The Event: 19th Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, Toronto, Nov 14/13

The Date and Time: Thursday, November 14, 2013 6Pm to 10PM

The Event: 19^th Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

The Venue: Metro Convention Centre

The Target Audience: VIPs night, wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: I did some wines, most are available via LCBO. There was also a great Casa Toscana olive oil/balsamic tasting.

The Quote/Background: each booth had its own system of displaying its wares, so it was a bit chaotic and noisy. I did not visit every booth, of course, but Select and Trialto were the better ones for notes about the wines. Everybody should use business cards. Other booths visited included Strewn, AltoVino, New Zealand, MCO, Food Wines Portugal, Pontos Imports.

 

The Wines: From AltoVino as private orders, I tasted Farr Rising Chardonnay 2009 (3.5 stars), Key Brothers Block 6 Shiraz 2008 ($99.50, 3.5 stars), By Farr Shiraz 2009, $79, 3.5 stars), J.J. Ahn Regional Shiraz/Cabernet 2010 ($21.95, 3.5 stars), Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz 2012 ($35, 3.5 stars), Rob Dolan True Colours CSM 2012 ($25, 4 stars), Kalleske Shiraz 2010 ($109, 3 stars) and Kalleske Shiraz Pirathan 2012 ($29, 3 stars). From Pontos Imports, Luna Sicana Fiano 2012 ($25, 3.5 stars), Luna Sicana Catarrato 2012 ($25, 3.5 stars), Luna Sicana Luna Sol NV ($40, 3 stars), Mastrogiureto Calabria Rosso 2010 ($30, 4 stars), Techni Alipiac 2008 ($25, 3.5 stars), plus two Greek wines with winery names written in Greek: a Roditis 2012 ($18, 3 stars) and a Assyrtiko Drama Idisma Drios 2011 (3 stars).

 

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

-Strewn Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2012 VQA, $12.95 – RWF Award

-Hidden Bench Chardonnay 2011 VQA, $28.95 Vintages

-Pinho Real Vinho Verde 2012, $11.80 FWP

-Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, $21.95 LCBO

-Catena Malbec 2011 Mendoza, $19.95 Vintages

-Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $19.96 Vintages

-Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire 2011 Alsace, $24.95 Vintages

-Herve Seguin Pouilly Fume 2011 Loire, $19.75 Vintages

 

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

-Hidden Bench Riesling 2012 VQA, $23.95 Vintages

-Hidden Bench Terroir Cache 2009 VQA Beamsville, $32.95 Vintages

-Strewn Cottage Block Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling VQA Niagara 2012, $12.95 LCBO

-Strewn Two Vines White Riesling/Gewurztraminer VQA NOTL, $11.95 LCBO

-Esporao Red Reserva 2010 FWP

-Oyster Bay Wines Sparkling Cuvee Brut NV, $21.95 Vintages

-Oyster Bay Wines Chardonnay 2012, $18.95 Vintages

-Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $15.95 LCBO

-Vina Maipo Vitral Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca, $13.95 LCBO

-Trivento Fair Trade Malbec Argentina, $11.95 LCBO

-Ebeia Roble Tempranillo Ribera del Duero, $14.95 LCBO

-Project Paso Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, $17.95 LCBO

-Mendel Malbec 2010 Mendoza, $24.95 Vintages

-Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $22.95 Vintages

-Chateau Pipeau Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2010, $35.95 Vintages

-Chateau L'Orangerie Bordeaux 2011, $13.95 Vintages

-Schmitges Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2011 Mosel, $25.95 Vintages

-Michel Delhommeau Harmonie Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2011, $13.95 Vintages

-Vina San Esteban In Situ Signature Chardonnay-Viognier Aconcagua 2011, $15.95 LCBO

-Vignerons de Buzet red Badge Merlot/CabSauv 2010, $12.95 LCBO

-Vina San Esteban In Situ Winemakers Selection Carmenere Aconcagua 2010, $13.95 Vintages

-Chateau Pineraie Cahors 2009, $15.95 Vintages

-Dornier Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot South Africa 2010, $16.95 Vintages

 

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

-Strewn Terroir Sauvignon Blanc 2012 VQA, $18.95

-Esporao Alandra White 2012, $8.05 LCBO

-Esporao Alandra Red 2012, $7.255 LCBO

-Brancott Estate Letter Series B Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $19.95 LCBO

-Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2012, $16.95 LCBO

-Firesteed Pinot Gris Oregon, $17.80 LCBO

-Asio Otus Red Blend Cab/Merlot/Syrah Italy. $13.95 LCBO

-Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon California, $19.95 LCBO

-Lodez Chardonnay-Viognier France, $12.65 LCBO

-Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella, $35.60 Vintages

 

The Food: I sampled some free junk food for I was hungry and shameless.

The Downside: too dim, too noisy, but it was opening night.

The Upside: a chance to met old friends on the floor and behind the booths.

The Contact Person: Christopher.waters@sunmedia.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com