Today I was at the Import Vintners and Wine Association salon tasting, hosted within one of The Vancouver Club’s banquet rooms.
This is an industry only event that invites liquor store buyers, bar managers, restaurant consultants, and sommeliers to come sample wares from their portfolio of celebrated importers. These were the people who help bring recognition to worldwide brands, and those invited are the ones that help make them accessible for public consumption. Often for the upcoming season, which was the case today.
I was coming out if a bout of violent food poisoning, so was taking it easier. I didn’t try to taste everything like I usually do. Instead, I was more methodical, especially after promising God to only drink good spirits going forward, if he spared me from the agony I faced as I projectile vomited. I digress.
At the salon we travelled to each table, and at each searched out the bottle with the highest price tag. If they were not listed on an available product page or on any signage, we would as for the “priciest pour”. They varied with the most being a $114 bottle of Bordeaux. Majority of the wines and spirits varied from $50-85. The following is everything I tried and some notes.
Right at the door is a familiar sight with Bambu rum and their sparkling wine brand. We would start and end here. Both spirits created to be easy drinking, and for that they have succeed.
I was drawn in by the unique twisted bottle. This was designed to mimic the Weber agave that their tequila is made with. Curiously we got peanut on the nose, followed by a nuttiness on the tongue to follow. Adictivo Extra Añejo for $115.18 wholesale.
Drawn in by another unique bottle and the rarity of seeing Port at tastings like this, I couldn’t help but go straight for this vintage Taylor Fladgate Port. Whereas others would prefer to end on this, as to not shock their palate. I am a novice and drink to enjoy at a surface, layman’s level, so had no problem allowing myself to be drawn into what I want, as I see it.
This is the Taylor’s reserve tawny port in the limited edition “the globe”. Its iconic shape pays homage to this popular bottle shape, common in the late 1700’s. I got baked strawberries strawberries and Hawthorne fruit from the aged product.
I also tried Taylor’s Golden Age. Another limited edition bottle I probably would get a chance to try again. This was juicy with warm notes of baked dates and sun dried golden raisin.
There was plenty of Chianti in today’s showing. Like the Castello by Gabbiano Reserva. I got briney and salty notes from this and thought it was paired well with the natural salts of seafood and fish. One of the winery’s oldest the grapes are specially selected and hand picked for a delicate maturation. Held for 24 months before being released in cellar.
Wodka importers brought Pindarie’s wine maker in from Barossa Valley in Australia to speak to their line of cellaring wine. We were interested in their Black Hinge 2020. 100% Australian Shiraz. Described as a special occasion estate wine to be paired with such luxury as wagyu. The recommended aging time is 10-15 years. It is named after the “Black Hinge” of their historic barn door and runs for $73.55 wholesale.
Glengoyne 10 years came with a new lowered price at $55.35. Matured in Sherry casks I got the sweetness in ribbons of orange and caramel.
Esterlin was a $70 bottle of champagne. Light, effervescent, and bubbly; this was everything I wanted sparkling to be and it reminded me of a lemon cordial spritz. Zesty and refreshing.
Shinobu is premium Japanese whiskey notable for their uses of mizunara casks. They are in such short supply with only about 200 being made a year. Its fruit forward oak notes adds to the whiskey’s complication and pricing. $94 for this small batch, Peated whiskey, with a long finish that does not allow food to distract from it.
Another Japanese brand from the TS Global portfolio is Kuijira, and today they were sampling their newest label under the brand: Kuijira Okinawa.
Château Batailley is a mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend that is $114.99 per bottle, wholesale. This wine bottle comes with a special commemorative label to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II. Rich, it had heavy notes of blackcurrants and lead pencil on the forefront, with fresh flower undertones.
The Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 is $52.96 wholesale and recommend $68.99 in market. It had a ruby and black cherry profile with softening floral, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and spice. Plenty of tannins for a full finish.
The Lemon Hart Original 1804 rum has a long history with no actual lemon. It is produced at a single estate distillery, using Demerara sugar that is minimally processed. There was no burn to this and it wasn’t too sweet, it had a bite similar to tequila for $33.82.
We tried the German cider out of curiosity and found it especially funky on the nose and in the mouth to follow. This was not a sweet fruit cider, but more like a fermented kumbucha.
The Saint Cosme Gigondas 2023 was $66.99 a bottle and was poured out of a specialty spout designed to keep opened bottles of finer wine, fresher for longer.
The Castello di Bolgheri Varvàra is $39.15. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It had bold flavours of dark fruit mixed with iron and tobacco. This is absolutely a steak and roast sort of wine.
Suggested serving temperature 169 – 18° C.
Braised short ribs, Prime Rib roast, or grilled Ribeye steaks with all the sides.
The “No Name” caught my attention and I had to ask about its short. The winery produced two barrel that they wanted approved. One was, the other wasn’t. So to protest they labeled the one that didn’t this badge of shame, however it is all the same as its sister: Etna Rosso.
The 2020 Castello Di Cacchiano Chianti Classico is $61.99 wholesale. This is black berries and stone fruits speckled with warm fall spice. It drinks with silky tannins and a long, refined finish.
The Domaine Des PaQuiers Gigondas is from Côtes du Rhône, France. This is equal parts Grenache Noir and Syrah, matured for nine months in concrete tanks. The result is clean and elegant notes of red berries and spice for $42.99 wholesale.
At 0.5-1oz a pour, this was a fine way to try something new, and to taste what isn’t normally assessable.
