Montreal's La Grande Dégustation wine tasting event was back in 2022 October 20-22 at the Grand Quay in Old Montreal. After a two-year stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was obvious people were looking forward to the event as organizers announced it being sold out early on the second day.
There were more than 280 exhibitors from 25 countries all over the world with more than 1,600 products for tasting, including many exclusivities. I always enjoyed this event and see it as a perfect opportunity to discover new wines, especially since so many are not available at the liquor store.
For example, it was great to find the Domaine Gayda Vineyards, a family owned winery situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, surrounded by its organic vineyards in Languedoc-Roussillon, Pays d'Oc. I got to try their “Chemin de Moscou” named after the “Nom Cadastral” (land registry name) of the vineyards around the winery in the village of Brugairolles. The road leading to these vineyards is called “Chemin de Moscou”, the “Road to Moscow”. A blend of 59% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 6% Cinsault, it is available at the SAQ at $33.25. I then tried their red Figure Libre Freestyle, another great blend with 45% Syrah, 30% Grenache Noir, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan also available at the SAQ at $22.45. Their third wine I tried is not available at the SAQ, the En Passant produced with 80% Syrah and 20% Carignan. Described as "limited edition range is designed as an ode to Domaine Gayda’s spirit of creativity and inventiveness".
I also had fun discovering Greek wines. Messenicola, the red blend from Winery Monsieur Nicolas, produced with 70% Black Messenicola 70% and 30% Syrah & Carignan was a fun surprise. And the bottle is magnificent! I then had fun at the table of the Anatolikos Vineyards. I first tried their white monovarietal Anatolikos Fine Assyrtiko with fun aromas and flavours of vanilla and citrus fruits. A pleasant surprise was their orange wine, a blend of 80% Assyrtiko and 20% Malagousia. Described as "Rich and generous with amber color, earthy and complex with aromas of nuts such as walnut and roasted almonds, dried fruits, citrus jams, acacia honey, tea and spices. Gentle tannins, balanced acidity, complex and exuberant aftertaste," this orange organic wine is available at the SAQ at $54.50. On the red side, I enjoyed their monovarietal Anatolikos Fine Mavroudi of Thrace, which is described as "bright deep purple color, intense and complex bouquet of earthy discreet animality while as it fades it releases a complex bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, cedar, dried plum and fig, pine honey, coffee and cocoa, roasted and roasted almonds. Gentle tannins, balanced acidity, plenty of fruit, complex & exuberant aftertaste". The one that I really loved was the Anatolikos MV Mavroudi of Thrace, a blend of 60% Mavroudia, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, which is available at the SAQ at $30.25.
What fun discovery did you make at the 2022 La Grande Dégustation de Montréal?
