This classic Tuscan vintage of the 90’s, benefited from an ideal and uneventful growing season. The wines produced in 95 could easily be categorized as traditional. Very terroir oriented, the 95 Tuscan reds show elegance with good structure and great aging potential. At their peak, they should display finesse, freshness and complexity. Twenty years later, at Les Conseillers du Vin, we decided to revisit this 20 years old Tuscan vintage by tasting a selection of wines from reputed producers to verify the evolution of this excellent Tuscan vintage.
As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed 7 Tuscan reds plus a mystery wine in the usual blind tasting format. At this point we must keep in mind two important factors: 1-winemaking techniques have dramatically changed since the mid 90’s. 2-grapes today are harvested much riper. Wines from the 80’s and early 90’s offered from the outset higher acidity and firmer tannins. Wines from that era tend to be fresher, leaner and often more elegant. But in some instances, some wines can be a bit thin, aggressive and austere.
Results: Is it time to crack open all remaining bottles of 95 Tuscan reds or should we leave some for future drinking? To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were awarded to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
The latest study by the British wine industry analysts IWSR, confirms the USA is the largest wine consuming country on the planet. Regarding production, the usual suspects are still on top : France, Italy and Spain.
On the consumption per capita podium we find Italy (48 litres/year), France and surprising Switzerland. Spain is going through a major culture change : wine consumption dropped dramatically (-14%) from 2009 to 2013, it now ranks 20th . The USA with approximately 12 liters is not in the Top 20 per capita consuming countries. Canadian wine consumption continues to increase. According to the IWSR study it should increase by another 7,8% by 2018 and reach 16,4 liters per adult.
Canada is a booming dynamic import market which ranks 6th behind Germany, the United Kingdom, the USA, China and the Netherlands. Regarding countries supplying wines for the Canadian market, France continues to loose shares and now ranks 3dr behind Italy and the USA. Since 2008, the numbers clearly demonstrate that Canadian consumers are moving towards New World wines : New-Zealand (+17,7%), USA (+9,7 %) and Chile (+4,8 %) continue to grab more market shares.
Red : still the favorite
Worldwide red wine (54 %) remains the preferred colour ahead of white (37%) and rosé (9%). Canadian producers and especially Quebec wineries should take note that sparkling wines continue to gain in popularity in almost all markets.
Here are a few good wines to help you contribute to our increasing consumption.
Amaraone, the heavyweight wine of Veneto, has recently (2010) been upgraded to the top category DOCG of Italy. So popular during the 60’s and 70’s, it lost its share of the spotlight to Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo during the 80’s and 90’s. Amarone seems to be making a comeback with expected rich, powerful wines brimming with character.
At Les Conseillers du Vin we decided to revisit this prestigious appellation to verify how it has evolved. As usual a group of 16 experienced tasters analysed eight (8) Amarone wines in a blind tasting. Rediscovering this raisiny, concentrated, powerful Amarone della Valpolicella was quite fascinating. It seemed obvious that the overall quality level is much higher today. Problems of volatile acidity and funky animal scents seem to be under control. Surely the appassimento method of drying the grapes is also under better control. This selection of reputed producers confirmed the very high quality level and aging potential of this forgotten Venetian blockbuster. Its new status as a DOCG wine begins with the 2010 harvest. Many of these wines should be released and on our store shelves this year. In the near future Amarone should be getting more recognition and make its way back up to the top of the pyramid of fine Italian wine.
To establish the order of preference of the tasting panel, 3 points were given to a first place vote, 2 pts for a 2nd place vote and 1pt for a 3rd place vote.
I promised myself I would not tell you the same story again this year, but I just could not refrain myself. So sorry ! Its not due to senelity, but rather just being overly persistant in trying to make sure the message is out there and spreading!
Champagne : is the most overated and worst wine value in the wine world.
Luckily there’s a good selection of quality sparkling wines at the SAQ. Lots to choose from. Most wine critics and sommeliers continue to praise Champagne and put it on a pedestal. Champagne marketing has succeded in convincing most wine professionnals that Champagne is the best, the one and only, high quality sparkling wine.
Hopefully, a day will come when more sommeliers, wine critics and journalists accept to compare (in blind tastings) Champagnes and other sparkling wines from around the world. When this thruthful taste test reaveals its surprises, we should get a very different message. This reality check regarding Champagne production is long over due.
Are you one of those individuals that loose track of time ? Just a reminder, we’re getting dangerously close to Xmas! Only a few days left for your last minute shopping! Need some satisfying gift ideas? Good wines and spirits should do the trick.
Fortunately, all of these purchases can be done in one spot : an SAQ store gives you the opportunity to get all done in a jiff! A warming spirit for Grandpa, a lovely Champagne for aunt Julia, a full bodied red for the brother and a charming white for your sister that has just discovered wine. And don’t forget, also a few bottles to celebrate! Good bottles always make great gifts! What would you prefer receiving, another tie or scarf, or a great bottle of wine or spirit?
During the Holiday period we tend to spend more for our bottles. But as you will see it’s possible to find some lovely and affordable wines and spirits. The planned strategy of «the right bottle to the right person» might give you the opportunity to participate in the opening of the bottle with the friend or family member recipient.
Here is a selection of fine wines and spirits that should help you out with your last shopping spree for gifts. Good luck!
Two seductive inexpensive whites!
Winter is upon us ! As you might expect, winter is the ideal season for discovering and enjoying fine spirits. Luckily the Holiday period highlights the cold season and brings upon us numerous opportunities to sample and share these high alcohol content beverages. The Holiday gatherings are perfect moments to open a new trendy spirit and toast to lasting friendships and strong family ties. In this week’s suggestions you will find some newly arrived (at SAQ) high quality vodkas and whiskies.
Surprisingly, amongst the most popular spirits on the planet, we find two alcohols that are in fact extreme opposites. Vodka is limpid, soft, velvety, delicately warming, while amber coloured whisky is brimming with volume, character and complexity.
These two spirits sit atop the list of most consumed alcohols both in America and Europe. As expected, their clientels are quite different. Vodka’s benefits from a more diversified clientel that includes curious consumers that like variety (so many vodkas out there), enthusiastic partygoers that like to repeat the vodka shooter experience and the increasing cocktail fanatics. While the whisky consumers are passionnate and patient : they care about about origin, style and ageing !
Here are a few vodka and whiskies suggestions that should warm up your gatherings during the upcoming Holiday period.
Vodka : two new vodkas at SAQ. Ideally served chilled or with one ice cube.
Everyone who enjoys wine, from the beginner to the collector, knows about Bordeaux. This French region is well known for its amazing dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac, its excellent dry whites from the Graves and Pessac-Léognan appellations, but its those outstanding long lived reds that make Bordeaux a household name.
Purchasing such long lived and very often expensive wines requires research. The quality of Bordeaux wines can vary enormously from vintage to vintage. Unlike California, the differences are much greater from one year to the other, making it very risky to buy whithout having tasted beforehand. A vintage may be remarkable in the Libournais (Saint-Emilion and Pomerol) such as 1998, and be average quality in the Médoc.