AN ADDED VALUE FOR MY SUBSCRIBERS – WINE TRADE WINDS DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 2010 By Dean Tudor, Gothic Epicures Writing, dtudor@ryerson.ca Creator of Canada's leading wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com Always available at www.deantudor.com and http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH 1. Chateau des Charmes Riesling 2008 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $12.45, +61499 LCBO: done up in stainless, slight and light citrus tones, but refreshing length. Good bones and flesh, dry style but also useful as a sipper. 12.5% ABV. 2. Chateau des Charmes Riesling Late Harvest 2007 VQA Niagara-on-the- Lake, $21.95 per 375 mL bottle, +432930 Vintages: about 1600 cases made. A perpetual award winner (Ontario Wine Awards 2009 Gold). Expect peaches, apples, some orange marmalade, and later some apricots kick in. Great Riesling character, off-sweet. The winery suggests pairing it with any kind of chocolate. 10.5% ABV. 3. Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc 2007 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $13.95, +277236 LCBO (new listing): done in a warm vintage, just crawling with over the top concentrated black fruit (blackberries, black currants, black cherries) but not sweet. Nine months in all French oak, crackling smoke and toast throughout. Nifty, and a steal at the price. 13% ABV. 4. Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $50 retail, $40.61 licensee: the highest level at Southbrook (premium reserve wines), taken from seven of their best barrels (60% new Vosges and 40% used French barrels), aged for 19 months. Toasty butterscotch, tastes more expensive than it is, rich, full and lush finish with a memory. An excellent wine for BYOW by diners, or a licensee can certainly sell it at a $20 markup and still make a profit. 5. Skouras St. George 2007 Nemea Greece, +162321, $16.95 Vintages on April 3: from Agiorgitiko grapes, made in new clean style for appeal to non-Greeks. 13.5% ABV. Delicious mocha tones with a juicy finish. 150 cases. Terrific pairing with a lamb-topped pizza with squash and potato pie (with mint and sheep’s cheese). 6. 2008 Muscat of Limnos Greece, +61119, $11.95 Vintages on April 17: very much like Zibibbo and Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, at about 15% ABV. Expect orange, caramel, baked apple, raisins. Paired against a lemon tart made with Red Fife wheat flour. Terrific value, won’t hang around the LCBO long at this price. Snap it up. 250 cases. 7. Kir Yianni Paranga 2008 Naoussa Greece, +62596, $13.95 Vintages on May 1: 13.1% ABV, from Macedonian Xinomavro grapes, with some syrah and merlot similar to a light pinot noir (shades of recent French Languedoc scandal!!). Raspberries and light cherries dominate, and did well against a lamb topped-pizza with squash and potato pie (with mint and sheep’s cheese). Last vintage available in Ontario was 2005. 200 cases. 8. Sigalas Santorini 2008 Greece, +74781, $22.95 Vintages on May 1: 14.2% ABV. 2009 Gold Medalist. Needs time to breathe, paired with an “herb jam” with wild herbs, and roasted five-hour eggs. Excellent matching, I thought, especially with some tangerine notes and minerality. Could be cellared. Last vintage available in Ontario was 2006. 150 cases. 9. Charles Baker Riesling 2008 Picone Vineyard VQA Vinemount Ridge: made at Stratus, this is by now the premier Riesling in Ontario. Fruit has always been sourced from four acres on Chef Marc Picone’s farm, being 25-year old vines. This is the fourth vintage, $35 a bottle, with (as Baker says) “just enough cases produced”. Baker’s vision is to harmonize minerality, acidity and sweetness into balance. Expect a delightful raciness, augmented by the green apple-lime complex of flavours, great finishing tones. It is evocative of the best “sweet and sour”. A keeper, should get better with the acid and the sugar to keep it all structurally alive through 2020. I promise to be here for that! ======================================================================= 1. The Time and Date: Monday, February 1, 2010 6:30 Pm to midnight The Event: the Annual Holiday dinner of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. The Venue: Sette Mezzo, Eglinton and Bathurst The Target Audience: members of the Wine Writers’ Circle plus their partners and some guests. The Availability/Catalogue: most wines came from their own cellars. The Quote/Background: Noble Estates donated some Prosecco. Southbrook Winery donated some Poetica Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara. The entire evening was arranged by Sheila Swerling-Puritt, the outgoing President of the WWCC. The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. We were required to bring one bottle per person, and as there were 30 people noshing, we had about 30 wines (some brought magnums, others brought spirits such as grappa). There were some tawny Ports remaining from a previous tasting (stored under nitrogen), and these were produced. The restaurant supplied all the glasses. At least two, possibly three of the wines were corked. Some of us tasted the following wines: -Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco Brut (from Noble Estates) -Viewpoint Riesling 2005 VQA Lake Erie North Shore -Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara -Road 13 Jackpot Viognier 2007 VQA Okanagan Valley -Long Flat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008 -Bernat Syrah 2005 -Southbrook Triomphe Merlot 1999 VQA Niagara -Ruffino Tenuta Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile 2005 -Guerrieri Rizzardi Villa Rizzardi Amarone 2003 -Mission Hill SLC Merlot 2004 VQA Okanagan Valley -Jackson-Triggs Proprietors Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 VQA Niagara -Summerhill Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 VQA Okanagan Valley -Wegeler Rüdesheimer Berg Rotland Riesling Spätlese 2003 -Taylor 20-Year-Old Tawny Port -Frazitta Zibibbo Vino Liquoroso Italy The Food: the menu was prepared by Chef Salvatore Spina, and it began with three different kinds of thin-crust pizzas as we waited for everyone to arrive. First course: antipasto platter (with a cacciatore sausage), followed by a pasta course of risotto with wild mushrooms and truffle oil AND gnocchi shaped as penne in a rose sauce. Unfortunately, they were both served on the same plate – which saved the restaurant time and energy but led to bleed-through flavours and a heavy course all at once. Main course was a choice of chicken breast suffused with rosemary OR a crusted trout OR a seared veal tenderloin with Madeira wine sauce, vegetables and soft polenta. Our table mostly had trout; others mostly had veal. I saw one chicken. Dessert was Tiramisu OR chocolate brandy crème brûlée. Most of us shared forkfuls of food with others at our tables (we were seated in groups of six) – and of course shared the wine, commiserating with those writers who had the misfortune of bringing (unknown to them) corked wine. Good companionship. The Contact Person: spuritt@sympatico.ca 2. The Time and Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010. 2 – 3:30 PM The Event: Jonathan Hesketh of the Hesketh Wine Company (Australia) led a portfolio tasting. The Venue: Monkey Bar and Grill, Yonge and Lawrence. The Target Audience: wine trade The Availability/Catalogue: nothing is currently on order, but the agent Bokke Wines is assessing possibilities and was looking for comments and buzz on applicable wines. The Quote/Background: Hesketh makes wines from contracted growers, and some of the wines come from New Zealand and Australia. So far there are no international blends. Jonathan’s father Robert was a pioneer in the Australian wine business: developing new world viticulture in Southern France, and development of the James Herrick brand in the UK.; marketing of Australian wines in the USA through the Mark Swann / Roo’s Leap brands in the early 80’s.; introducing membrane filtration technology to the Australian wine industry in the 70's; building fine-wine distribution business in NZ; founding wine industry publications (The Australian & NZ Wine Industry Directory and Wine Industry Journal.) ; and Robert Hesketh was the founding chairman of the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation. The Wines: prices are approximate, and are for Licensees. **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Pathfinder Chardonnay 2009 Adelaide Hills, $15 Licensee -Protagonist Shiraz 2006 Barossa Valley, $21.70 Lic ***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -The Proposition Premium Cuvee Sparkling Rose NV, $17.50 Licensee, 8.5% ABV *** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Perfect Stranger Gruner Veltliner 2008 Austria, $19 Lic -Hidden Garden Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, $19 Lic -Pathfinder Shiraz 2008 Barossa Valley, $15 Lic -Usual Suspects Shiraz 2008 McLaren Vale, $21.70 Lic -Thirsty Dog Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Coonawarra, $19.80 Lic The Food: almonds and cheese, bread sticks. The Contact Person: eleanor.rigby1@rogers.com The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85. 3. The Time and Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM The Event: The Wine Council of Ontario and Cuvee presented the top scoring wine submitted to Cuvee from each participating winery. The Venue: Bank of Montreal, 100 King St West, 68th Floor. The Target Audience: wine press and wine sommeliers. The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available at the respective winery, but only a mere handful are at LCBO or Vintages. The Quote/Background: The wines are representative of the best wines from each winery that will be poured at Cuvee, but do not necessarily represent the award winning wines, which were announced at the Gala on Friday, February 19, 2010. 56 wines were presented, but I did not write any notes on the 11 icewine, or on the three sparklers. For some reason, there were no late harvest wines or other off-sweet wines. There was lots of impressive fruit from the warm 2007 vintage. The Wines: prices are retail. **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -20 Bees Cabernet Merlot 2007, $9.95 – a decent VQA wine under $10 -Alvento Elige 2006 (Cab-Merlot), $23.95 -Angels Gate Winery Old Vines Chardonnay 2008, $23.95 -Colchester Ridge Estate Winery Meritage 2007, $19.80 -Creekside Estate Winery Reserve Viognier 2008, $28.95 -Flat Rock Cellars Reserve Chardonnay 2007, $35 -Harvest Estates Winery Gewurztraminer 2007, $11.95 -Hernder Estates Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $14.95 -Inniskillin Wines Reserve Series Cabernet Franc 2007, $18.95 -Peller Estates Winery Signature Series Merlot 2007, $35 -Rosewood Estates Winery Semillon 2008, $18 -Southbrook Vineyards Poetica Cabernet Merlot 2007, $60 -Thirty Bench Wine Makers Small Lot Benchmark Red 2007, $60 -Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 2005, $40.20 ***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Cave Spring Cellars Pinot Noir Estate 2007, $39.95 -Closson Chase Vineyards Chardonnay S. Kocsis Vineyard 2007, $44.95 -Featherstone Winery Onyx 2007, $29.95 -Five Rows Craft Wine of Lowrey Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $25 -Frogpond Farm Organic Winery Cabernet Franc 2007, $16.80 -Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery Proprietor’s Grand Reserve Syrah 2007, $32.95 -Lailey Vineyard Impromptu 2007 (Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cab Sauv), $45 -Mountain Road Wine Company Reserve Chardonnay 2006, $25.95 -Niagara College Teaching Winery Dean’s List Pinot Noir Canadian Oak Project 2007, $38.95 -Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Reserve Chardonnay 2007, $24.95 -Stonechurch Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007, price N/A -Stoney Ridge Estate Winery Warren Classic Pinot Noir 2006, $15 -Twenty Twenty-Seven Cellars Featherstone Vineyard Riesling 2008, $24.95. *** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -13th Street Wine Sandstone Vineyard Old Vines Gamay Noir 2007, $26 -Calamus Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, $23.20 -Cattail Creek Estate Winery Merlot Reserve 2007, $40 -D’Angelo Vineyards Estate Winery Baco Noir 2007, $15 -DeSousa Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006, $21.95 -Fielding Estate Winery Syrah 2007, $39.95 -Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery Dianna Block Pinot Noir 2007, $34.80 -Kacaba Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $44.95 -Lakeview Cellars Estate Winery Merlot Reserve 2006, $22.95 -Legends Estates Winery Diva 2008 (Semillon, Sauv Blanc), $14.95 -Mike Weir Wine Cabernet Merlot 2007, $18.95 -Nyarai Cellars Chardonnay 2007, $16.20 -Strewn Winery Chardonnay Barrel Fermented Amalgam 2007, $23.95 -Tawse 17th St Pinot Noir 2007, $58 -Wayne Gretzky Estates Estate Series Shiraz/Cabernet 2007, $22.95. The Food: sandwiches and wraps, salads, fresh fruit and baked goods, coffee, milk, fruit juices and pop. The Downside: I ALWAYS get lost finding this place’s location, so I allow for plenty of time. This year I was 15 minutes early. The Upside: a great way to taste through really significant Ontario VQA wines. The Contact Person: erin@mitchellwestlake.com The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89. 4. The Time and Date: Friday, February 5, 2010 11:20 AM to 1:30 PM The Event: a tasting of “Ontario Chardonnay: Seriously Cool Tasting”. The Venue: LCBO, Scrivener Square The Target Audience: Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada The Availability/Catalogue: just about all wines are available, except for most of the Library wines. The Quote/Background: Bill Redelmeier of Southbrook Winery had organized a tasting of Ontario chardonnay wines at Canada House in London, UK. He had a tasting panel to choose wines through a blind process. Once that selection had been made, he offered these wines to the WWCC for a special tasting (not blind). They were arranged by flight, from the stainless through the woodies, with a special flight of older library wines. The Wines: These rankings reflect my own personal tastes. Two wines were corked, one library wine had a faulty cork, and two non-library wines had evidence of madeirization. **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Coyote’s Run Estate Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 Niagara, $14.95 -Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Musque Estate Bottled 2008, $16.95 -Malivoire Moira Chardonnay 2005 Beamsville, $36.95 -Tawse Winery Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2007 Beamsville, $42 -Closson Chase S. Kocsis Vineyard Chardonnay 2007 Unfiltered Beamsville, $44.95 -Malivoire Chardonnay Moira 2007 Beamsville, $39.95. -Norman Hardie Chardonnay Unfiltered 2008 Beamsville, $35 -Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Organic 2008 Niagara, $21.95 -Coyote’s Run Estate Winery Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2008, $22 -Malivoire Moira Chardonnay 2004 Beamsville, $64.95 (5 cases left) -Cave Spring Cellars Chardonnay CSV Estate Bottled 2003 Beamsville, N/A – my fave wine of the tasting. -Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 1998 Niagara, $154 magnum ***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Colio Estate Vineyards Chardonnay Musque 2007 LENS, $15.35 -Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2007 Beamsville, $35 -Hidden Bench Tete de Cuvee Chardonnay 2006 Beamsville, $45 -Southbrook Poetica Chardonnay 2005 Niagara, $56 -Rosehall Run Chardonnay Rosehall Vineyard 2007 PEC, $29.95 -Creekside Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2007 Niagara, $26.95 -Peninsula Ridge Chardonnay Reserve 2007 Niagara, $24.95 -Tawse Winery Quarry Road Chardonnay 2007 Beamsville, $35 -Lailey Vineyard Winery Brickyard Chardonnay 2008, Niagara, $30 -Hidden Bench Estate Chardonnay 2008 Beamsville, $35 -Peller Estates Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2008 Niagara, $30 -Hillebrand Winery Trius Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2008 Niagara, $18.95 -Hillebrand Winery Showcase Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2008 Niagara, $35 -Peninsula Ridge Estates Vintners Private Reserve Chardonnay 2003 Niagara, N/A -Huff South Bay Vineyards Chardonnay 2007 PEC, $29.95 *** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Colio Estate Vineyards Chardonnay 2006 LENS, $15.35 -Reif Estate Chardonnay Reserve 2006 Niagara, $19.95 -Henry of Pelham Family Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007 Niagara Escarpment, $19.95 -Flat Rock Cellars The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2008 Niagara, $24.95 -Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Chardonnay 2008 Niagara, $24 -Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Chardonnay Reserve 2008 Niagara, $38 -Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Cuvee County 2008 PEC, about $17.95 -Black Prince Winery Chardonnay Terroir Elite 2008 PEC, $29.75 The Contact Person: sdarby@rogers.com The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 91. 5. The Time and Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010 2PM to 5PM The Event: Fosters’ Wine Estates Presents 75 Estate Wines The Venue: Fermenting Cellars, Distillery District The Target Audience: sommeliers, restaurateurs, wine writers. The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are currently available somewhere in the LCBO distribution system, including Permanent Consignment, Current Consignment, and Upcoming Consignment. The Quote/Background: There was a charity component in the evening. This has now become an annual event from Fosters, to display their California wines (Stags’ Leap, Beringer, TAZ, St. Clement, et al) and their Australian wines (Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Greg Norman, et al). The Wines: 18 wineries were presented, but I did not taste every wine. **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +352583, $39.95 Vintages ESSENTIAL -Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2005, not available -Wolf Blass Black Label Cab Shiraz 2005, +960468, $75.00 LCBO -TAZ Pinot Noir 2007 Santa Barbara, $30 Private Order -Souverain Alexander Valley Chardonnay 2008, +158600 $24.95 -Souverain Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, $49.95 cons -St. Clement Orropas Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +655670, $64.95 Private ***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium Red 2005, +393447, $49.95 -Beringer Napa Valley Merlot 2005, +919647, $29.95 -Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2005, $24.95 Consignment -Matua Valley Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2008, +144634, $24.95 -Etude Pinot Gris 2008 Carneros, +142851, $29.00 LCBO -Etude Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, +4994 $99.95 -Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +84996, $24.95 -Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2006, +32227, $23.95 -Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +48579, $23.95 cons -Greg Norman Aus Estates Reserve Shiraz 2003, +585828, $49.95 -Greg Norman Aus Estates Cabernet Merlot 2007, +552075, $24.95 Vint ESSENTIAL -Greg Norman California Estates North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 +8722 $24.95 -Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, +606939, $27.95 -Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2006, +390872, $34.95 LCBO -Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2005, +564278, $107.60 -Penfolds Hyland Shiraz, +611210, $19.95 Vint essentials -Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2006, +509919, $34.95 LCBO -Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Merlot 2006, +655399, $44.95 -Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, +996405, $49.95 -Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Viognier 2007, +263987, $29.95 Private Order -TAZ Goat Rock Syrah 2006 Santa Maria Valley, +157339, $34.95 -Cellar No 8 Zinfandel 2007, $16.95 consignment -Sbragia Family Wines Home Ranch Merlot 2006, $39.95 consignment -Sbragia Family Wines Dry Creek Single Vineyard Cab 2006, $49.95 cons -Sbragia Family Wines Home Ranch Chardonnay 2007, +79178 $54.95 LCBO -St. Clement Carneros Chardonnay 2008, +128934, $24.95 *** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Beringer Knights Valley Alluvium White 2007, +403188, $34.95 -Matua Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2008, +158873, $29.95 -Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet 2006. +466748, $69.95 -Rosemount Estate Show Reserve 'Traditional' 2005. +484097, $34.95 -Saltram No. 1 Shiraz Barossa,$49.95 consignment -Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz Viognier 2006, +606301, $27.95 -Wolf Blass Gold Label Barossa Shiraz 2007, +590273 $27.95 LCBO -Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2006, +422782, $34.95 -Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 2005, +510875, $75 -Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Petite Syrah, +590356, $44.95 consignment -TAZ Pinot Gris 2008 Santa Barbara, $30 Private Order -Souverain Alexander Valley Merlot 2006, $29.95 Private Order -St. Clement Napa Valley Merlot 2006, $39.95 Private Order The Food: some serious cheeses (Manchego, goat Gouda, et al) The Downside: dim lighting at Fermenting Cellars – this has always been a problem for serious wine tasting. The Upside: it was a good chance to taste many of these wines since they don’t appear to be exhibited elsewhere. The Contact Person: Kelly.northey@am.fostersgroup.com The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85. 6. The Time and Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 10 AM to 6 PM The Event: APVSA tasting (Association pour la promotion des vins et spiritueux en Amerique du Nord). The Venue: Delta Chelsea Inn The Target Audience: wine agents. The Availability/Catalogue: no wines are currently available in Ontario. The group is here to try to get some agents to agree to rep the principal. Some of the wines are available in Quebec and Alberta. Most of the wines were French, and there are often sales staff available to comment on the prices and production. This road show also visits New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Calgary and Montreal The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be acknowledged, is that they were no better than the wines that we already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be any price advantages, either. These 60 or so wines could be made available through Vintages or Consignment. In the past, many have been picked up for sale in Ontario. Here were my faves, regardless of price (all prices are ex-cellar Euros): **** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Guy de Chassey Champagne Cuvee Antide, $27.90 E -Domaine de la Renne Touraine Sauvignon 2009, 2.50 E -Domaine Charles Allexant et Fils Rully Les Cailloux 2007, 7.90 E -Chateau Haut Bernasse Cotes de Bergerac Rouge 2006, 3.70 E -Chateau Haut Bernasse 2003 Monbazillac, 7.10 E for 500 mL ***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -SCEV Clos du Porteau Sauvignon Blanc Le Courlis 2009, 2.84 E -Domaine Millet Francois Sancerre Rouge 2007, 5.60 E -Domaine Gardien St. Pourcain Blanc Nectar des Fees 2009, 3.10 E -Domaine Gardien St. Pourcain Rouge Reserve des Grands Jours 2006 VDQS, 4.24 E -Domaine Dyckerhoff Reuilly Blanc 2008 Loire, 4.35 E -Vignerons de Tutiac Bordeaux Sauvignon 2008 Quintet, 2.70 E -Vignobles Clissey Fermis Bordeaux Maynad 2005, 2.20 E -Chateau Vari Reserve du Chateau 2005 Monbazillac, 5.60 E for 375 mL -SARL La Cave Gourmande Chateau Belot Le Vignalet 2007 Saint Chinian, 2.50 E -Domaine Plo Notre Dame Minervois Rouge 2007, 4.50 E -Domaine du Mas Rous Muscat de Riversaltes 2008 VDN, 4.79 E -Domaine Jean Gleizes Muscat Sec 2008 Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2.26 E -Caves Cantalric Corbieres Chateau de Comigne Fut 2006, 3.50 E *** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Domaine Millet Francois Sancerre Blanc 2008, 5.60 E -Domaine Gardien St. Pourcain Rouge Cuvee du Terroir 2009, 3.10 E -Domaine Gardien Methode Traditionnelle Blanc Perle de Chassignolles, 4.85 E -Domaine de la Renne Touraine Rouge Cuvee Eminence 2008, 2.95 E -Domaine Nebout St. Pourcain Tressaillier des Gravieres 2008 (Chardonnay), 3.70 E -Domaine Charles Allexant et Fils Savigny-les-Beaunes 2007 Aux Fourneaux , 7.85 E -Vignobles Clissey Fermis Chateau Haut Terre Fort Bordeaux 2006, 2.30 E -Chateau Vari 2005 Monbazillac, 3.20 E for 375 mL -Auguste Bonlouis Chais du Soleil NV, 250 mL PET with 4 nipples for resting on flat surfaces. Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah Rose available for 0.80 E each. -Domaine Jean Gleizes Merlot 2008 Vin de Pays d’Oc, 1.80 E -Caves Cantalric Chardonnay Rendez-Vous 2008 Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2.25 E The Food: none. The Downside: selection is eclectic and bottles arrive haphazardly. Some bottles never arrived at all, but we were not told this until we got there. The Upside: a chance to taste some engaging wines not available here. There is a listing of wines with FOB prices in Euros. The Contact Person: Pascal p.fernand@apvsa.ca The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85.