1995 Bordeaux @La Veranda Crowne Plaza

I recently had a lovely dinner at Crowne Plaza’s restaurant La Veranda. The restaurant is already refurbished for some time and it has a new positive, luxury and youthful look. There is also a section called The vineyard, somehow separated from the rest of the restaurant, that is absolutely gorgeous to host wine-dinners or wine related events because it is private, cozy and has a special cellar-like construction in the middle of it filled with fine wines.

I had a 7 courses dinner and had the chance to try two interesting older wines from Bordeaux. Both are coming from the same 1995 vintage and both have a welcoming 12.5% alcohol level: something very rare these days unfortunately.

The dishes as they appeared on the table were:

Tuna Tartare   

With Baby greens and avocado

This was an amazing dish that I absolutely loved. The sesame seeds inside do miracles. Definitely a mandatory dish when you visit La Veranda if you are into fish tartar. It actually went very well with the red wine also, and it emphasized a new dimension: earthier that I could not feel separately into the wine.

1990 Clos de Vougeot Guy Castagnier

Even though I am not new to opening and drinking wines, I continue to be amazed by the miracles of Audouzing a bottle of old wine. The operation with the biggest impact on an old wine is to have a proper aeration that will not damage the wine and will give it exactly the right amount of air: not too much to spoil it, but just enough to bring out the best. The best example is my latest bottle of wine opened on SUN for lunch: a 1990 Clos de Vougeot by Guy Castagnier.

While this is not an extremely old wine, we are still talking about a 21 years old bottle of wine. I easily uncorked the bottle and the cork was less than 1 cm soaked in wine. I poured a sip of wine in a glass and gave it a try to see how the wine feels like. At that point the nose was completely muted, very thin on the palate and with virtually no aftertaste whatsoever. My first thought was that this wine is completely dead.

So I just left the wine in the bottle and put it in a colder place and left it there for about 2 h. Coming back to it after two hours, I found a completely different wine.

1990 Clos de Vougeot Guy Castagnier

Dark red ruby color and very youthful, with no signs of aging. The nose was totally different: well developed, filled with strong primary aromas, youthful, with aromas of red fruits mixed with subtle gamey and spicy flavors. The mix of primary-secondary aromas is really enticing. Lively and medium bodied on the palate, it certainly gain body meanwhile,  well structured and balanced, with a surprising bright acidity; pure red fruits mixed with nutmeg and cinnamon flavors dance on the palate, while the tannins are totally integrated. It ends with a medium plus finish, spicy and with a light touch of grippy tannins in the aftertaste, just enough to remind that there is plenty of life left in it. The wine is surprisingly youthful, subtle and lively. (91/100)

A very nice wine that comes from an excellent 1990 vintage and a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy. It accompanied very well a slowly cooked casserole made with autumn vegetables and goose legs.

2005 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint-Julien

Had this wine on FRI evening. Opened it and left it to breath in the bottle for about 2 hours.

2005 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien

Blend of 62% Cab sauv, 28% Merlot, 8% Petit verdot, 2% Cab franc. 13.5% alc

Dark red garnet color. The wine continued to open up over 1 h. Initially very closed and not giving up much, it started to open up after a while into a well developed and intense nose, really smoky and mineral: huge pencil shavings and ink aromas, red currant, cassis, green vegetables, cedar and even bacon fat. Beautiful and complex nose with singing Cabernet Sauvignon typicality.

Extremely tight on the palate but very well structured. As much as this wine is closed now on the palate, it has everything in place to become a grand  vin in time. Fully ripen and polished tannins, a velvety mouth-feel and really well balanced. Distinctive flavors of coffee, cocoa, green vegetables and cassis on the palate. Surprisingly mineral and long finish with good grip, and a pleasant cocoa-coffee like bitterness in the aftertaste. (93/100)

This wine needs aging and I firmly believe that even a prolonged decanting would not help much at this stage. The tightness on the palate will not loosen up with aeration. What this wine needs is to be left alone for at least 5 years. The wine definitely has all the ingredients of a really grand vin. The wine’s structure and the overall impression reminded me of the 2000 Chateau Cheval Blanc I had in June this year while having lunch at the property. It can be that good in time.

Comparing the Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2003 I had in October 2010 with the 2005, I can say that by far the 2003 offers more drinking pleasure now.

(P) Vinuri destinate HoReCa la Festivalul PROVINO

Vinarte, producator cu o traditie de 13 ani pe piata din Romania, participa la Festivalul PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie de la Iasi. In Expozitia PROVINO vizitatorii vor putea degusta vinurile Vinarte din Gama Colectie, din care fac parte: Soare, Cabernet Sauvignon; Prince Matei, Merlot; Prince Mircea, Merlot; Cuvee d`Excellence, Riesling sec; Cuvee d`Excellence, Sauvignon blanc; Sirena Dunarii, Riesling dulce; si vinurile din Gama Enoteca: Castel Starmina, Merlot; Castel Starmina, Riesling sec; Castel Starmina, Negru de Dragasani; Castel Starmina, Roze; Castel Starmina, Tamaioasa Romaneasca; Villa Zorilor, Feteasca Neagra, si Villa Zorilor, Merlot.

„Consideram ca Festivalul PROVINO de la Iasi reprezinta o buna oportunitate de promovare a produselor Vinarte pe o piata neexplorata inca, dar care beneficiaza de un mare potential, un excelent prilej de a ne intalni cu reprezentantii HoReCa si consumatorii de vinuri bune, si de a stabili noi contacte de afaceri”, a declarat Costel Cainamisir, Director Comercial la Vinarte.

Vinarte are podgorii situate in trei regiuni prestigioase din Romania: Dealu Mare, Samburesti, Vanju Mare, si produce vinuri nobile, de calitate, cu denumire de origine controlata (DOC). Plantatiile Vinarte includ atat soiuri internationale precum Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, cat  si soiuri locale, autohtone,  care produc vinuri cu un caracter aparte: Feteasca Neagra si Negru de Dragasani.

„Vinarte a facut o serie de investitii atat in partea agronomica cat si in tehnologia centrelor de vinificatie, devenind un nume important in sectorul productiei de vinuri din Romania. Suntem convinsi ca viticultura romaneasca are toate atuurile pentru a-si consolida si releva prestigiul pe piata mondiala. Ca o recompensa a calitatii, in ultimii ani, vinurile Vinarte au obtinut numeroase medalii la concursuri internationale prestigioase”, au precizat reprezentantii Vinarte.

Crama Basilescu prezinta la Festivalul PROVINO vinurile de creatie Golem Alb 2010 si  Golem Rosu 2008, vinuri din gama Basilescu – Feteasca alba – Ancestral 2009, Tamaioasa romaneasca – Autentique 2009, si vinuri din colectia Eclipse selection: Feteasca Neagra 2009, Merlot 2009, Rose 2010 si Busuioaca de Bohotin 2009.

„Numele pe care il poarta crama si succesul pe care l-au avut vinurile facute la Urlati in vremea lui Nicoale Basilescu sunt argumente datorita carora producem si azi vinuri cel putin la fel de bune ca in perioada interbelica. Apreciem intiativa echipei Provino de a culturaliza consumatorul roman de vin, urmarind astfel un scop comun cu cel al producatorului de vinuri”, a precizat Ing. Gabriel Lacureanu, reprezentantul Cramei Basilescu.

Crama Basilescu are plantatii atat la Urlati (60 de hectare – n.r.), zona propice soiurilor rosii, cat si la Pietroasele (40 de hectare – n.r.), o regiune viticola renumita pentru soiurile albe si aromate. Viile de la Urlati produc Feteasca neagra, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc iar cele de la Pietroasele: Busuioaca de Bohotin, Tamaioasa romaneasca, Feteasca alba, Riesling italian.

Liliac de la Lechinta

O noua crama se prefigureaza a-si lansa vinurile in Romania. Deja a aparut un banner gigant pe bulevardul Magheru chiar vis-a-vis de Vodafone. Liliac pe numele ei, este o crama care produce vin la Lechinta, undeva pe langa Targu Mures.

Intrebarea importanta este daca consumatorul de vin din Romania este deschis sa accepte o eticheta care aminteste mai mult de vinurile din lumea noua (motivele animale sau pasarile fiind des intalnite pe etichetele acestor vinuri) sau este inca conservator. Lacerta a mizat pe soparla verde, deci exista deja un precedent, dar fiind inca la inceput de drum este dificil de apreciat daca a fost sau nu o alegere inspirata.

Ce parere aveti ?

(P) Conti Grup – Partener de Servicii la PROVINO

Conti Grup, unul dintre cei mai importanti furnizori de echipamente, accesorii si utilaje HoReCa din Romania, este Partener de Servicii al Festivalului PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie organizat la Iasi in perioada 3 – 6 noiembrie. Conti Grup asigura linia de bucatarie utilizata de maestri bucatari pentru realizarea show-urilor gastronomice in cadrul salonului exclusivist „Art, Music and Gastronomy”.

„La Festivalul PROVINO vom incerca sa propunem solutii complete, nu ne vom rezuma doar la echipamente individuale. Speram ca factorii de decizie din Horeca sa fie prezenti in numar cat mai mare la acest festival unde ne dorim in primul rand sa cunoastem cat mai multi oameni din domeniu. Implicit, speram sa le captam acestora atentia asupra avantajelor pe care Conti Grup le aduce in piata, stim ce insemna cu adevarat sa “construiesti” HoReCa impreuna si avem toate ingredientele care sa faca un client sa cresca”, a precizat Gabriel Ailoae, proprietar Conti Grup.

La PROVINO vor fi expuse cateva dintre echipamentele Conti Grup, nelipsite din bucatariile restaurantelor de astazi, pornind de la cuptorul cu convectie Retigo, un cuptor din gama Premium, cu o serie de functiuni care pot face diferenta in bucatarie, pana la accesoriile pentru inventarul din bucatarie si din sala de restaurant.

„Garantia calitatii produselor noastre este data de reputatia brandurilor pe care le alegem si distribuim pe piata romaneasca: Fagor Industrial, Winterhalter, Retigo, Zanolli, Aluminox, etc. Obiectivul nostru principal este sa abordam personal fiecare proiect in parte, indiferent de complexitatea sau simplitatea lui si sa ii asiguram succesul. In ceea ce priveste piata din judetul Iasi, consideram ca zona de gastronomie este tot mai diversificata si mai sofisticata, unele din restaurantele de aici fiind recunoscute in toata tara. Vinul bun merge cel mai bine cu o mancare de calitate, pentru aceasta consideram ca orasul Iasi poate oferi Festivalului PROVINO valoarea de care ar trebui sa se bucure”, a adaugat reprezentantul Conti Grup.

Vinul, investitie la fel de sigura ca aurul

In revista Vinul.ro din Septembrie a aparut un articol despre subsemnatul si investitia in vin. Un articol de Vali Ceafalau cu poze din pivnita mea. Puteti accesa articolul intreg la urmatorul link:

http://vinul.ro/vinul-investitie-la-fel-de-sigura-ca-aurul.html

(P) Adevarul, Catavencii si Dilema Veche promoveaza Festivalul PROVINO

 

 Adevarul, Catavencii si Dilema Veche promoveaza Festivalul PROVINO. Trustul de presa Adevarul Holding este Partener Media al Festivalului PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie organizat la Iasi in perioada 3 – 6 noiembrie, la Centrul Expozitional Providenta.

La Festivalul PROVINO echipa Adevarul Holding va intampina publicul cu vinurile “Dilema Veche”, alaturi de publicatia cu acelasi nume, care va fi distribuita vizitatorilor.

In portofoliul Adevarul Holding se regasesc ziarul Adevarul, Adevarul Moldova, Adevarul Weekend, saptamanalul local Adevarul de Seara, publicatiile culturale Dilema Veche (90.000 de cititori/luna si 22.000 de exemplare vandute) si „Dilemateca” – una ditre cele mai citite reviste de opinie; saptamanalul de satira “Catavencii” – o revista editata in 50.000 de exemplare care reinventeaza originalul si spune povestea catavencilor, reluata si rescrisa dupa 20 de ani; Click! si revistele „Click! Pofta buna!”, „Click! pentru femei”, „Click! Sanatate”, „Tango” si „OK! Magazine”; Foreign Policy Romania si Forbes Romania. Adevarul Holding este prezent si pe piata internationala, ca publisher al cotidianului ucrainean Blik, dar şi al noului produs “Blik Secret”.

(P) Festivalul PROVINO, in atentia cramelor din Republica Moldova

In perioada 8 – 9 octombrie Festivalul PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie a participat la Sarbatoarea “Ziua Nationala a Vinului”, organizata la Chisinau,  Centrul International de Expozitii MOLDEXPO.

Standul PROVINO, amenajat in zona de degustari VIP, a fost vizitat de numerosi participanti la eveniment, printre care Vlad Filat – Prim-Ministrul Republicii Moldova, Oleg Efrim – Ministrul Justitiei, Vasile Bumacov – Ministrul Agriculturii si Industriei Alimentare, si Valeriu Lazar – Ministrul Economiei.

La Sarbatoarea “Ziua Nationala a Vinului” organizatorii Festivalului PROVINO  au intrat in contact cu peste 54 de crame din Republica Moldova care si-au manifestat interesul de a lua parte la evenimentul organizat la Iasi intre 3 si 6 noiembrie.

Producatorii de vin din Republica Moldova au fost informati despre faptul ca prima editie a Festivalului PROVINO de la Iasi are ca Partener Strain: Republica Moldova si au fost invitati sa expuna la “Standul Partenerului Strain”. “Vinaria Tiganca” si-a anuntat deja intentia de a participa la Festivalul PROVINO.

Sarbatoarea “Ziua Nationala a Vinului” de la Chisinau, ajunsa la cea de-a X-a editie, a fost organizata sub egida Ministerului Agriculturii şi Industriei Alimentare. Programul Sarbatorii a inclus prezentari de vinuri si divinuri (coniac – n.r.), degustari de vin publice si degustari de vin profesioniste, concursuri, programe artistice, expozitii ale mesterilor populari si mostre ale bucatariei nationale din Republica Moldova.  In cadrul evenimentului, “SA Romanesti” a fost distinsa cu Marele Premiul in domeniul viti-vinicol pentru anul 2011.

Au fost prezentate in premiera si cele patru indicatii geografice ale Moldovei:

– “Vadul lui Traian” − vinuri produse in sudul tarii,

– “Stefan Voda” − in sud-est,

– “Codru” − in centrul Moldovei

– “Balti” − la nord. “

Activitatile desfasurate pe parcursul celor doua zile de sarbatoare au avut menirea de a mediatiza produsele vinicole autohtone si de a facilita procesul de includere in traseele enologice internationale. Un important eveniment a fost lansarea brandului de tara “Vin Moldova”.

Premierul Republicii Moldova a mentionat ca incepand din 2012 vinul va fi scutit de accize si de necesitatea aplicarii timbrelor de accize.

A few wines from the weekend

On SUN I had lunch with some friends and opened a few interesting wines to pair with the grilled food we prepared. I knew most of the wines, but I was really looking forward to try the vintage Champagne.

There is a sad story about this particular bottle of Champagne. I bought it when I spent a weekend in Champagne and I visited Epernay and Reims in April this year, brought it back to Romania and had it in my cellar ever since. I had a prior experience tasting the 2000 vintage of the same cuvee during a wine-dinner organized with Oliver and Raluca Bauer, so I was really curios to try the 2004 (a good vintage in Champagne). Coming back to the story, the situation went like this: I took the 2004 from the cellar and put it in the fridge just 2-3 hours prior to lunch. Unfortunately the time was too short and the temperature of the wine didn’t reach a proper level of coldness, so when uncorked, almost 3/4 of the bottle popped out violently. What was left was just enough to wet the glasses for the few people waiting to drink a glass of Champagne. Anyway there was still enough to get an idea about the quality of the wine.

2004 Demiere Ansiot Blanc de Blancs Brut a Oger-Marne

100% Chardonnay from the terroir of Oger-Marne. Pale lemon color with smooth bubbles. Intense nose of dough, toast, butter and roasted hazelnuts. Creamy, showing great tension and focus on the palate, with green apple like acidity, rich mouth-feel, plenty of citric fruit mixed with wet rocks, and a fresh medium long finish. Really nice bottle of Champagne. (90/100)

2007 Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc Pessac-Leognan

Last time I tasted this wine was in April this year and I had it with lobster: great pairing. Blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Deep yellow lemon color. Fresh and intense nose, with rich aromas of exotic fruits: pineapple, mango, tangerine mixed with spices and flowers. Medium bodied, with lively acidity and a rich palate, with good purity of exotic fruits and yellow Asian spices. Long and fresh finish with citrus fruit and floral aromas in the aftertaste. A lovely wine. (91-92/100)

2005 Braida Bricco della Bigotta

I bought this wine directly from the winery during my visit to Braida in September. It was the wine I enjoyed the most from the line up organized by Raffaella Bologna during the lunch we had together.

Deep dark red color. Initially shy, with aeration the nose started to open up considerably. Well developed, very intense aromas started to come out of the glass, with truffles, earth, tobacco and plenty of fresh red and blue fruits. Medium to full bodied, well structured and balanced, there is depth and richness on the palate, with flavors of mocha, fresh red  and black forest fruits, truffles and a touch of earthiness. Long finish with good freshness to balance the 14.5% alc. Great wine. (91/100)

2004 Chateau Sociando-Mallet Haut-Medoc

My last experience with this wine was more than 1 year ago and I remember liking it a lot. Blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. The 12.5% alcohol is a rarity nowadays.

Deep dark red color and very youthful. A well developed nose, already open for business, with undeniable Bordeaux character, and aromas of ink, coffee, graphite, red currant and tobacco. Medium bodied, with assertive tannins on the palate, fleshy, oaky, but approachable and offering good drinking pleasure. The flavors of coffee, ink, aromatic black tea, red and black currant steal the palate. Medium plus finish with good grip. Drinking pleasure is assured by this affordable Bordeaux. (90-91/100)

We also sampled some 2001 Soare Cabernet Sauvignon from a Magnum that I still had in the fridge and judging by the reaction of people I can say they did fancy the wine.

With dessert I offered a glass of Feteasca Regala Genius Loci 2007 from Stirbey and to my surprised guests, the wine was a perfect match for a home cooked tart with quince puree. The richness and creaminess of Feteasca Regala GL 2007 aged for 22 months in oak is holding the ground nicely in front of the sweetness of the quince puree.

Good food, good wines and good atmosphere. What else can you ask for ?

Colectionarul de vin – in revista Good Food din Octombrie

Pentru cei interesati revista Good Food a publicat in noul numar din Octombrie un articol despre subsemnatul si pasiunea mea pentru vin, cu poze si un text de Adina Scortescu.

Articolul este intitulat “Colectionarul de vin” si se afla la pagina 74.

Il puteti vizualiza online si aici colectionarul-de-vin.pdf.

Chateau Petit Village 1985 Pomerol

I had lunch with my family on SAT to celebrate my last week anniversary. My father makes wine for longer than 20 years from our own grown grapes – you may call it a natural wine as there are virtually no chemicals added, and that is usually drank within 10 months time from the harvest. It is always challenging for me to come up with a wine to please my father as he is truly a  fan of his self-made wine. As I started to develop my taste for wine and educate my palate, I tried to do the same by sampling wines together with him. For a certain reason that I still do not understand, my father seemed to favor his wine over the ones I was proposing. However, this situation changed for some good months and he started to appreciate more and more my wines – if I could call them like that.

So, on SAT we had a family barbeque – taking advantage of the last sunny day of the weekend, and grilled some lamb chops and some really tender young pork shoulder with corn and red bell peppers. As I wanted to try a wine closer to my year of birth, the random walk in the cellar – actually it was not that random – produced a 1985 Pomerol.

I did not have any problems uncorking the bottle, on the contrary the cork popped up very easily, it was almost completely soaked in wine and it came out in one piece.

Chateau Petit Village was in the Prats family(the former owners of Cos d’Estournel until 1998 when it was sold) when the 1985 was produced – Domaines Prats is printed on the label. Later on, in 1989 Petit Village was sold to AXA Millesime, the same owners of Pichon Baron from Pauillac. The Prats were using high yields while they owned the property, so the wines were showing signs of dilution. Until recently, Petit Village was lagging in quality, but this situation started to change after AXA bought the property. The steepest increase in quality started to happen in the mid 2000.

The Petit Village estate neighbors Vieux Chateau Certan to the north, Beauregard to the south and La Conseillante to the east. It has 11 hectare of vineyards and there is no grand chateau, the main building is little more than a farmhouse. The vines are in a single parcel which takes the shape of a triangle, and lies not far from the village of Catusseau. They are mostly Merlot, this variety taking up 75% of the vineyard, with 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc. Around 3500 cases of the grand vin are produced every year.

1985 Chateau Petit Village Pomerol

Ruby red color with light brick rim, but still youthful. Fully developed and maturing nose, elegant, with good intensity and aromas of red currant, tobacco, spice, earth and light greenness. Really seducing nose but not on the powerful side. Medium bodied and really youthful, with integrating tannins, well structured, exhibiting beautiful flavors of graphite, spice, red fruit with good definition: red currant, sweet red cherry and strawberry, tobacco and smoke, with good grip on the palate. Medium plus finish, with pure red cherry sweetness and spice. Very elegant, focused and still holding really well. No rush to drink this wine as it will continue to stay on this plateau and deliver great drinking pleasure.  12.5% alc (92/100)

The wine opened up fairly quickly, the aromas and flavors continued to gain momentum with aeration in the bottle. There is no need to decant this wine as it is very approachable already.

My father enjoyed this wine probably as much as I did – judging by the frequent sips, and it was also amazed by how young the wine appeared in the mouth. The spicy lamb chops were a bit overpowering the delicate aromas of the wine, but the pork shoulder was a happy match. We fully enjoyed the meal and this mature wine seduced our senses in such a pleasant way that I cannot wait to open another older bottle of wine. I hope you also enjoy a maturing wine.

(P) Vinul.ro partener media al Festivalului PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie

Vinul.ro este partener media al Festivalului PROVINO – Vin. Arta. Gastronomie. In calitate de partener media Vinul.ro mediatizeaza cele mai noi informatii cu privire la Festival si la activitatile din cadrul acestuia.

Crama Oprisor participa ca expozant la PROVINO 2011. In luna mai a acestui an Crama Oprisor a obtinut trei medalii la Concursul International de Vinuri Bucuresti (International Wine Contest Bucharest – IWCB). Vinurile premiate au fost Maiastru Feteasca Neagra 2009, medaliata cu aur, Caloian Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 si La Cetate Miracol Merlot 2008, medaliate cu argint.

Tehnologii si echipamente in domeniul vinificatiei, prezente la Festivalul PROVINO

Grupul de firme Valdo Invest, unul dintre liderii de piata in furnizarea de echipamente si tehnologii cu aplicatii in vinificatie, se numara printre expozantii Festivalului PROVINO organizat la Iasi in perioada 3 – 6 noiembrie. Valdo Invest are o experienta de 15 ani pe piata furnizarii de echipamente si tehnologii pentru industria alimentara, cu aplicatii in vinificatie, procesarea laptelui si a carnii. In 2011 Valdo Invest a dezvoltat parteneriate si a furnizat servicii unui numar important de crame si centre de vinificatie care au derulat proiecte de modernizare.

Producatorii de vin din Republica Moldova invitati speciali la PROVINO

Editia de anul acesta a Festivalului PROVINO  are ca Partener Strain Republica Moldova, producator traditional de vinuri.

Standul Partenerului Strain va fi unul dintre punctele de atractie ale Expozitiei PROVINO. In acest spatiu dedicat vinurilor din Republica Moldova producatorii de vin din tara partenera vor organiza degustari de vinuri, spectacole, momente artistice traditionale si show-uri gastronomice.

Organizatorii Festivalului PROVINO au pregatit pentru participantii la eveniment o zona special amenajata pentru degustari de vin realizate sub indrumarea somelierilor si a degustatorilor autorizati.

In zona “WINE & GASTRONOMY” publicul PROVINO va fi initiat in arta degustarii vinului si asocierea lui cu mancarea. La fiecare  sesiune de degustari vor fi prezentate maxim 4 tipuri de vinuri dintre cele albe, roşii, roze, efervescente romanesti, vinuri rare romanesti si vinuri internationale. Vinurile vor fi servite in compania gustarilor puse la dispozitie de restaurantele partenere.

Degustarile vor avea loc zilnic, in perioada 3 – 6 noiembrie,  intre orele 12.30 – 13.15 | 13.15 – 14.00 | 14.00 – 14.45 | 14.45 – 15.30 | 15.30 – 16.15 | 16.15 – 17.00, in grupe a cate 50 de persoane.

Pentru inscrieri la degustarile de vin organizate in zona “WINE & GASTRONOMY”, puteti contacta reprezentantul PROVINO.

Contact: Nicoleta Diaconescu,

email: nicoleta.diaconescu@abplus.ro,

Tel: 0374 326 043

Le Web Journal de Champagne

Here is a very interesting online journal with news from Champagne region, with detailed information about grape varieties, vintages, a large section of reviewed wines – and not only the most commercial, but also smaller scale and artisan producers. They already launched the second issue and this can be accessed for free here:

http://www.champagne-webjournal.com/numeros/002/index.html#/58/

• Dossier : les cépages de la Champagne
• Des vendanges précoces, résultat d’une année 2011 atypique !
• Champagne Pierre Gerbais
• Champagne Doyard
• Grande dégustation : 17 cuvées issues des cépages anciens !
• Verticale de 19 millésimes des champagnes J. Dumangin Fils : de 1982 à 2004
• Deux 1989 aux antipodes : Billecart-Salmon NFB et Henriot Cuvée des Enchanteleurs
• L’accord de Jean Chauvel : Saumon d’Ecosse et Champagne R&L Legras
• John Singer Sargent, Madame Gautreau portant un toast, 1882
• Deux chambres d’hôtes : La Charmette (Essoyes) ; Le Clos Margot (Vertus)

A web journal to watch for Champagne lovers and why not for people that want to discover affordable and yet excellent Champagne wines.

First issue of this online magazine can be accessed here:

http://www.champagne-webjournal.com/numeros/2011-3/index.html

• Les étapes de l’élaboration du champagne
• Champagne Francis Boulard et Fille
• Champagne David Léclapart
• Le champagne rosé dans tous ses états !
• Coups de cœur
• Deux cuvées « Imperial » de 1945 et 1928
• 1911-2011 – Des vignerons toujours en révolte subliment le champagne !
• Le Dokhan’s, l’incontournable des bars à champagnes parisiens

 

La Peira and Las Flors de la Peira 2006

La Peira is a fairly new winery, their first wines launched were the 2005 vintage. Co-owners Rob Dougan and Karine Ahton identified the Terrasses du Larzac as one of the best terroir in the South of France, and – working with gifted oenologist Claude Gros and Bordelais winemaker Jéremie Depierre – set about to craft its premier wine. Claude Gros is the winemaker for Chateau de la Negly and a close collaborator of Jeffrey Davies from Signature Selections who also produces Clos des Truffieres at the same Chateau de la Negly domain. The team behind La Peira is truly exceptional. And so are the wines. They use insanely low yields: under 10 hl/ha for La Peira and under 18 hl/ha for Las Flors de la Peira and a long aging process in new French oak barrels – 18 to 24 months, so naturally the wines have by a great concentration, but somehow they still manage to preserve good freshness.

Having bought these two wines a while ago and therefore having them in my cellar, I invited two friends to have dinner last evening to celebrate a particular coming event. We had dinner at a friend’s restaurant so it was no problem for me to bring my own wines.

We started with a 2007 Chablis 1er Cru from Laroche that, while it doesn’t impress with any certain complexity, it is a wine that pleases the palate next to anchovies and grilled red bell pepper and other Italian cold appetizers.

2007 Laroche Chablis 1er Cru

Pale yellow lemon color. Quite volatile at the beginning, the nose settles after a while and becomes more pleasant, exhibiting aromas of citrus fruit, almonds and hazelnuts, and remaining on the fresh side. Medium bodied, citric and mineral palate, with a medium finish. 12% alc (84/100)

2006 Las Flors de la Peira Terrasses du Larzac

Grenache Noir based blend with parts of Syrah and Mourvedre – 14.5% alc. Deep dark red purple color. Developed, but still youthful and intense nose, with caramel, prunes, blackberry, ink and violet aromas. Full bodied, balanced, with a velvety mouth feel, spicy with black fruits liqueur on the palate, and round tannins. Long finish with a smooth dark chocolatey aftertaste. (92/100)

2006 La Peira en Damasiela Terrasses du Larzac

Predominantly Syrah blend with parts of Grenache and Mourvedre aged for 24 months in new French oak – 14.5% alc. Deep, almost opaque dark purple color. Decadent and explosive on the nose. Blackberry, prunes, meat, beef blood, bacon and black pepper aromas. Very intense aroma of fried bacon also. The wine evolved continuously exhibiting profound depth on the nose.  Full bodied, well balanced and very concentrated, really silky, with a lush almost luscious palate. Perfectly ripen tannins, velvety, preserving freshness, with rich layers of ripe black and blue berries, black pepper and a touch of minerality; overall a massive and complex wine. A very long and intense finish and really spicy-peppery aftertaste. This is an impressive wine, the concentration and the intensity are really outstanding. (95-96/100)

A wine that brings back memories of a 2002 La Porte du Ciel by Chateau de la Negly.

We were all impressed by these two red wines that were appreciated by both my friends: one savvier and the other one more of a beginner in wine. After all, it only comes down to: Do you like it or not ?