Giveaway - Win Tickets to 2016 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

I am giving away three (3) pairs of 'Elite Pass' tickets (valued at $100/pair) to the upcoming 2016 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo that is taking place from Thursday, November 17 to Sunday, November 20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Tickets are valid for any one day of your choosing.

Your chance to win tickets to #GFWE and contest entry form is at the bottom of this post.

The 22nd annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo offers you 1,500 wines, beers, spirits and gourmet foods to experience - more than ever before. You can journey around the globe with cooking pros, talk one-on-one with industry experts and taste the newest dishes and drinks.

You will have the opportunity to sample tons of new craft beer, awesome spirits, world-class wine and of course, food from some of the area’s top restaurants and chefs.

Some of this year's highlights include:

• Tutored Tastings Program offers the opportunity to taste some of the world's best wines while learning from top industry experts. Separate ticket required - purchase here.
• Chef Stage features complimentary cooking demonstrations all weekend hosted by celebrity guests and incredibly talented locals.
• #TrendCentral Stage presents interactive tastings sessions of cutting-edge wines, beers and spirits.
• Spiritology Pavilion infuses passionate bartenders into the heart of the action to showcase the latest from Toronto’s exciting cocktail scene.
• Grand Tasting Bar offers a unique opportunity to taste incredible wines alongside top industry experts.

Having attended this event each of the past 5 years, I can tell you firsthand that you'll have a great time!

Event Details:

When:

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, 6-10 p.m. VIP Preview Evening Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, 12-10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, 12-6 p.m.

Where:

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building 255 Front Street West Toronto, ON

Must be 19 years of age or older. No children or infants permitted.

How to Enter:

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo 2016 Ticket Giveaway

Good luck!

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Seriously Cool Red 2013 (Ontario) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is a General List product at the LCBO and widely available throughout Ontario. You may have noticed that this bottle is on the cover of LCBO's current fall catalogue.

The 2012 Seriously Cool Red was a Gamay-based blend that I tasted in the Spring, while this latest vintage is Pinot Noir dominated. It continues to be suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Produced locally and sustainably by Niagara's Southbrook Vineyards, it also continues to be bottled using the funky cool labels under three different designs created by Laura Wills of Messenger.

Tasting Note:

SERIOUSLY COOL RED 2013 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#453639) (D) - $15.95
The blend for 2013 has changed quite a bit compared to the 2012, now composed of 65% Pinot Noir, 25% Gamay, 8% Zweigelt, and 2% Syrah. Stelvin screw cap. Light nose featuring red cherry, raspberry, subtle spice, white pepper, and whiffs of earth aromas. The dry palate is also light-weighted but gains body with air. It has fresh acids and light, ripe tannins. Flavours of white pepper, black tea, cherry and hints of forest floor linger through to the finish. Pair with pizza, poultry or heartier fish. Score: 86 pts

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San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio 2015 (Veneto) - Wine Review

Opened up this organic white wine last night ahead of it's release onto LCBO VINTAGES shelves on October 29th.

The grapes for this organic Pinot Grigio come from vineyards in the area around Verona, west of Venice, and is managed by winegrowers who have been cultivating organically for more than 25 years.

This 2015 vintage is a step up in quality from the 2014 San Raffaele Monte Tabor Pinot Grigio that I tasted last year, and is sure to be liked by many.

Tasting Note:

SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95
Organic wine. Light aromas of fresh lemon and tropical fruits from the cork. Perfumed aromas of melon, tropical fruit and lemon of medium intensity. The palate is ripe and juicy with good fruit concentration, showing peach, apricot and lemon flavours in a dry style (i.e. not sweet). Acids are fresh, while the finish length is good. Should appeal to many. Score: 87 pts

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VINTAGES Release October 29: Bordeaux + Blends

The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release on October 29th focuses on approachable and affordable Bordeaux wines as its main theme, while the mini-theme focuses on the art of blended wines.

We'll begin with the feature on Bordeaux that lists 11 wines, 3 of which are included among my wine picks. From Médoc and Fronsac are a pair of wines from outstanding 2010 Bordeaux vintage - both are Bordeaux blends, with the Fronsac wine consisting of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Also from the 2010 vintage is the Margaux Grande Cru Classé that is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. The 2012 Bois Chantant is also mostly Merlot (79%), with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc added to round out the blend.

The fact that the majority of Bordeaux wines are blends is a nice segue into the mini-thematic - the art of the blend. This feature lists 8 wines, none of which are from Bordeaux, and only 1 wine is included in my wine recommendations. The vintage Champagne is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, and 23% Pinot Meunier.

In red wines, we have a lovely blend Touriga Nacional, Jaen, and Alfrocheiro blend from Portugal - a wine region where most wines are blends. Surprisingly, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 100% Grenache from vines that are 80-100 years old. The dry (i.e. not sweet) Amarone is a blend of 60% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara. Last, but not definitely not the least, is the Solaia that is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Among my white wine picks, the Greek wine is a blend of 50/50 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Roditis, while the Sancerre is strictly Sauvignon Blanc. The sparkling Cava is a blend of local varietals Macabeo (67%) and Parellada (33%).

Enjoy my wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - DO Maipo Valley, Chile (#18721) (XD) - $17.95
• LAPILLI BENEVENTANO AGLIANICO 2014 - IGT, Campania, Italy (#472696) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU HAUT-CANTELOUP 2010 - AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France (#466565) (XD) - $17.95
• CHÂTEAU DU BOIS CHANTANT CUVÉE LAURENCE H. 2012 - AP Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#421206) (XD) - $18.95
• NIEPOORT DÃO RÓTULO RED 2013 - DOC Dão, Portugal (#452722) (XD) - $18.95
• CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2014 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (D) - $21.95  reviewed here
• CREEKSIDE ICONOCLAST SYRAH 2013 - VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#471797) (XD) - $22.95  reviewed here

• CHÂTEAU HERVÉ-LAROQUE 2010 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#446393) (XD) - $26.95
• MENDEL MALBEC 2013 - Mendoza, Argentina (#108225) (XD) - $29.95
• FATTORIA DEI BARBI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#928028) (XD) - $53.95  reviewed here
• CHÂTEAU DURFORT-VIVENS 2010 - Second wine of Château Durfort-Vivens, AC Margaux, Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France (#466540) (XD) - $54.95
• ZENI BARRIQUES AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#472688) (XD) - $59.95
• DOMAINE DE CRISTIA VIEILLES VIGNES CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#71381) (XD) - $107.00  FSE
• SOLAIA 2012 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#987586) (D) - $254.95

White Wine:

• SAN RAFFAELE MONTE TABOR PINOT GRIGIO 2015 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $13.95  reviewed here
• KIR-YIANNI ESTATE WHITE 2015 - Samaropetra Vineyard, PGI Florina, Greece (#464511) - $17.95
• TYRRELL’S LOST BLOCK SEMILLON 2015 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#933200) (XD) - $17.95
• ST. PAULS CHARDONNAY 2014 - DOC Südtirol/Alto Adige, Italy (#455170) (XD) - $18.95
• ANDRÉ BLANCK & FILS ALTENBURG GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2015 - AC, Alsace, France (#168906) (M) - $19.95
• MASTROBERARDINO RADICI FIANO DI AVELLINO 2014 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#323998) (XD) - $19.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2014 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.75  reviewed here
• JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
• WEINBACH CUVÉE LAURENCE GEWURZTRAMINER 2013 - AC Alsace, France (#581975) (M) - $64.00  FSE
• STONY HILL CHARDONNAY 2010 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#444471) (XD) - $71.00  FSE

 

Sparkling Wine:

• SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA HEREDAD CAVA - Méthode traditionnelle, DO, Spain (#558825) (D) - $29.95
• MOËT & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2008 - AC, France (#69773) (D) - $89.95

Dessert Wine:

• CAVE SPRING RIESLING ICEWINE 2014 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#447441) (S) (375 mL) - $49.95  reviewed here

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Chakana Estate Selection Malbec 2014 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is featured as the "Arrive in Style" product in the upcoming VINTAGES Release on October 29 and will be on shelves this coming Saturday.

Chakana wines are made in Agrelo, near the centre of Mendoza, in a facility with a capacity of 2 million litres. However, small tank sizes are used to maintain grape identities which come from different soil types. The modular design of the winery is tailored to vineyard development, while also helping with careful and detailed management of the grapes and process control as part of the winemaking process.

After making key contributions to the Super Tuscan movement at Antinori and Frescobaldi, consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini came to Argentina in 1995 and immediately sensed the potential of Malbec. The following 15 years were devoted to the re-discovery and perfection of what is now Argentina's signature grape. Mr. Antonini's winemaking philosophy is focused on using modern technology to express terroir and the true nature of grape flavours.

Tasting Note:

CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2014 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (D) - $21.95
Black plum and dark fruit aromas from the cork. Initial oak aromas give way to dark cherry, plum and cocoa, with hints of white pepper and mineral. The dry palate is full bodied, juicy and nicely textured with dark berry, dark plum, white pepper, oak spices and some herbally flavours. Some mocha notes on the long finish. Tannins are drying and a bit hard - needs some time to integrate. Drinkable now, but should be prime drinking in 2 years. Score: 88 pts

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Jean-Max Roger Cuvée Les Caillottes Sancerre 2015 (Loire) - Wine Review

Opened up this pretty white wine last night. It is a lovely peak into a wine that will be in LCBO VINTAGES on October 29th.

The Roger family descends from a long line of winegrowers from the village of Bue, dating back to the early 17th century. Jean-Max Roger took over the vines left to him by his parents in the early 1970s and expanded the estate to its current size. Today, the estate now covers 26 hectares in the Sancerre AOC along the Loire River.

The grapes for this wine come from various plots in the villages of Bué, Amigny and Sancerre, where the soil is a stony, clay-limestone mix known locally as "caillottes". The vines range in 6-40 years old and are located on a south/southwestern exposure.

Tasting Note:

JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2015 - AC, Loire, France (#65573) (XD) - $26.95
100% Sauvignon Blanc with lees ageing has inviting orange citrus and peach aromas from cork. Medium-high intensity aromatics featuring candied lemon with hints of grass, nettle, herbaceousness and mineral. The palate is medium-fullish with a somewhat fleshy and creamy mouthfeel. Ripe fruited aroma replays with fresh acids coat the tongue. Finish length is very good. Will have wide appeal. Paired well with Dungeness crab curry. Score: 90 pts

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Rueda Wine Tasting at Patria

It was a hot day on the last Sunday in May, setting the stage perfectly for the crisp, refreshing white wines that were being poured. The location was Patria - a Spanish restaurant located on King Street West. The event was called "A Taste of Spain" offered a variety of wines from Rueda - a small wine region in central-northwestern Spain, about 170 km northwest of Madrid.

The region is known for it's white wines, primarily made using Verdejo, Viura and Sauvignon Blanc. In all, there were about 40 wines for tasting, most of which were of the crisp, palate-quenching, refreshing style that was ideal for this day. The venue was quite busy, but Patria's servers managed to get around easily, going all out by offering gourmet bites and sweet treats when a break from wine tasting was needed. Of course, there was also a paella.

There were numerous high quality wines at this tasting, and I've posted wine reviews of my favourites below. Most of these are only available through the Agency - please contact the respective Agent listed below for pricing and availability.

Tasting Notes:

BODEGAS JOSÉ PARIENTE FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
From old vines, barrel fermented in French oak barrels, this Verdejo has aromas of smoke and herbal spice with underlying white peach and citrus tones waft from the glass of medium-to-high intensity. It's medium+ bodied palate offers a very nice texture with pleasing aroma replays, very good acidity and long finish. Score: 91 pts

BODEGAS JOSÉ PARIENTE CUVEÉ ESPECIAL 2013 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
This 100% Verdejo offers a medium-to-high intensity nose of apple, butter, stone fruits and some vanilla aromas which echo very nicely on the medium-bodied palate. It has balanced acids and very good length on the finish. Score: 90 pts

BODEGAS JOSÉ PARIENTE VERDEJO 2015 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
This crisp, bright wine has mineral, stone fruit, citrus and some herbally aromas and flavours. The bright, refreshing acids balance the fruit well. Excellent length on the finish. Beautifully balanced. Score: 88 pts

For availability and pricing of wines from Bodegas José Pariente, please contact Cottonwood Agency.

BODEGAS PROTOS VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
Highly aromatic flinty mineral, herbally, pear and stone fruit aromas which also appear on the medium-bodied palate. Bright acids, long finishing. Contact SpainOnly1 Imports to order. Score: 88 pts

BODEGAS TRASLAGARES VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
A somewhat closed nose offers stone fruit, pear and flinty mineral aromas. On the palate, it is medium+ bodied with nice, clean mineral-driven aroma replays. Bright acids provide freshness. Very good length on the finish. Score: 89 pts

BODEGAS HERMANOS DEL VILLAR ORO DE CASTILLA 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (#745562) (XD) - $15.95
Medium-to-high intensity nose offers lovely citrus, tropical fruit, orange. It's medium-bodied with bracing acids and juicy herbaceousness on the palate adding to the aroma replays. Excellent length on the finish. One of my favourites of the tasting! This vintage was available in VINTAGES in May, while the 2015 vintage was released into VINTAGES in September and is currently available on shelves. Score: 89 pts

BODEGA LA SOTERRAÑA ERESMA VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
Clean, medium+ intensity nose featuring ripe fruited lime, tangerine, tropical fruits and some mineral. It's medium-bodied with very good texture and mineral, stone fruit flavours on the palate. It has good acidity and finishes long. Contact Brand New Day Wines & Spirits for availability. Score: 88 pts

BODEGAS REINA DE CASTILLA VERDEJO 2014 - DO Rueda, Spain (XD)
Clean, elegant, medium-intensity nose featuring stone fruit, citrus and an earthy, mineral character. It's light-to-mid weighted with more mineral and stone fruits on the palate. Very good acidity and finishing long with a minerally texture. Quite elegant. Contact Brand New Day Wines & Spirits for availability. Score: 88 pts

CANTONSAN ESPUMOSO RESERVA FAMILIAR N/V - DO Rueda, Spain (D) - $20
This sparkling wine is made with 100% Verdejo and features a medium+ intensity nose with brioche, toast, and leesy aromas. It has fine bubbles, crunchy fruit texture with flavours of lemon, citrus, and brioche. Just a hint of sweetness, with fresh acidity and bubbles holding things together. Long, clean finish. Contact JH&S to order. Score: 88 pts

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