Australian Shiraz Results, Oct. 2012

We enjoyed some very lovely and big Australian Shiraz wines on October 16, 2012 with guest speaker, Malcolm Cocks, President of the Australian Wine Society of Toronto (AWS) and of Glen-Ward wines.  For some reason, we didn't get his rankings noted below but you can see how our group rated them.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A - 2007 Alkoomi Jarrah Shiraz $39.95	8
B - 2008 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz $44.95	7
C - 2007 Kilikanoon Parable Shiraz $39.95	1
D - 2008 Best's Bin No. 0 Shiraz $56.95	6
E - 2002 Mitchell McNicol Shiraz $52.21	5
F - 2001 Rockfort Basket Press Shiraz $79	3
G - 2005 Henschke Mount Edelstone $99.95	2
H - 2007 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz $120.20	4

2001 Bordeaux Results, Sept. 2012

On September 11, 2012, TVC sampled both Left Bank and Right Bank wines from the 2001 vintage. Specifically, we  lined up four wines from Pauillac, two from St. Julien and one apiece from Pessac-Leognan and Pomerol. The 2001 Haute-Médoc wines (those from Margaux, Saint-Julien and Pauillac) have proven successful, earning high praise from wine connoisseurs. For example, Pichon Baron from Pauillac earned a score of 94 points for its fruity, superbly concentrated and strong vintage. While the wines from St. Julien also scored well with Leoville Poyferré earning 92 points for its ripe tannins and strong structure and Talbot garnering 91 points for its beautiful aroma and delicious cherry taste. The Smith-Haut-Lafitte from Pessac-Leognan and La Croix de Gay from Pomerol earned 89 points for their impressive vintages.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Richard Karlos of Karlos Estates who also brought along his wife Sherry. They are pictured below, along with TVC President, Sylvia Dorosh.

And here are the results / rankings from the evening.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A - 2001 La Croix de Gay, Pomerol $42	5	7
B - 2001 Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan $63	2	4
C - 2001 Talbot, St Julien $49.	7	6
D - 2001 Leoville Poyferré, St Julien $59	3	3
E - 2001 Duhart Milon, Pauillac $39	8	5
F - 2001 Clerc Milon, Pauillac $52	6	2
G - 2001 Grand Puy Lacoste, Pauillac $56	4	8
H - 2001 Pichon Baron, Pauillac $73	1	1

Shiraz from Down Under

Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz

Shiraz is made for Down Under - its hot climate is perfect for bringing out the best traits in this popular grape varietal. Australian Shiraz is seductively delicious, with startlingly rich, ripe aromas that deliver right through to the full zesty finish. We sample 8 elite wines such as the 2001 Rockfort Basket Press Shiraz, 2002 Mitchell McNicol Shiraz, 2007 Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz and others, from various areas (Margaret River, Frankland River, Mclaren Vale, Barossa, etc.) to show you interesting regional differences in Shiraz.  We will be joined by guest speaker Malcolm Cocks, chair of the Australian Wine Society. Please join us for what will likely be an unforgettable evening!  As always, we will be serving appetizers with the wines.

Theme:  Aussie Shiraz
Date:      Tuesday, October 16/12
Time:      6 PM
Where:   41 Wilcocks St., Toronto, ON (U of T Faculty Club)
Cost:      TVC Members:  $68;  Non-Members/Guests:  $88  (includes reception wine plus light appetizers with the wines)
Buy tickets  Note:  All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be offered unless we sell out and have a wait list.

Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz

2001 Bordeaux, REVISED DATE!

PLEASE NOTE!!  THE DATE OF THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TUESDAY SEPT. 11 DUE TO THE JEWISH HOLIDAY OF ROSH HASHAHAH.

September usually means our annual Bordeaux tasting and this year we focus on the 2001 vintage which is considered to have been a very good vintage by experts.  Jancis Robinson wrote that " for the most part they are beautifully balanced with an appetising kick on the finish".  Many of the 2001s are drinking quite well by now and we hope you'll come out to enjoy them!!

Theme:  2001 Bordeax
Date:      Tuesday, September 11/12
Time:      6 PM
Where:   41 Wilcocks St., Toronto, ON (U of T Faculty Club)
Cost:      TVC Members:  $72;  Non-Members/Guests:  $98  (includes reception wine plus light appetizers with the wines)
Buy tickets  Note:  All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be offered unless we sell out and have a wait list.

Dinner at Mistura Restaurant. Jume 2012

Here's what we enjoyed at Mistura Restaurant on June 19th, 2012 along with a fabulous selection of 'bin-end' wines from Toronto Vintners cellar.

THE MENU

4-Course Spring Dinner at Mistura Restaurant / Sopra Upper Lounge

265 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON   416-515-0009
Tuesday June 19th 2012

Reception & Canapés
Prosecco toast with Warm Goat Cheese Truffles with Vin-Cotto &
Crostini with Duck Liver Pate, Mustard and Pickled Vegetables

Dinner Menu

Appetizers
Choice of: 
bufala Mozzarella 
Fresh Imported Mozzarella, Eggplants, Tomato Salad, Arugula, Celery & Basil

misticanza di stagione 
Mixed Lettuces, Crispy Vegetables, Slivered Pear & Organic Honey Dressing

Mains
Choice of: 
Risotto rosso 
Red Beet Risotto, Classically Mistura Topped with Baby Golden Beets & Greens
Agnolotti al cinghiale
Wild Boar Agnolotti with Sour Cherries, Brown Butter, Wilted Greens & Roasting Jus
branzino
Pan Seared Mediterranean Sea Bass Fillets, Chick Peas, Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Taggiasche Olives, 
Fresh Thyme & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
scaloppine di vitello 
Veal Loin Cutlets Crusted in Parmigiano Reggiano, Peperonata, Belgian Endive,
Frisee, & Parmigiano Shavings

An Assortment of our Finest Desserts on Platters

Coffee or Tea (Upon Request)

WINES
Assortment of fine and aged white and red wines from TVC’s wine cellar.

Spring Dinner at Mistura

   

It’s that time again. Time for Toronto Vintners Club to clear out the surplus collection of premium vintage wines from our extensive cellar and drink them at Mistura Restaurant.  Chef Massimo Capra of Mistura Restaurant has prepared a menu of several signature dishes to compliment the fine quality of wines from our cellar and essentially, the wines are on us.

Mistura offers patrons “contemporary Italian cuisine reflective of a simplified, yet refined approach to taste.” The restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and June’s menu should not disappoint. Since opening in 1997, Mistura has been accumulating rave reviews from fellow chefs and food critics, including Joanne Kates of the Globe and Mail. Kates ranked Mistura No. 18 on her Top 100 restaurants in Toronto for 2012 and No. 13 in 2011.

Reservations are restricted to 60 people only.  Price includes all taxes and gratuities.

Where: 265 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON
When: Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Time: 6:30pm – Reception, 7:00 PM - Dinner
Cost: TVC Members $115; Guests’/Non-Members $140 (all inclusive)

2001 Barolos Results, May 2012

This wasn't the first time - and probably won't be the last time - that Bernard Stramwasser of Le Sommelier Inc. was our guest speaker for a Barolo tasting. Previously it was the 1997 vintage and this time it was 2001! 

On May 15, 2012 we tasted wines from some of the Piedmont’s great wine producers Cavallotto, Marcarini, Ceretto, Giacomo Fenocchio, Paolo Scavino, Paolo Conterno, Giovanni Manzone, and Massolino.  Here's how we ranked the wines.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A - 2001 Giacomo Fenocchio - Bussia        $37.95	8	6
B - 2001 Manzone - Le Gramolere             $44.95	2	3
C - 2001 Paolo Conterno - Ginestra           $54.00	5	4
D - 2001 Cavalotto - Bricco Boschis           $54.95	4	8
E - 2001 Massolino, Serralunga d'Alba - Barolo $57.93	6	2
F - 2001 Marcarini - Brunate         $59.00	3	5
G - 2001 Ceretto - Brunate            $83.69	1	1
H - 2001 Paolo Scavino - Carobric    $87.95	7	7