, save $3
W+31667  Alta-Yari Gran Torrontes Mendoza Arg, now $24.95, save $3
W+962886  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, now $32.95, save $3
R+352583  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, now $49.95, save $5
R+177295  Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte Puglia, now $23.95, save $3
R+652883  Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $54.95, save $5
R+954834  Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, now $26.95, save $3
R+353201  Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, now $49.95, save $3
R+303800  Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
R+225086  Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cab Sauvignon Emilia-Romagna, now $24.95, save $5

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---

REPORT ON THE 2023 NORTHWEST WINE EXPEDITION trade tasting [OREGON & WASHINGTON STATE]

The Date and Time: Monday June 12 Noon-4P
The Event: 2023 Northwest Wine Expedition Trade Tasting: Oregon and Washington
The Venue: The Globe and Mail Centre, 17th floor
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: paperless through BottleBooks, which listed very few prices beyond a range from "$$ to $$$$$"
The Quote/Background:
The Wines:  I tasted mainly Chardonnays and a few other interesting white, rose and sparkling wines.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-A to Z Wineworks Bubbles NV
-Adelsheim Chardonnay 2020
-Adelsheim Chardonnay Staking Claim 2019
-Angela Vineyards Chardonnay Willamette 2019
-Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Horse Heaven Hills 2021
-Citation Oregon Chardonnay 2015
-Cristom Vineyards Eola Amity Hills Chardonnay 2021  $59
-Milbrandt Estates Chardonnay 2019
-Milbrandt Family Chardonnay 2020
-Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvee Brut Sparkling 2020
-Traveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs Brut Zero Dosage NV
-Traveri Cellars Blanc de Noir Brut NV
-Troon Vineyard Biodynamic White Blend Kubli Beach Applegate Valley Oregon 2021 [marsanne, roussanne, vermentino]
-Valdemar Estates Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2021 $65
-Valley View Winery Domaine Rogue "Quercia" Chardonnay Applegate Valley 2021


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-A to Z Wineworks Chardonnay Oregon 2021
-Airfield Estates Chardonnay 2021
-Brittan Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
-Centerstone Willamette Valley Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2018
-Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay 2021
-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Arthur Chardonnay 2021
-Erath Winery Oregon Pinot Noir Rose 2021
-Evolution White 2021
-Evolution Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2021
-Foris Vineyards Chardonnay 2021
-L'Ecole No 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines Yakima Valley 2022
-Pike Road Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2021
-Pomum Cellars Idilico Albarino 2022
-Rex Hill Seven Soils Chardonnay 2019
-Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2021
-Traveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs NV
-Traveri Cellars Rose NV
-Valley View Winery Viognier 2019

The Food: there were enormous cheeseboards from the Cheese Boutique with an assortment of salumni and cold cuts, pre-cut cheeses (including a dynamite truffle cheese), strawberries, blackberries, veggie platters (crudites and cooked/pickled/grilled).
The Downside: the media room was only available for a few people.
The Upside: a good selection of wines and producers, interesting conversations.
The Contact Person: kelly@predhomme.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 85

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

The following LTOs are on sale from Mon Oct 9 through Sun Nov 5

The following LTOs are on sale from Oct 9 through Nov 5:

Fizz+213983  Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling VQA Trad Method, now $29.95, save $3
Fizz+395384  Luc Belaire Rare Rose Sparkling France, now $37.95, save $3
W+31667  Alta-Yari Gran Torrontes Mendoza Arg, now $24.95, save $3
W+962886  La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, now $32.95, save $3
R+352583  Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, now $49.95, save $5
R+177295  Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte Puglia, now $23.95, save $3
R+652883  Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $54.95, save $5
R+954834  Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, now $26.95, save $3
R+353201  Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, now $49.95, save $3
R+303800  Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
R+225086  Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cab Sauvignon Emilia-Romagna, now $24.95, save $5

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