May 2/11: Big G7 Portuguese wine tasting at George Brown

 The Time and Date: Monday, May 2, 2011  9:30 AM to 5 PM

The Event: a seminar and tasting of wines from the Grupo dos Sete Portuguese wineries.

The Venue: George Brown College

The Target Audience: wine writers, sommeliers, wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: Wines are available through the usual distribution channels (General List, Vintages, Consignment, Private Orders, etc.). There was a very good catalogue put together with all the specifics (regions, grape varieties used and percentages, ABV, but no prices).

The Quote/Background: The G7 was founded in 1992. It does an annual promotion through Canada. It was here in Toronto and Montreal. The emphasis is on diversity, originality, and quality standards. All of the seven wine regions are represented through the wineries of Alianca, Bacalhoa, Jose Maria de Fonseca, and Caves Messias. For the press, there was a seminar with wines (and barrel samples) presented by the winemakers; this was followed by a lunch with more presentations.

The Wines: I included all the wines in the seminar and lunch here. I did not try all the wines in the afternoon trade show.

 

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

-Messias Quinta do Valdoeiro 2007 Bairrada, Signature

-Bacalhoa Quinta da Bacalhoa 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, $40 private order Diamond

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Jose de Sousa Mayor 2007 Alentejo, Dandurand

-Bacalhoa Tinto da Anfora 2008 Alentejo, $11.95 +227256

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Messias Grande Escholha 2007 Douro, Signature

-Alianca Quinta da Garrida Touriga Nacional 2005 Dao, PMA

-Bacalhoa Quinta dos Loridos 2010 Lisboa (tank sample, white)

-Aveleda Grande Follies 2009 Bairrada, Mark Anthony

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Superyor 2008 Peninsula de Setubal

-Alianca Quinta Dos Quatro Ventos Reserva 2006 Douro, PMA

-Bacalhoa JP Azeitao Red 2010 Peninsula de Setubal, $11.95 consignment Diamond

-Bacalhoa Quinta do Carmo 2007, $37 private order Diamond

-Alianca White 2010 Vinho Verde, PMA

-Alianca Reserva 2008 Dao, PMA

-Alianca Quinta da Terrugem 2007, PMA

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Twin Vines 2010 Vinho Verde, Dandurand

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita White 2010 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Red Reserva 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Aveleda Quinta da Aveleda 2010 Vinho Verdes, Mark Anthony

-Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2010 Minho

-Messias Quinta do Valdoeiro Reserva 2005, $19.95 September Vintages

-Bacalhoa So Touriga Nacional 2007, $35 private order Diamond

-Alianca Alabastro 2010 Alentejo, PMA

-Alianca Feral 2009 Douro, PMA

-Alianca Vista Tinta Roriz 2008 Beiras, PMA

-Aveleda Follies Touriga Nacional 2007 Bairrada, Mark Anthony

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Red 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Jose de Sousa 2009 Alentejo, Dandurand

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Domingos 2009 Douro, Dandurand

-Messias Quinta do Penedo 2008 Dao,  Signature

 

The Food: lunch was unique, with house cured salmon, braised short ribs, cheeses, and cannoli filled with ricotta mousse, followed by dark chocolate truffles.

The Downside: I was late, following a medical appointment.

The Upside: a great opportunity to talk with some of the winemakers.

The Contact Person: aicep.toronto@portugalglobal.pt

and spuritt@hotmail.com

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event (numerical grade): 89

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com