• LE JURA FROM LE CANADA

    par | Juin 1, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    The Time and Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009  1 PM to 6 PM
    The Event: Vins du Jura trade tasting.
    The Venue: Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Road, Toronto, 416- 925 1234
    The Target Audience: wine trade and wine press.
    The Availability/Catalogue: about none of these wines currently available; suppliers looking for representation.
    The Quote/Background: 19 producers were in the show, which also visited Montreal.
    — Anne Popoff led a seminar on the various wine styles from the Jura.
    — In general, the pinots noirs were coarse.
    — The Macvin du Jura is similar to the Pineau des Charentes.
    — Vin Jaune and Château Chalon (below) are acquired styles, possibly for fino sherry lovers.
    — Vin de Paille make an interesting dessert wine.
    The Wines: prices hard to determine, especially since the French do not seem to want to reveal them to the press. The Living Vine repped Domaine André et Mireille Tissot as a biodynamic wine. Domaine Labet brave in only showing some pretty good chardonnays, five of them at differing price levels. (suite…)

  • TASTING 2007 BOUCHARD AND WILLIAM FÈVRE AT THE RCYC

    par | Mai 20, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    The Time and Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 11AM to 4 PM.
    The Event: Tasting of Bouchard Pere et Fils and William Fevre 2007 Burgundy and Chablis wines, presented by Woodman Wines & Spirits.
    The Venue: Royal Canadian Yacht Club (City Club House, below), St. George St., Toronto.
    The Target Audience: wine trade, media.
    The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available, mostly by special order.
    The Quote/Background: Of the 74 wines in the portfolio, we were able to taste 40 of them. Luc Bouchard was available for interviews and discussions. Of note was the exceptionally early picking date of late August. (suite…)

  • SIX ONTARIO WINERIES LOOK AT TERROIR

    par | Mai 19, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    tables.jpg - 33456 BytesThe Time and Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1 PM to 5 PM
    The Event: Somewhereness trade tasting.
    The Venue: Market Kitchen at the South St. Lawrence Market, 93 Front St. East, Toronto, 416-392-0028 (right)
    The Target Audience: wine trade and press.
    The Availability/Catalogue: all wines available through winery.
    The Quote/Background: Six Ontario wineries with small lot collections have banded together to promote a sense of terroir in the province. All are small and sustainable.
    The Wines: Licensee prices… (suite…)

  • IN THE HEART OF BURGUNDY

    par | Avr 6, 2009

    By DEAN TUDOR

    The Time and Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009  1PM to 5PM
    The Event: Terroirs et Signatures de Bourgogne 2009, a trade show promoting the wine of Burgundy, sponsored by the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB).
    The Venue: St. Andrew’s Club & Conference Centre, 150 King St. West, TORONTO,  (416) 366-4228.
    The Target Audience: wine media, agents, sommeliers.
    The Availability/Catalogue: in various distribution channels (Vintages, private orders, consignment, etc.). The show catalogue was also meant for the Montreal and Vancouver shows. Some producers were in Toronto only, others were in Montreal only. Most were at all shows. There were 31 producers, showing an average of six wines each. Most had agents, but many principals were also in attendance. (suite…)

  • BOIRE DES COUPS DANS L’HÉMISPHÈRE SUD (FIN)

    par | Avr 6, 2009

    CHRISTIAN MARTEL

    Rentrés à Paris vendredi 3 avril au matin. Le voyage est fini, il faut défaire les valises, lire le courrier, classer des centaines de photos… Je peux maintenant terminer ma chronique malheureusement interrompue sur un plantage d’ordi dans le bush australien.

    Découverte du Cap (Cape Town) le 28 mars : balade dans la ville, Montagne de la Table en téléphérique, le Waterfront et ses bistros, le centre, très commercial, où se mélangent façades du XIXème et immeubles contemporains. La ville est séduisante et nous la plaçons juste après Sydney dans nos préférences.

    Journée de balade sur le ‘Route des Vins’ à 50km à l’est de Cape Town, à Paarl, Franschhoek et Stellenbosch, avec une visite/dégustation à chaque ville — excellente à Paarl chez Nelson Estate; plus expéditive chez La Couronne à Franschhoek, mais la dégustation a été suivie d’un lunch sympa face au vignoble; et « fête à Neuneu » chez Spier à Stellenbosch. (suite…)