Apr 12, 2014

Spain's White Gems - RESULTS

Thanks to all the members and guests that came out last Tuesday to taste some fantastic white wines.  We had a great turnout and everyone in attendance had the chance to taste some of the more unique wines that Spain has to offer.  The wines showed quite well, many full of bright citrus fruit, while others were more rustic and full.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Paul Giroux of Family Wine Merchants.  Two of the wines that we were tasting this evening are from his portfolio (the 2009 Celler Cal Pla, SL - Mas d'en Compte and the 2012 Torres - Vina Esmeralda Catalunya,).  Paul was also kind enough to provide the reception wine for the evening, a 2011 Henry of Pelham Chardonnay, which went over quite well with everyone at the tasting.


All the wines that were in the tasting were quite well received, but the unanimous winner of the evening was the 2012 Torres - Vina Esmeralda Catalunya, scoring 1's across the board. This was one of Paul's wines and he was also able to correctly identify it during the blind tasting.  It was describes as having bright citrus fruit, with a medium long finish, and that it was a perfect wine for this time of year.


And here are the final rankings:
Name of Wine (in order poured) Group Ranking Guest Ranking
A -
2012 Jean Leon Chardonnay $18.95
6 6
B -
2010 Bodega Del Abad - Abad dom Bueno Godello $15.75
5 5
C -
2011 Martin Codax - Burgans Albarino $17.95
4 4
D -
2012 Torres - Vina Esmeralda Catalunya, Spain $14.95
1 1
E -
2011 Bodegas La Emperatriz Sl - Finca La Emperatriz Viura $15.95
7 7
F -
2012 Beronia - Viura, Rioja $14.95
8 8
G -
2011 Fuente Elvira Verdijo Rueda Spain Verdijo $15.75
3 3
H -
2009 Celler Cal Pla, SL - Mas d'en Compte $27
2 2

Apr 10, 2014

California Premium Reds

For several centuries, the top Cabernet-based wines of Bordeaux have defined greatness in red wine.  So
it’s no accident that when Napa Valley winemakers first wanted to make exceptional wines in the 1800s, they imported Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings from Bordeaux.  Therefore, the rarest, most prestigious and priciest wines made in the US—and many would say the greatest—now happen to be California Cabernets. Whereas Bordeaux cooler climate produces more austere and less approachable wines unless cellared for at least a decade or longer, California's warmer climate naturally leads to fleshier, fruitier, more generous wines that can be readily enjoyed within a few years of their vintage.   At an average price of $4,750 for one ton of Napa Valley Cabernet grapes, $47 is the industry’s rule-of-thumb price for a bottle of wine made from these grapes. Thus Napa Valley and California Cabernets have become a category for the well-heeled wine lover.

“Napa Valley is the heart of Cabernet Sauvignon production and is clearly an ideal region for creating world-class wines. If any Cabernet-based wine is capable of giving Bordeaux a run for its money, it's Napa Valley's examples. However, due to the extremely high cost of purchasing and developing vineyards in California, and the cachet of Napa Valley on the label, this has largely become a category for the well-heeled wine lover.”
(http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/cabernet-sauvignon)

TVC presents a total of 8 premium reds from California.  7 are from Napa Valley (Caymus, Chateau Montelena, Clos du Val, Cain, Terra Valentine, Trinchero, Corison) and 1 is from Alexander Valley (Kendall Jackson).  All are Cabernet Sauvignon with the exception of Cain Five (Cain Winery) which is a Bordeaux-style blend of five grapes. The vintages are 2005, 2006 and 2007 which are all rated as outstanding for northern California. This will be a fantastic tasting of premium Californian reds.  Don't miss it!!

Theme:  California Premium Reds
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Time: 6 PM - Reception Wine; 6:20 PM - Formal Tasting
Location:  U of Toronto Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks, St., Toronto ON
Price:  TVC Members:  $92; Guests / Non-members:  $112
Register / Buy Tickets
Note: All ticket sales are final!!!