On the Road with the Grape Guy: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

Report from ... Best of Beamsville at EPIC Restaurant in Toronto - June 27, 2013

Beamsville invaded a downtown Toronto hotel (EPIC in the Fairmount Royal York) as 9 wineries showed up to pour nine wines with a few nibblies to go with them ... let's take a look:

The Wines (and their reps) ...

Greeted with a bottle of Fairmount bubbly (well a glass actually)
... made right her in Ontario

Fielding's winemaker Richie Roberts pours the first wine of the evening

The 2011 Pinot Gris (see review here)

Next up is the Thirty Bench display pouring one of their signature Rieslings

2011 Small Lot - Triangle Vineyard (see review here)

Malivoire's Shiraz Mottiar holds the Malivoire offering in his hand
... while holding up the bar with his elbow.

2009 Moira Chardonnay (see review here)

Bachelder wines was also in attendance,
though Thomas himself was away tending one of his
other projects in Burgundy or Oregon.

but his 2010 Niagara Chardonnay was definitely there and well received (see review here)

Joking around with Bernard Stramwasser of Le Sommelier (agent)
showing off the Hidden Bench wine of the evening.

2009 Felseck Vineyard Pinot Noir

It would not be a full invasion of the big city
without a little Organized Crime

who brought along their 2010 Cabernet Franc to showcase

Rosewood's own social bee, Krystina Roman,
does her best Vanna White impression with a bottle of ...

the 2009 Merlot Reserve

The rarely seen Rennie Estate Winery was there ...

pouring their appassimento-style Gaia

The Food ...

Seared Scallop App was the best bite of the night

I can't remember what it was but I do remember it was pretty good

A Couple of Candids ...

Shiraz talks Chardonnay with a guest and the rep from Bachelder

While Richie Roberts waves Mr. K away (or something like that)

For more wine reviews and related articles go to www.ontariowinereview.com, while there sign up for Michael's free bi-weekly newsletter.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Report from ... La Ferme du Mont Lunch at The Wine Bar - July 11, 2013

Stephane Vedeau - owner and winemaker, La Ferme du Mont

July 11, 2013 - Lunch with Stephane Vedeau, owner and winemaker of the 50 hectares known as La Ferme du Mont in the Rhone Valley of France, held at the Wine Bar in Toronto. No pesticides and organic fertilizers are used in the vineyard, the wines are made using natural fermentation and limited manipulation - a natural balance and respect for the soil are more important than technology. Vedeau: "My pleasure is in making truly balanced wines, wines which represent a real harmony between terroir, fruit, freshness and concentration."

The Wines of Note ...

2011 Cotes du Rhone Villages - "Le Ponnant" ($17.00)
smoky licorice with black cherry,
spiced-cedar and earthy notes (*** 1/2+)

2010 Gigondas - "Cote Jugunda" ($29.95)
gritty mouthfeel with cassis and blackberry and white pepper on the finish
this is a very feminine wine; not muscular and fat (****+)

2010 Chateauneuf du Pape - "Cotes Capelan" ($63.00)
- Made from 150 year old vines -
rich red fruit with vanilla, cocoa and spice
finish is blackberry and cassis with slight peppery notes (****+)

Not pictured: 2011 Cotes du Rhone (White) - "La Truffiere" ($14.95) ... made from Grenache White, Viognier and Clairette ... the nose is tropical with melon rind and a stoney quality; thick mouthfeel and weighty texture with melon and citrus pith and an intensely bitter finish. (*** 1/2+)

Bonus Wines (unavailable) ...

2009 Cotes du Rhone - "Premiere Cote" (sold out)
spicy and smoky with hints of raspberry

2011 Chateauneuf du Pape - "Vendage" (n/a)
- Limited Production, 2 barrels - Special wine -
- Harvesting of wine is done in November with hints of botrytis -
soft, lush, and fresh with good acidity and vanilla notes
fruit is a beauty mix of peach, pear and tropical fruit (****+)

Lunch ...