AN ADDED VALUE FOR MY SUBSCRIBERS – Always available at http://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor/trade.txt or the archives at http://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor/ WINE TRADE WINDS DIARY FOR 2022 [published since 2000] -- By Dean Tudor, Gothic Epicures Writing, dtudor@ryerson.ca Creator of Canada's leading wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com This Diary has always been available since 2000 at www.deantudor.com and at http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com REPORT ON RED WINES FROM RIBERA DEL DUERO SPAIN – Spain’s Ribera del Duero is home to the most Spanish iconic wine estates—- Vega Sicilia and Tinto Pesquera. Both have defined the taste and style of Ribera del Duero. This region has more great wines than any other in Spain. -Hermanos Penez Pascuas El Pedrosal Crianza 2016 Ribera del Duero, LCBO +540070 $18.95: a basic entry level wine at a good price for Ribera wines. Actually, it is rare to find Ribera del Duero for under $20 in Canada. This is all tempranillo from 20 year old vines, aged 12 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels. There's a lot of wine packed into this bottle. Although medium-bodied, it is warm and spicy, floral, with toasted ripe fruit and oak tones. Charcuterie and cheese boards work very well here as food pairings. 14.5% ABV, 4 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Legon Premium Vina Vilano 2018 Pedrosa Ribera del Duero, LCBO +270645 $29.95: 100% tempranillo, aged two years in French oak. Vineyards are 90 years old (on average) with some at 100 years plus. Rich nose, “pumpkin pie” spices, cooked plums, berries. Long wooded tannins with some olive complexity and a slightly bitterish finish. Should be great with all manner of roasts. Dryish, dense rich and plush on the mid-palate. 14% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Real Sitio de Ventosilla Pradorey Finca la Mina Reserva 2015, LCBO +995191 $36.95: 95% tempranillo, 3% cabernet sauvignon and 2% merlot, from a single vineyard. 18 months in French oak, six months in Nevers oak vats. Very savoury in tone (the cab and merlot seem to contribute nuances of eucalyptus), yummy fruit which just gets better as it aerates (do a double decant). Classic complex wine for Ribera del Duero at the median price point: black and red baked fruit (cherries, plums, berries) and even some garrigue in its herbs and smokey spices. Finish is smooth and velvety. Tasted over several days. 14.5% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Penafiel Silencio de Miros 2015 Raphael Vineyard Ribera del Duero, LCBO +21214 $86: 100% tempranillo grown at 1000 metres, aged in new French oak barrels. Fruity aromatic compounds are extracted: red currants, plums, forest floor nuances, raisinated grapes, mocha, spices, new oak tones, even a touch of sherry. At the end, everything comes together with a melding of flavours, in an extremely long finish. Tasted over several days. Probably even better after some aging, say a decade more in bottle through 2032. This vintage was rated at 96 points by Decanter in 2018. 14.5% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 94+ points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ======================================================================= RECENT MAJESTIC WINES CONSIGNMENT AND LCBO PICKS – 1.Sensi 1890 Collezione Pinot Grigio dell Venezie 2020 AOC High Volume Consignment - $ 15.95: relatively full-bodied for an Italian style pinot grigio, with the emphasis on “yellow”: yellow colour, yellow fruit, yellow honey. Full of citric zest, good with food beyond the first course – think peaches and lemons and apples, with some serious tones on the mid-palate. Commingling is back, with citric undertones. Flavours of stone fruit but with some yellow pear drops, rich, mid-palate crispness. Clean citric finish with minerality. Food or appetizer. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Rutherford Ranch Morgan Bay Cellars Chardonnay California 2019 High Volume Consignment - $ 17.95: cork disc closure, well-rounded texture meant to appeal to the American taste palate. There were lemons and pear, but also the softness and taste of a creamy caramel augmented by a Meyer lemon off-sweet mandarin quality. But there is also enough finishing acid for a first course. Otherwise, sip away. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Morgan Bay Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon California 2019 High Volume Consignment - $ 17.95: a great wallop of black fruit (black cherries, blackberries) begins the aromatics and dominates right through to the finish in typical Cali-style. The emphasis is on darkness, with plenty of black fruit and butterscotch tones, with some black pepper spices, and a softish finish to a medium body. Very useful as an everyday cab at a great price point. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Albino Armani 1607 Tenuta di Sequals Sauvignon Friuli-Grave 2020 DOC Consignment - $20.95: very intense aromas, fruity from green fruit and herby but with a medium-body and not like Kiwi Savvy. Citric finish, very useful as a first course white wine. Good with asparagus or smoked fish. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Javier Sanz Vmalcorta Verdejo Rueda 2019 Consignment - $33.95: top-rated at a pre-pandemic Rueda wine trade show in Toronto at 91+ points: higher acid food wine, floral and citric, emphasizing the brighter side of aromatic Spanish verdejo. Very well made with an exceptional, lingering finish. Perhaps best with shellfish such as oysters or mussels, clams. White flesh fish would also be appropriate. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91+ points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Amastuola Primitivo Organic Puglia IGP 2019 Consignment - $20.95: this is a preferred choice from among the basic primitivos in Ontario simply because it is made with organic grapes. Expect that dense, over-the-top zinfandel-type flavour of jamminess from plums, cherry-berry fruit, with a cinnamon spicy kick. 14%ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Sensi 1890 Collezione Merlot Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 Consignment - $ 15.95: This shows aromatic herbs on the nose, red fruit (raspberries) and spice, great North American appeal in that merlot is recognizable, modest tannins, balanced on the mid-palate, okay by itself or with food as a first course red. Velvet smooth finish. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Biscardo Neropasso Rosso Veneto IGT 2019 Consignment - $ 19.95: bright red fruit dominate both its texture and its palate, evoking some minerality that cuts through the balanced fruity cherry tones. Some forest floor; some mocha tones. Intense jammy concentration of dark fruit including plums. Grape pressings are added just before spring, to give it the second fermentation oompf. Great as a sipper or with food or both, ready now at almost three years after the vintage. It was done up in stainless steel fermentation to which malolactic fermentation was employed. And then the second fermentation of ripasso began on the unpressed skins of the leftovers. Food or sip. The company's series includes Rosapasso (pinot noir rose apassimento) and Oropasso (white), all trading off on the “-passo” usage. Good price. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.Colli Vicentini Romeo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry LCBO # 21434 - $14.95 (on LTO to March 27 $1 off): this is a cute pairing (see also below), with the regular prosecco as Romeo and the rose prosecco as Juliet from the appropriate Italian region. Off-dry, frizzante style, aperitif or party wine. 100% fruity Glera grapes used, promotes an intense rich floral scent of citric tones and apples. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 10.Colli Vicentini Juliet Prosecco Rose 2020 DOC Extra Dry LCBO # 20979 - $14.95: the rose version has the minimum 85% fruity Glera content to allow for 15% addition of pinot nero (noir), and it is vintage dated. Lovely rose colour after a short maceration period. Here we have floral orchard fruits such as peaches, apples, and some pinot quality raspberry tones. Excellent as an aperitif or first course wine with seafood or fish. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 11.Sensi 1890 Collezione Chianti DOCG 2020 LCBO # 20060 - $12.25: About 70% sangiovese grapes with %30 other varieties as allowed by the DOCG rules; these can be balanced in different vintage years. Aged in steel and on its lees for six months, using the micro-oxygenation technique. No wood. Fresh red cherries (slightly sour), spices, useful as a basic entry level wine at this price. Youthful – reminds me of the fiasco di vino that once was used. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 12.Passion of Chile Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Reserva 2020 LCBO # 20904 - $9.95: opening notes of blueberry, strawberry, caramel. Long finish, great with succulent stew meat dishes. Still needs time to resolve, a hefty thick wine that dominates. Do a decant to open it up. Best for carnivores? You decide. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 13.Cantine Carlo Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Garibaldi DOC LCBO # 16180 - $13.80: just that right touch of carmelized alcohol for a dessert wine full of baked vanilla and figs. Works well with creamy chocolate, eggs zabaglione, shortcakes, ice cream. 18% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Cantina Goccia 3Q Rosso 2018 Umbria IGT $16.95 LCBO +22878: a basic entry level “SuperUmbrian” wine made with unoaked sangiovese, cabernet and merlot grapes. So there is some red and black fruit and some dark chocolate, augmented at 2 g/L residual sugar. It is available only in a recycled paperboard bottle; there are instructions on the Frugalpac bottle on how to recycle if you are not bringing it back to The Beer Store for a deposit return. It's a great idea, first launched in Italy in June 2020. And it's a more sustainable form of packaging [packaging and transportation is more than half of the wine carbon footprint]. Frugalpac bottles are 94% recycled paper, and are used (with a separate liner) for wines, spirits and olive oils. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Windrush Estate Hockley Valley Jim Warren Classic Chardonnay 2018 Foxcroft Vineyard VQA Beamsville Bench $65 at winery, only 80 cases made [2019 is $49.95]: these are indeed the latest Jim Warren Classic Chardonnays available for sale. His chardonnays embrace both an opening aromatic nose and a terrific mid-palate taste of what he is known for: rich stone fruit, some tropicality and orchard fruit, a judicious use of oak, ending with a citric minerality for a strong food wine. Bearing in mind what you get from California and Europe that costs much more, this is a great price for value. 3g/L residual sugar. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 94 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2021  +22850  $19.95 Vintages: this is an exceptionally fresh savvy just loaded with citrus peel zest character (think lime, grapefruit, lemon) and that distinctive Kiwi herbal taste base. Just released at Vintages, and perfect for summer patio/deck/bbq/outdoors imbibing. Make sure you get some before they run out! Try as a refreshing sipper or (because of its long finish)  with first course foods. I had mine with an herbal salad of microgreens and piquant leaves, chopped hard boiled eggs, and some squash soup with house made croutons. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. APRIL 22, 2022 1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 +341586 Vintages on May 21 and again on November 19: a summer social sipper or quaffer (and for Thanksgiving too), combining 54% riesling and 18% chardonnay with 15% pinot grigio and 13% gewurztraminer – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller with 1282 cases. Incredibly fresh and fruity tones for summer. 14g/L residual sugar. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long lean-ish finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging, to get that “petrol” character. 2573 cases made. 10.5% ABV. RS 20.7g/L. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 Vintages April 30 and and again on October 8: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrel fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Only 542 cases. 4g/L residual sugar, 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Featherstone Estate Winery Canadian Oak Chardonnay 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 +149302 Vintages October 8: one of my faves. Over the years it has simply gotten better as the grapevines matured. Wild indigenous yeast is used. Good mid-tone oaky component (it is very easy to say it is mid-way between French and US oak) from the use of nearby Canadian oak trees. 10% new oak, 90% 1 to 5 year old. Terrific ripe orchard fruit aromas and palate. Plus vanillin and cream after the mid-palate leading to citric food- friendly finish. Needs more time for balancing, but then at that moment it will be awesome. 14% ABV. 1.69g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Featherstone Estate Winery Pinot Grigio 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +20599 Vintages August 13: this is a highly competitive category, but Featherstone goes up very well against the other PGs in Ontario, especially with its slight yellow colour. It's colour and even its taste can slot it into the rose category, or even the “orange” wine area. Typical nuances include off-dry orchard fruit (peach, pear, apple) with some aromatic melon-ish overtones. It is refreshing on the mid-palate, finishing with slightly bitter citric notes. That makes it both a sipper and a food wine, suitable as a pre-prandial in the summer. There is some Ontario cranberry tartness and some melon sweetness, but also with some peach notes. Stainless steel all the way, with half being pressed immediately and half left to soak on skins before pressing. 10g/L residual sugar. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +117861 Vintages May 21 and again on September 10: over the years, this rose has had different and varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, and cabernet franc. This latest vintage (2021) has cabernet sauvignon 33.3%, gamay noir 60%, and pinot noir 6.7%. It's extremely useful for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the snow dropped in High Park North a few days before Earth Day). Expect plenty of red fruit tones in its deliciousness. Great price. 1662 cases. 7g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. All US oak was used – 25% new, balance into 1 to 4 year old barrels. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of cherry-berries and plums, leafy qualities. Black pepper. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving acid balances. Vegan. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week). 2106 cases. 2.59g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Featherstone Estate Winery Red Tail Merlot 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +131540 Vintages April 30 and again on Nov 5: Merlot is still recovering from its dissing by Pinot Noir in the movie “Sideways”. But a lot of wineries are still making it. David Johnson the winemaker has here produced a delightfully fruity but dryish (RS 2g/L) drop that is also affordable. Aged 10 months in French oak, 100% malolactic fermentation. Expect black fruit cherry-berry complexity, headed by cassis. Both a patio sipper and a food wine, and ready now for current drinking and accompanying any kind of comfort food. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. APRIL 27, 2022 – 1.Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d’Andree 2021 Estate Grown VQA NOTL, $18.95 +333260 at winery, online, and LCBO: this fresh and vibrant rose (named after Madame Andree Bosc) continues to please year over year as I have said before. It is still 100% pinot noir, dry “old style” as in Europe, but loaded with Ontario cranberry, red fruit strawberry, and some discreet black cherry tones from the hot summer, coming in at 12.2% ABV. Stainless steel fermentation of course, and twist top. Refreshing. A previous Ontario Wine Awards Gold Winner in 2016. 4.2g/L residual sugar. Vegan friendly: no animal products used in filtering. 675 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St.David's Bench, +332858, $44.95 at winery and online: Quite a powerful wine, lots of stylish Burgundian forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the red berry fruit. It was last produced in 2016. Needs some time, maybe three more years. 13.5% ABV. It will also show better with food such as Asian salmon preps or veal or lamb. Cork closure. Residual sugar is 1.2g/L. 1200 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay 2020 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St David's Bench, +287268, $34.95 (online and winery): one of several chardonnays at different price points from Chateau des Charmes. My last vintage tasted was the 2016. Barrel fermented and barrel aged in French oak for almost a year, with lees stirring. 30-year old vines. Expect soft balance with nuances of minerality and some muted tropicality, served up with orchard fruit and melons. Cork closure. Long finish. One of my fave chards, but do not serve overchilled. 474 cases. 0.4g/L residual sugar. 12.2% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.KACABA IRRESISTIBLE SPARKLING 2019, $30.15 winery and online: [also known as Joanne's Blend, formulated for Joanne Kacaba herself] an amazingly “irresistible” sparkling rose with fresh aromas of strawberries and summer peaches. The blend is 66% chardonnay, 20% pinot noir, and 14% pinot meunier, fermented separately and blended in stainless steel for 22 months. Then it was transferred to a Charmat tank for two months, aging on its lees. A great aperitif for the patio/deck/balcony/terrace/boat, or paired with light cheeses (especially a baked brie). Off-dry complexity. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 +26424 Vintages May 21, $30.15 also at winery and online: this is a blend of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon (27% each) with syrah (46%), the latter being the oldest planting in Ontario. At one time it was a blend of cabernet/merlot/syrah, but this changes every year depending on the grapes available and the harvest conditions. Matured in French and American oak barrels for 13 months or so. You'll get a whiff of anise and red fruit, and with the franc it is a bit savoury. Definitely a red meat wine. What I usually do is make a double-decant, taste, and then leave it in a re-sealed bottle for a week or so, with daily tastings. The wine itself will be at its peak in a few more years. 5.4 g/L residual sugar. 12.8% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Down to here for June 18 release. Varvaglione 12E MEZZO Primitivo del Salento 2020 IGT Puglia, $14.95 +395053: This full-bodied red has a dried herbal character, and also shows its warm ripe fruit (plums, cherries) and spicy mocha vanilla tones from three months in US oak barriques. It is very smooth in that over-the-top California zinfandel manner, very BBQ friendly. Sip or drink with red-based food such as pasta and pizza, or anything BBQ. Very affordable price. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 1.The Date and Time: Monday April 25, 2022 11AM – 1PM session The Event: Taste Ontario! Toronto Trade and Media Tasting 2022 The Venue: Park Hyatt Toronto The Target Audience: wine media, agents, sommeliers, opinion makers. The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are at the winery, some are at the LCBO. Full details were included in the catalogue. The Quote/Background: There was a Media Tasting Room up on the 17th floor where writers could relax and sample wines at their leisure. The Wines: all prices are retail. I tasted only these wines out of the 300 or so available. LCBO numbers where available. **** BEST -- Four Stars (90+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -13th Street Winery Cuvée Rosé Niagara Peninsula NV 12.5% 147504 $29.95 -180 Estate Winery Gamay Rosé Sparkling Creek Shores 2021 11% $30.20 -180 Estate Winery Gamay Noir Reserve Creek Shores 2019 13% $46.20 -Bachelder Les Villages Chardonnay 'Bench' Niagara Escarpment 2020 $34.95 -Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2019 12% +265074 $42.00 -Lighthall Vineyards Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2019 12.5% $36 -Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard County Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2019 12.5% +381715 $49.20 -Rosehall Run Vineyards JCR Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2019 12% $36 -Rosehall Run Ceremony Prince Edward County 2017 12% $36 -Rosehall Run Hungry Point Sauvignon Blanc Prince Edward County 2020 12.5% $28 -13th Street Winery Blanc de Blanc Niagara Peninsula 2019 12.5% $29.95 -2027 Cellars Fox Croft Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2020 13% $25 -Cave Spring Vineyard Blanc de Blancs CSV Beamsville Bench 2015 12% $49.95 -Cave Spring Vineyard Pinot Gris Estate Beamsville Bench 2020 14% $27.95 -Cave Spring Vineyard Chardonnay CSV Beamsville Bench 2019 14% +529941 $29.95 -Cloudsley Cellars Wingfield Vineyard Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2019 13% $50 -Cloudsley Cellars Foxcroft Vineyard Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2019 13% $50 -Cloudsley Cellars Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench Beamsville Bench VQA 2018 13% $35 -Hidden Bench Estate Winery Bistro Chardonnay Beamsville Bench 2017 13% $16.93 Lic -Meldville Wines Sauvignon Blanc Lincoln Lakeshore 2019 12.5% $20 -Westcott Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Niagara Escarpment 2020 13.5% +424507 $29.99 -Fogolar Hanck Vineyard Riesling 2019 VQA Twenty Mile Bench 12.5% $19.95 -Southbrook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 VQA Four Mile Creek 13% $45 -Chateau des Charmes Wines Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 13% +81653 $14.95 -Chateau des Charmes Wines Rosé, Cuvée d’Andrée Niagara-on-the-Lake 2021 12% +333260 $18.95 -Chateau des Charmes Wines Brut Sparkling Niagara-on-the-Lake NV 12.5% +224766 $25.95 -Drea's Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Niagara Peninsula 2019 12.5% $26.50 -Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve White Meritage Niagara Peninsula 2020 13% +360297 $25.95 -Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2019 13.5% +593996 $20.95 -Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Entourage Brut Niagara Peninsula 2017 13% +234161 $29.95 -Southbrook Winery Estate Skin Fermented White (Orange) Ontario 2020 10.7% +628065 $29.95 -Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2018 12.7% +172338 $24.95 -Cooper's Hawk Vineyards Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Lake Erie North Shore 2020 13% $20.15 -Featherstone Winery Canadian Oak Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2019 12.5% +149302 $22.95 -Featherstone Winery Sauvignon blanc Niagara Peninsula 2021 12% +89011 $17.95 -Icellars Estate Winery Pinot Noir Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 13.5% $30 -Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Meritage Niagara Escarpment 2017 13.6% $33.15 -Lailey Winery Stonebridge Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2019 13.8% $48 -Southbrook Winery Poetica Red Four Mile Creek 2019 14% $70 -Tawse Winery Robyn's Block Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2019 13% $46.95 -Two Sisters Vineyards Eleventh Post Niagara River 2017 14.5% +20935 $45 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Icellars Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc Twenty Mile Bench 2019 13.5% $35 -Cooper's Hawk Vineyards North Block Sparkling Ontario 2016 12.5% $25.15 -Broken Stone Winery Chenin Blanc Prince Edward County 2020 12% $29.95 -Broken Stone Winery County Grown Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2020 12.7% +668269 $26.95 -Broken Stone Winery Gewürztraminer "Applehouse Vineyard" Prince Edward County 2019 11.6% $21.95 -Closson Chase Vineyards Ridge South Clos Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2019 12.5% $42 -Closson Chase Loyalist Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2020 12% $26 -Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay (Cold Creek Vineyard) Prince Edward County 2020 14% $45 -Trail Estate Oh Julius Ontario 2021 10.5% $35 -Traynor Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Niagara Peninsula 2020 13.9% $20 -Colio Estate Wines Lily Sparkling Ontario NV 12% +418657 $17.95 -North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Extra Dry Ontario 2020 12.5% $24.95 -Calamus Estate Winery Barrel Kissed Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2021 13.5% $21.95 -Cloudsley Cellars Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula Niagara Peninsula 2019 13% $25 -Malivoire Melon Beamsville Bench 2021 12% $21.95 -Megalomaniac Wines "Outspoken" Unoaked Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2020 13.5% $18.95 -Rennie Estate Winery Christine Chardonnay Beamsville Bench 2017 13% $40 -Westcott Vineyards Violette Sparkling Brut Niagara Escarpment 2021 12.5% $25.99 -Drea's Wine Co. Rose Niagara Peninsula 2020 12.5% $26.50 -Inniskillin Niagara Estate Winery Montague Vineyard Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2019 13% $25.95 -Lailey Winery Orange Skin Fermented White Niagara River 2021 11.7% $33 -Lakeview Wine Co. Lakeview Barrel Aged Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2017 13% +17633 $22.95 -Two Sisters Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2019 13% $39 The Food: boards of cheeses, charcuterie, dried and fresh fruits, nuts, breads, et al at convenient locations outside the noisy trade hall. The Downside: I had to leave in order to get to my next winetasting, a Portuguese event. The Upside: the Media Room was a relaxing delight where I could evade the noise and contemplate a wine at my own speed. The Contact Person: andrea.peters@wmao.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91. =========================================================== The Date and Time: Thursday, May 5, 2022 11AM to 2PM The Event: Bringing New Zealand to You wine trade show The Venue: Globe and Mail Centre The Target Audience: wine trade, wine media, sommeliers The Availability/Catalogue: paperless – it was all online but downloadable. There were no prices, just price ranges, and no tech sheet links. I downloaded all the chardonnay names, and that formed the basis of my tasting that morning. The Quote/Background: This was a maskless, agent-less, pour-your-own session, so we could go at our own speed and also not have to talk to anybody. A tech sheet was provided for each wine. And every now and then there was an agency tent card with specifics on those wines available at the LCBO, including SKU number. The Wines: I did not taste every wine (there were 105 samples available). **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Kumeu River Wines Estate Chardonnay 2020 Auckland -Kupe Escarpment Wines Chardonnay 2015 Martinborough -Soljans Estate Barrique Reserve Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2019 -Clearview Wines Estate Chardonnay 2018 Hawke's Bay -No.1 Family Estate Cuvee No.1 Methode Traditionale Sparkling Wine NV Wairu Valley [chardonnay] -Johanneshof Cellars Marlborough EMMI Method Traditionale 2009 Wairu Valley [pinot noir, chardonnay] -Greywacke Vineyards Chardonnay 2017 Wairu Valley -Giesen Group Chardonnay “The Fuder Clayvin” 2015 Southern Valleys -Neudorf Vineyards Neudork Rosie's Block Chardonnay 2018 Nelson -Bell Hill Chardonnay North Canterbury 2016 -Quartz Reef Methode Traditionale Brut NV Central Otago -Felton Road Chardonnay Bannockburn 2018 Central Otago -The Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Hawke's Bay -Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Marlborough -Paddy Borthwick Vineyards Pinot Gris 2019 Wairarapa -Hans Herzog Family Estate - Pinot Noir 2016 Wairau Valley $57 -Auntsfeld Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 Marlborough -Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir 2019 Awatere Valley ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -The Landing Chardonnay 2020 Northland -Matawhero Wines 2020 Single Vineyard Chardonnay -Oyster Bay Rose 2021 Marlborough [pinot noir, chardonnay] at LCBO -Fromm Winery Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay 2019 Marlborough -Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2020 Marlborough at LCBO -Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Marlborough -URLAR Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Wairarapa -The Hunting Lodge Seasonal Marlborough Albarino 2019 Marlborough -Dry River Riesling 'Craighall' 2019 Martinborough -Hans Herzog Family Estate - Mistral 2016 Marlborough [Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne] -Nautilus Estate of Marlborough Opawa Pinot Noir 2018 Wairau Valley -Folium Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 Marlborough -Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 Wairau Valley The Food: we had bamboo boats of cheeses (yummy truffle cheese), veggies, fruits, and breads/crackers, and cold cuts. They were worth lugging about. The Downside: some of us had a small discussion on the pour-your-own feature – should we not be wearing gloves to lessen any contact with covid-19? Plastic gloves could have easily been provided or we could have been told to bring our own. Gloves are in the same category as masks: protection. The Upside: a chance to taste in silence The contact person: melissa.stunden@nzwine.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. ======================================================================== The Date and Time: Monday, May 9, 2022 7Pm to 10PM The Event: Wine Dinner and Tasting of Filare Italia The Venue: Posticino, Etobicoke The Target Audience: wine writers The Availability/Catalogue: only one wine is currently available (Ribolla Giallo IGT) but the others may be imported soon. The Quote/Background: The writers had a talk with Marco Tam and Vincenzo Castana who described the “green” technical aspect of wine production in the far NorthEast section of Italy, upper Friuli Venezia Giulia (bordering the Adriatic, Slovenia, Austria and Venice). They own 100 hectares of vineyard plus other properties. They integrate sustainability with bioeconomy and produce digestate, an organic fertilizer resulting from the processing of biogas. This is then distributed in the fields of the vineyards. The Wines: We tasted five wines with dinner (see menu below). **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla IGT Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020, +23098 $14.95, June 18 Vintages release. {very aromatic on the nose with some almonds and walnuts on the palate,and a long finish to accompany food; 12.5% ABV, low residual sugar}. -Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla Brut NV $15.50 n/a {impressive with a phenomenal mid-palate at a decent price: apples, citric minerality, white flowers, fresh and creamy. Best as an aperitif or first course seafood wine. 12% ABV, low residual sugar} ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Filare Italia Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia 2019 $16 n/a {hot nose but a lush mid-palate moving on to elegance and refreshment. 12% ABV, low residual sugar} -Filare Italia Merlot Rive DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020 $16.75 n/a {intense, firm and full with aromatics of berries and a soft finish. 12.5% ABV, low residual sugar} -Filare Italia Cabernet Sauvignon DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020 $16.75 n/a {concentrated garnet colour and a nose suggestive of forest floor and herbs, light but with a good tight structure that will improve and unwind with age. 12% ABV, low residual sugar} The Food: Chef Antonio of Posticino prepared dinner with the appropriate wines. First up was a tomato bruschetta with the Pinot Grigio 2019, a good marriage. This was followed by a salumi selection plate of two slices each of three kinds of salami, four different cheeses including mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano, two lightly fried tempura shrimp, and olives. All with the impressive “wine of the night” – Filare Italia Ribolla Gialla IGT Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020, +23098, $14.95 in June. Next up was the pasta course: paccheri pork ragu, delightful with the aromatic Merlot Rive 2020. The fourth course had the three ribs of a rack of lamb, swiftly grilled and then plated on a bed of polenta, accompanied by the Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. The Downside: not everybody arrived on time. The Upside: kudos to Chef Antonio for his patience and food matching excellence!! The Contact Person: Sandy Garofalo at spg@caliberwines.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91. ====================================================================== The Date and Time: Monday May 16, 2022 11:30AM to 2:30PM The Event: Taste the Essence – Cotes du Rhone The Venue: 1 Kitchen (inside 1 Hotel) The Target Audience: wine sommeliers, wine press. The Availability/Catalogue: there were 8 wines, and we had full notes and some prices, plus other material about the Cotes du Rhone wines. 25 of us attended the seminar on one long table plus some booths. The Quote/Background: Sara d'Amato, via Powerpoint preentation, led us in the seminar, discussing microclimates and types of grapes (23 varieties!). It's a winemaker's paradise with multiple chances to blend varieties together to produce multiple spectra of aromas. 75% of its AOC wines is “Cotes du Rhone” (88% of these are reds, 5% are white and 6% are rose), and more and more of them are moving to SNOB – sustainable, natural, organic and/or biodynamic. The Wines: Some of us tasted the Southern Rhone wines separately, but ultimately it was a food and wine pairing lunch, with pours of 8 wines to try against the foods. See below for the menu. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Lavau La Decelle AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas Blanc 2020, $18.95 SAQ through Connexion Oenophilia. [firm, good finish, apricots, vanilla, honey, even garrigue. 50% viognier, 50% marsanne, 13.5% ABV] -Brotte Bord Elegance AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Blanc 2021, agent in Ontario is Mark Anthony [higher acid levels for dryness apricots, orchard fruit, citric fruits, almonds, 80% grenache blanc, 13.5% ABV] -Maison Gabriel Meffre Laurus AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2017, $21.10 SAQ through Trajectory [low yields, tight tannins, fruity garrigue of rosemary and blueberry, one to lay down more. 60% grenache, 35% syrah, 14% ABV] -Cave de Cairanne Le Chene Noir AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2019, agent is Signature Wines & Spirits.[grenache 50%, carignan 30%, syrah 20%, dark in colour with red fruits in aromas (raspberries, strawberries, red currants), peppery finish. Good character. 14.5% ABV] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Vignerons de l'Enclave Chasses Nurges AOC Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2019, $16.20 at SAQ, repped by Divin Paradis in Quebec. [delicious, aromatic freshness of apricots and vanilla, light finish, 14% ABV] -Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins AOC Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2020, $14.05, agent is Churchill Cellars.[convenient twist top, bright and smooth with some caramelization, anise, vanilla. 13.5% ABV] -Chateau Le Grand Retour AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu Rouge 2019, $17.95 at Nicholas Pearce Wines.[grenache 70%, syrah $20, mourvedre 10%, typical GSM with red stone fruits, dark fruits, anise, spices. 14.5% ABV] -Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe AOC Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2019, agent Woodman WS [syrah 50%, grenache 30%, mourvedre 15%, violet and pepper notes, soft tannins, but a hot finish. 15% ABV] The Food: The menu was very important, to show off the wines, and that it did admirably. We began with the Chasses Nurges as aperitif, moving on to the La Decelle which accompanied charcuterie boards of meats (one smokey, one spicy, one air cured, along with baba ghanoush bites on crisp breads and with tomatoes). The second course had individual fiore pasta from Queen's Pasta with nut free basil pesto. The Bord Elegance was the wine, and it met the flavours of the pasta. We had three wines with our bison striploin (Les Dauphins, Laurus, and the Chateau Le Grand Retour) so it was a better comparison with the wines and accompaniment of truffled rutabaga puree, crispy kale, and broccolini. The fourth course was a platter of cheeses, including the awesome Black truffle Mountainoak Gouda [cow], the Ash Goat, and a smokey Blue Haze. Wines were: Les Cassagnes de la Nerthe and Le Chene Noir. The Downside: I had to do a massive food shopping just before the tasting, but I did get there just as activities began. The Upside: a chance to taste some new-to-me Cotes du Rhone wines, especially the whites. The Contact Person: elina.lam@sopexa.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92 The Date and Time: May 25, 2022 12:30P – 3:30P The Event: New York State of Wine Trade Event The Venue: The Livmore, Gerrard Street West The Target Audience: wine writers, sommeliers, agents The Availability/Catalogue: another online catalogue which I had to print out (I don't mind doing this, but it would make sense for all the trade shows to get together and make a common format so we can template it. Each single download or other accessibility point was different, much like restaurant charge card machines)...In general, the New York data included varieties used and a possible Canadian retail price. The Quote/Background: there was a structured tasting before the walk around tasting, with Jennifer Huether MS, Sara D'amato, and Christopher Bates MS. Bates discussed the evolving wine scene in New York State. We tasted some 12 seminar wines from Long Island and the Finger Lakes. The Wines: I did not try every one of the 40+ wines in the self-pour walk around portion. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Wölffer Estate Vineyard Summer In A Bottle Rosé 2021 Lake Ontario (Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc) CA$37.05 -Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard Riesling Dry 2019 Finger Lakes West Seneca CA$24.53 -Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars T23 Cabernet Franc 2019 Finger Lakes East Seneca CA$25 -Boundary Breaks #239 Dry Riesling 2019 Finger Lakes CA$28.89 -Boundary Breaks Cabernet Franc 2020 Finger Lakes CA$25.21 -Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique 2019 Finger Lakes CA$44.95 -Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Riesling, Nutt Road 2017 Finger Lakes CA$20 -Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard 2019 Finger Lakes CA$41.21 -Heron Hill Winery Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes price not available -Living Roots Wine & Co. Finger Lakes Riesling Pétillant Naturel 2020 CA$29.95 -Element Winery Cabernet Franc 2020 Finger Lakes price not available -Element Winery Riesling 2010 Finger Lakes price not available -Element Winery Riesling 2009 Finger Lakes price not available -Heron Hill Winery Classic Blaufrankisch 2019 Finger Lakes price not available ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Lieb Cellars Estate Sparkling Pinot Blanc 2019 North Fork of Long Island CA$39.95 -Channing Daughters Ramato 2020 Long Island (98% Pinot Grigio, 2% Muscat) CA$44.95 -Hound's Tree Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Long Island North Fork price not available -Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Grüner Veltliner 2019 Finger Lakes CA$31.95 -Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger 2019 Finger Lakes price not available -Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Round Rock Vineyard Riesling 2019 Finger Lakes CA$33 -Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery Caywood East Dry Riesling 2020 Finger Lakes CA$24.99 -RGNY-North Fork Scielo Rose 2020 Long Island (Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc) CA$12 -RGNY - North Fork Scielo NY Tinto 2018 Long Island (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) CA$14.98 -Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Chambourcin The Perfect Rose 2020 Lake Erie CA$15.00 -Lieb Cellars Estate Cabernet Franc 2020 North Fork of Long Island (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Teroldego) CA$39.95 -Red Newt Cellars The Knoll Riesling, Lahoma Vineyards 2017 Finger Lakes CA$50.00 -Red Newt Cellars Cabernet Franc 2019 Finger Lakes CA$25.00 -Brotherhood Winery Pinot Noir 2017 Finger Lakes CA$27.95 -Channing Daughters Tocai Friulano 2020 Long Island (Friulano,Sauvignon Blanc)CA$37.95 The Food: Fresh City Farms provided us with both a box of cheese, charcuterie, pickles, olives, bread, and biscuits, AND a hot dog BBQ with substantial cut green salads with sesame, chick peas, et al. On the terrace, with glorious sunshine. The Downside: I got lost getting to the Livmore – I was unfamiliar with the area after all these years of house sitting. Also, there were no bottles of Chardonnay, just Riesling and a variety of reds. (see above) The Upside: a chance to re-connect with New York wines – it has been some time for me, about five years. The Contact Person: Melissa Stunden melissa@amcc-inc.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88. The Date and Time: Monday May 30, 2022 Noon - 4PM The Event: 2022 Chianti Classico Esperienze The Venue: The Globe and Mail Centre, King Street The Target Audience: wine trade, wine writers, sommeliers. The Availability/Catalogue: as with all the current wine shows in Toronto, there was no print catalogue – it was all virtual for specific data about terroir, history, DOC coverage, production, etc. (facts and figures). Prices were available but from the sgents in attendance. The Quote/Background: There were 35 wineries promoting Chianti Classico at three or so levels (regular, reserve, and gran selezione. Also, there were dedicated tables for Vin Santo DOC (12 of them) plus Olive Oil DOP (14 of them). The tables were arranged by the 11 appellations. The Wines: I did not try every wine, although I did try at least one wine per winery. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza Cavaliere d'Oro San Casciano 2015 -Colli Fiorentini Chianti Classico San Casciano3 Riserva La Verita 2014 -Villa Mangiacane Chianti Classico San Casciano Riserva 2017 -Villa Mangiacane Chianti Classico San Casciano Gran Selezione 2016 -Carpineto Chianti Classico Greve Gran Selezione 2016 -Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Picchio Greve 2018 -Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Gtan Selezione La Prima Greve 2018 -Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sassello Montefioralle 2016 -Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo Panzano 2018 -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2018 $29 Le Sommelier Licensee -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone Panzano 2016 $49 Le Sommelier Licensee -Tenuta Carobbio Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2015 -Arillo in Terrabianca Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio Croce Radda 2019 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Gaiole 2019 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva Gaiole 2017 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva Cultus Gaiole 2017 -Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Millennio Gaiole 2015 -Fèlsina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia Rancia Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Lecci e Brocchi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Chiorba Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Lecci e Brocchi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Celerarium Castelnuovo Berardenga 2015 -San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio Castelnuovo Berardenga 2017 -Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vagliagli 2016 -Dievole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna di Sessina Vagliagli 2016 -Casale dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castellina 2018 -Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo Castellina 2019 -Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ser Lapo Castellina 2018 -Cecchi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Valore di Famiglia Castellina 2016 -Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli Sergioveto Castellina 2016 -Tenuta Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Nerento Castellina 2016 -Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Donato in Poggio 2015 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Isole e Olena Chianti Classico San Donato in Poggio 2019 -Tenuta Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico Riserva Fanatico Castellina 2017 -Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva Sergioveto Castellina 2018 -Lornano Chianti Classico Riserva Le Bandite Castellina 2017 -Lornano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castellina 2015 -Casale dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Riserva Castellina 2018 -Cecchi Chianti Classico Villa Cerna Primocolle Castellina 2017 -Fattoria della Aiola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Cancello Rosso 2017 -Dievole Chianti Classico Riserva Novecento Vagliagli 2018 -Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Misciano Vagliagli 2018 -Tolaini Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Tenuta Casenuove Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2017 -Capannelle Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole 2016 -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Panzano 2019 $22 Le Sommelier Licensee -Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva Lamole 2017 -Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico Riserva Gaiole 2018 -Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Conti Capponi - Villa Calcinaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Bastignano Montefioralle 2016 -Fontodi Chianti Classico Filetta di Lamole Panzano 2019 -Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva Montefioralle 2017 -Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano 2017 -Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva Greve 2017 -Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Riserva San Casciano Clemente VII 2018 -Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Casciano Clemente VII 2016 -Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva d'Oro San Casciano 2016 -Carpineto Chianti Classico Greve Riserva 2017 -Lanciola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Le Masse di Greve 2016 -Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Greve Riserva 2018 -Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Riserva Agostino Petri Greve 2018 -Lanciola Chianti Classico Riserva Le Masse di Greve 2016 The Food: Catering was by the always excellent Ascari – -Crostini neri (chicken liver and fried sage on toast) -Farinata – rosemary and chickpea pancake, whipped ricotta, sundried olives -Funghi pizza slices – cremini mushroom, gorgonzola DOP, garlic, chives -Ribolita – kale and white bean stew on sourdough toast -Coccoli prosciutto & stracchino – cheese-filled fried dough ball covered with cured ham. Plus coffee... The Downside: I had no time to try the vin santo DOCs on offer, nor the olio DOP The Upside: there was a media room with all the bottles, and there were chairs. So it was relatively easy to taste and appraise. The Contact Person: kelly@predhomme.ca or amanda@predhomme.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93 7.KACABA Rebecca Rose VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021+227025 July 16 Vintages, $20.15: a nicely pale-coloured gamay wine (formerly a blend of cabernets), coming in at 11.7% ABV. Dry (3g/L residual sugar) style red fruits: strawbs, red currant, sweet cherries, cranberry (hey, it's Ontario) with a touch of pink watermelon for added complexity. Stainless steel used for storage. Goes with just about everything. A nicely balanced rose which reminded me of Provence. And it gets high scores at the Wine Writer's Circle of Canada rose tastings. 60 cases at the LCBO, more at the winery. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.KACABA Susan's Sauvignon Blanc VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 winery and online at kacaba.com, $20.15: another summer series wine, quaffable in its tropicality and lowered zesty herbaceousness. Good mouthfeel, nice dry finish for appetizers on the patio/deck/balcony/porch. Stainless steel storage. No malolactic fermentation, thus the crispness and freshness has been preserved. It has Good Memories of Sauvignon Blanc, making it another social wine for the patio or with first-course food. 3g/L residual sugar. 10.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. =========================================June 3 Available through Case-Wine.COM --Case-Wine.com is... ... a new online platform connecting Ontario VQA boutique wineries to new customers. They've asked me to review some of the VQA wine bottle products they have listed on their website, and to let people know about the availability of these wines through Case-Wine.com. I earn no money from the reviews listed below. They are not resellers but a platform that provides a service to both the local VQA craft wineries and the customers as an intermediary. This should have great appeal to Ontario residents, especially for those who have ever wanted to buy VQA boutique wines (about 17 wineries are currently listed for Niagara, 2 for Prince Edward County, and Lake Erie North Shore will be listed soon), but cannot or don't feel like travelling to the individual wineries (such as myself, with no car). Here is their URL: https://www.case-wine.com/index 3.Waupoos Estate Winery Riesling 2021 VQA Prince Edward County {$19.95]: with grapes planted in 2015, still young and fresh, somewhat crisp and dry at this point. Light bodied, with a stainless steel ferment. Various aromatics abound from a young riesling on the green side: fresh apples, lime, nuances of lemongrass. Crisp food finish, but also good for those hot summery days as an aperitif for the deck/patio/balcony. Very food-worthy with assorted seafood (shrimp on the barbee?), light but not spicy pork, chicken in different styles. 5 g/L residual sugar, very dry. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore [$17.95]: bone-dry, light aromas of tropicality such as pineapple, some gooseberry, even grassy or herbaceous. Stainless steel fermentation. Grapefruit and other citric tones on the mid-palate. Apples, finishing with lemons. Great with all manner of veggies, especially green ones. 300 cases made. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Konzelmann Estate Winery Gewurztraminer Late Harvest 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula. Very aromatic with some tropical tones of melons and lychees, very much in the fruity Alsatian style of gewurztraminer. Yum. Cool fermentation in stainless steel, with typical concentrated gewurztraminer tones of spices, limes, some roses on the mid-palate. Best as an off-dry aperitif by the deck or porch or pool, or with fragrant cheeses, spicy and/or creamy foods, with a tad of bitter on the finish. Great with Asiatic foods. Twist-off closure. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Strewn Premium Riesling Lively 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula. Here is a basic, all purpose semi-dry Ontario riesling that is lightly acidic with a smooth sweet tone on the mid-palate, and with some zestiness coming off the tongue. It's got all the elements of stone fruit (peaches, apricots, nectarines) plus the “lively” character of the lime-citrus mineral complex. 11.7% ABV. Residual sugar is 11.6 g/L. Probably best with all manner of light and white food such as white-fleshed fish, cooked pork roast, chicken. And, of course, extremely useful as a drink on the deck/patio/balcony/terrace/pool. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Icellars Estate Rose 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula. The current blend contains 9 different unspecified grape varieties from the Niagara Peninsula, which gives the producer much leeway in crafting a final blend. The label says strawberries and burnt sugar, and when I first opened the bottle I was immediately hit with the overpowering aromas of strawberries. Wow. Each of the grape varieties contributes distinctive fruit to the mix. So – depending on the vintage and the grapes available, the blend can change over the years. Very aromatic, emphasizing cherry-berry and orchard fruit layered under a tart bone dry cranberry-ish finish-length. A nice cheese wine from a very hot and dry vintage year. 13.1% ABV. Residual sugar is 5.9g/L. 100 cases made. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --2027 Cellars Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Twenty Mile Bench. [$22] This wine (all Gamay Noir) comes from the Foxcroft Block of the Wismer Vineyard on the Twenty-Mile Bench. It has undergone a cold fermentation to complete dryness, and exhibits the typical red Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with some aromatics of violets, black tea and some earthy rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. 394 cases. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Leaning Post Rose 2021 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake. [$22] A first-time production for Leaning Post, and using all Pinot Noir: an immediately overwhelming sensation of strawberries and raspberries on the nose. Almost made me want to douse myself with this “perfume”. Undertones of orange and lemons. Some sweetness on the mid-palate. Fermentation was begun in stainless steel before 43% of the wine was transferred to concrete for finishing and roundness (emulating the fired-clay vessels of early winemaking). The porous nature of the storage added to the length of the minerality, and also suggested some sour tart cherries on the finish. An excellent wine for socializing. Personally, I loved it. Vegan-friendly. 5.5 g/L residual sugar. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Garden Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore. [$17.95] Amazingly enough, this wine comes with a cork finish – very unusual in a sea of Ontario roses that use twisttops/screwcaps for what is basically a fresh quaffing wine. This suggests that aging is ok and might be a possibility, changing the aromatics to bouquets and promoting change to the wine's structure. I only had one bottle, so I might never know for sure. My first sense on tasting was the presence of some petillance, not enough to affect the nosing but enough to suggest that any light carbonation could actually enhance its ageability potential. The prickliness enhanced the cherry-berry basket of fruit flavours, and provided some refreshing melon tones to my palate. A very good wine for the patio/deck. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Organic 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $25: fruit is from two contracted growers, all barrel fermented in oak (2d and 3rd year barrels). Wild fermentation, wild malolactic fermentation, lees aging one year, all vegan friendly. Very soft and engaging, much like the 2016 in its youth, some toast but a longish length. Showing some orchard fruit (such as pears) on the mid-palate. Burgundian in style with citric zest in the mid-palate, long finish. Best tasted in contemplation, underpriced. Do not overchill. Twist top. Try with creamy cow's milk (Brie, Camembert) or Alpine Gruyere; also, simple roasted chicken. 12.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. King's Court Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $20.95: there are many different fruit profiles for savvies in the world, ranging from the kiwi herbal zestiness to blowsy fruit-forward flavours. This one is a bit more open and approachable, showing some green orchard fruit, some stone fruits, citric tones on the finish, and a crispness that needs food. It is well-within the range of North American sauvignon blanc wines. But do not overchill when you serve it on the patio/deck/terrace. Try with BBQ, creamy pasta, or grilled sandwiches. 12.5% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. REPORT FROM THE NORTHWEST WINE EXPEDITION TRADE SHOW JUNE 6 2022 The Date and Time: Monday June 6 Noon to 4PM The Event: Northwest Wine Expedition Trade Show The Venue: Steam Whistle Brewing, Locomotive Hall, Bremner Blvd The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, agents The Availability/Catalogue: The BottleBooks catalogue of 192 products was online and accessible by mobile. Information was provided on the name of the product, AVA, types of grapes used, suggested pricing, and the like. The Quote/Background: The potential usefulness of BottleBooks was shown by the host information on the event and making connections digitally. The Wines: There were 192 wines (plus or minus, as there were last minute additions and subtractions). Many wineries were seeking representation in Ontario. Few had tech/sales sheets. I only tasted Chardonnays and Sparkling wines. Among the latter, I certainly enjoyed: Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) NV Four Stars 91+ Treveri Cellars Blanc de Noir (Pinot Noir) NV Four Stars 91+ Treveri Cellars Brut Zero (Chardonnay) NV Four Stars 91+ Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvee Sparkling 2019 (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller- Thurgau, Muscat) Three and a half Stars 88 – 90 **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Revana Vineyards Alexana Chardonnay Terroir Series 2020 $46 retail Le Sommelier. -A to Z Wineworks REX HILL Seven Soils Chardonnay 2019 -Adelsheim Vineyard Staking Claim Chardonnay 2018 -Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Chardonnay 2018 -Milbrandt Estates Chardonnay 2018 -Milbrandt Family Chardonnay 2020 -Centerstone Willamette Valley Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2017 -Citation Oregon Chardonnay Cristom Vineyards 2015 -Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2020 -Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay 2018 $26.95 -Foris Vineyards and Winery Chardonnay 2019 $23.95 DB Wine and Spirits -Phelps Creek Lynette Chardonnay 2018 -Sokol Blosser Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2019 -Stoller Family Estate DUNDEE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2020 -The Eyrie Vineyards Chardonnay "The Eyrie" 2018 -Chateau Bianca Wetzel Estate Chardonnay 2019 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -A to Z Wineworks Oregon Chardonnay 2021 -Adelsheim Vineyard 2019 Willamette Valley -Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2020 -J. Bookwalter Readers Chardonnay 2020 (Chardonnay, 24% Viognier) -K Vintners Substance 'Ch' Chardonnay 2020 -Woodward Canyon Washington State Chardonnay 2020 -Division Chardonnay Un 2020 -Phelps Creek Chardonnay Columbia Gorge 2019 -Elk Cove Vineyards Pike Road Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2019 -Westmount Wine Co Westmount Chardonnay 2020 The Food: The Food Dudes provided many samples of hors d'oeuvre, such as reuben sliders, halloumi flatbreads with pears, chimichurri shrimp, tomato toasts with ricotta, prime steak tartare, seed crusted tuna, and avocados with veggies. Some food was provided by Pacific Northwest suppliers looking for agents. But no one seemed to have any bread or other platform to display the large number of sauces and dips and preserves. Overall, my favourite was Cardamon Hills Chutney which had a variety of chutneys that included apricot, apple-ginger, tomato, mango and quince. Laurel Brand had a great series of hazelnut spreads, macadamia butter, and hazel nut chocolates. The Downside: BottleBooks was affectionately known as BottleNecks by the Luddites The Upside: it was a large space and there was plenty of room for elbowing. The Contact Person: kelly@predhomme.ca and events@thefooddudes.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92 =================================== The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022 11AM to 3PM for trade The Event: The Living Vine Acid Trip: portfolio tasting & try-and-buy The Venue: Birreria Volo, College Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are in stock. There was a two page order list, divided by country (France, Italy, Spain, New World, Hidden Bench). The Quote/Background: It was a great weather day, so all the tables were set up outside Volo in the street patio area, with umbrellas for shade. The Wines: There were 66 wines, ciders and no-al; I did not taste all of them. Prices are licensee. Delivery is free in Toronto, $6 a case outside Toronto. Wines listed are either 6 packs or 12 packs. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Clos Roussely L'Escale Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $20.66 -Terres Dorees Beaujolais Le Ronsay, $17.96 -Fattoria Sardi Pet-Nat [sparkler], $23.36 -Massimago Garangega 2021, $26.96 -Raimones Orange NV Spain, $31.46 -Alta Alella Pet-Nat Rose 2021, $27.86 -Portal del Priorat Luno Montsant 2020, $23.36 -Bodegas Comenge Biberius 2020, $19.76 -Nikolaihof Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2019, $25.16 -Mouflon Muscat 2021 [partial skin contact], $24.98 -Mouflon Pinot Gris+Riesling 2021 [orange], $26.79 -Mouflon Viognier60+Chardonnay20+Marsanne20 [orange, magnum], $56.35 -Bordlet Sidre Brut Tendre [France], $17.96 -Cambridge Road Peche Naturalist 2021 New Zealand, $33.36 -Folklore Chardonnay 2019 Western Australia, $15.99 [Vintages +19905 $17.95 retail] -Hidden Bench Bistro Riesling 2017 VQA, $15.05 -Hidden Bench Bistro Chardonnay 2019 VQA, $19.71 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Langelier Polaris Muscadet 2020, $18.86 -Terres Dorees Bourgogne Pinot 2020, $26.96 -Orsogna Lunaria Ramoro Pinot Grigio, $19.76 -Cirelli Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rose 2021, $23.36 -Antica Enotria Bianco 2020, $18.86 -Finca Fabian Sparkling NV [sauvignon blanc, viognier, chardonnay], $15.26 -Alta Alella GX Garnacha 2020, $20.66 -Meinklang Gruner Veltliner, $22.46 -Decideret Hip Hop Cider [dry hopped], $31.46 -Folklore Shiraz Western Australia, $17.65 -Jumpin' Juice Sunset [orange] NV, $33.26 -Jumpin' Juice Riesling NV, $33.26 -Alpamanta Breva Pais Pet-Nat Criolla 2021 Mendoza, $29.66 -Hidden Bench Bistro Pinot Noir 2019 VQA, $20.71 -Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rose 2021 VQA, $19,71 -Hidden Bench Nocturne Rose 2021 VQA, $19.71 -Hidden Bench Sauvignon Blanc Beton Methode 2021 VQA [concrete egg], $22.10 -Rachis & Derma Chardonnay 2020 VQA, $27.88 The Food: no food, but there was water. The Downside: no food (bread cubes would have helped) The Upside: “taste and try before you buy” – as the song says... The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca or danielle@thelivingvine.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89 ========== The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022 2:30P to 5:30P The Event: Rendez-Vous Beaujolais Walk-Around Trade Tasting The Venue: St Andrew's Hall & Lounge, 150 King Street Wes The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media, sommeliers The Availability/Catalogue: There were four agents with presentations, while four other wineries were looking for representation. The catalogue was an interactive PDF file which allowed for more consistency. There was a description of each wine. The Quote/Background: It has been a decade or so since the last major Beaujolais tasting in Toronto. In that time, sales of Nouveau have flattened and the availability of wines from the number of villages (communes) had fallen off. It was a chance to re-discover the 12 appellations and 10 crus of Beaujolais. The Wines: Some wines did not arrive. I counted 42 wines at the show, and I tried to taste most of them in the limited time I had available. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Blanc Signature 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE Morgon Climats Grand Cras 2021 Rogers & Co -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Villages White 2020 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Morgon 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Morgon Corcelette 2020 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2021 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Morgon 2021 – HVE 3 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Côte de Brouilly Douze Perles 2020 -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine du Riaz Côte de Brouilly 2020 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine des 4 vents Fleurie 2019 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Brouilly 2020 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Morgon 2018 PDandurand -DOMAINE THIVOLLE Morgon Charmeur 2020 [seeking] -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Moulin-à-Vent Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Rosé Signature 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE Chiroubles Les Clochers du Beaujolais 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE St-Amour Les Clochers 2021 Rogers & Co -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Chénas 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Fleurie Charbonnière 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas 4 Cerisiers 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Beauvernay 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Vayolette 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais St-Amour 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Blanc Roche Noire 2021 [seeking] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Brouilly Pierreux 2021 [selection du maitre de chai PQ] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Fleurie Poncié 2021 [selection du maitre de chai PQ] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches 2021[selection du maitre de chai PQ] -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Chénas Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Beaujolais Villages 3 Madones 2021 Noble -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Brouilly 3 Madones 2021 Noble The Food: There were two components – one was a combined fromage and charcuterie board, about two feet wide and six feet in length. Spectacular, to say the least. There were two of these. The boards also had crisps, breads, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and mustards. The only thing missing were the typical sausages. The other component were the individual platters of gamay smoked roasted salmon, beaujolais pork rillettes, rose smoked duck with stone fruit, and chardonnay crab and citrus salad. The Downside: I had to leave early. The Upside: the great fromage/charcuterie board! The Contact Person: liz@lluzzapr.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91. ==================== 6.The Date and Time: Thursday June 23, 2020 1P - 5PM The Event: Gambrero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Summer Edition The Venue: Liberty Grand The Target Audience: wine trade, sommeliers, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: one needed a QR code to access the catalogue which contained details for ordering wine. The Wines: I tasted mostly whites, roses, and sparkling (hey, it's summer!) and a few reds of my interests. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Tenute Tomasella Pros-ecco Prosecco Treviso DOC -Cantina Tollo Roccaventosa 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP -Cantina Tollo Mo' 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOP -Monte del Fra Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Lena di Mezzo Estate DOC, $24.95 (Vintages) Signature Agency -Monte del Fra Ca' del Magro Custoza Superiore DOC 2019 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Papale Linea Oro Primtivo di Manduria 2019 DOP (Vintages) -Umani Ronchi Centoric Plenio Riserva 2018 -Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco Pietrarizzo 2021 -Tenute Tomasella Friuli Furiliana 2021 -Bruni Marememma Toscana Vermentini Plinio 2021 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Salice Salentino 2019 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini 12 e Mezzo Primtivo di Manduria 2020 DOP -Ferrari Brut MT Trento -Ferrari Brut Rose MT Trento [60chard/40pinot noir] -Tentiment CIVA Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Vigneto Bellazoia -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Carato 2019 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Colli de Luni Vermentino 2021 -Offida Pecorino Reve 2020 Single Vineyard -Casale del Giglio Anthium Bellone 2021 Lazio IGT -Casale del Griglio Satrico 2021 Lazio IGT -Tenute Borgo Conventi Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Collio ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Umani Ronchi Centoric Pecorino Colli Aprutini 2020 -Umani Ronchi Centoric Verdicchio 2018 -Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco 2021 -Tenute Tomasella Prosecco NV [twist top, low Al -Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli NV Extra Brut -Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli 2021 -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiore 2020 -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Traditionale 2020 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Vermentino 2021 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia La Bianca 2021 The Food: Catered by the Liberty Grand Entertainment Group....platters of food included pesto panini, mozzarella and tomatoes, polenta topped with crispy mushrooms, meat skewers with veggies, flatbread/focaccia with creamy gorgonzola and arugula, rotini ragu with grilled cherry tomatoes, prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks, arancini, and tiramisu and cannoli for dessert. The Downside: I did not have a cell phone The Upside: just about all the wines were white, rose, sparkling or light reds from Northern or Central Italy, a great tasting in view of the sunny summer weather. The Contact Person: Benedetta The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90. 6.The Date and Time: August 16, 2022 3:30PM - 8PM The Event: Travel South USA Media Event The Venue: Malaparte TIFF The Target Audience: travel writers and spirits writers The Availability/Catalogue: we had three bourbons set before us as a tasting (see below), led by a very capable Mike McLean of MixxIT Canada By Beam Suntory. This was the major presentation from Kentucky, and, of course, the main reason for my attending. The Quote/Background: The Travel South USA states represented in Canada included Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. There was also a rep from New Orleans and one from Atlanta. It was a trade fam tour to entice travel writers to explore the American south. There were many regional foods to be sampled (see below) and many cocktails to be tasted. The best appeared to be the Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon 1.5 oz, lime juice [no sugar] 1 oz., and topped up over ice with Gosling's no-al ginger beer. Dynamite. Hors d'oeuvre were passed while the reps were available for short talks with the travel writers. And then it was on to the bourbon tasting and thence to the BBQ buffet dinner. The Bourbons: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon $45.45 LCBO +103747, 45ABV – very smooth, 70% corn and 30% red winter wheat. One of my personal faves. ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon $55.95 (on sale at LCBO at $50.95 until Sept 12) LCBO +326025, 40% ABV – 63% corn and 37% rye, and thereby introduces savoury herby rye notes finishing with some grassiness. -Jim Beam White Label Bourbon $30.95 (on sale at LCBO at $29.20 until Sept 12) LCBO +21378, 40% ABV – 77% corn The Food: Oliver and Bonacini did the catering, beginning with the multiple hors d'oeuvre platters: tuna salad on a lettuce leaf; BBQ short rib on polenta; shrimp and hot sausage; lightly battered fried okra; fried chicken drumettes; and cheddar cheese tarts with carmelized onions and piped goat cheese cream. Each came on a bed of a different sauce: these 5 BBQ sauces are available online (Carolina Gold Classic - South Carolina, Rendezvous Mild Barbecue Sauce - Memphis, Alabama White BBQ Sauce – Alabama, Sam Jones Vinegar Sauce – North Carolina, Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ Original – Kansas City). These sauces were also put out for the buffet, and were easily available for mixing and matching and savouring. So the major food of the evening was a small buffet of fried chicken and corn bread waffle with scallions, short ribs and grits with collard greens, and smoked brisket and potato bun slider with macaroni. To top it off, there was a variety at the dessert table: southern pies (key lime, coconut cream, blueberry) and peach cobbler. The Downside: music was too loud, and interfered with Mike's bourbon tasting. The Upside: A chance to do wide tasting and nibbling around a variety of southern cuisine dishes. The Contact Person: katie@reachglobal.ca or ashton@reachglobal.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93. M.Chapoutier Belleruche Blanc Cote du Rhone 2021, +245340 LCBO, $17.55 NOW on sale at $14.55 (save $3 a bottle) until September 11: “Belleruche” is French for “beautiful beehive”. Chapoutier's company, which follows biodynamic principles such as night harvesting, has many beehives scattered throughout their sustainable properties in the Cote du Rhone. This is one of my fave white wines; my wife loves Belleruche Rouge with its grenache noir and syrah, also at the LCBO. The white uses grenache blanc, roussanne, viognier (with some light skin maceration), clairette and bourboulenc grapes, with the first two varieties dominating its vinous character. The nosing is strong, with botrytis-inflected bouquets of voluptuous flowers and aromas of grapefruit, pear, and melon leading to a mid-palate tasting of red fruit and honey (those bees!). On the nose, it seems sweet, but the residual sugar is a low 2 grams per litre. There is a modest acidity but some intense flavours from the wine being aged on its lees for half a year – just perfectly right for a refreshment on a hot summer day on the patio/deck/balcony/terrace/porch/beach etc. Also, some anise on the finish makes this a compelling accompaniment to grilled or poached fish. But do not overchill. It's one of the better values at the LCBO, and made even more so with its temporary price reduction of $3 a bottle. It is certainly worth buying by the case. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Adega Ponte de Lima Grande Escolha Vinho Verde DOC 2021: this is a terrific vinho verde from a co-op that rises above the usual FFLLCC designation (Fresh and Fruity, Light and Lively, Crisp and Citrusy). It is all that and more, coming in at a reasonable 12% ABV with only 5 grams of residual sugar per litre. As an aromatic balanced blend of loureiro and alvarinho grape varieties, the latter contributes more than its share of complexity of tropical fruit, pear, and linden. The addition of alvarinho is a definite upgrade. The loureiro is from the Lima River valley while the alvarinho is from the Lima River slopes. Initial aromas are floral and citric, followed on the mid-palate with some passion fruit, and a long finish with some pear and lemon tones. Very refreshing for that patio/deck/terrace affair, or with light finger food such as sushi or shrimp, white meat skewered kebabs, or cold pasta salads. It's a winner. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge 2003 700 mL. +11426 Vintages October 29, 2022 $109.60: 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 2003 was aged a minimum of 19.5 years in oak. Armagnac sells well in Quebec – they recognize a bargain. Extremely aromatic with overtones of roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, and oak character. Exceptionally smooth on the mid-palate and great soft length on the finish. 40% ABV. Apparently, this 20-year old will be making its 23rd anniversary in the LCBO's Holiday release. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Redtail Vineyards Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula [$22] Although Redtail is in Prince Edward County, their Gamay Rose comes from Niagara grapes. Pretty pink fruit suggestive of watermelons and cut strawberries, both visually and gustatory. Redtail Rose exhibits the typical Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with aromatics of violets, tea and some rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. The Gamay grape is very, very food friendly. Screw cap, drink now. 10.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Byland Estate Winery Rose 2020 VQA Niagara [$16.80] This wine is pale but bright pink from the Pinot Noir grape, which had been harvested in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of red fruit, such as cherry and sweet pomegranate. Fresh tones, a citric finish. While useful as an outdoors sipper, it could also double as a very interesting first course wine with finger food or white meats. That's the Pinot Noir talking. Gold Medalist at the All Canadian Wine Championships. 9g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sparkling Firefly Rose 2021 VQA Ontario [$19.95] Produced using the Charmat Method (secondary fermentation in a tank), this sparkler is loaded with strawberry tones from the Cabernet Franc grapes used. The pale colour comes from the 2021 vintage (and it is rare that Charmat wines are vintage dated). Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer or fall patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event. 13% ABV. It's a good Ontario sparkler for under $20. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Date and Time: Thursday September 8, 2022 11AM - 5PM The Event: Grandi Marchi, Italy's Top Wineries Guided & Walk Around Tasting The Venue: Windsor Arms Hotel The Target Audience: wine trade (sommeliers, agents, LCBO, media) The Availability/Catalogue: it was an online catalogue, and some of the wines were not available in Ontario. The Quote/Background: There was a master class at 11AM for 80 attendees with 14 principals such as Helena Lageder, Alberto Chiarlo, Niccolo Antinori, Alberto Tasca, Piero Mastroberardino. Each spoke about their company and one of their wines, moderated by Michael Fagan. The slide show was also very informative. The Wines: We had one prosecco, three white wines, nine red wines, plus one sweetie. There were some 60+ walk around wines in the main show; I did not try them all. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Umani Ronchi Centovie Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT Abruzzo 2020 organic 13% ABV -Jermann Vintage Tunina Venezia Giulia IGT 2020 13.5% “great finish” from 5 varietals -Alois Lageder Cason Bianco Viognier-Petit Manseng Delle Dolomiti IGT 2019 Alto Adige biodynamic 13% ABV -Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo DOCG 2018 14% ABV -Marchese Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2019 Toscano 14.5% ABV -Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute Cabreo il Borgo Toscana IGT 2018 15% ABV -Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2013 organic 14.5% ABV -Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi DOCG Riserva 2015 Campania 13.5% ABV -Masi Riserva di Costasera Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016 Veneto 15.5% -Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2020 Sicily 14.27% ABV -Carpene Malvolti 1868 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11% -Lungarotti Torre di Giano Vermentino/Grechetto/Trebbiano 2021 Umbria -Jermann Bianco Where Dreams Have No End Chardonnay IGT 2020 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Carpene Malvolti 1924 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11% -Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Rose Brut 2020 DOCG Veneto 11% ABV -Lungarotti Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2018 Umbria organic 15.5% ABV -Rivera Il Falcone Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG 2016 Apulia 13.5% ABV -Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte Rosso Contea di Sclafani DOC 2016 Sicily 14% ABV -Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superior 2020 -Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2020 Alto Adige -Antinori Bramito della Sala Chardonnay 2021 Umbria -Jermann Vinnae Ribolla Giulia Venezia Giulia 2021 The Food: we had tomato & bocconcini skewers; rice paper vegetable salad rolls and dip; roast beef tortilla pinwheel with peppers, creamy horseradish, arugula, goat cheese mini quiche; mushroom risotto (my fave); vegan sliders; salumi platter; cheeses; breads. The Downside: there were the inevitable sound problems that needed to be straightened out, and then later during the walk around it was announced that Elizabeth II had passed. The Upside: a chance to taste some rare and expensive wines, plus speak with winemakers and producers. The Contact Persons: info@ieemusa.com; b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90. The Date and Time: Tuesday October 11, 2022 10:30AM - 4PM The Event: Milano Wine Week International Masterclass Program The Venue: Aria Ristorante, 25 York Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine agents, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: There were two wineries involved, one with an Ontario agent – VALDO (Wine Online) and MASSOTINA. The Quote/Background: The first seminar was a web show presentation seminar from Italy, “From Veneto to Friuli: exploring different terroirs and wine styles” by VALDO winery (a Bolla company) with various speakers such as their chief winemaker Gianfranco Zanon and Matteo Bolla. The second seminar was a blind tasting of six MASOTTINA wines, in “Exploring Prosecco styles and terroir”. It too was a web show, but with participation in Milan, London, New York and Toronto. Both seminars had simultaneous translations when needed. Cristina Mercuri with Filippo Bartolotta spoke on the wines, with emphasis on: Brut/Extra Dry is just a question of dosage and taste? The Wines: The six Masottina Proseccos were two different samples (Brut and Extra Dry) of three wine levels: Rive di Ogliano, Contrada Granda, and Calmaggiore, all Glera. But with different terroirs **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Cuvee 1926 Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Extra Dry 16g/L RS, 90Glera/10Chardonnay -Valdo Elevantum Rose Prosecco DOC Brut 11.5g/L RS, 90Glera/10PinotNoir [MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Levante Extra Dry Millesimato. 13.5g/L all Glera [ANOTHER MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut 10g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut 10g/L all Glera ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Amor Soli Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Bio Brut 2021 10g/L RS, all Glera -Valdo Tenuta La Maredana Prosecco DOC Brut 9g/L RS, 85Glera/15PinotNoir $21.99 -Valdo Prosecco Cuvee I Magredi Extra Dry DOC Extra Dry 15g/L RS, all Glera $18.99 -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Ponente Brut Millesimato. 6G/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera The Food: Aria gave is a food box: inside there was a main course of roast chicken breast with excellent quinoa pilaff, followed by goat cheese cheddar from Lindsay Ontario accompanied by gluten-free crackers. Desserts included barreti al cioccolato (chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse, chocolate shell) and biscotti with orange zest and star anise. The Downside: it was a long day of watching a big video screen. The Upside: a good chance to catch up with Prosecco by tasting 11 different wines. The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. The Date and Time: Tuesday October 11, 2022 10:30AM - 4PM The Event: Milano Wine Week International Masterclass Program The Venue: Aria Ristorante, 25 York Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine agents, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: There were two wineries involved, each with Ontario agents –- VALDO (Wine Online) and FIAMBERTI (Cottonwood Agency). The Quote/Background: The first seminar was a web show presentation seminar from Italy, “From Veneto to Friuli: exploring different terroirs and wine styles” by VALDO winery (a Bolla company) with various speakers such as their chief winemaker Gianfranco Zanon and Matteo Bolla. They introduced the region's I Magredi winery's still wines. Both seminars had simultaneous translations when needed. Fiamberti's Buttafuoco range uses mainly the indigenous grapes Croatina (about 2/3), followed by Barbera, Uva Rare and Ughetta di Canneto. Giulio Flamberti spoke to us via the web show, and answered all questions. The Wines: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Fiamberti Caristoro Metodo Classico DOCG Rose Brut NV 3g/L [pinot noir] $40 -Fiamberti Il Cavaliere Pinot Nero Vinificato In Bianco 2021 [frizzante white wine] $32 -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Solenga DOC 2017 Oltrepo Pavese $88 -I Magredi Divinotello Trevenezie IGT 2017 [Bordeaux blended style] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Sacca del Prete DOC 2017 Oltrepo Pavese $84 -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Il Cacciatore DOC 2020 Oltrepo Pavese $44 -I Magredi Cabernet Sauvignon Friuli DOC Grave 2021 -I Magredi Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC Grave 2021 $16.99 The Food: Aria gave is a food box: inside there was a main course of roast chicken breast with excellent quinoa pilaff, followed by goat cheese cheddar from Lindsay Ontario accompanied by gluten-free crackers. Desserts included barreti al cioccolato (chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse, chocolate shell) and biscotti with orange zest and star anise. The Downside: it was a long day of watching a big video screen. The Upside: we tasted some unusual wines from two wineries in two different wine regions. The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. The Date and Time: Wednesday October 19 2022 2P - 9P The Event: STEM Wine Group Family of Wines Portfolio Tasting 2022 (Toronto) The Venue: Globe and Mail Centre 17th Floor The Target Audience: private clients, restaurants, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available by the case. There were over 250 wines, beers and spirits from 60 producers, 40 of them from Italy. Each had a page describing the attributes of their winery, and a page or so of illustrated labels with grape and vineyard designations, and prices per bottle. Over 40 suppliers sent representatives to show off their wines and guide tasters from behind their tables. The Quote/Background: For two years in a row, Stem Wine Group has been the number one Consignment Agency in Ontario. The wine tasting was extremely popular and got very crowded very early. I arrived at 2PM and stayed for two hours. The Wines: I did not (could not) taste every wine. What follows are highly recommended wines arrived at by my eclectic wanderings. I did not try beers or spirits. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Tombacco Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti Abruzzo 2020 $15.99 -Villabella Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2017 $64.99 -Villabella Fracastoro Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2012 $74.99 -Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2017 $189.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Brut DOCG $37.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Rose DOCG $42.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Pas Dose DOCG $46.99 [my fave fizz of the day] -Ronco del Gelso Siet Vignis Chardonnay DOC 2020 Friuli Isonzo $32.99 -460 Casina Bric Sparkling Nebbiolo d'Alba Brut Rose $33.99 -460 Casina Bric Nebbiolo d'Alba Spumante Brut Rose Magnum Metodo Classico 1.5 litre bottle $144.99 -Gaja Rossj Bass Langhe DOP 2021 $119.99 -Gaja Barbaresco DOC 2019 $369.99 -Camarcanda Bolgheri DOP 2019 $269.99 -Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Cabernet Swauvignon 2017 Colline Teatine IGT Abruzzo $84.99 -Mandrarossa Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2020 $59.99 -Daniel Chotard Sancerre Blanc AOC 2020 $33.99 -La Manufacture “Blanchat” Chablis Grand Cru AOP 2019 $139.99 -Cassetania Cava Brut Reserva $21.99 -Citation Cornerstone Un-Oaked Chardonnay Willamette Valley OR 2017 $24.99 -Citation Pinot Noir Oregon 2006 $119.99 -Citation Chardonnay Oregon 2015 $59.99 -Precision Adorn Chardonnay California 2019 $16.99 -Grand Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $114.99 -Grand Napa Heir Apparent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $159.99 -Grand Napa Heir Apparent Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $139.99 -Husic Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2018 $99.99 -Husic Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 $139.99 -Husic Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 $199.99 -Bella Terra Fume Blanc Corus Vineyard VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $34.95 -Bella Terra Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2018 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $39.95 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Anno Domini Diamond Vino Spumante Rosato Bio Vegan $18.99 -Anno Domini Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante $15.99 -Delibori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCG 2017 $42.99 -Forchir Famiglia Bianchini Ribolla Gialla IGT 2021 $21.99 -Azienda Agricola Inama Vin Soave Classico DOC $24.99 -Ca' del Baio Autinbej Barbaresco DOCG 2019 $49.99 -Il Borro Toscana Lamelle Chardonnay IGT 2021 $34.99 -Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi DOCG 2017 $54.99 -Daniel Chotard Sancerre Rouge AOC 2020 $44.99 -La Manufacture Petit Chablis AOP 2020 $34.99 -La Manufacture “Forets” Chablis Premier Cru AOP 2020 $59.99 -Vina Bujanda Petra de Valpiedra DO Rioja 2018 $79.99 -Cassetania Cava Gran Reserva 2018 $29.99 -Precision Calculated Chardonnay California 2021 $18.99 -Grand Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $84.99 -Husic Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017 $139.99 -Bella Terra Sparkling Brut VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $24.95 -Bella Terra Sauvignon Blanc Corus Vineyard VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $19.95 -Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling Four Mile Creek 2019 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $24.95 The Food: In the tasting room itself there was a scooped-out half-wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano with chunks of cheese. Outside, there were four stations: Grano Duro pasta by hand with elbow rigatoni ragu and polenta-filled twisted bows (culurgiones); Tutto Pronto with eggplant parmigiano and mozzarella sliders, truffled sauteed mushrooms on grilled crostini, and artichoke crostini with lemon ricotta; Mattachioni supplied a brilliant porchetta bun with pepperoncini; Francobello did a butternut squash risotto with peas and mushrooms. Rufino Espresso provided the coffee, while GP8 provided the bottled oxygen water. The Downside: lots of people, lots of chatter, and the 160 page catalogue was enormously heavy to play with (but useful, of course!). The Upside: a chance to re-connect with Stem and some of its producers who I have not seen for three years. The Contact Person: tania@stemwinegroup.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93. [done] RECENT AND DECENT TASTING NOTES FOR SOME PAYS D'OC IGP WINES... --Gerard Bertrand Perles de Grenache Rose 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 556209 $18.95: fresh, very fragrant with fruity elegance. The pale salmon colour was phenomenal, and very typical of South of France roses. All grenache grapes. Scored highly by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada (over 90 points). Very dry, with residual sugar at 2 g/L. On the palate, strawberries dominate. A very good quaffer for parties, or for a wine pairing with fish and broiled foods. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Domaine de La Baume Elisabeth Viognier 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 438796 $18.95: fresh stone fruit tones abound with peaches and apricots leading to a citric long finish. Cold fermentation done up in steel, with peachy aromas. We had it with squash soup and a roast (both poultry and pork). Dee-licious. But also good as an aperitif. 2g/L residual sugar. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Gabriel Meffre Le Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 563130 $15: a very satisfying and easy-breezy quaff on the LCBO's general wine list. Nutty butters on palate, some pear decadence, nuances of vanilla bean from a partial oak aging. No malolactic fermentation. Elegant balanced finish with good food depth. 2g/L residual sugar. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Fortant Terroir d'Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 17535 $15.45: made from hillside grapevines (250 – 600 metres). Complex cassis and pumpkin spices, along with forest floor mushrooms and some garrigue. Black fruit and long finish dominates. Aged four months in French oak. Perhaps best with grilled or broiled foods. 2g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Sarl Le Loup Blanc Soif du Loup Rouge 2019 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 20955 $19.95: a combo of cabernet sauvignon and syrah, but extra-dry (unlike the Oz combo of cabernet and shiraz). “Soif du Loup” in English means “thirst of the wolf”. Here there are 35-year old vines, and red fruit with spices and minerality dominates. This is an organic wine, great as an all-purpose food red. 2 g/L residual sugar. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. REPORT FROM TENUTA FANTI: Brunellos and Olive Oils The Date and Time: Tuesday October 25, 2022 2PM - 4PM The Event: Tasting Tenuta Fanti wines with Export Manager Irene Dal Canto The Venue: Blue Door Wine Shop 1010 Bloor Street west The Target Audience: sommeliers, media, private clients The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available by the case through the agency Le Sommelier, or as single bottles through Blue Door. Olive oils are through Blue Door as well. The Quote/Background: There was one white wine, four reds, one Vin Santo, Grappa, and three Extra Virgin olive oils. Fanti began at the beginning of the 18th century, and it is currently in conversion to organic. In addition to 52 hectares of vineyards there are 8,500 olive trees. All prices below are retail. The Wines: I did not taste the Grappa di Brunello Riserva, half-litre gift box, $99. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Soralisa Sant'Antimo Bianco DOC 2021 $31 (bright, fruity blend of equal parts of vermentino and viognier, with a dollop of both malvasia toscana and trebbiano toscano, from 10-30-year old vines, fermented and stored on lees in stainless, minerals, good finish). Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Brunello di Montalcino Vallocchio DOCG 2015 $89 – not made every year (five oldest vineyards of the estate, aged two years in French tonneaux and Slavonian oak vat, expect dried meat, tar, tobacco, dried strawberries, spices, ripe and chewy). My fave, and only six dollars more than the 2017 Brunello below. Quality/Price rating is 96 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 $83 (made from 20 – 30 year-old vines, fermented similar to the Vallocchio, aged in bottle for 18 months prior to release, expect red cherries, plums, walnuts, ripe fruit). Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Vin Santo Sant'Antimo DOC 2014 $74 375-ml bottle – (40% trebbiano toscano, 40% malvasia toscana, 20% colombano from 30-year old vines, slow ferment in caratelli small oak barrels, 5 years aging, about 1200 half-bottles every vintage. Golden brown, syrupy, tones of butterscotch and caramel, dried fruit, roasted nuts, and caramelized orange peel. Complex). Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2020 $33 (full, ripe, red fruit, generous, made from 15-20-year old vines aged in oak one year and then bottle for seven months. Some rusticity which will soften with aging). Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Poggio Torto IGT Toscana Rosso 2020 $24 (blend of sangiovese, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah, young vines, fermented in stainless, aged in oak, much black raspberry and cherry fruit in the “supertuscan” range, needs time). Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Olive Oils: -Extra Virgin Olive Oil Olivastra 2021 $40 500ml (100% olivastra seggianese from 200 year old trees at 650 meters, very fruity, slightly sweet but intense). Best of the three. -Extra Virgin Olive Oil Moraiolo 2020 $35 500 ml (100% all moraiolo olives, some green notes leading to a balance between bitter and spicy). -Extra Virgin Olive Oil Blend 2021 $20 500 ml (blend of correggiolo, leccino and olivastra olives, from 15-200 year old trees, intensely fruity with light green tones). The Food: salumni board with three meats and three cheeses plus grapes. The Downside: it was a stand up affair, and my knees got tired, so I had to sit down for awhile. The Upside: good wines, easily available, and good location for Blue Door (between Dufferin and Ossington subway stations). The Contact Person: orders@lesommelier.com or irene@tenutafanti.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88. The Date and Time: Monday October 31, 2022 11AM to 5PM The Event: A Tasting of Wines from Italy 2022 in Toronto The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall The Target Audience: wine trade, media, sommeliers. The Availability/Catalogue: there was a PDF available with all the information needed. The Quote/Background: This year's show was the first since 2019. About 101 producers showed over 500 wines to an assortment of agents, the LCBO, hotels and restaurants, the wine media, sommeliers, and others. There were two Masterclass seminars, one on organic wines and another on pinot griglio. We were told that 55 million litres were shipped to Canada in the first eight months of 2022, up 12% over last year. The Wines: Of course, I did not try every wine...I just moved about.I was very impressed with the wines repped by Le Savoir-Boire, Majestic, and Le Sommelier. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Najma Prosecco Brut DOC Le Savoir-Boire -Il Drago e la Fornace RIBOLLITO IGT TOSCANA 2020 80% sangiovese, 10% merlot, 5% colorino, 5% cabernet -Il Drago e la Fornace ORO IGT TOSCANA ROSSO 2020 65% cabernet franc, 35% sangiovese -PASOLINI DALL’ONDA PIO 7 RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016 100% sangiovese $35 Le Savoir-Boire -PASOLINI DALL’ONDA PIO 7 GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016 100% sangiovese $39 -Amastuola PRIMITIVO IGP PUGLIA 2019 BIO 100% primitivo -Amastuola ONDA DEL TEMPO IGP PUGLIA 2019 BIO 25% primitivo, 25% aglianico, 25% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon -Masi AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO Costaserra DOCG RISERVA 2016 70% corvina, 15% rondinella, 10% oseleta, 5% molinara -Assuli Fiordiligi Grillo Sicilia DOC 2021 $20 Le Sommelier -Assuli Fiordispina Perricone Rosato Sicilia DOC 2021 $20 Le Sommelier -Assuli Lorlando Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2019 $23 Le Sommelier -Case Paolin Prosecco Superiore DOCG Asolo Sui Lieviti Brut Nature Col Fondo $29.95 -Antonella Corda Vermentino Sardegna 2021 $27.99 Noble Estates -Feudo Antico Pecorino Terre di Chieti Organic 2021 Abruzzo $16.95 Rare Earth Wines -ICARDO Fossati Barolo 2016 La Morra $57.95 Wilson Wines -LE RAGNAIE Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Casanovina Montosoli 2017 $168 Le Sommelier -La Sabbie dell' Etna 2021 Etna Rosato Profile -Tommasi Le Rosse Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2021 $16.90 Univins -Corte Moschina Granetto Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2021 $18.95 Artisanal Wine ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Najma Prosecco Millesimato 2021 DOC La Savoir-Boire $17 -Najma Prosecco Spumante Rosato Brut $17 -Il Drago e la Fornace ROSSO FOCO ETNA DOC 2016 90% mascalese, 10% nerello cappuccio -Il Drago e la Fornace BIANCO FOCO ETNA DOC 2019 90% carricante, 10% catarratto -Il Drago e la Fornace RIBOLLA IGT VENEZIA GIULIA 2021 100% ribolla gialla -PASOLINI DALL’ONDA PIO 7 ANNATA BIO CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2019 90% sangiovese, 10% merlot $28 -PASOLINI DALL’ONDA MONTOLI ANNATA BIO CHIANTI DOCG 2020 100% sangiovese $22 -PASOLINI DALL’ONDA Violante Vino Rosato Organic 2021 Toscano IGT 100% merlot $22 -Amastuola CENTOSASSI IGP PUGLIA 2017 BIO 100% primitivo -Amastuola NEGROAMARO IGP SALENTO 2019 BIO 100% nero amaro -Amastuola LAMAROSSA IGP PUGLIA 2020 BIO 100% primitivo -Masi BROLO CAMPOFIORIN ORO ROSSO DEL VERONESE IGT 2018 80% corvina, 10% rondinella, 10% oseleta -Masi TOAR VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2018 80% corvina, 10% rondinella, 10% oseleta -Masi PROSECCO DOC MODELLO MASI NV 100% glera -Assuli Carinda Insolia Sicilia DOC $20 Le Sommelier -Assuli Lorlando Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC 2019 $23 Le Sommelier -Vino Lauria Terre Siciliane Frappato Scoglitti IGP 2021 $26 Le Sommelier -Firriato Sicilia Cavaneva Etna Bianco 2021 Profile The Food: a variety of small plates, such as mushroom risotto, pepperoni slices, sundried tomatoes, mortadella cubes, bean salad with canned tuna, cheese, beef brescola IGP, canoli, biscotti, biscuits. The Downside: it was a long, long day, with two masterclass seminars and 500 wines to choose from. The Upside: a chance to renew some old acquaintances The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. NEW RELEASES FROM CHATEAU DES CHARMES, NOTL VQA: 1.Chateau des Charmes Rose Sparkling Traditional Method 2017 VQA NOTL winery and online $34.95: [I last sampled the 2016 vintage at same price] here half chardonnay and half pinot noir (blanc des noirs) from vines planted as early as 1991, very pretty colour from the pinot dosage, reminiscent of strawberry blush, 2 years lees contact and then re-fermented in the bottle. Full, rich, ripe yeasty biscuit complexity. Citric finish, best with food such as appetizers. Strawb fruit dominates. Recently disgorged. 10 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Stunning. 250 cases available. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau des Charmes Brut Sparkling Methode Traditionelle NV Niagara-On-The-Lake VQA, +224766, $25.95: this Brut is a mix of about half each of chardonnay and pinot noir from vines planted as early as 1991 (and from at least four vineyards), exhibiting apple and orchard tones with citrus and toast. Some creamy texture. All wine mostly from the same vintage, and “Recently Hand Disgorged” after a year on lees, 12% ABV. Base wine for bubblies from both grapes is the same: just the skin contact varies. 9g/L residual sugar. 2877 cases. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Chateau des Charmes Riesling “Old Vines” 2016 Estate Bottled VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, $18.95: made from vines largely planted in 1978, so it is now a very mature vineyard. 12.5% ABV. Succulent, but off-dry Alsatian character (citric tones, spices), with now almost six years of aging. A beaut with spicy or higher acidic foods – lush and plush. Lots of orchard fruit character and some minerality. Best with Asiatic food. Twist top. 8.1 gm/L. 928 cases. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Chateau des Charmes Gewurztraminer 2021 St.David’s Bench VQA, $21.95 winery and online: from older vines (26 years) in the St. David's Bench vineyards, done up in stainless steel. Alsatian in style, with concentrated fruit, off-dry on the mid-palate, spicy with a tad of bitter on the finish, great with Asiatic foods or any spicy foods. Or wonderful as a sipper/aperitif by the deck/patio/pool/terrace/balcony. Cork finish, and it should improve over the next five years. 4.6 gm/L residual sugar. 13.1% ABV. 318 cases produced. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor. 5.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard, VQA St.David's Bench, $44.95 at winery and online: Quite a powerful wine from the 60-acre vineyard, lots of stylish Burgundian forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the red berry fruit. It was last produced in 2016. Currently, this vintage is 16 months in new French oak barrels. Still needs some time, maybe two more years. 13.5% ABV. It will also show better with food such as Asian salmon preps or veal or lamb. Cork closure. Residual sugar is 1.3g/L. 13.5% ABV. 1234 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir “Droit” 2020 St. David's Bench Vineyard, VQA St. David’s Bench, $21.95 [winery and online]: medium-full-bodied, suggestive of Beaujolais grand cru wines such as Morgon or Moulin a Vent in the Droit's capacity for aging. Dark cherry-berry flavours dominate, but there is added spicing and even some nuances of earthiness and eucalyptus, although the wine is unoaked. “Gamey gamay” is probably the phrase! Cork finish. Good with BBQ, cheese, or something substantial, but some tannic structure is present to carry through a whole meal. Chateau des Charmes is the only winery in the world using this particular gamay clone. 1g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Earlier vintages were gold medal winners in Canada. 492 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Date and Time: Wednesday November 2, 2022 2P - 4P The Event: Mediterranean Aperitivo The Venue: EATALY Bloor and Bay The Target Audience: wine and food writers The Availability/Catalogue: in this context, only the specific Vermouth di Torino was available in Ontario. Dan Rabinovitch of Azureau Wines spoke on behalf of the vermouths. The Quote/Background: MAP (Mediterranean Aperitivo) is an information campaign on PGI and PDO, EU terms for protecting names and geographic origins. Here the seminar was on Vermouth di Torino (PGI), Pecorino Toscano (PDO), Amalfi Lemons (PGI), and Greek olives. The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is a higher standard than PGI(Protected Geographic Indication). The Wines: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Cocchi Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry Ricetta Piemontese 500mL 17%ABV $40 consignment Azureau ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino Ricetta Originale 16%ABV $30 consignment Azureau [moscato & botanicals] off-dry -Bordiga Storica Ricetta 15%ABV +14771076 [nebbiolo] -Berto Antico Opificio Rosso Vermouth di Torino 17%ABV [traditional style with white wine, spices, sugar and added alcohol] The Food: pecorino toscano, amalfi lemon peel, olives The Downside: there was a zoom connection of simultaneous tasting with NYC, but it eventually degraded and we cut out. The Upside: Dan filled in with tasting notes on the vermouths. The Contact Person: www.mediterraneanaperitivo.com dan@azureau.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 80 The Date and Time: Tuesday November 8, 2022 11:30AM - 4PM The Event: Drink Chile wine trade show The Venue: Arcadian Lofts The Target Audience: wine trade, wine writers, agents The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was actually printed, not electronic, in view of the general public coming in at 6:30PM. There were 16 pages of text on the wines and grapes and valleys, plus descriptions of the wines and some prices. The Quote/Background: There was a masterclass (with a large turnout) at 11:30, specializing in four categories of wine: new wave whites, Mediterranean-style reds, red Bordeaux-style blends, and a cabernet sauvignon terroir tour. The Wines: I did not every every wine-–there were about 120 from 16 different wineries. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Anakena Alwa Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Colchagua & Maipo 2017, $64.95 Bacchus Group -Anakena Ona Red Blend (Shiraz,CabSauv,Carm) Cachapoal 2019 $27.95 Bacchus Group -Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020 Lexellent -Aresti Trisquel Series Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay Curico 2021 Lexcellent -Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2019 $21.25 +353086 -Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2020 Iata $18.95 LCBO -Cono Sur 20 Barrels Chardonnay 2020 Casablanca $30 Vintages n/a -Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel Estate Blend Maipo 2020 Icon Fine Wines -Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo $23.95 +337238 -San Pedro 1865 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Curico $34.95 +27202 Vintages -Cono Sur Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Colchagua 2019 Authentic Wine -Montes Alpha M Colchagua 2020 Profile -Montes Akpha Special Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Colchagua Profile -Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Cauquenes 2020 Charton Hobbs -Santa Carolina Reserva Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2020 Charton Hobbs ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Montes Wings Colchagua 2019 Colchagua Profile -Espiritu de Chile Rose Grenache Desert 2020 Curico Trayvino -Espiritu de Chile Explorador Gran Reserva Maipo 2020 Trayvino -Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Syrah Limari 2021 Icon Fine Wines -Carmen Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca 2022 Icon Fine Wines -Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Leyda $28.95 Marentette -Las Veletas Estate Viognier 2022 Maule Heritage Cellars -Miguel Torres Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Maipo Andes $22.95 Vintages -Montes Purple Angel 2020 Colchagua Profile -Anakena Nuna Chardonnay Cachapoal 2020 $18.95 Bacchus Group -Casas del Bosque Botanic Series La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca $19.95 +28583 -Aresti Trisquel Series Semillon 2020 Curico Lexcellent -Garces Silva Catalino Pais 2019 Maule $19.95 Internet Exclusive Marentette -Las Veletas Almaule Pais 2021 Maule -Montes Outer Limits Cinsault 2021 Iata -Perez Cruz Grenache 2020 Maipo $21.95 Vintages -Emiliana Coyam 2019 Colchagua $29.95 +63891 -Miguel Torres Gran Reserva Andica Caberent Sauvignon 2020 Iata $17.95 -Veramonte Primus The Blend 2019 Colchagua $19.95 +712463 Vintages The Food: a variety of cheeses with dried fruit and breads; mini-empanadas; salmon canapes, and more... The Downside: it got crowded really fast. The Upside: there was a media room where writers could contemplate their tasting samples. The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 84 The Date and Time: Wednesday November 9 2022 6:30PM - 9PM The Event: Icons of the Okanagan Valley Walk Around Tasting The Venue: Modus Ristorante The Target Audience: private customers, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: all these VQA wines were available for sale by the bottle that night. This was followed by a chance to buy the wines at the LCBO via the Internet. Private Collectors is a sub-group of high end wines within the Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits portfolio. The wineries are owned by Anthony von Mandl. My personal contact was Kirsty from Mark Anthony; she had extended my invitation. The Quote/Background: Checkmate had New World Chardonnay and Merlot, with old world elegance. Martin's Lane had stylish small lot Pinot Noir and Riesling. Shane Munn, the winemaker at Martin's Lane, was available for talk and discussion. The best part of the evening was tasting only a few wines (just seven) and talking about them with friends and sales help, especially contrasting the two merlots and the two chardonnays. The Wines: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Checkmate Winery Queen Taken Chardonnay 2018 VQA $111.95 -Checkmate Winery Fools Mate Chardonnay 2018 VQA $95.95 -Checkmate Winery Silent Bishop Merlot 2018 VQA $95.95 -Checkmate Winery End Game Merlot 2018 VQA $95.95 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Martin's Lane Winery Naramata Riesling 2018 VQA $54 -Martin's Lane Winery Simes Pinot Noir 2017 VQA $96 -Martin's Lane Winery Naramata Pinot Noir 2017 VQA $96 The Food: canapes The Contact Person: privatecollectors@markanthony.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88. CASE-WINE November 11-12, 2022 1.Lacey Estates Paradise Sparkling Rose [formerly Paradise Petit Petillant Rose] 2021 Prince Edward County $24. A delightful drink made from pinot noir grapes, very fruity and off-dry in a cream soda mode (raspberries, strawberries, creamy texture) with some watermelon and a lemon-lime-grassiness complexity at the finish. A good aperitif, or with a late course such as a cheese board with dried fruit or a fresh fruit dessert. Crown cap makes it easy to open. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Wending Home Estate Vineyards & Winery Pinot Gris VQA Creek Shores 2020 $27.95. I'm not a fan of pinot grigio, but I adore pinot gris. It's the same grape, but it is produced differently, like syrah and shiraz are produced differently. In both cases it's a question of terroir and winemaking skills. Here the pinot gris has more colour and more body: some of Wending Home is late picked and has that nose of melons and orchard fruit, not to mention unctuousnes on the palate. Cool fementation in stainless steel gives this a rich and ripe sensibility, with minerality and some pear drops on the length which seems to have a higher acid finish very suitable for a wide range of food. Very well done in that Alsatian pinot gris style. 13% ABV. 2g/L residual sugar. 223 cases made. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Konzelmann Estate Winery Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2020 Reserve Series VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95. Konzelmann has been making this style of barrel-aged chardonnay (in French oak barrels) since the last century. It has some plush fruit with some modest oak tones of vanilla and cream. Expect a combination of caramel, green apple, under-ripe peaches – smooth all the way through the finish. A basic crowd pleaser as an aperitif or as a first-course wine. Do not overchill. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Date and Time: Monday November 21, 2022 10:30A to noon The Event: A tasting of Conegliano Valdobbiadene: the heart of Prosecco Superiore DOCG The Venue: SIPS, Maud Street The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers (over two dozen in all) The Availability/Catalogue: this was a masterclass of higher-end Prosecco wines. These wines were generally not yet available for sale in Ontario, except as specified. The Quote/Background: Jennifer Huether, MS, was our speaker today, and she ran over the basics of what this Italian region was all about. The hills of CV are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All of the wine made in this DOCG is white; 93% of the wine made here is sparkling. Two sub-regions produce the best Prosecco – Rive and Cartizze. The Martinotti Method (a variation of Charmat) is prescibed. While not every farmed area is organic, glyphosate has been totally banned and growers are moving toward a green sustainability. The overall top quality Proseccos come from these two regions of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, both located between Venice and the Dolomites...and these are at the DOCG level. 105 million bottles are produced every year. Each bottle should have wine that is 85% Glera grape at a minimum, with 15% maximum allowable for other grapes such as pinot nero, chardonnay, and any of some four local varieties. Pronunciation was basically straightforward: val-doh-bee-ahhh-deh-ne The Wines: There were 9 wines, and in general I really enjoyed the dryer ones. Each wine had about 11.5% ABV. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -L'Antica Quercia Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Nature Sui Lieviti “A” 2020 [organic wine, on lees, bone dry at 0g/L residual sugar] -Frassinelli Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut Rive di Santa Maria di Feletto 2021 [1.5g/L residual sugar, modest finish] -Canevel Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Biologico Campofalco Monfalcon Vineyard 2021 [90% glera, 10% verdiso, extended Charmat storage] -Bottega Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry “Il Vino dei Poeti” [16-18 g/L RS, Noble Estates agency] -Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry [16g/L RS, finishes drier, savoury] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Sommariva Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut [9g/L RS, jes peachy with some lemon peel] -Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Quartese [9g/L RS] -Perlage Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Col di Manza [16g/L RS] -Marsuret Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Il Soller [16g/L RS] The Food: water biscuits and water The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90 SOME NEW WINES FROM THE LOIRE VALLEY IN FRANCE..... 1.Chateau de Montgueret Cremant de Loire NV AOC Brut. LCBO +217760 $20.95: this has long been one of my fave French Cremants, done up in the same traditional method as Champagne. Not only has it been a gold medalist in Europe, but it has also been rated just as highly at the annual Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Christmas tastings. It uses chenin blanc, chardonnay and some cabernet grapes. Hand-picked, as a condition of its Cremant status. Very fine, persistent bubbles, with 1g/L residual sugar, aged 15-18 months, smooth and well-balanced. Expect to find a generous mix of green herbs, honey, citrus, with some orchard fruit on the back end before a lime finish. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Domaine Bouchaud Pont Caffino Chateau Thebaud Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sure Lie 2014 +24613 $25.95 Internet Order Online: a rare find – an over-the-top higher acid Muscadet that pairs with ANY style of seafood. Despite its age, it is still in that light and crisp and fresh category. Made from 80-year-old vines which emphasize citrus tones on the mid-palate. Most fruit is citric but there are also some crisp melons lurking there. Ripe, dry, clean finish. 12% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. Top flight luxury packaging plus a cork closure. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Famille Bougrier Vouvray Chenin Blanc 2020 LCBO +253229 $15.55: Vouvrays can be dry or off-sweet; this one is in the latter category and serves nicely as an aperitif with food or as a first course wine with some appropriate creamy dish. Pale in colour, unoaked. It's a nicely done affordable typical Vouvray, with an off-dry complexity in the honeyed finish. The fruit bowl contains quince aromas, pear and orchard/stone fruit such as apricots and peaches. My sample went very well with salted nuts (cashews and pistachios) and smoked gorgonzola cheese. 12% ABV, 36g/L residual sugar. Screwcap twist-off closure. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. NEW WINES FROM ALSACE IN FRANCE... 1.Domaine Alliman-Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Brut NV +30593 Vintages $23.95: this is an elegant aperitif wine beginning with aromatic florals on the nose and continuing with apples and lemons on the mid-palate, and with a refreshingly tart length to the finish. For what it is worth, it costs more in the USA (nationally at retail). The grape blend is pinot blanc, pinot gris, and riesling. The lemon zest at the finish also makes it very useful as a first course wine. Under the new Alsatian rules, it is labelled “sec”, or dry. 6g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Wilm Riesling 2020 Reserve Alsace +11452 Vintages Essential $19.95 [on sale until Jan 1 @ $18.45]: This is a “welcome back” wine as Alsatian wine makes a comeback from being over-the-top sweet whites due to climate change. At 5g/L residual sugar it is virtually dry, noted “sec” on the back label. Its big body is citric and floral with some juniper, even some nuances of anise. Compelling with sushi, shellfish, fish, and poultry. 12.5% ABV. Twist-off closure. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Reserve Alsace +747600 Vintages $20.95: this wine gives a big bang for the buck: rose petals, tropicality, pear unctuousness, with “sweetness and spice on finish”. Remarkable with sushi, spicy dishes, foie gras and/or terrines. With such a great body, it should be more intense and flavourful after five more years. “Grande Reserve” indeed. With 16g/L residual sugar, this wine is at the low end of “moelleux” (12 – 45 g/L). 14% ABV. Tasted chilled over several days. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. MORE WINES FROM THE SOUTHERN COTES DU RHONE... 1.Sinard et Fils Domaine Saint Laurent Garriguette Cotes du Rhone Blanc AOC 2021, with a mix of 60%clairette, 30%roussanne, and 10%grenache blanc. And it is redolent with garrigue terpenes, of course, that aromatic low-lying scrub of pine cones and rosemary and juniper. Very fresh and inviting from the newly released 2021 vintage, complemented by pears, orchard fruit, and lemon tones. Extremely useful as an aperitif or first course wine with seafood and/or cheese. Soft finishing acidity, done up in stainless steel of course. Do not overchill. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ~$30 2.Monnier Marres Domaine Montmartel Cotes du Rhone Rouge Organic 2021, vinified with 50%grenache, 40%syrah, and 10%carignan. Typical density of southern Rhone with a preponderance of grenache tones followed by syrah flavours and garrigue terpenes: red berries, spices, anise, some burnt caramel, ripe, but a long penetrating finish, some tannic tightness in the structure. Mouthfilling. Ripe, fresh and fruity with black berry and cherry plumminess. Not filtered. Great organic wine. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.~$18 ***************************************************************end of 2022