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Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Event: The inaugural Trillium Chefs Canada Awards Dinner prefaced by a talk by Miguel Torres, the Riedel Wine Maker of the Year Award

The Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 3:15 to 6PM
The Event: The inaugural Trillium Chefs Canada Awards Dinner prefaced by a talk by Miguel Torres, the Riedel Wine Maker of the Year Award. The event benefited the Trillium Chefs Canada in their bid to win Gold at the 2016 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany.
The Venue: Lai Wah Heen Restaurant
The Target Audience: writers and guests
The Availability/Catalogue: wiens are available through the LCBO or through the agent, Family Wine Merchants.
The Quote/Background: Torres' presentation was about corporate responsibility in being green and returning the earth to a good shape. They are committed to reducing carbon emissions, using solar panels, reducing water usage, reducing gas consumption, encouraging wind farms, reducing bottle weight, and experimenting with new vineyard management techniques in the Pyrenees. These are all for their properties world wide in California and Chile as well as Spain.
The Wines: we sampled what was in the market at the current time in Ontario. There was an excellent Cordillera Brut (all pinot noir) from Chile's Curico Valley (90 points), a brilliant Vina Esmeralda 2014 (moscatel and gewurztraminer) from Catalan that has been a regular summer drink of mine for about 40 years (so I'm biased, 90 points), a tight Gran Coronas Reserva 2010 (cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo) from Penedes (88 points), and the oaky Estate Mas La Plana 2010 (all cabernet sauvignon) surprisingly more approachable than the Reserva (91 points). We also had a sample of Torres 5 Brandy.
The Food: earlier on, with the interviews and media scrum, we had some sushi from EDO.
The Downside: there was a dinner afterwards.
The Upside: a chance to meet and greet Miguel Torres.
The Contact Person: spuritt@hotmail.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 30, 2015

 
WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 30, 2015
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at www.deantudor.com since 1994. My LCBO tastings are based on MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here.
 
NOTE: The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine writers or product consultants. Corked wines are not normally available for a re-tasting. It is getting more difficult to endorse wines under $20 for the simple reason that the LCBO does not release many of them into the Vintages program, ones that can be deemed to be worthy of your consideration. So I will now just ADD some "under $25" suggestions, along with point values.
 
 
====?>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2012 Columbia Valley Washington, +366542, $17.95: creamy oak, soft tannins, cork closure, 13.5% ABV, well-framed and lingers. Yum. QPR: 90.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $25:  [not many this time]
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2013 VQA Beamsville Bench, +183491, $23.95. QPR: 90.
2.Maison Roche de Bellene Vieilles Vignes Bourgogne Chardonnay 2012, +299867, $20.95. QPR: 90
3.Marnier-Lapostolle Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre 2013, +340893, $24.95. QPR: 90.
 
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $25:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Wahluke Slope Washington, +360222, $19.95: excellently positioned, very good and big wine with typical cabby MVC cassis and some wood. Cork closure, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.
2.Laura Hartwig Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Colchagua Valley, +727495, $17.95: another cabby, but in Euro style. Complexity needs more time. Barrel-aged French oak for one year. 14% ABV
3.Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir 2012 Casablanca Valley, +37937, $14.95: it is not too often you see an under-valued wine at the LCBO, but here is one the mark-up guys overlooked. Massive cherries and wood, 14% ABV. Twist top. Yum. QPR: 89.
4.O'Leary Walker Pinot Noir 2012 Adelaide Hills Australia, +408419, $24.95. QPR: 90.
5.Rustenberg Merlot 2010 WO Stellenbosch, +404194, $19.95: mint, mocha, black currants, 14% ABV, twist top. Good aging. QPR: 89.
6.Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2012, +973453, $23.95. QPR: 90.
7.Domaine Bellavista La Cuvee d'Ava Cotes du Roussillon 2011, +383398, $15.95: this wine does not need a dose of MSG, it already has it in its mourvedre/syrah/grenache frame. Good depth and well-priced. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
8.San Michele a Torri Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2013, +900258, $16.95: from one of the rarer regions in Chianti, a svelte light and polite Chianti at a decent price. 13% ABV. QPT: 88.
9.Mula Velha Premium Tinto 2012 Lisboa, +409250, $15.95: juicy, North American appeal, very aromatic. 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
10.VSL G Garnacha 2011 Madrid, +132266, $18.95: this "garnacha of the month" is organic but also 15% ABV. Very nice expression of the G spot: a sweet and spicy song. QPR: 89.
11.Bodegas Campina Sabor Real Vinas Centenarias Tempranillo 2009 Toro, +244772, $15.95:  good value for an aged robust wine, made from vines planted in 1895. QPR: 89.
12.P Dardenne Vina Mayor Reserva 2009 Ribera del Duero, +209155, $24.95. QPR: 89
 
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $25 RETAIL
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10 markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
 
1.Oldenburg Chardonnay 2012 WO Stellenbosch, +374645, $26.95 retail.
2.Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace Grand Cru, +307694, $33.95.
3.Lucien Muzard & Fils Les Meix Chavaux Meursault 2013, +407072, $58.95.
4.Segla 2006 Margaux, +359810, $53.95.
5.Pierre Amadieu Romane-Machotte Gigondas 2012, +17400, $27.95.
6.Badia a Coltibuono Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, +683474, $38.95.
7.Marchesi Torrigiani Guidaccio 2008 IGT Toscana, +674499, $48.95.
8.Poggio Bonelli Poggiassai 2010, +85365, $32.95.
 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.

The Date and Time: Monday, April 20, 2015   11AM to 4PM
The Event: Somewhereness Trade Tasting: terroir in Ontario VQA wines.
The Venue: St. James Cathedral Centre
The Target Audience: I was there for the first two hours where it was just the writers, so we had room and space to roam around and talk to the wineries.
The Availability/Catalogue: Everything  is available at the winery, some are also at the LCBO. Some wines are restricted to licensees only.
The Quote/Background: the wines were presented from East to West
The Wines:  I did not taste every wine. Prices are retail except where specified.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Norman Hardie Prince Edward County Pinot Noir 201, $39.
-Norman Hardie Niagara Pinot Noir 2011, $39.
-Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2013, $22.75
-Southbrook Whimsy "Minerality" Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2012, $34.75
-Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012, $35
-Stratus Tollgate White Wine 2011, $19.75
-Stratus White 2012, $38
-13th Street Winery Cuvee Rose NV, $24.95
-Flat Rock Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2014, $19.95
-Flat Rock Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2012, $24.95
-Flat Rock Riddled 2009, $29.95
-Cave Spring Riesling Estate Extra-Dry 2010, $24.95
-Cave Spring Cabernet Franc Estate 2012, $29.95
-Tawse Spark Riesling Blend 2013, $24.95
-Malivoire Stouck Meritage 2011, $34.95
-Bachelder Saunders Chardonnay 2012, $44.95
-Bachelder Wismer Chardonnay 2012, $44.95
-Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir Locust Lane Beamsville 2013, $48
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling 2014, $27
-Flat Rock Chardonnay 2012, $18.95
-Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2013, $29.95
-Cave Spring CSV Chardonnay 2012, $29.95
-Cave Spring The Adam Steps Riesling 2013, $24.95
-Bachelder Pinot Noir Parfum 2013
-Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2012, $39
-Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc, $21.75
-Stratus Red 2010, $44
-13th Street Essence Syrah 2012, $44.95
-Tawse Quarry Road Chardonnay Vinemount Ridge 2012, $35.95
-Malivoire Cabernet Franc Creek Shores 2013, $24.95
 
The Food: the regulars were there, providing great food- Best Baa Dairy, Monforte Dairy, Upper Canada Cheese Company, Fat Chance Sliced Cold Salmon Co., and De La Terre Kitchen for breads and spreads. Backhouse (eggs and prosciutto) I think is new.
The Downside: nothing, really
The Upside: a chance for some space and some good talking.
The Contact Person: www.somewhereness.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 16, 2015

 
WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 16, 2015
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at www.deantudor.com since 1994. My LCBO tastings are based on MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here.
 
NOTE: The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine writers or product consultants. Corked wines are not normally available for a re-tasting. It is getting more difficult to endorse wines under $20 for the simple reason that the LCBO does not release many of them into the Vintages program, ones that can be deemed to be worthy of your consideration. So I will now just ADD some "under $25" suggestions, along with point values.
 
 
====?>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20
 
Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2008 Gioa del Colle Puglia, +724674, $13.95: best value of the release at this price, great aged wine (seven years or so). Dried fruit, sun-dried veggies, plummy. QPR: 91.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $25:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Cave Spring Pinot Gris 2013 VQA Niagara, +621086, $17.95: nifty off-dry on plate, juicy entry with lush concentration, reminiscent of Alsace. Sip, quaff or first course wine. 13% ABV. QPR: 89.
2.Finca El Origen Reserva Torrontes 2014 Salta Argentina, +262089, $15.95: deep fruit and high alcohol, 14.3% – the wine of Toronto! Twist top, fresh taste of exotic fruits. QPR: 89.
3.Howard Park Flint Rock Chardonnay 2012 Western Australia, +410027, $22.95. QPR: 90.
4.Tahbilk Marsanne 2013 Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, +117945, $17.95: I've consumed many vintages over the years, and this is one of the best, albeit very juicy. Twist top. 12.5% ABV. QPR: 88.
5.Yalumba Viognier 2013 Eden Valley South Australia, +954644, $24.95. QPR: 90.
6.Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Awatere Valley Marlborough, +225557, $18.95: yes, it's time for the Eradus annual swing through Ontario, with its zesty over-the-top green notes, 13.5% ABV, twist top. No price change since last year. QPR: 89.
7.Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough, +324228, $21.95. QPR: 90.
8.Rustenberg Chardonnay 2013 WO Stellenbosch, +598631, $19.95: tastes we;; aged, good forest floor complexity in a Euro toasty mode. QPR: 89.
9.William Fevre Saint-Bris 2013 Burgundy, +626523, $20.95. QPR: 90.
10.La Cave du Coudray Reserve du Chron Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2013 Sur Lie, +413757, $13.95: the Muscadet release of the month, 12% ABV, green and lean food wine. Perfect for summer dining. QPR: 89.
11.Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles de Colombo Cotes du Rhone 2013, +413187, $17.95: mouthfeel of sunshine, 13% ABV, summer beckons. Patio or first course wine for succulence. QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $25:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.De Bortoli Gulf Station Shiraz/Viognier 2010, +408328, $19.95: good Rhone quality and nicely aged for five years, 13% ABV, twist top. Euro all the way. QPR: 89.
2.De Morgenzon DMZ Syrah 2012 QO Western Cape: another Rhone-like beauty, although I thought the label referred to DeMilitarized Zone. 14%. QPR: 88.
3.Chateau Haut Peyraud 2010 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, +413948, $16.95: very decent Bordeaux at a rock bottom price, hard to avoid. 14% ABV. MVC all the way, mostly Merlot grapes. QPR: 89.
4.Chateau de Gourgazaud Cuvee Mathilde Minervois 2013, +958629, $14.95: gutsy syrah dominates, very good value, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
5.Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2013 IGT Terra degli Osci Molise, +591974, $13.95: good basic sangiovese hits, MVC for the grape, 13% ABV. Needs food. QPR: 88.
6.Tommais Graticcio Appassionato 2013 "Product of Italy", +338939, $15.95: normally I see this designation on olive oil bottles, but here who knows? Aged in oak, 13% ABV, twist top, very dense with appassionato texture, and bargain priced. QP: 88.
7.Ondarre Reserva 2009 Rioja, +723452, $18.95: another affordable Rioja at the reserve level with six years of aging. Oaked consistency, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.
8.Convento San Francisco 2005 Ribera del Duero, +206409, $23.95. QPR: 90.
 
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $25 RETAIL
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10 markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
 
1.Bergstrom Old Stones Chardonnay 2011 Willamette Oregon, +419753, $41.95 retail.
2.Domaine Berthenet Montagny 1er Cru 2013, +405993, $27.95.
3.D'Arenberg The Love Grass Shiraz 2011 McLaren Vale, +48785, $25.95.
4.Viticcio Beatrice Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2011, +404244, $47.95.
5.E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +727503, $58.95.
6.Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +976662, $36.95.
 

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

Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

FOOD AND DRINK BOOKS IN REVIEW,,,,

 
 
3.BUT I COULD NEVER GO VEGAN! (The Experiment, 2014, 308 pages, ISBN 978-1-61519-210-6, $23.95 US paper covers) is by Kristy Turner, once a caseophile (and professional fromagier) but now the writer of a vegan food blog. Her subtitle is the engaging "125 recipes that prove you can live without cheese, it's not all rabbit food, and your friends will still come over for dinner". It also takes seven logrollers. Her enticement is through the substitutions for cheese, which of course can be consumed by vegetarians but not by vegans. She calls for making your own BBQ sauce, seitan, ranch dressing, and tofu sour cream. She claims you will never miss with tempeh bacon mac 'n' cheese with pecan parmesan, tofu chevre, or mushroom cheddar grilled cheese sandwich. At brunch, she recommends a caramel apple-stuffed French toast. At dinner there is carrot cashew pate and gnocchi alla vodka. Ice creram includes mango lassi and oatmeal raisin ice cream sandwiches. The book is a good way to move from vegetarianism to veganism. Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements.
Audience and level of use: vegans, vegetarians-in-transit.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: see above
The downside to this book: what if I never liked cheese?
The upside to this book: a number of other recipes are also useful
Quality/Price Rating: 86.
 
 
4.SALAD LOVE (Appetite by Random House, 2014, 304 pages, ISBN 978-0-449-01676-3, $27 CAN paper covers) is by David Bez. It was co-published in the UK by Quadrille. He was determined to eat more veggies, so he created a blog (Salad Pride) to record one new salad every day using seasonal, healthy foods. The 260 preps here are derived from that blog, The salads are usually some leafy platform, some protein, some toppings, some crunch with nuts and toasts. It can be as simple as mixing and matching, noting that you'll need a base, some veggies/fruits, proteins, toppings, herbs, and dressings. But there are a few different ones, such as using grains for the base, or ribbons of veggies such as carrots and zucchini. He's got 24 nice looking (the book is well-illustrated) dressings, so lots can be accommodated. The salads are arranged by season, starting with summer. Each salad has a photo, the ingredients for layering, and a dressing. Each also has a term such as vegetarian or pescatarian, and in many cases there are alternatives to the salad, such as a vegan option or a raw option. For example, the pinto beans, artichokes and sesame seeds salad is vegan but also presents an omnivore alternative.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: salad lovers, those looking to put more veggies on their plates.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: smoked mackerel, cauliflower and asparagus; chorizo, black quinoa, asparagus and edamame; crabmeat, avocado and marinated peppers; roasted turkey, butternut squash and chickpeas; eggs, asparagus, croutons and pecorino.
The downside to this book: hmm, I wonder which recipes are missing, since there are 365 days in a year.
The upside to this book: all of the options are indexed.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.
 
 
5.DIY NUT MILKS, NUT BUTTERS & MORE (The Experiment, 2014, 194 pages, ISBN 978-1-61519-230-4, $16.95 US paper covers) is by Melissa King www.mywholefoodlife.com who is a recipe developer and blogger. She's got a good selection of six log rollers for her book which mainly tells you how to make creamy nut milks, butters, and other items. She's arranged it by topics of milks, butters, nut pulps, smoothies, breakfasts, no=bake treats and baked treats, ending with ice creams. Nuts include cashews, almonds, Brazils, hazelnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, peanuts, pecans, macadamias, and walnuts. There's also a resources list. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois measurements with some metric, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: millennials, GF and vegan (for the most part, with substitutions).
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: strawberry Brazil nut milk, no-bake brownie bars, salted caramel Brazil nut butter, flourless almond butter blondies, grain-free energy bites, chocolate hazelnut coconut tart.
The downside to this book: I wanted more recipes, there are only about 50 plus.
The upside to this book: good topic and worth exploring.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.
 
 
 
6.THE SOUP CLUB COOKBOOK (Clarkson Potter, 2015, 240 pages, ISBN 978-0-7704-3462-5, $25 US paper covers) is by Courtney Allison, Tina Carr, Caroline Laskow, and Julie Peacock, who have formed a soup club in order to share food. It's a great idea, and can also be applied to other common, family foods such as sandwiches or pastas. It is a continuing pot luck affair in that, on a rotational basis, families only have to prepare one meal every now and then (dependent on number of members). Most of the preps here make 8 US quarts (8 litres), and the authors provide dozens of tips for quantity cooking or customized tailoring. There are, of course, some guidelines for starting your own club and getting larger equipment. Soups are arranged by type: beans, hearty, chilled, fish, and meat. Other preps here include food for forks and fingers (salads, veggies,  breads,  snacks) – just to make life more interesting. Preparations have their ingredients listed only in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: beginners, social club joiners, harried families.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: cucumber-yogurt soup; Thai fish curry; cauliflower korma; beef mole chili; caldo verde; borscht; leek soup.
The downside to this book: as with any club, one must ensure that everyone does equal work and spends equal money on ingredients.
The upside to this book: if you can boil water, you can make soup.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.
 
 
7.BOB'S RED MILL EVERYDAY GLUTEN-FREE COOKBOOK (Robert Rose, 2015, 336 pages, ISBN 978-0-7788-0500-7, $24.95 CAN paper covers) is by Camilla V. Saulsbury, food writer and blogger (powerhungry.com). She has written many other cookbooks for Rose. But I am puzzled as to why the title includes Bob's Red Mill since not one of the products is even mentioned, not even the All Purpose flour mix. You can get these flours through a variety of health food or bulk stores, or by email. But other producers also make millet, amaranth, teff, etc. There is no mention of the book on Bob's website, and he has a remarkably good collection of GF recipes too. So he's not selling the book himself, nor is he directing URL traffic to Robert Rose or Amazon. There's nothing copyrighted by Bob, but there is his trademark on the front and back cover. So it is an endorsement of sorts, that he "approves" of the book, to kick along the sales. That's fine. The book is a collection of 281 whole-grain recipes that are GF, for everyday use. It has been done up in the Rose style of cook notes, tips, double column ingredient quantities for metric and avoirdupois (just follow one or the other) – and use your own flour from whatever producer, for Bob is not directly named. Arrangement is by course (breakfasts, soups, salads, seafood-poultry-meat, breads, and desserts.
Audience and level of use: those seeking whole-grain GF recipes
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: rhubarb vanilla crumble; coconut,pineapple and basmati salad; multi-seed quinoa crackers; Gianduja biscotti; sesame ginger pork with millet slaw; teff date bread.
The downside to this book: why Bob's Red Mill? The products are not even mentioned.
The upside to this book: a good looking collection, sure to satisfy.
Quality/Price Rating: 89.
 
 
8.FERMENTED FOODS FOR VITALITY & HEALTH (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-607-5, $19.95 US paper covers) is by Dunja Gulin, a chef who runs fermented foods workshops, and is the author of several vegan cookbooks such as The Vegan Pantry. Naturally fermented foods boost the digestive immune system with pro-biotics, and appear in just about every culture (Japan's miso, Korea's kimchi, everybody's sourdough, beer, wine). Pro-biotics increase energy levels, stabilize blood pressure, improve sleeping patterns, and promote healthier skin. Gulin here has 60 ways to make fermented foods part of a normal meal pattern. It is all sorted by course (breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, salads, breads, condiments, drinks), concluding with an international list of sources and resources. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois with some metric measurements, but there is no table of equivalents.
Audience and level of use: those interested in exploring new food patterns and pro-biotics
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: vegan yogurt; water kefir; probiotic gazpacho; sauerkraut with quinces; sourdough grissini; spicy leek and miso condiment; Scandinavian chanterelle salad; purple sauerkraut with dulse and caraway seeds.
Quality/Price Rating: 87.
 
 
 
9.WELL FED, FLAT BROKE (Arsenal Press, 2015, 257 pages, ISBN 978-1-55152-579-2, $24.95 CAN paper covers) is by Emily Wight, who blogs at wellfedflatbroke.com in the continuing saga of balancing a career and parenthood – and eating to stay alive. Here are some imaginative and nutritious meals for those on a budget and perhaps with messy kitchens (students, families, basement dwellers). The 120 preps cover the range from simple to intriguing, from breakfasts through snacks, from apps to desserts, with notes along the way for pantry stocking, picky eaters, and select kitchen equipment. Preparations have their ingredients listed in mainly avoirdupois with some metric measurements too, but there is no table of equivalents.
Audience and level of use: millennials?
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: rapini and sausage with white beans; rigatoni with chickpeas and tomatoes; tomato chicken curry; mustard fried chicken; roast paprika chicken; buttermilk Dutch baby with bacon-baked apple.
The downside to this book: too many pix of the author and not enough of the food.
The upside to this book: good theme, nice blog.
Quality/Price Rating: 86.
 
 
10.OUT OF THE POD (Ryland  Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-611-2, $21.95 US hard covers) is by Vicky Jones, formerly wine and food editor of the UK's House & Garden magazine. Here are 60 preps for simple home cooking involving beans, chickpeas, lentils and other legumes. She's got a primer on buying, storing, soaking, and cooking, plus a summary of nutritional benefits. All the classics are included.
Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: beginner
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: Moors and Christian, cassoulet, paella, pakoras, Moroccan harira soup, dosas, Greek fava dip, falafel.
The downside to this book: too short, but then it fits into the publisher's 160 page book series.
The upside to this book: she very wisely has separate chapters for both "main dishes" and "vegetarian main dishes"
Quality/Price Rating: 87.
 
 
11.THE REAL PALEO DIET COOKBOOK (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, 353 pages, ISBN 978-0-54430-326-3, $35 US hard covers) is by Loren Cordain, Ph.D, generally acknowledged as the originator of the paleo diet; he's written at least four other books on paleo foods. Here arev 250 recipes with 75 full-colour photos. Paleo food is based on whole, unprocessed foods headed by animal proteins, veggies, fruits, nuts, oils and fats. The paleo way has been shown to "ease" digestive diseases, skin conditions, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. The book is arranged by course – from apps to desserts -- with a breakout for proteins of beef (& bison), pork (& lamb), poultry, fish (&shellfish) and a  chapter for breakfast/brunch. There is also, of course, the primer on paleo food and why you need this diet. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: paleo lovers; guy chefs.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: ancho-rubbed lamb chops; Brussels sprouts and apple salad; fruit-stuffed top loin roast with brandy sauce; grilled salmon with artichoke heart salad; Asian beef and veggie stir-fry; curried chicken stew with root veggies; peach-brandy glazed drumsticks.
The downside to this book: book weighs too much for heavy kitchen use.
The upside to this book: delicious recipes, very guy-inspiring.
Quality/Price Rating: 88.
 
 
12.PLANT-BASED PALEO (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-612-9, $19.95 US hard covers) is by Jenna Zoe, author of Super Healthy Snacks and Treats and founder of Foods to Love website. She's got 60 protein-rich preps here for vegans (seeds, sprouted grains, fruits and veggies). She argues that you can have a paleo diet based on vegan principles since a plant-based diet gives us all that we require, by going back to the source. It is arranged by course, from breakfast to munchies to salads and sides, light lunches, evening feasts, and desserts. It is a great book for vegans or for those already practicing a plant-based diet. Important foods for accent points include chia seeds, hemp, coconut oil, tree nuts, cacao, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, and gluten-free flours. She's also got a resources list. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: vegans
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: guacamole; summery noodles with spiced almond butter; fusion noodles with asparagus; cauliflower rice couscous; carob latte; butternut squash fried; Asian kale salad; lemon tahini sauce; chocolate orange pie.
The downside to this book: could be bigger
The upside to this book: useful adjunct to other paleo books.
Quality/Price Rating: 88.
 
 
 
13.THE SALAD BOWL (Ryland Peters & Small, 2015, 160 pages, ISBN 978-1-84975-601-3 $21.95 US hard covers) is by Nicola Graimes, a UK food writer specializing in vegetarian cookery. These are 75 or so fresh, haelthy and wholesome preps for all seasons. Arrangement is by principal ingredient: meat/poultry, fish/shellfish, dairy, grains, beans/pulses, and fruits/veggies. Her chapters are vividly photographed. Preparations have their ingredients listed in both metric and avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: beginner
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: spiced chicken with white beans and chilli dressing; Vietnamese beef salad; chilli prawns with avocado dressing; warm pearl barley and smoked cheddar; put lentils, grapefruit and feta cheese with harissa dressing.
The downside to this book: a bit short in length.
The upside to this book: good detail and photos.
Quality/Price Rating: 85.
 
 
14.THE PERFECT EGG (Ten Speed Press, 2015, 168 pages, ISBN 978-1-60774-625-6, $18.99 US hard covers) is by Teri Lyn Fisher and  Jenny Park, both food bloggers at spoonforkbacon.com, creating drinks, recipes, and pictures. Here are more than 70 recipes for egg use, arranged by the topics morning, noon, and night, with specific sections on egg primer basics, snacks, and sweets. Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there are tables of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use: beginner to intermediate.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: beef empanadas; havarti dill popovers; mini toad-in-a-hole sandwiches; gyeran bbang (Korean); matcha kimi balls (Japan); hot and sour soup.
The downside to this book: I think it needed more recipes.
The upside to this book: a huge variation on the number of egg salad sandwiches and buttermilk pancakes.
Quality/Price Rating: 85.
 
 
15.VIRGIN TERRITORY (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, 338 pages, ISBN 978-1-118-20322-4, $29.99 US hard covers) is by Nancy Harmon Jenkins, author of many books dealing with Mediterranean food and olive oil. She's a frequent contributor to major US food publications and newspaper food pages, and is also a radio and TV commentator. Here she highlights EVOO in about 100 preps, roaming from small dishes to soups, breads, pasta, rice, veggies, seafood, meal, poultry, sauces, and desserts. It's a good book, but even  Jenkins seems to need ten log rollers (Hesser, Madison, Nestle, Wolfert, et al)! She does have a hundred page primer with history and cultural material as well as technical stuff on how to buy and how to cook with it. It's also a well-illustrated book with pictures of her own Tuscan olive grove. She's got a list of acceptable all-purpose cooking oils, as well as some more expensive brands. In general, I have found that the best brands of olive oils usually comes from a winery that has made them from olive groves on their own property. But you may differ...Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents.
Audience and level of use:
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: seafood tagine; quince and ginger olive oil cake; roasted squash soup with cumin; roasted red peppers with anchovies; pasta alla checca; broccoli or cauliflower with lemon, capers and black olives.
The downside to this book: I was expecting more recipes, and fewer classics.
The upside to this book: there is a very good bibliography for further reading and other recipes.
Quality/Price Rating: 87.
 
 
16. LIGHTEN UP, Y'ALL (Ted Speed Press, 2015, 224 pages, ISBN 978-1-60774-573-0, $24.99 US hard covers) is by Virginia Willis, author of a series of Y'ALL cookbooks and other southern foods. Even so, she needed five log rollers such as the Lee brothers (counts are one or two?). She was told to lose weight, so she re-developed a lot of her standard fare into "lighter" food, and this is the resulting book. The range is full: nibbles, salads, slaw, veggies, seafood, grains/grits, poultry, meat, soups, stews, biscuits, sweets. It is mainly classics (but no chess pie). And it might help to trim the meat better, in order to get ride of some fat (eg, lamb rack). Preparations have their ingredients listed in avoirdupois measurements, but there is no table of metric equivalents. Each prep also has nutritional data covering calories, fats, carbs, fiber, and protein.
Audience and level of use: lovers of southern food who must diet.
Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: buttermilk pie; red beans and greens; Creole dirty rice; turkey meatloaf with mushroom gravy; pulled pork with red pepper; rack of lamb with pecan-mint dipping sauce; yogurt piecrust; lemon-chia seed cake; vegetable corn bread.
The downside to this book: just the classics are covered, which is actually what she wanted to do.
The upside to this book: a good read on the classics re-done.
Quality/Price Rating: 87.
 
----------------------------------------------------

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Event: A review of the 2013 Vintage in Burgundy, from Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre Chablis, plus Villa Ponciago in Fleurie.

The Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2015  11AM to 3PM
The Event: A review of the 2013 Vintage in Burgundy, from Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre Chablis, plus Villa Ponciago in Fleurie.
The Venue: Canoe
The Target Audience: wine trade, private clients
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available via special order, or is already at the LCBO.
The Quote/Background: It was another challenging and "complicated" vintage, said M. Luc Bouchard. Volumes were down; it took a winemaker's skill to produce concentrated wines that may take time to come around. 2013 is the third vintage of small crops in four years.
The Wines: There were over 25 high end wines plus some others at the LCBO and Vintages.
I did not taste every wine since I had to leave early.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Puligny-Montrachet, $75
-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses 2013, $119
-William Fevre Chablis Beauroy 1er Cru 2013, $56
-Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain NV, $70
-Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune de Chateau Rouge 1er Cru 2009, +325142, $37
-William Fevre Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru 2013, $56
-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2013, $63
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Pommard, $59
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru, $126
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault Genevrieres 1er Cru, $114
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru, $286
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, $447
-William Fevre Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru 2012, $53
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Montagny 1er Cru Cote Chalonnaise, $79
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Nuit St Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru, $142
-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2013, $139
-Bouchard Pere & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2012, $55
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Chambolle Musigny, $73
-Villa Ponciago Grand Cuvee La Roche Muriers 2013, $58
-William Fevre Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru 2013, $56
-William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2013, $94
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Le Corton Grand Cru, $164
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Beaune Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus 1er Cru, $140
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2012 Beaune Greves Vigne Enfant Jesus 1er Cru, $135
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Savigny les Beaune les Lavieres 1er Cru, $60
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvee Carnot 1er Cru, $107
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, $243
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault Les Clous, $61
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-William Fevre Chablis Montmains 1er Cru 2013, $56
-Bouchard Pere & Fils Pouilly Fuisse 2013, +51466, $29
-Bouchard Pere & Fils Macon-Lugny Saint-Pierre 2013, +51573, $17
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Meursault, $66
-William Fevre Chablis Royaux 2013, +27643, $23
-William Fevre Chablis Villages Saint Bris 2013, $19.95 Vintages [sauvignon blanc]
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2013 Beaune Marconnets 1er Cru, $68
-Bouchard Pere & Fils 2011 Volnay 1er Cru, $63
 
The Food: international gourmet cheeses, dried fruit, breads, excellent charcuterie and terrine. Plus, of course, fresh oysters.
The Downside: I had to leave early.
The Upside: my one big chance to look at the 2013 vintage in Burgundy.
The Contact Person: jason@woodmanwinesandspirits.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Thursday, May 7, 2015

SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH --

 
 
1.Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d'Andree 2014 VQA NOTL, $14.95 Vintages +333260: this fresh and vibrant rose 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 and red fruit strawberry tones from the hot summer, coming in at 12.5% ABV. Stainless steel fermentation of course, and twist top. Refreshing, just bottled. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 
2.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2013 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $13.95, +81653 LCBO: a consistent wine, year in and year out, my fave chardonnay at this price level. But 2013 was a warmer year, so more smoke, fewer minerals, less underbrush, apples, tropical fruits and lemons. But longer finish. Cork closure, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 
3.Tapestry [BG & V] Shiraz 2012 McLaren Vale, +247155, $19.95: with a new label and a slight re-naming, Tapestry is back (formerly 2009). This time it is 14.5% ABV, but it still has the MVC shiraz characteristics of bright and dark black fruit, plummy, and expressive heat on the mid-palate. Some Euro-complexity with a smooth finish. Expect some cassis and mocha tones, along with black olive nuances and some vanilla via the oak, truly weaving a tapestry of flavours. Great BBQ wine for summer. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 
4.ST. DONATUS IRSAI OLIVÉR BALATONLELLEI Garamvári Vineyard 2013 Hungary, +12070 Vintages, $14.95: 11.5% ABV. Irsai Olivér is a cross between the Pozsony and Pearl of Csaba grapes. Floral, Muscat-y and mint-scented, somewhat reminiscent also of spicy Gewurztraminer. Useful on its own, or with Asiatic dishes. Perhaps best in the summer, so buy some soon. Last vintage available in Ontario was 2009, $12.95, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
5.Don Sebastiani & Sons Aquinas Pinot Noir 2012 Napa Valley, +277657, $18.95: this is the only Napa AVA pinot in the category at the LCBO. It's a typical pinot, with cherries, mint, mocha, mushrooms and earth. Some red fruit on the finish, with enough acid for food (as well as for basic patios/decks). Nice easy drinking for a BBQ (maybe some salmon too?), 13.5% ABV. 7 g/L is technically off-dry. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 
6.Bodegas Atamisque Serbal Assemblage 2012 Tupungato Uco Argentina, +415331 Vintages October 2015 $18.95: a blend of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec – well within the range of Bordeaux allowances. Shows a lot of red fruit, especially when opened for a time. Good aging potential despite only six months in stainless steel and the remainder in bottle. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 
7.Bodegas Atamisque Malbec 2011 Uco Argentina, +415208 Vintages November 2015, $28.95: a very serious wine, made from 80-year old malbec vines. On the nose, black fruits and light plums, but over time this becomes raisinated with dried figs and blackberry (mures) jam. 14 months in new French oak, 15% ABV. Could be kept for awhile; indeed, more enjoyable five years down the road. Cellar-worthy indeed. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
 
 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Event: California Wine Fair 2015 Tour, April in Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday, April 13, 2015  1Pm to 5:30 PM
The Event: California Wine Fair 2015 Tour
The Venue: Fairmont Royal York
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: everything seemed to be available through the LCBO channels or as private orders, consignments, etc.
The Quote/Background: I did not taste every wine, but we did have a media room where it was quiet enough to do some tasting beyond sampling. At appropriate moments, I ventured into the main hall to taste some whites and then some reds.
The Wines:
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2013 Russian River   Mark Anthony
-Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Oakville 2011 Napa Constellation
-Acacia Chardonnay 2013 Carneros   Diageo
-Far Niente Chardonnay 2013 Oakville   Noble Estates
-Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV, $27.95 Airen
-Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Oakville   Lifford
-La Crema Chardonnay 2012 Russian River   B & W
-Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa   Halpern
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY 2011 Napa   Profile
-Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa  TWE
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa Oakville  Lifford
-Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Sonoma County  Mark Anthony
-Rodney Strong Brothers 2011 Alexander $99.95  Mark Anthony
-Carol Shelton Rockpile Rocky Reserve Zinfandel 2011 Sonoma, +394510, $48
-Siduri Pinot Noir 2012 Sonoma Coast, +253369, $50
-Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa, +193896, $95
-Artesa Chardonnay 2013 Carneros Woodman
-Benziger Tribute 2012 Sonoma Mountain   Charton Hobbs
-Copain Kiser en Haut Pinot Noir 2012 Anderson  Barrel Select
-Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2012 Napa  Lifford
-Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso Robles  The Vine
-Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley  Kirkwood
-Domaine Chandron Rose NV  Charton-Hobbs
-William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Gallo
-Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Alexander  Mondia
-Halter Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso Robles    Trialto
-Peju Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Le Sommelier
-Schug Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros  Lifford
-Signorello Estate Padrone 2012 Napa  Profile
-Silver Oak Cellars Twomey Merlot 2010 Napa  Halpern
-Somerstron Estate Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Profile
-St. Supery Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Napa Von Terra
-Chateau St.Jean Cinq Cepages Merlot 2011 Sonoma  TWE
-Stag's Leap Winery Chardonnay 2013 Napa   TWE
-Etude Lyric Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros   TWE
-Trinchero Family Estates Merlot 2010 Napa   Dandurand
-Kenwood Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma     Rogers
-Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa   Authentic
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2012 Sonoma County  Mark Anthony
-Ca'Momi Zinfandel 2012 Napa Kylix
-Cline Cellars Zinfandel Ancient Vines 2013 North Coast  Vinexx
-Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012 Napa $55.95 Rogers
-Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013 Livermore   Churchill
-Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2012 Russian River  Authentic
-Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2012 Dry Creek Valley  Kylix
-Waterstone Winery Pinot Noir 2012 Carneros   Small Winemakers
-Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Majestic
-Buena Vista The Count's Red Blend 2012 Sonoma  Tandem
 
The Food: terrines, cheeses, breads.
The Downside: it was difficult to challenge the large and loud crowds.
The Upside: the media room was quiet.
The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

Monday, May 4, 2015

The Event: One Spanish Grape – Two Processes

The Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2015  6PM to 9PM
The Event: One Spanish Grape – Two Processes
The Venue: Victoria Lofts
The Target Audience: clients and wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: the commercial wines are available through 30.50 Imports wine agentcy, while the made-in-Toronto wines come from Fermentations.
The Quote/Background: Charles Fajgenbaum has been making Toronto wine from frozen grape must imported from Mas de la Cacadora in Montsant Sapin. In fact, Fermentations uses only these grapes in its Spanish wine production. Through Grapemasters, Charles sells must to home winemakers. Joan Pujades, the winery owner, came along for the 30.50 portfolio show the following Monday (see below), and also this Fermentations/Grapemasters event, and poured his wines at Charles' place, in a semi-blind fashion.
The Wines: We began with Rosa La Guapa 2010 (carignan, grenache noir, merlot), $30.95, a dense fruit driven-with-oak wine. Then there was Quom de Montsant (merlot, cab sauv, grenache noir) more of an international blend, $29.95. Then we had "Grapemasters" Toronto wine (grenache blanc: very solid; tempranillo: beefy, and grenache noir: still tight). There was also the rustic syrah blend (60%, with 40% grenache noir) from 2013. My fave wine was the Lo Mur Red (garnaxta and samso, 15% ABV, $33). There was also Larmari Monjos (carignan, grenache nor, and cab sauv). The wines scored very well, probably because they were served in a very convivial atmosphere.
The Food: homemade tapas (shrimp, eggs, tortilla, and the like) plus olives, sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits. All went well with the wines.
The Downside: it began getting chaotic because a stream of late arrivals meant that Charles had to constantly begin at the beginning again, and consequently put off going through the tasting of the latter part of 8 wines.
The Upside: nevertheless, I appreciated the cooked tapas from Charles's wife, France.
The Contact Person: charles@fermentations.ca; norma@theresultsgrouppr.com; nelson@3050imports.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.
 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com