On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.
28
Apr
2012
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
In the history of Toronto "trade tastings" I don't think I've ever known anybody's "credentials to be checked at the door" ... it seems that anybody can get in regardless of you association to the wine industry, if at all any. Thus was the case at the Austrian tasting held Monday April 16 - in fact I bumped into a few well known sommeliers as I was leaving, after my hour-and-a-half run (literally) through a room at the brand new Trump Hotel, the room was getting hotter and more packed by the minute, it looked more like a push-and-shove-athon more than a wine tasting. These originally excited sommelier (Austria is always a hot wine topic) took one look in the door and said, "not worth it". Sure the room contained writers and restaurateurs but there were also members of the public that had no business being there, including a woman whom I overheard saying: "I only like red wine, what's with all this white?" To her I wanted to ask, what the heck are you doing at an Austrian tasting. I'm not saying that Austria doesn't make red, in fact they are doing a much better job then I have seen and tasted in the past (thank you global warming), but they are still a country known for crisp whites like Gruner Veltliner (their signature grape) and Riesling - which were the two predominant grapes on the tables. It was a quick tasting around the 18 tables (it was 24 degrees out and felt doubly hot in the room) ... but here's my take on the wines I tried, notes where warranted.
NB … Because of the cramp nature of the room I missed certain tables that were not set up in time, which brings me to my last complaint (for now) if the show is called for 2pm, be at your table at 2, if you’re not there are members of the media (me included) that’ll walk right by and not look back.
(to see the list of wines tried and my remarks click here)
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.
28
Apr
2012
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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
It’s always a pleasure to get out and taste some fantastic old world wines, and the Ponciago (Beaujolais), Fevre (Chablis) and Bouchard (Cote d’Or) is one of those focused tastings that’s a pleasure to attend … just the right amount of wines and all of great quality. With just under two-dozen wines it’s a tasting where you don’t feel rushed. What follows are my favourites from the tasting – trust me this is a difficult list to amass …
Villa Ponciago …
2010 Fleurie – Cuvee les Hauts du Py ($30.00) … this one is all cherry, black and spicy; hints of mineral and woodsy notes bring it all together. (****)
2009 Fleurie – Grande Cuvee la Roche Muriers ($48.00) … a raspberry laden nose leads to a cassis / black cherry palate that seems almost creamy; rich with fruit. (****+)
William Fevre …
2010 Chablis Premier Cru Montmains Domaine ($49.00) … light pear with lime and lovely mineral notes. (*** ½+)
2010 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Domaine ($81.00) … more robustly flavoured Chablis with more fruit than mineral with peach and pear leading the way; good weight and structure. (****)
2010 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Domaine ($107.00) … this one mixes the best of the above wines: the light fruit with pear and lemon curd, a touch of mineral adding the structure, good acidity and all leads to a long and lovely finish. (****+)
Bouchard Pere & Fils …
2010 Beaune Marconnets – Premier Cru ($58.00) … red fruit and earthy, good cleansing acidity with a cranberry finish; quite pleasant. (*** ½+)
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Village ($55.00) … mineral and black cherry with nice fresh acidity with earthy and cranberry notes. (*** ½+)
2010 Pommard Premier Cru ($72.00) … nose of floral/violets with a perfumed raspberry note; palate delivers black raspberry, cherry and nice acidity to balance the lush fruit. (*** ½+)
2010 Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot – Premier Cru ($87.00) … smooth rich black and red fruit with raspberry, cherry and strawberry within the make, though the strawberry really leads the pack here; nice clean finish. (****+)
2010 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Cailles Premier Cru ($118.00) … great black fruit and anise/licorice notes; finish is quite nice and has good length. (****)
2010 Beaune Greves Vigne de L’Enfant Jesus – Premier Cru ($124.00) … creamy upon entry with a raspberry mid with cherry and a hint of chocolate tannin; a great big acid hit on the finish with some spice; this has got a big league chew. (****+)
2010 Le Corton – Grand Cru ($124.00) … up front dark fruit with a lovely finish. (****)
2010 Corton-Charlemagne – Grand Cru ($192.00) … nice fruit character shines through with a seam of vanilla and butter that carries the wine, all with a nice backbone of acidity. (**** ½)
Other Wines …
Henriot Brut Souverain (non-vintage Champagne) - ****
They’re Not All Expensive …
There was also a small table of generally available Bouchard wines, both red and white, here were the two best from this mini-tasting:
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2009 Bougogne La Vignee Pinot Noir (*** ½) - $16.95
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2010 Macon Lugny St. Pierre (****) - $14.95
To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.
