On the Road with the Grape Guy

On the Road with the Grape Guy is a on-going feature that follows me from event to event ... I post my thoughts, feelings and reviews of what happened and what I tasted ... basically it is here that I review the events I attend and the things that thrilled me.

Report from - Australia Day Dinner ... January 24, 2013

21 Feb 2013

 

For Australia Day (January 26, 2013) two Australia-inspired chefs, John Placko (by birth) and Luke Hayes-Alexander (By extensive traveling) put on a special 8 course dinner series (3 nights: Jan. 24-26) to shine a light on the food/cuisine of Australia paired with a number of Aussie wines.  Described by John as an “Epicurean Walkabout” here’s how the evening went: (click here to see what was on the menu and pictures from the evening)

 

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

Report from - Luce Dinner “The 10 Year Vertical” … October 23, 2012

16 Feb 2013

It’s hard to imagine 30 generations of anything – but the Frescobaldi family can count that many in their native Italy.  Tonight we enjoyed 10 years of Luce wines with the 30th generation of the Frescobaldi family:  Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi.

Lamberto has a Toronto connection, which is why he always enjoys coming back – it dates back to 1974 when he was just 11 … 23 years later Luce made its first appearance in the province.

The history of Luce dates back to 1993 when California winemaking icon Robert Mondavi wanted to return to his Italian roots … the idea was to blend an Italian grape (Sangiovese) with something that signified the wines of the west coast (Merlot) – grown in Montalcino, Italy – the name “Luce” came later … as told by Lamberto, just before the first bottling.

The blend of Luce is usually a 50/50 mix of the two grapes, or at most a 55/45 break down; there has only been one vintage (2002) when the Merlot far outweighed the Sangiovese to the tune of 75/25 … Merlot is the earlier ripening grape and is picked 20 days before Sangiovese.

In 2004 Constellation bought Mondavi and Frescobaldi decided to take over the Luce line they had developed, instead of running it like a partnership with Constellation – the reasoning seems to be that it was no longer two proud families running the operation, therefore it was up to the one remaining to carry on the name.

Tonight’s tasting spanned the vintages of 1999 thru to 2009 (Luce first vintage was 1993) with commentary by Lamberto himself – I highlight my favourite 5 below along with some of the more interesting comments: ... (see the pics and read the reviews here)

 

 

To read about more interesting adventures thru the world of wine check out the On the Road With the Grape Guy blog.

 

 

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