Dinner wines
Monday, June 12th: Wrote my Lexpert column on Greek wines, specifically on how tourists are killing Santorini. For dinner with barbecued steak, Black Hills Cellar Hand Punch Down Red 2015 (a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc: deep purple in colour with a cedary, herbal blackcurrant nose and a warm alcoholic note; medium to full-bodied, dry, with spicy, floral black fruit flavours carried on lively acidity (89)).
Tuesday, June 13th: Wrote my Quench commentary on a story my friend and fellow wine writer, the late Alex Epersbaecher, told me about French cops visiting Toronto in the mid ‘sixties and what they thought of Ontario wine. Finally tracked down my jacket, trousers and shirts at the dry cleaners that did a midnight dash.
Wednesday, June 14th: Started researching wines for a South-American-themed dinner for a Toronto golf club. In the evening, down to the Wine Academy for a dinner tasting of wines from the Côtes du Rhône, billed as “Best Kept Secret.”
Thursday, June 15th: Drove down to Niagara to visit Henry of Pelham, Angels Gate and Peller Estate to discuss a new wine project. In the evening, down to Maple Leaf Tavern to dine with five friends and some great wines: Pearce Prudhomme Chenin Blanc 2016 (from South Africa), Remoissonet Chambolle-Musigny Les Echanges 2007, Lafite 2008, Château de Fonsalette Reserve 1990, Guigal Côte Rôtie La Mouline 1998 and Jackson-Triggs Riesling icewine 1997 from BC. A great evening.
Friday, June 16th: A charity tasting this evening in aid of the Amici String Quartet at a private house. I brought along medal-winning Ontario wines.
- Stoney Ridge Excellence Pinot Noir 2009
- Henry of Pelham Riesling 2013
- Magnotta Semillon 2013
- Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2013
- Konzelmann Gewurztraminer Late Harvest 2008
- Domaine Queylus Merlot 2013
- Kacaba Reserve Syrah 2012
- Tawse Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
- Inniskillin Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2015
Saturday, June 17th: Went to Tom’s in Kensington Market to buy a couple of suits (hadn’t bought a suit in ten years) and ended up buying a sports jacket as well. Tasted Bollini Pinot Grigio 2015 (pale straw colour; minerally, peach pit nose with a note of lemon peel; medium-bodied, white peach flavor with fresh lemony acidity. (88.5)).
