Monday, October 6, 2008

Wine Expo 2008

The annual Wine Expo is a great chance to try new wines, but there are way too many to try them all. So what's caught your eye on the Wine Expo list?

I've tried a few previous vintages of some of the wines listed. The 2003 Pio Cesare Fides was a great wine (and great value) and I'll write up a post on it soon. I'll be very curious to try their Moscato d'Asti, which can be a wonderful light slightly sparkling wine. Too bad they're not going to let us try the Ornato or the Il Bricco. I've also recently had the Travaglini Gattinara - it's an excellent and different style of Nebbiolo. I've already blogged about the Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2004 - I expect it will be the '06 at the Wine Expo.

But for now I want to open this thread to by asking if anyone else has noticed any wines that are particularly worth trying? Here's the list.

7 comments:

  1. I am also looking forward to the Travaglini Gattinara- WS top 100 last year. Also the Ventisquero wines from Chile have gotten good press. And the Tapena Garnacha as I have had a number of Garnachas from Spain that I liked. See everyone there Saturday night- got my tickets today.

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  2. We're going Friday afternoon - I've heard that some of the better wines are gone by Saturday. But I haven't been in a few years.

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  3. For those who like Chardonnay (I do) the four Pouilly Fuisse offerings from Chateau Fuisse should be worth trying. Most of these wines have WS scores around 90 pts. Probably not good value but if they are going to pour samples, I'll be there to try them.

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  4. There are a few that I have scouted out as well.
    Kim Crawford Sauv Blanc...given a 91 in WS I believe. The Finca Antiqua Reserva. This is blend of merlot,cab and syrah. I had their Tempranillo and really liked it. Plus you guys have me intrigued by the d'Arenberg d'Arry. I will be hitting the liquor store on site..but not going to the tastings.

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  5. So...I bought the Blason de Bourgogne Pinot Noir (FRA) from the NBL onsite store. Impressed...not. Had a few characteristics of a Pinot. But really did not add up to the Pinots...from OMG..California!! I am starting to wonder if I am a "big red" snob though. I want a wine to give me something "extra". Reds on the lighter side...I am left with that empty feeling. *sigh* Up next....McManis Petite Syrah (again USA..) But that will be next weekend. God I hope I am not turning...STATE SIDE!!!! Still excited for the St Hallet Faith Shiraz...anyone try that yet?

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  6. We went to the Expo yesterday. No doubt Norman will blog about it when he gets a chance, but he's out building mtb trail now. My bottom line is that it's well worth the trip. There are all kinds of really excellent wines to taste, and some extremely knowledgeable and passionate people keen to help you understand them. And of course there's great stuff to be had at the on-site store. I saw all kinds of people buying carts full of their favourites, and quite a number of wines were out of stock by 4 pm Friday.

    I didn't taste the Blason de Bourgongne, but of the pinots I did taste, my favourite was the Beringer Napa - a Californian. It's a "big" pinot. I think you'll like the St Hallet Faith, which is definitely a "big red."

    It's my impression that at the Expo there were a lot of wines I'd call "old world wines for the new world palate." They're "big" rather than delicate, but with typically old world flavours. I think there's a lot to like about that style.

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  7. Speaking of passionate and interesting wine makers, we made the T&T: photo and article.

    If you follow this blog, you know that we are basically obsessed with the wines of Pio Cesare.

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