FRENCH WINE CONNECTION
By DEAN TUDOR
The Event: The French wine connection… Wines from France.
The Venue: Artcore Gallery, Distillery District, 55 Mill St., Toronto, tel. 416 920 3820.
The Time and Date: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:30 PM to 5 PM
The Target Audience: Wine trade.
The Availability/Catalogue: ostensibly, all of the principals were seeking agents. Somehow, except for one, they already had signed on.
The Quote/Background: “Good food to go with the wines.”
The Wines:
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Louise Brison, Champagne Brut 2003 (Eurovintage)
— Domaine de la Saveuse Cuvée Carolle Rouge 2007, Côtes de Provence (Rouge et Blanc)
— Domaine de la Saveuse Cuvée Philippine Rouge 2006, Côtes de Provence (Rouge et Blanc)
— Domaines Piron, Morgon 2006 (Wine Guy)
— Relais de Durfort-Vivens 2005 Margaux – La Passion des Terroirs ($55, Connoisseur)
— Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer Linsenberg 2007 ($31.50, Lamprecht)

Most of you know the Montepulciano from Tuscany, a DOCG surrounding the medieval city, producing the « Vino Nobile » from a sangiovese clone, the prugnolo gentile.
Gianni Masciarelli (left) was one of Italy’s finest winemakers and he has done much to improve Abruzzo’s wines. In 2004 he purchased the ancient baronial palace and undertook a careful restoration until he suddenly died last summer at 53. Stone, wood, iron have resisted time. Tasteful modern touches add to the uniqueness of the building rooms and furniture. Gianni had decided to open the place for wine and food seminars, concerts and events. In 2009 the 12 rooms and suites provide guests with a top quality level. He was also a shrewd businessman and succeeded in under two decades in doing what others have failed to achieve in over two centuries.