Newsletter #210 - The World of Wine in Review

Details

Category: Newsletter Archives

OntarioWineReview Newsletter 210 August 2013

• OntarioWineReview: The World of Wine in Review

• Grape Guy’s Picks of the Bunch:  Three Gamays, a true Syrah and Something Grand
  

• Bi-Weekly OWR Updates:  Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more
  

• Wine Event Spotlight: A Black Tie Event

---

OntarioWineReview:  The World of Wine in Review

I scour the internet looking for interesting stories that may or may not be relevant to us here in Ontario, but trust me when I tell you these stories will get your eyebrows raising and your gums a flapping …

CANADA …
Celebrated Niagara winemaker joins Niagara College faculty … “Celebrated winemaker and Niagara wine industry leader Ron Giesbrecht has concluded a successful career at Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery to join the team of faculty at Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute….” (Read more)

Ontario won’t loosen up wine-importing laws any time soon: Wynne … “…Ms. Wynne said she would not allow the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the government-run corporation that holds a virtual monopoly on alcohol sales, to open up the borders….” (Read more)

Restaurateurs put LCBO's fixed pricing on the table … “Finding a really good bottle of wine for $30 or less is nearly impossible, he said. “Nowadays, how the LCBO placed the taxes and the fixed prices so that they are making more money off of it, it’s becoming a little absurd.”…” (Read more)

UNITED STATES …
United State Market - Wine Intelligence report … “What stares you in the face, as you make even a cursory effort to understand the US wine market, is that opportunity exists almost everywhere. There are regions to conquer, new wine drinkers to coax into the market, and existing consumers who can be encouraged to continue their wine journey. The American Dream, as far as wine is concerned, lives on.” (Read more)

GPS tracks down man accused of stealing $500,000 in wine … “A Miami man almost got away with $500,000 of imported wine, but a GPS unit inside a 53-foot semitrailer led authorities straight to the suspect, according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report…” (Read more)

Virginia Wines: In the Old Dominion, a New Terroir … ““Most shops need a certain selection of wines that are very well known, that are good money makers,” he said. “With the rest, they either take the time to dig through the pile and find the gems that are hidden, or fill their shelves with things that are a given. We’re more of a hidden gem.”  For more than two decades, Mr. Paschina has been trying to make the case that Virginia wine deserves a place at the table with Barolo and Bordeaux….” (Read more)

Inglewood Estate and winery sold for about $20 million … “The son of Costco co-founder and former CEO James Sinegal has purchased the historic Inglewood Estate, accompanying vineyard and winery in St. Helena for somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million….” (Read more)

Napa’s Araujo Estate Bought by Owners of Bordeaux’s Château Latour … “The purchase price was not disclosed, but the deal includes the historic Eisele Vineyard and its 38 acres of vines, the winery and cave complex, the brand and existing inventory…” (Read more)

EUROPE …
Hailstones shred French Burgundy vineyards … “Severe storms and hail lashed France's Burgundy wine region leading to losses of up to 90 percent … Growers and officials were still assessing the impact of Tuesday's (July23) storms on the vines, with damage anywhere between 10-90 percent in the Beaune region, but the Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB) said the Pommard and Volnay areas were the worst hit...” (Read more)

Will France embrace ‘quality’ wine in a can? … “Purists will wince. A French start-up hopes to revolutionise wine consumption in France by selling produce from quality-assured vineyards – in tin cans…” (Read more)

Sisters to lead wine empire … “For the first time since the Antinori family began making wines more than 600 years ago, the world-renowned Italian wine company will continue into the future with an all-women team at its helm….” (Read more)

Ornellaia Tops $2,000 a Case as Estate Marks 25 Years … “The Tuscan grower’s bottles are exceeding $2,000 a case as demand increases at auction. Buying interest in wines from Italy, Burgundy and California has picked up in recent months as demand eased from Asian collectors for top Bordeaux….” (Read more)

Cava Seeks to Make a New Name for Itself … “One Cava producer doesn't even want to try to answer that question. Josep "Pepe" Raventós of Raventós i Blanc decided that, given Cava's less-than-glorious reputation, he wasn't going to call his wines "Cava" anymore but "Conca del Riu Anoia," or simply "Conca" for short. The name is derived from the place in the Penedès region where his wines—and those of many other Cava producers—are made. Though it's not an officially recognized region (the name translates to "Valley of the River Anoia" in Catalan), Mr. Raventós hopes that it will be one day. Right now he hopes to make "Conca" a brand….” (Read more)

AUSTRALIA …
Acclaimed Barossa Valley winemaker Peter Lehmann dies of kidney disease … “The man known as "The Baron of the Barossa" passed away in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after undergoing surgery on Wednesday connected with his illness…” (Read more)

Chinese wine production predicted to surpass Australia … “For years the Chinese have been buying up wine from Europe, but with domestic wine production predicted to overtake Australia and Chile by next year, Tiana Wu is hoping European drinkers are ready to be tempted by a glass of her "Yunnan Red".  "We produce one million cases per year. We're exploring the possibility of exporting," Wu told AFP at Vinexpo ...” (Read more)

OTHER …
In Israel’s Negev desert, a budding wine boom … “Today, there are more than 250 wineries in Israel producing 36 million bottles of table wine each year. Twelve percent is exported to other countries, mainly to the United States. In 2011, the country’s exports totaled $26.7 million…” (Read more)

Grape Guy’s Picks of the Bunch: Three Gamays, a true Syrah and Something Grand

Cattail Creek 2011 Gamay Noir - $15.95 (W)
www.cattailcreek.ca

I have come to realize that if you want to make good Gamay you actually have to like Gamay – you have to like its juiciness and simplicity, you have to like the flavours and the aromas, and you can’t think of it as substandard Pinot Noir.  Owner of Cattail Creek, Roselyn Dyck, likes Gamay, loves it in fact, and has passed this love on to her winemaker, thus Cattail Creek is starting to become a consistently good Gamay producer.  This 2011 version has pleasant aromas of cran-cherry with strawberry nuances; the palate has plenty of that signature cherry Gamay is known for – it’s juicy, fresh and fruity, and very lightly oaked in older French barrels for 4-5 months.  Keep up the Gamay-love Cattail – its showing.  Price: $15.95 – Rating: ****


Colchester Ridge 2008 Grand CREW - $49.90 (W)
www.colchesterridge.com

This might be one of the priciest wines I have seen come out of the Lake Erie North Shore, but before you discount it as a gimmick, or a ploy to get more money, plenty of effort went into this wine to indeed make it “Grand” … a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged 4 years in oak (a combination of new and used French and American) made with loving care and carefully watched over by winemaker Bernard Gorski – the result is a wine with uncompromising power and structure: dark chocolate, vanilla, and spice on the nose … palate is big and ballsy with lots of spice and plenty of black and red fruit … it needs time to settle but for a 2008 vintage wine this is one worth cellaring: give it 5+ years for sure.  Price: $49.80 – Rating: ****+

EastDell Estates 2010 Gamay Noir - $12.95 (W, L)
www.eastdell.com

The word I would use to describe this Gamay is ‘killer’: killer fruit, killer vibrancy, and killer price … for under 13-bucks you get a Gamay that will turn heads and get people talking about this grape, and maybe even have them talking about EastDell again.  I tasted this wine with a touch of a chill and it brought out the vibrant cherry aspect of this wine, I also found hints of raspberry and vanilla mid-palate leading to a finish where spice and acidity fight it out … but what really stood out above it all was the bright cherry fruit, it was there from beginning to end.  Price: $12.95 – Rating: ****+


Kacaba 2009 Syrah, Single Vineyard - $29.95 (W)
www.kacaba.com

There are just some wineries who continue to put out interesting versions of this grape, even though Ontario is not your typical region for Syrah.  This wine won a silver medal at the Ontario Wine Awards 2013 and there is no absolutely no doubt in my mind as to why:  Plenty of cassis and raspberry (as far as fruit is concerned), there’s also quite a bit of peppery goodness too, making this a true Syrah not only in name but also in smell and taste.  Price: $29.95 – Rating: ****+


Malivoire 2011 Gamay – Small Lot M2 - $19.95 (W)
www.malivoire.com

This version of Small Lot Gamay brings this wine back to its former glory, but it’s not like this is some long standing wine label … The Small Lot Gamay began in 2009 with a stellar version; but with a stumble in the hot 2010 vintage it seemed that ’11 was going to be the make it or break it vintage.  The music business has the same problem – awesome first albums are usually followed by a poor sophomore efforts and it’s really the third album that’ll show whether you’ve got what it takes to make it; can you bounce back?  I’m happy to report Small Lot M2 has regaining its fighting form in this 2011.  Cherry dominant and incredibly delicious … it’s the fruitiness of this wine that makes it so, from first sniff to last swallow.  But it ain’t just a cherry-berry bowl, there are other things in here worth finding, so I recommend putting your hands on a bottle soon before it’s all gone – it is “small lot” after all.  I have to say I’m looking forward to M2’s fourth album.  Price: $19.95 – Rating: **** ½

Availability legend:  W (Winery) – L (LCBO/Vintages) –  OL (On-Line).

Bi-Weekly OWR Updates: Wine Videos, Blog Additions and more

The Weekly Wine Videos
Just as the name suggest … every week I'll introduce you to another fabulous Ontario wine that you've just gotta try – Check out the YouTube Channel Now

Video #19 – Coffin Ridge 2011 Marquette
Video #20 – Huff Estates 2010 Cuvee Janine Sparkling Rose

Ottawa Life – International Wine Selection(s) of the Week:
Check out the Ottawa Life Blog – Thirst Impressions for my weekly selections
This week's posts:
Joining the Trend for Less
Burning Down the Kiln
Rieslings for the Summer that Never Was

NEW – Quench By Tidings … #Wine Wednesday (see them all here)
Gimme Gimme Gamay
In a South Coast State of Mind

On the Road with the Grape Guy
(Trips, tours and tastings – join me as I review the highs, and sometimes, the lows)
The Annual New Zealand Wine Fair

Lost and Found (blog):
(Wines that got "lost" in my cellar - some are Treasures others Trash … Find out what happened)
Magnotta 2002 Cabernet Franc, Limited Edition

Taste it Again Grape Guy (blog)
Find out what has happened to some of my favourites over the years
Norman Hardie 2005 Riesling
The Tale of Two Lailey Wines

What I’m Drinking Tonight (blog)
When it’s not an Ontario wine, here’s what I’m pulling out of the cellar
New Posts Added

Vintages Release (blog)
August 3, 2013 – Vintages Release Report
In-Store Discoveries – July 20, 2013
Vintages Shop On-Line – July 11, 2013

Something to Make you Smile

FINALLY GOT MY NEW SINK INSTALLED

Something to Make you Smile

Wine Event Spotlight: A Black Tie Event

SANTE:  PARTY IN THE VINEYARD & WINE BARREL AUCTION … Enjoy a casually elegant evening of dining, dancing, wine barrel auction and special guest entertainment: Santé.  To your health and to a new era of health in our community. $500 per person, inclusive of taxes and gratuities. Tickets include a charitable tax receipt for the maximum allowable amount.  Saturday September 14, 2013.  Details can be found here:  http://reservations.andrewpeller.com/events/sante.html

OntarioWineReview’s bi-weekly newsletter is devoted to the love, enjoyment and promotion of the wines of Ontario and the wineries that make them.

What can the Grape Guy do for you … Michael Pinkus (Grape Guy) provides a variety of wine related services that you might be interested in taking advantage of:  he gives lectures, leads seminars, conducts tastings, sets up tours; consults, selects and judges.  He also gives interviews, broadcasts, podcasts and writes.  Contact the Grape Guy if you require any of these services or have any questions.

Psst, Pass It On … keep the good wine flowing. Forward this newsletter to your mom in Milton, your son in Smith Falls, or any other family member or loved one that you know needs good wine advice.

Socially Speaking …
Follow Michael Pinkus, the Grape Guy’s (almost) daily Tweets at http://twitter.com/TheGrapeGuy .
You can become a friend on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/mepinkus . 
Those who are “Linked In” can find Michael at http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/michael-pinkus/14/704/4b8 .

To contact us with feedback, article ideas, comments, concerns or questions – email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We look forward to hearing from you!

© OntarioWineReview.com 2013. All rights reserved. You may use the content of this newsletter by including full credit to Michael Pinkus, Grape Guy and a link to www.ontariowinereview.com

• Prev
• Next