February 28, 2009

Issue: Feb 20 2009

In This Issue

February 28, 2009

In This Issue: Southern France

The south of France, in particular the relatively wild and undiscovered Languedoc-Roussillon is near and dear to my heart. There is no better way to spend a leisurely vacation than languidly floating down the Canal du Midi, a 16thC feat of engineering that connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean near Sète, passing through vineyards and olive groves, always in the shade of the plane trees planted uninterruptedly on either bank. Dock your houseboat, wander up into a nearby village on market day and fill your larder with fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese and charcuterie, all local of course, then roll by one of the wineries that dot the region to pick up a bottle of rustic and flavourful red, made with much the same grapes as you find in the southern Rhône. Then head back to the deck of your boast for a sumptuous king's banquet under the shade of the planes. More adventuresome travelers will take their rented bicycles and head further a field into the unkempt hinterland of the Languedoc-Roussillon, winding along narrow country roads lined with wild, highly fragrant scrub brush made up of wild thyme, lavender and fennel. Visit a Cathar Castle or delve into occult secrets and search for the Knights Templar's lost treasure, hidden away according to legend by the Abbot Saunière near his hilltop refuge in Rennes-le-Château.

Alas, my time in the south of France was not quite so leisurely. I spent half a year there in 1998 toiling away in a Michelin-starred restaurant in a tiny village called Florensac, somewhere between Montpellier and Béziers in the heart of the Languedoc. Days were long, beginning at 9 and finishing usually around midnight when the last satisfied customers would amble out of the restaurant and into the quiet main square. At the time I was working in the kitchen, not as sommelier, cracking the shells on pounds of lobsters and deveining kilos of foie gras (a job I wish on no man). One of my fondest memories was being asked to scald, peel, scoop out, stuff and trim cherry tomato hors-d'oeuvres for over 300 people attending the 50th birthday of Aimé Guibert's wife, owner of legendary wine estate Mas de Daumas Gassac. Ah, at least the Magnums of 1978 and 1987 Daumas Gassac that found their way miraculously back to the makeshift kitchen wove a few more cherished threads into the fabric of the evening.

A decade ago, the Languedoc-Roussillon was really just beginning to become established as a source of premium, and good value, wine. For many years it had been predicted, but the reality was a little slower to follow through. In the late 1990s there where perhaps a dozen estates making truly wonderful stuff from unknown appellations like Cobières, Minervois, St. Chinian, Faugères and the Coteaux du Languedoc. Today, I could scarcely hazard a guess at the number of worthwhile producers. Some have become high-priced cult wines, but many have thankfully remained superb values. The flavour profile will not be unfamiliar to drinkers of southern Rhône reds, as the predominantly red wines are composed of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre in varying proportions, alongside other grapes like Cinsault and the wild and rustic Carignan. This latter grape, when sourced from low yielding, old vines can be the source of some of the most distinctive wines from the area.

Perhaps it is my personal bias (though I don't think so), but the selection put forth in this Vintages release is one of the best value features that the LCBO has put out in a long time. Don't look necessarily for the big scoring wines - remember scores are absolute, not just in the context of this tasting. You'll see that the prices are more than fair for the complexity and quality on offer, and a better yardstick to go by is the value rating. Many in fact would have appeared in the top ten smart buys if I hadn't created a separate list for the top scoring southern French wines.

Despite the generally exciting wines on release, there are nonetheless some wines to avoid. Sadly, some of the declared ‘low sulphur' wines in the release are already tired and oxidized and don't hold any hope for improvement. As much as some try to villanize sulphur for everything from rashes to headaches, it is pretty much an essential part of stabilizing wines so that they can travel across the world to your table, and it is permitted in most organic charters. Since the climate of the south of France is generally conducive to organic or near-organic viticulture, most of these wines have very little sulphur added anyway.

The characterful wines from the Côtes de Provence to Collioure await your attention. Hopefully they will also bring a little sunshine and perfumed scent of garrigue to your place, too.

Coming Up: The March 14th Vintages release featuring the wines of Ontario and kosher wines for Passover.

Events:
The usual listing of wine events happening in Ontario is included at the end of the report.

Cheers,

 
John Szabo, MS.

Top Wines from Southern France

White

 

1. 673236 2007 LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER VIN DE PAYS D'OC 89 $18 ***

 

Red

1. 65375 2006 LA BASTIDE BLANCHE BANDOL 92 $26 ***
2. 104737 2005 ABBAYE DE SYLVA PLANA FAUG`ERES LA CLOSERAIE 91 $20 ***
3. 61267 2007 LE GRAND PENCHANT MINERVOIS ROUGE 90 $18 ***
4. 103689 2005 CAZES COTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES-LATOUR DE FRANCE L'EXCELLENCE DE TRINIAC 89 $17 ***
5. 643239 2006 DOMAINE DE BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM COTES DU ROUSSILON VILLAGES - LATOUR DE FRANCE 89 $20 **1/2
6. 973453 2006 PERRIN & FILS VACQUEYRAS LES CHRISTINS 89 $24 **1/2
7. 104752 2006 CAMPLAZENS SYRAH VIN DE PAYS D'OC 88 $15 ***
8. 61283 2006 CHÂTEAU CALISSANNE COTEAUX D'AIX EN PROVENCE 88 $18 ***
9. 440123 2004 CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L'EVÊQUE COTES DE PROVENCE VENDANGES MANUELLES 88 $18 ***
10. 78741 2005 DOMAINE BERTHET-RAYNE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE  88 $40 *1/2
11. 103655 2007 CLOS BAGATELLE ST. CHINIAN CUVÉE TRADITION 87 $15 ***
12. 106518 2006 CHÂTEAU DE FONTENELLES CORBIERES CUVÉE NOTRE DAME 87 $17 **1/2
13. 104745 2005 CHÂTEAU DU VIEUX PARC CORBIERES LA SÉLECTION 87 $20 **
14. 701706 2005 DOMAINE DES AIRES HAUTES MINERVOIS LES COMBELLES 85 $14 **1/2
15. 711671 2006 DOMAINE FAILLENC SAINTE MARIE CORBBIERES ROUGE 85 $14 **1/2

 

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Top 10 Smart Buys

	10	Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir**1/2 Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand	ON $15
	9	Oremus 2005 Mandolás Tokaji Furmint Dry**1/2 Tokaj, Hungary	ON $26
	8	Wegeler 2004 Riesling Kabinett Qmp Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg*** Rheingau, Germany	ON $24
	7	Quinta Do Crasto 2004 Vintage Port*** Douro, Portugal	ON $60
	6	Cusumano 2007 Benuara**1/2 Sicily, Italy	ON $18
	5	Leyda 2006 Garuma Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc**1/2 Leyda Valley, Chile	ON $19
	4	Quinta Do Infantado 2006 Douro Red*** Douro, Portugal	ON $24
	3	Ara 2007 Composite Sauvignon Blanc*** Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand	ON $20
	2	Paul Dolan 2006 Vineyards Zinfandel*** Mendocino, California, United States	ON $22
	1	Cantina Tudernum 2006 Merlot*** Umbria, Italy	ON $15

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Argentina - Red
89 Points Graffigna 2006 Centenario Malbec*** San Juan, Argentina About 3 hours drive north of Mendoza you find San Juan with the historic Graffigna winery producing this wine from grapes growing in the nearby 1400m Pedernal Valley. Hot days and cool nights lock in flavours delivering a fresh clean juicy wine. Aromas of plum, black raspberry with gentle oak spice leads to an elegant finely balanced deeply flavoured fruity palate with plum, raspberry, and beet, well focused with excellent length. Grilled red meat is called for here. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 93724 ON $16	89 Points Santa Julia 2005 Magna*** Mendoza, Argentina Excellent value in this delightful blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec with a touch of syrah. The nose shows complexity with blueberry and blackberry fruit complemented by floral notes and well integrated oak spice and vanilla. The midweight palate is super smooth with velvety tannins and juicy acidity balancing the fruit. It finishes dry so needs food. I think a juicy steak would be excellent. It drinks well now but will develop more complexity with some bottle age. Best 2010 to 2014. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 93799 ON $15
88 Points Elderton 2007 Friends Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon** Mendoza, Argentina The nose shows blackberry, prune fruit with jammy notes and some subtle oak spice. It is rich and juicy on the palate with the ripe fruit balanced by soft tannin and lively acidity. Very fruity finish . Very good length. Best 2009 to 2012. Try with game or mildly spicy dishes. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 118067 ON $20	87 Points Crios De Susana Balbo 2006 Syrah/Bonarda** Mendoza, Argentina Blueberry fruit with toffee and mint notes make up the fragrant nose. It is midweight with the round gently fruit very pleasing without a lot of complexity. Good to very good length. Best 2009 to 2012. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 657619 ON $16
86 Points Proviva 2007 Maipe Malbec** Mendoza, Argentina A somewhat restrained nose of prune and blackberry fruit also shows some sulphur. It is soft and fruity and quite drinkable with just sufficient tannin and acid to keep it balanced. Good to very good length. Best 2009 2014. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 93823 ON $15	84 Points Catena 2007 Alamos Pinot Noir*1/2 Mendoza, Argentina A rare disappointment from Catena here. I found this Pinot to show under ripe vegetal character masked by over-enthusiastic wood usage. To be fair, it is priced at below entry level for most Pinot Noir, but in that case I would prefer more honest fresh berry character, and save the wood for the wines that have the depth and ripeness to handle it. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 507822 ON $14
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Argentina - White
89 Points Graffigna 2007 Centenario Pinot Grigio*** San Juan, Argentina This pinot grigio is more in the French style pinot gris from Alsace than Italy’s pinot grigio. The perfumed nose shows very ripe fruit with aromas of peach and floral tangerine with some nutty complexity, nevertheless the elegant fruity palate is well balanced with fine acidity and some minerality toning down the ripeness. Very good length. Try with mildly spicy food like Pad Thai. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 93732 ON $15
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Australia - Red
91 Points Vasse Felix 2006 Shiraz** Margaret River, Western Australia From one of the pioneers that put Margaret river on the world fine wine map comes this very classy, spicy black fruit and black pepper-scented Shiraz with polished wood character and above average complexity. The palate is really nicely balanced and fullish, loaded with ripe but not exaggerated flavours, succulent acidity and a long finish. Drink now-2018. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 686550 ON $40	90 Points The Colonial Estate 2006 Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz** Barossa Valley, South Australia The Explorateur Old Vines Shiraz is a well put-together and appealing wine with raisined/super ripe fruit character and abundant oak. It manages to remain balanced and almost elegant, with soft, plush tannins and moderate acidity creating a pleasing silky texture. Above average finish. Drink now-2016. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 18648 ON $30
89 Points Kilikanoon 2006 Covenant Shiraz*1/2 Clare Valley, South Australia Intense, oaky-jammy nose with plenty of blackberry, cassis and plum jam fruit, and oak-derived vanilla extract. The palate is dry, full, fat, lending a sweet-oaky impression, leading to a long finish. All in all a very good, solid wine, though quite $$$ for the complexity offered. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 674747 ON $50	87 Points Elderton 2006 Friends Vineyard Series Shiraz** Barossa/Eden Valley, South Australia Clean, simple, inviting, fruity. Dry, medium-bodied, balanced and pleasantly drinkable. A nice, easy-drinking, food-friendly style fro current enjoyment. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 660480 ON $19
87 Points Elderton 2006 Friends Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon** Eden Valley, South Australia Black cherry, with prune and earth notes plus some clove and menthol aromas make up the nose. It is full bodied and quite powerful with strong fruit flavours and some finely divide tannin evident on the palate. Very good length. Try with game or hard cheeses. Best 2009 to 2014. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 595389 ON $19	86 Points Stella Bella 2006 Shiraz** Margaret River, Western Australia This is a cool climate expression of Shiraz to be sure, with slightly under ripe fruit character, black pepper and high-toned floral notes. The wood sticks out a little on the palate, though it's pleasantly juicy and drinkable, ready for enjoying now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 48553 ON $21
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Australia - White
90 Points D'Arenberg 2007 The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay**1/2 Adelaide Hills, South Australia This is a bit of an idiosyncratic wine, with unusual medium straw colour and very leesy but complex smoky, spicy, yeasty and integrated woody flavours. The palate is dry and fullish, with great flavour intensity, appealing creamy texture framed up with a nice shock of acidity and above average length. Intriguing almost old world style Chardonnay. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 683011 ON $27	84 Points Chapel Hill 2007 Unwooded Chardonnay* South Australia A refreshing, zesty sipping wine at best, with riveting acidity and pleasant green melon and citrus-stone fruit flavours. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 34397 ON $16
84 Points Berton Vineyards 2007 The White Viognier*1/2 South Eastern Australia Clean but rather low intensity nose for such an aromatic variety. Full and fat on the palate, with decent intensity and some candied stoned fruit and tropical flavours. Fair value. Drink now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 93435 ON $15
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Canada - Red
91 Points Osoyoos Larose 2005 Le Grand Vin**1/2 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada When I tasted this about a year ago, I noted that the wine was still closed but showed great concentration balanced with old world finesse. The wine has evolved since, but still needs another 3-5 years to start showing its best. The nose offers intense, judiciously oaked, fresh dark fruit and light herbal character like classic Bordeaux, while the palate is firmly structured and impressively flavourful and long. Perhaps the best vintage of Osoyoos since it's maiden voyage in 2002. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 626325 ON $43	86 Points Inniskillin 2006 Reserve Series Meritage** Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada A light, lean and dusty textured example from the cool 2006 Niagara vintage, with fresh red and black fruit flavours and saliva-inducing acids. Don't think of this as a blockbuster Meritage, but rather consume as you would a light fruity red, best in the short term with a slight chill. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 91132 ON $18
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Chile - Red
84 Points Bodegas Corpora 2007 Gracia De Chile Reserva Superior Pinot Noir* Bío Bío Valley, Chile Rather candied, jammy and baked berry aromas, lacking the freshness and vibrancy of good commercial Pinot. The palate is dry, firm, with unusually hard acid and tight tannins for Pinot, alongside high (14%) alcohol. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 90027 ON $17	84 Points Aresti 2006 Reserva Carménère* Curicó Valley, Chile Another example of over-oaked, under ripe/vegetal/vegetal wine tarted up for commercial appeal. Very average. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 93773 ON $15
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Chile - White
89 Points Leyda 2006 Garuma Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc**1/2 Leyda Valley, Chile The cool Leyda Valley (easily confused with the producer's name, which is also Leyda) on Chile's Pacific coast delivers this clean, bright, very varietally correct expression of Sauvignon, with pungent lime, grapefruit and canned pea aromas. Dry and zesty, electrifying acidity will make you salivate. Very decent depth and length. Drink now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 99309 ON $19	84 Points Casa Lapostolle 2007 Chardonnay* Casablanca Valley, Chile An unusually disappointing bottle here from Lapostolle: the nose is polished and creamy with all of the requisite fruit and oak, but he palate shows a hard, somewhat bitter finish. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 396986 ON $16
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France - Red
92 Points La Bastide Blanche 2006 Bandol*** Provence, France There is no questioning the seriousness of this wine, which is immediately apparent. It has an inky black appearance, and intensely concentrated and well-proportioned fruit, wood and spice flavours. The palate is dry, full and solid built on gripping tannins, though their is more than sufficient fruit extract to balance. This should age marvelously; I would try again in 2012, and follow it into the 2020s. Wines like this make you wonder why you need spend over $50 to get quality and longevity. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 65375 ON $26	91 Points Abbaye De Sylva Plana 2005 Faug`Eres La Closeraie*** Languedoc, France There is terrific underlying complexity in this southern French cru, offering lots of black spice, dark fruit, abundant wood (not fully integrated yet) and typical minerality from the schistous soils of the AOC. It is solidly structured on the palate, with grippy tannins and juicy acidity, at once concentrated and elegant. Very classy indeed. Best 2010-2020. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104737 ON $20
90 Points Le Grand Penchant 2007 Minervois Rouge*** Languedoc, France Made from 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. This superb example has an intensely spicy, peppery character with inviting olive tapenade and black cherry notes. The palate is likewise highly flavourful, balanced and well-structured for robust dishes or time in the cellar. Loads of flavour and character here for the money. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 61267 ON $18	89 Points Domaine De Bila-Haut 2006 Occultum Lapidem Cotes Du Roussilon Villages - Latour De France**1/2 Roussillon, France Copious black pepper, roasted tomato, coffee grounds and dried herbs give this a distinctive Mediterranean flair, rounded off by pronounced wood influence. The palate is dry and fullish, highly concentrated and shows great length. This has the stuffing and character to age a decade or more I suspect, and should continue to improve and integrate. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 643239 ON $20
89 Points Perrin & Fils 2006 Vacqueyras Les Christins**1/2 Rhône Valley, France Immediately recognizable southern Rhône style red, showing baked red fruit, strawberry pie, old leather, terra cotta and licorice aromas. The palate has a broad, fat structure, with ripe and sweet tannins, moderate acidity and above average length. All in all, a solid and satisfying wine built for robust, herb-inflected dishes. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 973453 ON $24	89 Points Cazes 2005 Cotes Du Roussillon Villages-Latour De France L'Excellence De Triniac*** Roussillon, France Wonderfully exuberant, spicy/wild herb, garrigue, licorice, incense and black fruit aromas make this more complex than its price category might suggest. The old world complexity follows through on the full-bodied palate, while still firm tannins and not fully integrated wood demand another 1-2 years in the cellar. Should be great up to about 2018. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 103689 ON $17
88 Points Domaine Berthet-Rayne 2005 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape *1/2 Rhône Valley, France Traditional style Châteauneuf showing evolved, high-toned/floral notes, baked red fruit, earth, leather and a touch of barnyard; decent, old-school complexity. The palate is still a little firm and dusty, and since there isn't a great deal of fruit left now, it is tough to tell whether this will ever soften before the fruit is gone. My feeling is to drink up sooner rather than later, matched with some tannin-softening protein. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 78741 ON $40	88 Points Château Du Mignon 2004 St Emilion*1/2 Bordeaux, France Clean, reasonably fragrant wine, with nicely integrated wood, fruit and spice in a recognizable regional style. However, very firm, somewhat hard tannins characterize the palate, making this a little austere. I doubt this will ever fully integrated, but 2-4 more years in the cellar will certainly help. Then decent and served traditional-style with roasted rack of lamb. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 92122 ON $30
88 Points Château Listran 2005 Medoc Cru Bourgeois Cuvée Prestige**1/2 Bordeaux, France An enthusiastically-oaked version of left bank Bordeaux, showing chocolate and coffee notes over moderately ripe fruit. The palate is dry, medium-bodied and heavily extracted - clearly a fairly ambitious effort. Tuck this away for another 2-3 years for components to come together, at which point this will be a pretty decent value. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 91389 ON $24	88 Points Château La Tour De L'Evêque 2004 Cotes De Provence Vendanges Manuelles*** Provence, France A more modern expression relative to the other Provençal wine in this release, the dash of Cabernet Sauvignon added to Syrah comes through in pure cassis and typical (subtle) herbal-vegetal notes. In fact, this resembles a wine from one of the lesser-known Bordeaux AOCs. The palate is still very firm and needs another 2-3 years to soften up, but their is ample flavour and character to see this through. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 440123 ON $18
88 Points Château Calissanne 2006 Coteaux D'Aix En Provence*** Provence, France This is a highly food-friendly, classic bistro-style wine that is perfectly ready to go with grilled lamb chops, sausages or magret of duck at a reasonable price. Lovely aromas and flavours of cracked black pepper, fresh raspberries, thyme and sage; dry, fullish, firm and juicy, with very decent concentration. Now-2014. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 61283 ON $18	88 Points Camplazens 2006 Syrah Vin De Pays D'Oc*** Languedoc, France Really fine value here. This VdP Syrah has classic northern Rhône-like smoked meat, black pepper, dried violet, garrigue and cassis fruit character. Tannins are firm and structure-giving, adding to the food pairing possibilities and age ability, but it will be hard to resist now. Great character for the money, for fans of old world Syrah. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104752 ON $15
87 Points Clos Bagatelle 2007 St. Chinian Cuvée Tradition*** France Clos Bagatelle puts a modern twist of seductive oak over a characterful, rustic backdrop of spicy black fruit (cherry, fig, date) and classic southern French garrigue. The palate is medium-bodied, supple, balanced and still fresh, making this a delicious, everyday drinking option. Super value; a nice house wine option. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 103655 ON $15	87 Points Château Du Vieux Parc 2005 Corbieres La Sélection** Languedoc, France Intriguingly spicy, earthy, peppery and leathery aromas intermix with dark fruit in this easy drinking, ready-to-go southern French red. Succulent acids and soft tannins add to the appeal. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104745 ON $20
87 Points Château De Fontenelles 2006 Corbieres Cuvée Notre Dame**1/2 Languedoc, France Simply, clean, berry fruit-driven example of Corbières that is highly inviting if not terribly complex. The palate is soft and dry, juicy and nicely balanced. Fully ready to drink. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 106518 ON $17	86 Points Château Bouissel 2005 Fonton Classic**1/2 Southwest France Certainly worth a detour at this price. The unique Négrette variety delivers a fragrant, distinctively herbal-spicy red, like a cupboard full of various dried herbs and black pepper intermingled with crunchy red and black berries. Structurally it resembles a cooler vintage Bordeaux with firm but not hard tannins, moderate alcohol and juicy acid. This is a versatile, food friendly wine destined for similarly rustic dishes with earthy-herbal flavours. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 693986 ON $15
85 Points Domaine Marcevol 2005 Cotes Du Roussillon Tradition*1/2 Roussillon, France Yet another organic, low sulphur product that shows forward, oxidative, apple skin notes, though it's not yet fully oxidized. There is still some underlying black pepper, cinnamon spice, ripe and dried black fruit. The palate is firm, woody and a little over-extracted, so serve this with rare and/or fatty meats. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 103713 ON $18	85 Points Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie 2006 Corbbieres Rouge**1/2 Languedoc, France Made from organic grapes. The nose across as though the wine were made using carbonic maceration to highlight simple candied blackberry and wine gum flavours. Medium-bodied, dry, juicy, slightly firm tannins; short. Pleasant everyday sort of wine, when you just want to enjoy a glass of wine without too much contemplation or a significant occasion. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 711671 ON $14
85 Points Domaine Des Aires Hautes 2005 Minervois Les Combelles**1/2 Languedoc, France Pleasant, spicy, juicy, herbal red ideal for BBQs. Serve with a slight chill. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 701706 ON $14	85 Points Caves Saint-Pierre 2007 Preference Côtes-Du-Rhône** Rhône Valley, France Low-moderate intensity on the nose; dry, medium+ body, decent concentration for an entry level wines. Pleasant spicy dark fruit character. Drink now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 103622 ON $15
84 Points Esprit Du Sud 2007 * Languedoc, France Modest, light-bodied, tarry, earthy and leathery expression, at peak now. Better at $13 Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104919 ON $16	84 Points Terrasses De La Mouline 2007 St. Chinian Rouge** Languedoc, France A touch of barnyard intermixed with earth and leather make this a distinctly old-school style of wine. Tannins are light but firm. Overall, a rustic entry level southern French red for fans of funk. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 103648 ON $14
80 Points Domaine La Borie Fouisseau Salamandre 2006 Faugeres Languedoc, France Sadly, this organic wine with very little free sulphur (used to protect wine from oxygen) is clearly oxidized and heading down hill swiftly. Not recommended. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104968 ON $20
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France - Sparkling
91 Points Charles Ellner 1999 Prestige Brut Champagne **1/2 Champagne, France Here is a fine mature but certainly not old example of champagne, with a terrifically rich and complex nose. On the palate it is round and creamy yet still retains marked freshness and flavour definition. Long finish; very nice. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 92890 ON $63	89 Points Cattier 2000 Premier Cru Brut Champagne*1/2 Champagne, France Already significantly mature, with most of the fresh fruit having moved into the dried and candied spectrum of flavours, matched by toasted brioche and caramelized sugar. The palate is very dry and steely, coming across as rather austere. A bottle for fans of old/traditional/mature champers. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 105791 ON $50
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France - White
89 Points Laurent Miquel 2007 Nord Sud Viognier Vin De Pays D'Oc*** Languedoc, France Aromatic and unmistakably Viognier, this is a super value from southern France for fans of the variety. Ripe peach, stone fruit and violets on the nose; dry, full-bodied and balanced on the palate with terrific intensity and long finish. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 673236 ON $18
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Germany - White
90 Points Wegeler 2004 Riesling Kabinett Qmp Rudesheimer Berg Schlossberg*** Rheingau, Germany Just starting to show some mature character, Wegeler's 04 Berg Schlossberg is a classically-styled model of Rheingau wine. White peach and peach blossom flavours, like spring in a glass, is carried by low alcohol, vibrant acidity and enough residual sugar to balance. Moderate length. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 87999 ON $24	86 Points Max Ferd. Richter 2007 Zeppelin Label Riesling Qba Mosel Mulheimer Sonnenlay**1/2 Mosel, Germany A lovely sipping wine when refreshment is called for. Simple, lively, green fruit-scented with light herbal notes and off-dry profile. Drink now or hold shot term. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 924613 ON $16
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Hungary - White
90 Points Oremus 2005 Mandolás Tokaji Furmint Dry**1/2 Tokaj, Hungary Easily the most successful label for dry white from Hungary's famous Tokaj region, the Vega Sicilia-backed Oremus estate is one of the leaders in the region. This barrel-fermented Furmint comes across like a fine cru classé white from Bordeaux, showing evolved honeyed, peach, apricot quince and prominent wood spice, and a dry, fullish, well-balanced and succulent mouth feel. At peak now, and waiting to be discovered. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 959817 ON $26
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Italy - Red
93 Points Antinori 2005 Solaia* Tuscany, Italy The 2005 Solaia is very refined and seductive on the nose, with perhaps not quite as much punch as the 2004, but lovely elegance and style. The oak is already integrating nicely, though well-extracted tannins and firm acids need another 5 + years to come around I suspect. Youthful but very promising indeed; this could turn out to be a sleeper star of this lighter vintage, if you've got the $$$ and patience. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 987586 ON $235	93 Points Antinori 2005 Tignanello*1/2 Tuscany, Italy Also available in 750ml for $99.95 (Vintages Essentials) and magnum for $244.95. Generally a relatively good value in the rarified world of iconic super Tuscans in my view, I have always enjoyed the more dominant Tuscan Character of this Sangiovese-based red. The 2005 is no exception, in fact, it's exceptional. It's currently showing complex dried cherry, cranberry, dusty earth, mineral, dried hay and nicely integrated wood aromas and flavours, without the sheen and flash of more 'modern, Bx. variety examples, but the more interesting for it. Fullish, succulent, with terrific flavour intensity on the palate; long finish. Drinking now (from 375ml), but easily age able into the early 2020s. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 677336 ON $59.95/375ml
90 Points Feudo Montoni 2005 Nero D'Avola Vrucara** Sicily, Italy Named after the estate's prized Vrucara vineyard with the oldest vines on the property. Montoni has crafted an ambitious, modern style of Nero with liberal lashings of new wood, but with sufficient fruit and structure to support. Dried flowers and resinous notes add additional complexity. Long finish. Certainly impressive, but at the upper end of the price scale for wine from this region as well. LCBO Product Code: 111286 ON $38	89 Points Viberti 2001 Barolo Riserva La Volta*1/2 Piedmont, Italy This falls in the rustic/traditional camp of Barolo styles, with its high-toned notes (there is some volatile acidity here), dried fruit, and distinctive wet earth, hay and old wood. The palate is exceedingly dry, firm and unyielding at present, as though the wine has gone into hibernation. One can only hope this this wine will open up again in time, though I don't think it will ever be top shelf. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 105841 ON $70
89 Points Quintarelli 2000 Valpolicella Classico Superiore* Veneto, Italy Stripping away the illustrious reputation of the legendary Giuseppe Quintarelli, and what remains is a fully mature, classic old world style Valpolicella showing dried herbs, oregano, roasted fennel/vegetal notes, dried/raisined red fruit and elevated volatile acidity levels on the edge of acceptability. The palate is dry, succulent and highly flavourful, with high alcohol (15%) and long finish. It is an unapologetic wine that from anyone else might be considered over-the-top, even slightly defective, but Quintarelli gets away with it. At this price though, it is hard to recommend based purely on what is in the glass. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 986117 ON $90	88 Points Spadafora 2004 Schietto Cabernet Sauvignon Igt Sicilia*1/2 Sicily, Italy I wasn't expecting a cool climate style Cabernet from Sicily, but this example has distinctively herbal-spicy vegetal character that could easily fool one into thinking this were from Bordeaux. Tannins are dry and firm, and herbal spice prevails on the palate. Decant ahead of drinking now, or hold another 3-5 years. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 111831 ON $43
88 Points Cusumano 2007 Benuara**1/2 Sicily, Italy An ambitious style of Nero d'Avola from leading producer Cusumano, offering pushed fruit verging on over ripeness, high alcohol (14.5%) and some lifted, volatile notes. The palate is solidly built, succulent and flavourful in a southern Italian way. Above average finish. Drink now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 597138 ON $18	88 Points Cantina Tudernum 2006 Merlot*** Umbria, Italy Rare that I jump up and down about Italian Merlot, but this example is a great value by any measure. It's pleasantly fruity but distinctly Italian in style with its black licorice and herbal-cedary-spicy side. The palate is plush and flavourful, delivering lots of wine at this price. Keep a case or two in the cellar. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 101253 ON $15
88 Points Il Borro 2005 Rosso* Tuscany, Italy Here is a thoroughly modern and oaky, heavily extracted example of super Tuscan, for those who like it big. Time in the cellar will round out the rough and tumble texture, though it still falls a little short on the complexity, finesse and depth expected at this price. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 661769 ON $60	87 Points Spadina 2006 Nero D'Avola ** Sicily, Italy Tasty, food-friendly wine at a reasonable price. Clean and inviting ripe black fruit verging on raisined character; smooth, nicely integrated tannins, medium body and balanced acid. Rather elegant. Ready to enjoy now. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 92932 ON $17
87 Points Ajello 2006 Majus Nero D'Avola **1/2 Sicily, Italy A satisfying red for the money. This has plenty of raisined , plum and cherry black fruit spiced up by pepper and dried herbs. Moderate tannins lend a gentle grip; above average length. Drink now-2014. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 100545 ON $17	86 Points Ruffino Tenuta Santedame 2006 Chianti Classico*1/2 Tuscany, Italy Clean but old world style Chianti, with attractive cherry, cranberry, cedar, herbal and leathery aromas. The palate is definitely old school as well with its firm tannins and bright acids, and plenty of woody flavours lingering on the average finish. Correct. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 523076 ON $24
86 Points Spadafora 2007 Syrah Monreale ** Sicily, Italy Blackberry, beet with subtle oak spice aromas plus some leather notes lead to a well balanced fruity palate, rich and smooth with finely divided ripe tannin. Good to very good length. Best 2009 to 2015. Try with bbq meats. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 111849 ON $17	84 Points Rocca Delle Macìe 2005 Chianti Riserva* Tuscany, Italy Crafted, it seems, to please the north American fashion for oaky and jammy wines, this falls out of the typical Chianti spectrum of flavours. Lots of commercial appeal no doubt, but overly dominated by sweet caramel and vanilla and lacking the fresh vibrant texture that makes Chianti such a fine food wine. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 111641 ON $15
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Italy - Sparkling
87 Points Villa Sandi N/V Cuvée Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene** Veneto, Italy A pretty, fresh and fragrant example of northern Italy's popular fizz, with green apple, pear and peach blossom flavours. It's drier than most, with lively acidity and mousse, making this a tasty aperitif style. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 738542 ON $19
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Italy - White
87 Points La Bastide Blanche 2007 Bandol**1/2 Sicily, Italy Clean, intriguingly herbal, anise-tarragon scented white with citrus and fresh pear and no discernable oak. Nicely rounded and snappy on the palate with decent flavour intensity. A modern and well-made southern Italian white. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 670844 ON $17	86 Points Marchetti 2007 Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Classico**1/2 Le Marche, Italy One of the more interesting white varieties of Italy in general, this example has a clean, fragrant nose of fresh & ripe stone fruit, bosc pear, wet stone and green peach. On the palate it is dry, high acid, tart and fresh. Moderate concentration and length. For casual sipping or fine with a Mediterranean sea bass capriccio with x-tra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 104869 ON $16
86 Points Feudo Montoni 2007 Catarratto **1/2 Sicily, Italy Attractive spiced Asian pear, ripe citrus/lime in a fresh, unoaked expression. Dry, medium-bodied, balanced and perfectly pleasant. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 111252 ON $16	86 Points Maculan 2007 Pinot Grigio Doc Breganze** Veneto, Italy The nose is very subtle not uncommon with northern Italian pinot grigio. Lemon, apple and mineral with some residual sulphur aromas lead to a clean well balanced palate. It finishes nicely with a touch of bitterness bringing the palate to a close. Good length. Try with creamy pasta sauces. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 734921 ON $16
85 Points Cusumano 2007 Insolia ** Sicily, Italy A simple wine designed for grilled fish and salads while sitting on a terrace overlooking the sea. Don't expect great complexity or depth, just correct, cool, white wine. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 606350 ON $15
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Lebanon - Red
86 Points Dr. Dargham Elias Touma 2000 Heritage Grand Vin Bourgeois ** Bekaa Valley, Lebanon An intriguing wine that smells like ratatouille, vegetable casserole, stewed peppers and some dried fruit. The palate is dry, juicy and highly spicy/savoury with pretty decent balance. Don't go looking too hard for fruit. Would make an interesting match with some of the above-mentioned foods. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 92858 ON $19
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New Zealand - Red
89 Points Te Awa 2004 Cabernet/Merlot** Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand This very stylish cabernet merlot blend comes from the warmest bit of New Zealand; the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay. Wine maker Jenny Dobson has worked in Bordeaux which is evident in this elegant well balanced wine. Expect aromas of black cherry, raspberry and cassis with a touch of black olive nicely mingling with some mature oak spice. The palate is fruity but balanced by some fine tannin. Very good to excellent length. Try with roast meats. Best 2009 to 2014. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 95984 ON $20	86 Points Sileni 2008 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir**1/2 Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand Distinct Pinot character on the nose here, in an almost old world style of tart red fruit, earth, beetroot and dried herbs. The palate is dry, medium-bodied, low on tannins and high in acidity. The finish is short but this is nonetheless a good entry level example at the price; would make a good restaurant by-the-glass pour. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 694901 ON $15
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New Zealand - White
90 Points Ara 2007 Composite Sauvignon Blanc*** Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand A very clean, tightly wound and mineral expression of Sauvignon, very Sancerre-like with its lemon, white grapefruit and chalky-flint flavours. The palate is likewise lean and well-chiseled in an old world style. Refreshing and impressive, if a little atypical. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 96693 ON $20
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Portugal - Fortified/Dessert
94 Points Quinta Do Crasto 2004 Vintage Port*** Douro, Portugal Simply a superb effort from Quinta do Crasto in the 2004 Vintage. It is super-concentrated, with lovely flavour intensity and complexity and excellent length. A classic in the making, and a solid value for the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2024. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 80598 ON $60
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Portugal - Red
90 Points Quinta Do Infantado 2006 Douro Red*** Douro, Portugal A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Franca and Tinta Roriz, this sleek, modern red is brimming with intense, ripe blackberry fruit, verging on jammy, with loads of polished new wood. The palate is likewise rich and intense, indeed almost port-like in its flavour profile minus the alcohol, with firm but balanced tannins. Nice value. Try this after 2010 for better all-around integration. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 95158 ON $24
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Portugal - White
86 Points Sogevinus 2007 Divinica White **1/2 Douro, Portugal A versatile and pleasant multi-grape blend of indigenous varieties with focused on stone fruit, melon and attractive floral/orange blossom notes from one of the more aromatic components. The palate is lively and crisp, and of just average flavour intensity and length but correct for the money. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 94904 ON $16
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South Africa - Red
88 Points Seven Sisters 2006 Carol Cabernet Sauvignon *** Western Cape, South Africa Earthy, smoky, black cherry and cassis aromas with a touch of leather are evident on the nose. The palate shows ripe fruit with firm tannin underneath that is more obvious on the finish. Well balanced medium to full bodied. Very good length. Best 2009 to 2013. Try with roast duck with a cassis sauce. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 79681 ON $14	87 Points Stellenrust 2005 Shiraz** Stellenbosch, South Africa Prune, blackberry, leather, sweet earth plus some cardboard notes make up the nose. It is juicy and midweight with bright berry flavours with some firm dry tannin showing more on the finish. Good to very good length. Good for current consumption. Tasted By: Steve Thurlow LCBO Product Code: 96552 ON $17
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Spain - Red
85 Points Hacienda El Espino 2004 Do Almansa 1707 Selección De Barricas ** La Mancha, Spain Fully old school style Spanish red that smells like a pure infusion of American oak: sawdust, coconut and dill, with little fruit left to speak of. The palate is firm and drying out somewhat. An idiosyncratic style that would seem more at home in the 19th Century. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 94854 ON $17	84 Points Viña Albali 2001 Do Valdepenas Gran Reserva* La Mancha, Spain Fully evolved and even a bit funky (read brettanomyces) with aromas of old Orthodox Church (incense) and campfire - intriguing to say the least. The palate though is drying out, with hard, unyielding tannin even after all this time and little fruit remaining. A wine that never likely had a drinking window. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 9621 ON $20
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Spain - White
84 Points Hermanos De Vilar 2007 Oro De Castilla Verdejo* Rueda, Spain A bit funky and reductive on the nose, with likely TCA taint, though in any case the flavour intensity is quite low and the finish short. Provisional score. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 745562 ON $15
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United States - Red
93 Points Dominus 2005 Dominus** Napa Valley, California, United States Also available in magnum for $281.95. The 2005 vintage of California icon Dominus doesn't miss a beat, continuing the tradition of complex, half old, half new world styling, offering terrifically intense spicy, cedar, cigar box, forest floor and black truffle notes alongside ripe and even overripe/jammy red and black fruit flavours. the palate is densely packed without being over-extracted, with mouth-filling intensity and long finish. Best from 2010, and will hold 2-3 decades more. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 105890 ON $128	92 Points Ridge 2006 Geyserville**1/2 Sonoma County, California, United States I am very fond of the Ridge house style, where jammy fruit is not the focus of flavour, but rather a harmonious blend of ripe fruit and delicate herbal and spicy nuances, with nothing in excess. There is even a light touch of oxidative character which lifts the profile into the floral spectrum. Dusty tannins and juicy acid lead into a terrifically long, lingering, savoury finish. Ready to enjoy now with some protein and carafing, but will hold 10 years+. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 723072 ON $59
90 Points Paul Dolan 2006 Vineyards Zinfandel*** Mendocino, California, United States This organically-grown Zinfandel is full of fresh herbs, spring flowers and red and black berries of varying degrees of ripeness in a moderately oaked, pure and inviting style. It’s highly drinkable, even elegant, with juicy, pure berry and spice flavours and lovely texture. Not your typical blockbuster style Zin, but all the better for it, and super value too. Drink now-2015. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 46342 ON $22	89 Points Seghesio 2006 Home Ranch Zinfandel*1/2 Alexander Valley, California, United States A whack of wood, plum preserve, melted butter and fig purée make this a decidedly brazen, in-your-face style of Zin where concentration an ripeness count for more than complexity. Full-bodied, high alcohol, low, sweet tannins and plump fruit round out the palate. Definitely suitable to fans of big zins, though in my view a little pricey for the depth and complexity offered. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 70391 ON $47
89 Points Bridlewood 2004 Reserve Syrah** Central Coast, California, United States Dark chocolate, coffee, black pepper, wood smoke, incense, vanilla extract and black fruit are just some of the aromas you'll pick up in this complex Syrah. The palate is dry, fullish, juicy, with ripe plush tannins and dominant wood flavours. Give this another 2-3 years in the cellar to come together. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 90084 ON $28
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United States - White
88 Points Folie À Deux 2007 Ménage À Trois White**1/2 California, United States An intriguing blend of Chardonnay, Muscat and Chenin Blanc, dominated at the moment by the overwhelming perfume of Muscat and its orange blossom and grapey aromas, alongside melon, pineapple and other tropical fruit flavours. The palate gives an impression of sweetness with its full-bodied, fat and round texture. This would work well with mildly spicy, exotic Asian flavours. Tasted By: John Szabo LCBO Product Code: 665166 ON $20
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Features

Upcoming Events

February    

• 13   
  30th Annual OIWSBA Awards Dinner (National Club, 303 Bay Street, Toronto; This is the premier event on OIWSBA's social calendar; Featuring thematic gourmet cuisine and a selection of premium beverage alcohol products from Spain and Portugal, co-host countries for this year's event; The Awards recognize the contributions of various parties who have helped to enhance the profile and appeal of imported beverage alcohol products in the Ontario marketplace) -- Ian Campbell, OIWSBA, 416/699-9535, ian.campbell@oiwsba.com, www.oiwsba.com

• 23   
  OntarioWineReview's Pinot Noir Challenge, February 4, 12, 16, and 23 (7pm each night) at Campbell House Museum, Toronto.  Over 40 Pinot Noirs will be poured, minimum 10 per night. Together we'll choose Ontario's best.  For tickets ($50 per person / per night), and details call 416-385-9400 or 416-597-0227 (ext. 3) or on the web www.ontariowinereview.com.

• 26   
  2009 Vini Portugal Annual Trade Tasting (Time/Venue t.b.a.; Toronto) -- William Delgado, Portuguese Trade and Tourism Commission, 416/921-4925

• 26   
  ‘Vine-apalooza' organized by The Vine Wine Agency: a wine tasting and thought-provoking photo exhibition, featuring almost three dozen images from ‘HUNGRY PLANET, What the World Eats' by Peter Menzel & Faith D'Aluisio and 15 winemakers from Ontario, France, California, Washington, New Zealand, Australia & Italy. Cost: $99 incl. gst. Location: Artscape Wychwood Barns. Call 416-693-7994 or events@robgroh.com

March    

• 17   
  Burgundy Road Show (Time t.b.a.; St. Andrews Club, 150 King Street West, 27th Floor, Toronto) -- Ann-Marie Koumettou, Sopexa Canada, 416/921-8400, Ext. 2008, annmarie.koumettou@sopexa.com

• 20-22   
  25th Annual Toronto Wine & Cheese Show (March 20, 12-10 p.m.; March 21, 12-9 p.m.; March 22, 12-6 p.m.; The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga -- Featuring wines, spirits and beers from around the world for sampling and purchase from the LCBO on-site) -- Marti Milks, Premier Publications and Shows, 416/234-0013, marti.milks@sympatico.ca, www.towineandcheese.com

• 26   
  OIWSBA Members' Meeting (8:30 Breakfast, 9 a.m. Meeting; Boulevard Club, 1491 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto; Guest speaker t.b.a.) -- Ian Campbell, OIWSBA, 416/699-9535, ian.campbell@oiwsba.com

 
April   

• 1   
  California Wine Fair (2:30-4:30 p.m., Trade; 7-9:30 p.m., Consumer; The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa) - Melissa McNeil, 905/336-8932, calwine@sympatico.ca  (Tentative)
• 6   
  California Wine Fair (12 noon-2:15 p.m., Luncheon; 2:30-5 p.m., Trade tasting; 7-9:30 p.m., Consumer Tasting; The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, 100 Front Street West, Toronto) - Melissa McNeil, 905/336-8932, calwine@sympatico.ca
• 7   
  French Wine Trade Show (Toronto; Venue/time t.b.a.) -- Emmanuelle Gomez, Sopexa Canada, 416/921-8400, Ext. 2092, emmanuelle.gomez@sopexa.com

   

May   

• 5   
  German Wine Fair: Riesling Rules (2:30-5:30 p.m., Trade Tasting; 7-9 p.m., Consumer Tasting; Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto) -- Ron Fiorelli, Wines of Germany, 905/815-1581, rfiorelli@sympatico.ca
• 5-9   
  Salute: Toronto Wine & Food Festival (Featuring: 50 wineries and winemakers from around the globe, one feature region, numerous tasting events, wine shopping experiences and educational seminars conducted by leading wine experts) -- Laura Johnston, 905/338-9348, ljohnston@fathomco.com
• 16   
  Ontario Wine Awards Gala Dinner (6: 30 p.m. Sparkling Wine Reception; Queen's Landing, Niagara-on-the-Lake) -- Sandy Kurbis, 416/398-3335, sandy@forefrontcom.com
• 21   
  New Zealand Wine Fair (2:30-5:30 p.m., Trade Fair; 7-9:30 p.m., Public Fair; Toronto; Venue/times t.b.a.) -- Robert Ketchin 705/444-0195, rketchin@ketchin.com, www.nzwine-events.ca

   

 

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