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Monday, May 22, 2017

The Event: Gourmet Spanish Luncheon, Tapas and wine tasting at SIAL Canada 2017, May 2/17

The Date and Time: Tuesday May 2, 2017  Noon to 2PM
The Event: Gourmet Spanish Luncheon, Tapas and wine tasting at SIAL Canada 2017
The Venue: Spanish Pavilion, Enercare Centre
The Target Audience: opinion leaders for the Foods & Wines From Spain group.
The Availability/Catalogue: wines were available in Ontario.
The Quote/Background: Christine Cushing did a cooking demonstration for most of the 10 tapas that were available for us to try – each in bite sizes. Table wines came from DO Rueda, and there was one sherry from DO Jerez. We also had four samples of olive oil to taste. Two were blends (good peppery tastes and fresh herbs), one was an organic blend (greener and more pepper), and one was a single varietal (Arbequina) best for mayonnaise. Arbequina was used in all four samples that we tasted. We were provided with bread and green apple slices for palate refreshers. While we were doing the olive oils, Cushing did the tapas, there was a presentation on hams, and white wines were served.
The Wines:
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Tio Pepe Fino
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Jose Pariente Sauvignon Blanc DO Rueda 2016
-Marques de Riscal White DO Rueda 2016
 
The Food: We tried most of the tapas against the two white wines; Tio Pepe accompanied the octopus and the salt cod fritters, the hands down winners in the afternoon. Tapas came paired and began with Iberico serrano ham wrapped around cooked quince and a verrine of potato, pepper and artichokes. Next up was raw asparagus with tiny croutons and a savory egg pot de crème with chorizo (another winner). Manchego cheese with honey and Iberico cheese on olive oil torta completed the savouries. Dessert was marisma saffron infused rice pudding brulee plus an olive oil madeleine with toasted almonds.
The Downside: we started late and then there mike problems.
The Upside: a chance to sample a wide variety of interesting Spanish food products.
The Contact Person: susan@thesirengroup.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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