Toronto LCBO to use FTLOP ratings

[Roy Hersh]

The head of Toronto's LCBO, was in contact today to discuss using Port, Madeira and tasting notes in their monthly newsletters and in shop advertisements/shelf talkers.

So for those of you in the Province ... you'll see a friendly name in the near future!

[J. Bradley Rauch]

Congrats Roy -

Being in Buffalo, NY. we are often up in Canada at our summer place and shop at the LCBO's and Duty Free shops. We'll look for the reviews

[Roy Hersh]

Ever hang out at Crystal Beach amusement park?

[J. Bradley Rauch]

in my younger days - now its been knock down and is a gated community

[Luc Gauthier]

Now when the SAQ comes to terms with reality , maybe , just maybe It will follow in the LCBO's footsteps

[Roy Hersh]

Mr. Rauch,

Yes, it shut down in 1989 for good. In fact, this year during Christmas (spent in Michigan) my wife's family, half Michiganders and the rest from Buffalo, were watching a video about the history of that amusement park and the downfall and what it turned into. My only time there was in 1983 when I was dating a woman from Buffalo and she took me across the bridge for a day to check it out. Fun place. Little did I know that I'd spend six weeks a year, working at a place that is similar to it, but 3-4x as large. I still do.

Talk about hijacking a thread, and it is my own and my own fault. :help:

[Luc Gauthier]

Shame !!
Banishment , to a life of 10 yr old port I say . . .

[Alan Gardner]

I guess they're just getting around to formalizing it. I recall posting in another forum that they were already quoting you.
But I just heard that they're cutting down on the number of premium wines anyway - purportedly no new premium wines will be bought for 6 months (although they may continue buying new vintages of wines already listed).
However, good news that they will be quoting you - if anything else arrives.

[Alan Gardner]

Now the Agenda is transparent - the LCBO is promoting a Port tasting (and buying - except no prices are being quoted:
Here's the announcement (slightly edited):

VINTAGES presents Pleasures of Port Structured Tasting Event featuring Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca & Croft

Distinctively robust and opulent, Port has delighted wine lovers for centuries. It is one of the wine world's most unique pleasures, offering exciting possibilities for enjoyment with desserts, rich foods and cheeses, or on its own.

VINTAGES invites you to discover the world of Port at this exclusive tasting event. - Taste a selection from three of the world's finest producers
- 19 Ports in total
- Meet Fladgate Partnership principals Natasha & Adrian Bridge, who will guide an informative structured tasting
- Enjoy sampling Port with a variety of classic food pairings
- Place orders on-site for Ports featured at the event
(http://www.vintages.com/events/portlist.html) .

Thursday, March 5, 2009
Park Hyatt Toronto, Queen's Park Ballroom
4 Avenue Road
Price: $95
Reception: 6:00 pm
Structured Tasting: 6:30 pm
Walk-around Tasting & Food Pairing: 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm
To order tickets, kindly contact VINTAGES Sales Centre at 416-365-5767 or 1-800-266-4764 (Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays).
This event is restricted to guests 19 years or older. All ticket sales are final. In order to optimize the tasting experience for all participants, please refrain from wearing any cologne or perfume. Dress is business attire. Please do not drink and drive.

and a list of the wines-

Port LCBO No. Sugar Score
Reception
Taylor Fladgate Chip Dry White Port 164111 MD
Structured Tasting
Taylor Flagdate Vintage Port 2003 951962 S 98+ (RP)
Taylor Flagdate Vintage Port 2000 123661 S 98 (RP)
Taylor Flagdate Vintage Port 1985 984591 S 93 (WS)
Croft Vintage Port 2003 673103 S 96 (WS)
Croft Vintage Port 2000 123679 S 94+ (FLP)
Fonseca Vintage Port 2003 673095 S 96+ (RP)
Fonseca Vintage Port 2000 733543 S 95 (RP)
Fonseca Vintage Port 1985 214452 S 93 (WS)

Walk-around Tasting & Food Pairing
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port 121749 S 91 (WS)
Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port 149047 S 92 (FLP)
Taylor Fladgate 30 Year Old Tawny Port 540252 S 92 (FLP)
Taylor Fladgate 40 Year Old Tawny Port 540260 S 94 (FLP)
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port 2005 403873 S 92-94 (FLP)
Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Terra Feita Vintage Port 2005 123687 S 91-93 (FLP)
Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port 2005 123703 S 91-93 (FLP)
Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 2005 123695 S
Croft Quinta da Roêda Vintage Port 2005 650556 S 94-96 (FLP)
Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Ruby Port 67132 S 90 (FLP)


FLP: http://www.fortheloveofport.com
RP: http://www.erobertparker.com
WS: http://www.winespectator.com

[Comment: I guess their word-processing editor can't distinguish a flag date from a Fladgate!
Also no retail prices anywhere on the site - even inserting each product code won't get me the prices on the 85's.]

[Eric Menchen]

No retail prices, but a lot of young stuff that I'm sure they will sell to you soon.