Degustare Cremant si Champagne

Sarbatorile se apropie cu pasi repezi astfel incat va propun o degustare de spumante si Champagne care s-ar potrivi pentru inceputul mesei de Paste sau pentru un mic dejun/brunch de weekend.

Vinurile oferite spre degustare sunt importate si distribuite de noul meu proiect intitulat Champagne Room (www.champagne-room.ro) si au fost atent selectionate dintr-un numar considerabil de producatori din Franta.

Spumantele oferite spre degustare:

• Jean Louis Denois Chardonnay Extra Brut
• Jean Louis Denois Cuvee Eclipse 2011
• Champagne Dhondt-Grellet Prestige du Moulin Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
• Champagne Michel Genet Millesime 2010 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
• Champagne Herve Dubois Brut Rose Grand Cru

Degustarea se va desfasura Marti 4 Aprilie cu incepere de la ora 19:00 in locatia Champagne Room din blvd Magheru nr 27 Sc B etaj 2 (vis-a-vis de KFC-ul de la Piata Romana). Costul de participare este de 110 Ron si include vinurile, apa si ceva snack-uri pentru a tempera atacul vinului.

Vinurile vor fi servite din pahare Lehmann Glass Jamesse Prestige realizate special de catre somelierul sef al celebrului restaurant Le Parc Domaine Les Crayeres din Reims.

Pentru rezervari va rog fie sa-mi dati un mail pe contact@champagne-room.ro fie sa ma contactati direct la telefon la 0723 240 102.

Mai jos cateva cuvinte despre vinurile ce vor fi degustate.

Jean Louis Denois este cel mai apreciat producator de Cremant de Limoux din zona Languedoc-ului, el insusi provine dintr-o familie producatoare de vinuri spumante de Champagne din zona Champagne. Lucreaza majoritar cu strugurii consacrati din Champagne: Chardonnay si Pinot Noir, iar vinurile sale pot rivaliza usor cu cele din Champagne. Chardonnay-ul Extra Brut este pastrat 4 ani pe drojdii inainte de degojare, iar Cuvee Eclipse 2011 care este varful de gama al lui Denois este un vin produs din struguri de Chardonnay si Pinot Noir din vite de vie cultivate in regim bio, doar inima mustului, pastrat de asemenea indelung pe drojdii.

Champagne Dhondt-Grellet este un producator extrem de dinamic, specializat pe Champagne Blanc de Blancs avand viile situate in zone cu parcele clasificate Grand si Premier Cru in Côte des Blancs, mai exact in satele Cramant Chouilly, Cuis si de asemenea in Sezanne. Cateva parcele de vie de Pinot Noir se afla in Avenay-Val-d’Or in Grande Valle de la Marne. Vechimea avansata a vitelor de vie contribuie la calitatea vinurilor realizate.

Familia Genet (Champagne Michel Genet) este prezenta in satul Chouilly de sute de ani iar producția de Champagne în acest sat Grand Cru este activitatea principala a familiei de peste 100 de ani. Satul Chouilly, situat in Cote de Blancs , in sudul regiunii Champagne, este cunoscut in mod special pentru Chardonnay-ul de cea mai înaltă calitate și este clasat printre cele 17 terroir-uri Grand Cru ale regiunii Champagne.

Champagne Herve Dubois cproduce vin de pe cele 7.5 ha detinute dintre care 4.5 ha de Chardonnay Grand Cru in Côte des Blancs si 0.5 ha de Chardonnay Premier Cru in Montagne de Reims din care rezulta vinuri de o eleganta aparte cu multa prospetime si delicatete; 1.5 ha de Pinot Meunier care ofera rotunjime si arome intens fructate vinului si 1 ha de Pinot Noir care aduce putere si rafinament de pe vite de vie aflate in Vallée de la Marne. Cuvee-ul Rose imbina maiestuos finetea Chardonnay-ului cu puterea si fructuozitatea vinului rosu produs din Pinot Noir provenit din satul Verzenay din regiunea Montagne de Reims. Asamblaj: 90 % Chardonnay si 10% Pinot Noir.

 

Vinurile romanesti la 10 ani de la recolta – Degustare

Încet, dar cu dificultate, și vinurile românești încep a prinde o brumă de tradiție. Uitându-ne acum în spate, sunt puține cele care încă se mai pot bea. Dar oare cât de bune mai sunt?

La această nouă degustare ne-am propus să aflăm cum se prezintă vinurile românești după 10 ani.

Noi suntem optimisti și credem că selecția făcută va place cu siguranta. Sunt 10 vinuri: 2 albe si 8 rosii.

Vinurile:
Prince Stirbey Feteasca Regală Genius Loci 2007
Prince Stirbey Cuvee Alb 2007
Davino Domaine Ceptura Rouge 2007
SERVE Cuvee Alexandru 2007
Cramele Halewood Hyperion Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Prince Stirbey Merlot 2007
Prince Stirbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Prince Stirbey Novac Art Deco 2007
Vinarte Soare 2007
Vinarte Prince Matei 2007

Degustarea se va desfasura Miercuri 29 Martie la restaurant Aubergine Healthy Food din str Smardan nr 33 (Centrul Vechi) cu incepere de la ora 19:30.

Sunt 12 locuri disponibile și fiecare costă 210 lei (vinurile, o gustare și apa).  Pentru confirmarea rezervării este necesară plata în avans.

Pentru rezervari ne puteti contacta pe email: cosmin.grozea@gmail.com sau la telefon 0723 240 102.

Anunt Degustare – Bordeaux & Chateauneuf Soiree

Incepem noul sezon al degustarilor cu o clasica comparatie a catorva superlative din doua zone celebre ale lumii vinului frantuzesc: Bordeaux si Chateauneuf du Pape. Am ales etichete foarte bune, foarte bine sau maxim cotate de catre profesionisti si, pentru o experienta completa, din vintage-uri variate.

2006 Weingut Wittmann Westhofen ‘S’ Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen, Germania (88 pct)
1996 Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc, Franta (91 pct)
1995 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien, Franta (95 pct RP)
2010 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien, Franta (100 pct WE)
2006 Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan, Franta (95 pct RP)
2010 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone, Franta
(98 pct RP)
2006 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, Franta (93 pct WE)
1999 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, Franta (94 pct WF)

Ne intalnim joi, 23 februarie, de la 19:30, la Seva Cuisine (Lakeview Building, Barbu Vacarescu 301 – 310).

Sunt 12 locuri disponibile si fiecare costa 390 de lei (vinurile, o gustare si apa). Pentru confirmarea rezervarii este necesara plata in avans. Ma puteti contacta pe cosmin.grozea@gmail.com sau la telefon 0723 240 102.

The Famous Italy – Anunt degustare

Aveti posibilitatea sa va oferiti, sau sa oferiti, un pic mai devreme, un cadou foarte frumos de Craciun: cele mai faimoase vinuri ale Italiei pentru prima data intr-o degustare comparativa.

Am pastrat pentru ultima noastra degustare a anului patru Super-Toscane cautate, ravnite si apreciate de toti cunoscatorii intr-ale vinului.

Cremant Jean Louis Denois Chardonnay Brut

2015 Gaja Ca’Marcanda Vistamare

2010 Tignanello
2012 Solaia
2013 Sassicaia
2013 Ornellaia

Ne intalnim marti, 15 noiembrie, de la 19:30, la Mahala (Calea Rahovei 147 – 153). Sunt 12 locuri disponibile si fiecare costa 390 de lei (vinurile, o gustare si apa). Pentru rezervari este necesara plata in avans. Ma puteti contacta pentru a face o rezervare pe email: cosmin.grozea@gmail.com sau la telefon 0744 240 108.

Rezerve Davino si Bordeaux – Anunt degustare

Probabil ati auzit de Flamboyant, varful de gama al lui Davino, producatorul din Dealu Mare. Dar daca v-as spune ca exista ceva si mai si, tot de la ei?

Relansam seria degustarilor cu doua mini-verticale ale high-end-ului Davino, nemaiintalnite pana acum: Rezerva Rosu si Rezerva Alb. Iar ca sa facem seara si mai atractiva, le combinam cu cateva Bordeaux-uri rasate.

Iata vinurile:

J. L. Denois Cremant Cuvee Classic Brut (nou in piata)

Davino Rezerva Alb 2012
Davino Rezerva Alb 2013

Davino Rezerva Rosu 2009
Davino Rezerva Rosu 2010
Davino Rezerva Rosu 2011

Chateau La Gaffelier 2010 (St-Emilion, RP 95, WE 95)
Chateau Duhart Milon 2010 (Pauillac, RP 96)
Chateau d’Aiguilhe 2010 (Castillon, JS 92-93, WS 92, CT 90)

Sunt 12 locuri disponibile.

Pretul este de 225 de lei de persoana si include vinurile, apa si o mica gustare. Puteti comanda a la carte din meniul restaurantului. Degustarea are loc Miercuri 26 Octombrie incepand cu ora 19:30 la restaurantul Dada din str Matei Voievod 94bis.

Plata participarii in avans este necesara pentru o rezervare ferma. Puteti rezerva prin email catre cosmin.grozea@gmail.com sau apeland la 0723 240 102.

It’s all about Bordeaux – wine tasting announcement

JOIN US AT
Mahala Restaurant, Calea Rahovei, Bucharest

Whites, reds, Margaux, St-Julien, Moulis en Medoc, St-Emilion, 100 points, 99 points, mature Bordeaux, young Bordeaux, vertical wine tasting, this event has it all.

We welcome you to join us and discover why is Bordeaux the most sought after wine.

2013 Clos des Lune ‘Lune d’Argent’, 91 pcts.

2010 Chateau Labegorce, Margaux, 94 pcts.
2009 Chateau La Tour Figeac, St-Emilion, 93 pcts.

2010 Chateau Leoville Barton, St-Julien, 100 pcts.
2010 Troplong Mondot, 1er Grand Cru Classe St-Emilion, 99 pcts.

1996 Chateau Chasse Spleen, Moulis en Medoc, 90 pcts.
2002 Chateau Chasse Spleen, Moulis en Medoc, 90 pcts.
2003 Chateau Chasse Spleen, Moulis en Medoc, 91 pcts.

REGISTER NOW:
The price is 320 lei pp and includes the wines, water and the starter. Main course can be order “a la carte” from the restaurant menu.

Please send an email to cosmin.grozea@gmail.com or call +40744 240 108 and make your reservation. Advanced payment is mandatory.

Great wines from a busy Monday: Rousseau, Pavie, Angelus, Krug, Dom Perignon etc

Siting quietly at the end of the week and analyzing all the wines I enjoyed on MON I have to give big credit to my liver for taking it all so bravely.  Week started on a high note on MON evening with a great dinner well planned in advance. It was initially planed to be for 7, but then it ended up with 10-11 participants. It was initially planned for 5-6 bottles and it turned up to be over 12 bottles.

Started with two Pinot Noir’s from 2 great producers:

2009 Clos des Lambrays has a surprisingly developed profile and just by sniffing it you would give it more age that it actually has. Nevertheless, the wine is drinking superbly by now and it has quite a ripe and black fruit dominated nose for a Pinot, where sour cherry and small berry fruits mix with spices and undergrowth. Very smooth and silky tannin, lots of fruits and aromatic black tea in the mouth. Medium plus long finish. (93/100)

2012 Clos de la Roche by Armand Rousseau is a beauty even as young as it is. There is freshness and elegance in this wine. Freshly picked red cherries, strawberries, cedar and potpourri on the nose, it has layers. Supple but well structured mouth, with assertive smooth tannin, plenty of red fruit and spices. Long finish, very much like an English black tea. Enjoyed more the Rousseau and finished the bottle almost alone. (94-95/100)

Our crowd was not a Pinot aficionado so next flight brought some smiles at the table. Two highly praised wines from St-Emilion, both classified in the top Class A category.

2007 Chateau Pavie is was more restrained than I expected and needed more time in the decanter to barely express itself. Dark color, aromas developed interestingly in time and showed plums, black cherry, cedar and spices, and oak still seems to be there. It has ample body and layers, velvety and fresh tannin. (92-93/100)

2007 Chateau Angelus was just better for me. It had a more clearly defined profile, sweet fruity tannin and overall more freshness. (94/100)

As night progressed and outside it became darker, so did the wines. The two crowned producers of Amarone: Quintarelli and Dal Forno have completely different styles yet both aim for the highest quality.

2003 Quintarelli Amarone shows superb freshness at 13 years old. It has a red fruit profile, with plenty of dried currants, red cherry, rum and chocolate, very smooth on the palate, while its thick texture gets freshness from the tannin structure. Long finish. (95/100)

2008 Dal Forno Amarone is all about black fruit, like a Dark Knight. Everything is more pronounced here: deep black cherry fruit, prunes, dark chocolate. Mouth is full, profound and richly layered, rich and abundant velvety tannin, heady, with lavish amounts of fruit. Long finish. (95/100)

I am a bit puzzled here because I enjoyed Quintarelli more for its red fruit and freshness, but somehow got myself attracted to the dark side of Dal Forno. I am really not a fan of Amarone style wines simply because there is too much sweetness and ripeness for my taste. Also, these are heady wines where alcohol is usually around 15-16% and 1 or 2 glasses feels just too much. However, I simply cannot deny the craftsmanship and quality of these 2 wines.

2010 Palazzi from Tenuta Trinoro is a 100% Merlot and there are plenty of similarities to an Amarone. Deep opaque dark red color. Nose is rich and intense with prunes, chocolate, spices and meat. Velvety tannin, lavish black fruit and chocolate palate, it is long. (93/100)

Patrick Piuze is a rising star in Chablis and it was a first time for me to try one of its wines. 2012 Patrick Piuze Chablis Terroir Decouverte shows a riper yellow fruit profile that you would not expect from such a young Chablis. There is white melon, peach and toast on the nose, while it explodes on the palate with rich layers of stone fruit, butterscotch and citrus, with a distinct stone like minerality. Medium long and very surprising. If there is something missing here I would say a certain precision. (92/100)

2011 Olivier Leflaive Corton-Charlemagne seems to have it all: precision, depth, freshness and balance. Nose is all about citrus fruit and gun powder, with slight amounts of butter and toast, mouth is all about precision, freshness and elegance. There is richness of fruit, a lively and vibrant acidity and a fairly long finish. Wine was open at lunch and properly aerated. (93/100)

A Dom Perignon Magnum 2000 started the flight of Champagne’s. Very mineral, almost like a Riesling from Mosel, but very intense both on the nose as on the palate. This is starting to drink very well now. (93/100)

Champagne Krug Rose Brut was the first rose of the night. This is a Rose for the day. It has a light coppery color, fresh and intense nose of small berries, slate like minerality and grapefruit. Amazing weightless texture, layered and rich, you can drink a lot. A second bottle was opened, that well it drinks. (94/100)

Champagne Dom Perignon Vintage Rose 2003 is a rose for the night and it is not for its more intense darker coppery color. This is fuller and heavier in the mouth, but also with a vinous character. Rich, layered and decadent palate, it makes an impression on you. (94-95/100)

We already passed midnight, but there was more wine. 2008 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion was opened and briefly decanted before being poured in glasses. The wine is classic textbook Bordeaux, but from the high class: rich but tempered and elegant. Lots of cassis, pencil shavings and typical Pessac-Leognan character. Red cherry, cassis and gravely tannin, very fulfilling on the palate. Long. (94/100)

Not to mention that by this time everybody was full and when Batman came to fancily deliver a bottle of Champagne Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2000, everybody foolishly (retrospectively) refused to open it. At that moment it felt like it was enough. Today I believe big things can happen in the spur of the moment.

Burgundy wine tasting announcement

If you’re a man then you know that February-March is a harsh time. You have: Valentine’s Day, Dragobete, March 1st and March 8th. If you’re a woman it’s probably the merriest time of the year.

We are offering both of you a great escape. A relaxing evening in the middle of the hurricane when women could show their sympathy and support for all the nice moments offered and effort men put. And what is better than wine ? Perhaps more wine.

Burgundy is one of France’s most complicated and hard to understand regions. You only have two grapes: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, yes there is little Aligote also, so you might think how hard and different can it be ? Well, the reality is every small appellation has its own characteristics, and there are usually a bunch of producers sharing it. As many producers, as many styles of wines. Add the classification of Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines and things really start to get complicated. What is the difference between these classifications and why is the price gap so wide ?

We will try to explain as many things as possible during the Burgundy wine tasting we prepared for you on THU, February 25th, 2016.

Here is the line-up of wines we prepared, our intention was to take you through as many appellations as possible in order to understand differences. Yes, there is order in chaos and it can be understood.

Whites:
NV Bailly Lapierre Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve
 2011 Olivier Leflaive Chablis Premier Cru ‘Montee de Tonnerre’

Reds
1996 Hospices de Beaune, Beaune Premier Cru ‘Cuvee Brunet’
1998 Chicotot Nuits St-Georges 1er Cru “Les Vaucrains”
2006 L & A Lignier Morey Saint-Denis “Clos des Sionnieres” (91 points)
2007 L & A Lignier Morey Saint-Denis “Clos des Sionnieres”
2008 Philipe & Vincent Lecheneaut Gevrey-Chambertin (92 points)
2011 Jean Fery Vosne Romanee 1er Cru “‘aux Reas”

Again, we will meet on Thursday, Feb 25th, 19:30. NaaN Restaurant (Strada C. A. Rosetti 26, București) is the meeting point. We loved the place for the Roses tasting.

The cost is 269 lei pp (wine, entree and water). The main course can be ordered a la carte from the restaurant menu, if you want. Confirmation is required, as well as advanced payment.

Please book your seats by email at cosmin.grozea@gmail.com or by phone at +40723 240 102 .

An out of ordinary dinner in Bordeaux: 1925, 1955 and more

Last year I spent a whole week in Bordeaux between September 29th and October the 2nd. Every day I visited 4-5 wineries and I ended the week with a very special and unusual dinner organized by Olivier Bernard and his wife, the owners of Domaine de Chevalier from Pessac-Leognan and several other properties in Bordeaux, at their residence which coincides to be the actual winery of Domaine de Chevalier.

I was told in advance by the person who invited me there, how things would go: there are no more than 10-11 people that attend, mainly wine critics and people from the wine business, and the event happens only once per year. The uniqueness of this dinner is that, Olivier Bernard chooses and serves all wines blind, only the very first wine is shown what it is. From that moment on, all wines served should have only one thing in common: the last digit of the first wine’s vintage will remain the same for the whole line-up of wines. Otherwise, sky is the limit in terms of region, appellations, countries of origin and span of the vintages.

Before dinner there was obviously a pre tasting of different wines (about 15-20) made by Olivier in several appellations of Bordeaux and a visit of the whole Domaine de Chevalier winery. I noticed the most unusual one single barrel of fermenting juice and grapes made by Domaine de la Solitude (same ownership) from a tiny, very old parcel of 200 years old vines that has a life and reputation of its own. Only 1 single barrel made of this very special wine.

Dinner brought together several British wine critics, an American negociant with a reputation in Bordeaux and Internationally as big as the Statue of Liberty, the two Bernard’s and some lost Romanians that made it together with me at the event. I hope my friends will not take any offense. 🙂

Dinner started in their living room with small finger food appetizers and a Magnum of 1975 Champagne Veuve Clicquot Carte d’Or Brut which at that moment in time was the highest quality level Champagne of Veuve Cliquot. La Grande Dame came into existence a few years later, around 1980. This was a surprisingly vibrant sparkling that naturally shade most of its bubbles by now, but filled with live acidity and a rich toffee caramel like nose and dense taste. Simply stunning. (94/100)

From this moment on, we were on thin ice. Olivier takes great joy from putting wine specialists and people from the trade into hot seats. I’m saying this in the most candid possible way as I have great sympathy and respect for this Gentleman.

We took our seats at the impeccably arranged table in a separate room and first flight of wines was served: two whites, similar color, completely different aromatic profiles. One was vivid and reminded of a well aged Riesling with a very clean nose of stone fruit, the other showed a more pronounced aging, a citrus dominated nose and not as clean or generous. The American negociant nailed what I believed to be a Riesling: it was a superb 1985 Puligny-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive, a time when Domaine Leflaive was the pioneer of quality in white Burgundy. Outstanding quality at that village level. Second was Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 1985, still alive but more of an aged man.

First red wine of the night was a first for me. The oldest wine I have ever tasted. Its color was not showing it, because there was still some medium ruby red next to the brick rim, while the nose was full of tertiary aromas. On the palate there was just a tiny, discreet pale of some dried red currant. Not necessarily something that you would enjoy as a whole bottle, but for what it was, it transcended time: 1925 Chateau Cos d’Estournel. It is not a wine I would recommend for acquisition, but if you would get the chance to find it at a good price, you should try it. Of course, it is more of a gamble as provenance is crucial, so if you feel adventurous follow your urge.

The second red served of the same flight showed a more intense presence of red fruit, but somehow didn’t seem to hold much better that the 1925. The 1955 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste was not the wine that other people reminded to be from other tastings as I was told. At this point nobody had any clues about these two wines.

New flight consisted of three wines and had several things in common, but for us being offered blind the most important was the vintage. As a start. Then came the origin and the actual wine producer itself.

Now I have to confess that I take great pride in being able to surprise the audience and, more importantly, the host the this lovely dinner that started to see me with different eyes from that moment on, when I nailed the best wine of the flight and probably the red of the dinner.

I do have to share with you the circumstances of this impressive – even for me – achievement. The first thing that I noticed was the color: having a 1955 before and knowing that 1965 was not a good vintage in Bordeaux – well I knew these wines were Bordeaux from their nose – I saw that based on the color and intensity of nose it was older than a 1985, and knowing we have only 5 ending vintage wines, it has to be a 1975. I got that confirmation from Olivier.

We eliminated the Right Bank as the originating appellations. So we were left with the Left Bank. Now there are several outstanding wines made in 1975 and we took out Pauillac as being one of the appellation of these wines. So the fact that I had some Leoville Las Cases several times in the past, gave me the upper hand to make a good impression for Romania: nailed the 1975 Chateau Leoville Las Cases. That felt good indeed.

1975 Chateau Leoville Las Cases is just a great wine. Still going strong on red fruit, it has cedar and pencil shavings freshness, very smooth and appealing on the palate. The other two wines were 1975 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge – it was the vintage when Olivier Bernard took over Domaine de Chevalier and it was the last vintage produced by the previous manager – and 1975 Chateau Cos d’Estournel. Cos d’Estournel showed more intensity and grip, while the Chevalier Rouge was just a pale shadow of once good wine.

Dessert came paired with two sweet wines. I did guess the vintage but not the appellation, nor the producers. Chateau Guiraud 1975 and 1975 Chateau Gilette ‘Creme de Tete’ – I said Barsac but they were both from Sauternes – were both nice, but Guiraud showed a fresher vibrant acidity and cleaner defined sweet caramel, saffron, orange and quince marmalade aromas. It was simply delicious.

This was an absolutely unique experience where everybody paid really close attention to wine for the whole dinner and the stirred discussions were the best case study you can do into the history of Bordeaux.

We were extremely fortunate to experience all these great wines because history shows that most successful vintages in Bordeaux ended in a 5. Rumor is this year’s dinner will be all about 6.

 

Valentine’s day it’s all about love and roses

The weather outside says spring is almost here. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It is usually a tough day for men as most of the time ideas don’t come easy. One has to be brave and inventive to make it through. Fortunately, your wine guys did the job for you.

We made a selection of some top roses: Romanian and French, and when you say roses there is love in the air. Roses and rose wines is the name of the game for Valentine’s day.

So here’s the list:
2015 Prince Stirbey Rose
2015 Davino Domaine Ceptura Rose
2014 Miraval (Brangelina) Rose (91 points)
2012 Miraval Blanc
2014 Chateau Puech “Haut Prestige Rose” (92 points)
2014 Chateau Puech “Tete de Belier Rose” (93 points)
2014 ONE by Les Jolies Filles
2014 Chateau La Gordonne La Chapelle Gordonne (91 points)
2014 Chateau Minuty Cuvee Rose et Or
2014 Chateau La Sauvageonne Wild Woman Rose

(you can also buy the ones you like, that evening or later on, if you want to try them in a more intimate environment)

We will meet on Thursday, Feb 11th, 19:30. There is a new location, NaaN Restaurant (Strada C. A. Rosetti 26, București). Yes, it is an Indian restaurant. We challenge you to try this daring paring and see how good Indian food and rose fit together !

The cost is 160 lei pp (wine, entree and water). The main course can be ordered a la carte from the restaurant menu. Confirmation is required, as well as advance payment.

For reservations please contact us at cosmin.grozea@gmail.com or nicusor.cazan@gmail.com or by phone:

Cosmin: 0723 240 102 or Nicusor: 0722 141 879

Nine shades of Syrah/Shiraz ! (Tasting event WED January 27th)

Shiraz, or Syrah, is a very popular grape variety with lots of fans all over the world. And what is not to like about it? The wines are friendly, juicy, fruity and spicy, and the best cases are highly complex, richly textured and profound. It is a grape variety worth exploring.

Its recent reputation came also from the New World of wine, mostly from Australia and specifically from the Barossa Valley. We are all expecting young, very ripe and fresh wines from New World Shiraz, but we were recently amazed by a few mature wines made of, exactly, New World Australian Shiraz.

This is how the idea popped up to explore a step further and to compare with other different terroirs across the world and discover each individual variation. And this is what this wine tasting is all about:

Nine shades of Syrah/Shiraz !

2010 Aurelia Visinescu Anima Syrah, Dealu Mare, Romania

2012 Nachbil Syrah, Dealurile Sătmarului, Romania

1998 Rolf Binder Veritas Winery Heysen Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia (93 pct.)

1994 Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia (92 pct.)

1995 Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia (95 pct.)

2012 Chateau Puech-Haut Saint-Drezery Tete de Belier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (93-95 pct.)

2006 La Peira Terrasses du Larzac ‘Las Flors de la Peira’, Languedoc-Roussillon, France (94 pct.)

2012 E. Guigal Saint-Joseph ‘Cuvee Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph’, Rhone, France (91 pct.)

2011 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne, Rhone, France (92 pct.)

We will meet at Restaurant Dada at 19:30. The cost is 275 lei pp (wine, tapas and water). The second course can be ordered a la carte from the restaurant menu, if you want. Confirmation is required, as well as advance payment. For reservations please contact us at cosmin.grozea@gmail.com or nicusor.cazan@gmail.com or by phone:

Cosmin: 0723 240 102 or Nicusor: 0722 141 879

Bordeaux vs Dealu Mare comparative tasting, TUE Nov 17, 2015

Bordeaux vs Dealu Mare Comparative Wine Tasting

We love the Romanian cliche that the wines made along 45th parallel are more or less similar, therefore Dealu Mare is at the same quality level with Bordeaux. So, I would say, is, once again, time to test this!We selected few of the most representative wines from the both region, considering also the price range, and this is the list we came up with: Davino Rezerva Blanc 2013 (Dealu Mare) Chateau Lespault-Martillac Blanc 2013 (Pessac-Leognan) Vinarte Prince Matei 2009 (Dealu Mare) Chateau d’Aiguilhe 2008 (Castillon) Davino Flamboyant 2009 (Dealu Mare) L’Aura de Cambon 2009 (Margaux) SERVE Cuvee Charlotte 2011 (Dealu Mare) Chateau Labegorce 2011 (Margaux) SERVE Cuvee Alexandru 2007 (Dealu Mare) Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2007 (Pessac-Leognan) The tasting will be done blind and in pairs!  We will meet at Restaurant Dada at 19:00 The cost is only 225 lei pp (wine, small tapas and water). The food can be ordered a la carte from the restaurant menu. Confirmation is required, as well as advance payment. Please confirm your participation by email to cosmin.grozea@gmail.com or by phone at +40744 240 108 November 2015 17 REGISTER NOW

8 great wines

Had dinner with friends last night at restaurant Joseph where I always return with great pleasure, especially with the same people from last evening. Our group of 10 had many persons from the West part of the country that were just visiting Bucharest. I was asked to make the wine selection for the night, which I did, and I proposed to serve them blind. My initiative was warmly welcomed so preparations had to be done: put foil on all bottles in a back room in the restaurant before all guests arrived.

What is nice about blind tastings is that it really gives a feeling of humbleness as you are put to test your knowledge and face your ego, but on the other hand it is good that is pushes one to pay attention to the wine, considerably more than if you would be just drinking the wine for dinner knowing what you taste. Unfortunately for me, I was the only one that knew what was in the glass. Each wine was revealed as it was served after discussions and last drops were poured. You would want to give everybody the chance to re-taste the wine as much as they wanted as long as it still was something left in the bottle. Then came the reckoning. And it came hard in a few cases.

There was a wine-food pairing made based on my vague inputs but very well mastered by one of the participants, Laci, and executed by chef Joseph Hadad.

First wine was Champagne Egly-Ouriet VP Grand Cru from a producer I adore. Some people said possibly Cava, some said definitely Champagne. Made from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Grand Cru parcels, this is kept for 78 months on the lees, and this bottle was disgorged January 2015. Medium yellow color it was served from white wine glasses that did not help the bubbles stay. Intense aromatics of citrus fruit, marzipan and yeast, it explodes in the mouth with youthfulness, tannin, citrus fruits and great acidity. Very tense, but well focused and robust. (94/100)

First white wine was a sudden addition and not put on the initial list. Some were mocking and said Liliac Sauv Blanc. It was not but we had fun. It means Liliac is doing a great marketing job if people talk about it.

2014 Gaia Thalassitis is a 100% Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece that exudes freshness. Very pale yellow color, the nose is a mix of lemons, smoke and schist. Sharp acidity and really bone dry, medium plus bodied, with chalky minerality finish. Very interesting wine and clear value for its price. (89/100)

Next white wine was on the menu and it was announced as a barrel aged wine. I informed that I was interested only for the region, country or grape variety. For each wine I informed if it was a single variety or a blend.

Just 2 barrels of Puligny-Montrached 1er Cru ‘La Garenne’ are produced by Henri Prudhon every year, which is usually aged 15 to 18 months in old wood. The 2010 Henri Prudhon Puligny-Montrached 1er Cru ‘La Garenne’ is a wine that needs to be served closer to 16 degrees than cold in order to open up and stir your senses. Medium yellow color it has a shy nose initially that does not really change much during the night. However the taste reveals its true essence and origin, through its vibrant stone fruit, tropical fruits and exotic oak flavors. Medium plus long, fresh and not entirely open yet. (91/100)

From all the wines I prepared for dinner, the first red of the night was the one I was eager to get reactions from. 2007 Stirbey Novac Art Deco was praised as an International wine. Great job Oliver Bauer !

Some people ventured to order 4 cases each of this wine if it was Romanian (mocking was part of the game this evening). Bottom line: it stood great next to the other red wines. Color was medium ruby color. Nose is quite intense with mature red fruit, spices and herbs, palate is supple, mellow tannin, bright acidity, and good lingering intensity. It is a wine of charm and elegance. A smart buy. (91/100)

Novac was served back to back with 2011 Robert Chevillon Nuits Saint Georges ‘Les Roncieres’, a Pinot Noir from 52 years old vines. Color is almost opaque ruby red. Nose has more intensity with fresh red cherry and red currant, stems and black tea. Fuller palate, smooth tannin, intense red cherry fruit, herbs and spices, medium finish. There was one lady that chose it as the Wine of the night and I can understand why: it is just flowing well in the mouth with its weightlessness. (92/100)

I have to point that pairing with beef tartar (with roasted pine seeds and lemon confit) is a brilliant match both for Novac and Pinot Noir. It leaves the refined aromas of these 2 delicate varietals to take center stage. One person said Novac in spite of others reluctance to that. More interesting some people said Merlot for Chevillon Nuits Saint Georges. Back to school !

Next wine is an absolute stunning discovery for me. If all Crianza ages like this, I am sucker for it. Many people said 7-8 years old Bordeaux. We had Spain nominated by the same person that confidently stated Merlot for Nuits Saint Georges, after I mentioned it is a single variety. So I have to give him some credit back. 

2001 Pesquera Crianza from Alejandro Fernandez is a symphony in the glass. For me it is the epitome of a well maturing wine that has everything you would want and one would expect: fresh red fruit, smoke, spices and beginning to show complex tertiary aromas of saddle leather and tobacco. Supple but full palate, fresh, open and so expressive on the taste, with a medium plus finish that lingers well. A total pleasure to drink today, and no worries to keep it for another 5 years at least. (93/100)

2010 Domaine du Pegau ‘Cuvee Reservee’ Chateauneuf du pape was recognized as a Chateauneuf du pape, and even as a Pegau. Kudos to those people that identify it like that. I opened this wine 14 hours in advance at home and double decanted it early in the morning. It never felt harder to restrain myself from tasting a wine as it happen at 8:00 in the morning.

Its aromas are intoxicating. Very complex and profound nose where ripe red and black fruits meet Pegau funk, animal fur, olive tapenade and Asian spices. Full, intense and powerful on the palate, it has layers of flavors with a distinct savoury long and lingering finish, and a massive structure of polished tannin. (96/100)

Pairing with Osso Buco veal tajines with vegetables root, mashed potatoes and roasted garlic is a match made in haven.

2012 Aalto PS is a killer wine. It comes from 60-100 years old vines of Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and it is aged in new French Allier oak for 24 months. An opaque dark red garnet color. Very intense and complex aromas of ripe and over ripe black fruit mixed with chocolate, spices and vanilla change with time into prunes, rum and sour cherries, a profile closer to an Amarone. Very dense and powerful mouth, high tannin that is well polished and smooth, animating these thick layers of ripe blackberries, cranberries and chocolate flakes. Long and intense finish. Massively structured wine that seems to posses all the attributes to become great. (95/100)

Black Angus rib steak was the perfect dish to accompany this thick and concentrated Tempranillo: bold flavors on both sides.

Dessert was the culminating dish of a lovely dinner. And what a dessert.

What did we learn: blind tastings can be very animated, stir interesting discussions and can move the focus of other conversations back to wines; it is also a great way to push one to think and analyze wine and become better at tasting it. After all, competitiveness is something we all have it in us, we just have to embrace it.

 

Impresii de la jurizarea The Wine Book of Romania

M-am intors recent de la Valea Verde (Cund) unde s-a desfasurat jurizarea vinurilor alese de catre Marinela Ardelean pentru a fi incluse in The Wine Book of Romania, carte ce va apare pana la sfarsitul anului curent, si dupa cateva zile de odihna ma simt dator sa impartasesc cateva impresii despre acest eveniment.

In primul rand alegerea locatiei mi s-a parut extrem de inspirata, fapt indelung confirmat si de catre ceilalti membri ai juriului cu participari mult mai numeroase la alte concursuri internationale. Se pare ca si in cazul lor a fost one of a kind experience. Lipsa completa a semnalului la telefon, prezent doar in incinta restaurantului unde se servea micul-dejun si cina, cred ca a fost de bun augur, filtrand orice posibile interferente din exterior. Organizarea intregului eveniment a fost ireprosabila, iar cei trei somelieri: Bogdan, Marius si Anda, care s-au ocupat de pregatirea a peste 250 de sticle de vin si a sute de pahare merita toate laudele. In ciuda caldurii de afara vinurile au fost servite la temperatura optima in cele 2 zile de concurs.

Revenind la evaluarea in sine, pot mentiona cateva detalii tehnice:

• fiecare jurat a degustat 190 de vinuri in cele 2 zile de concurs.
• degustarea s-a desfasurat in fiecare zi dintre cele 2 de concurs (26, 27 August 2015) in doua sesiuni: dimineata de la 9:00 la 14:30 si dupa masa de la 18:30 la 20:30, un maraton avand in vedere ca fiecare vin a fost degustat si discutat in comisii si intre toti cei 8 membri.
• in total in evaluare au intrat aproape 250 de vinuri.
• vinurile au fost servite toate in orb (blind) pe diferite categorii: albe autohtone, internationale, cupaje, roze, rosii autohtone, internationale, cupaje, vinuri dulci, spumante, etc. Rezultatele nu au fost comunicate nici membrilor juriului nici macar la final. Cartea va fi o surpriza pentru toata lumea.
• singurele informatii comunicate despre fiecare vin au fost anul de recolta si soiurile (autohton sau international).
• notarea vinurilor a urmarit sa puna intr-o anumita categorie fiecare vin, mai mult decat sa acorde o nota fixa. Astfel 3 stele reprezinta intervalul 80-84/100, 4 stele intervalul 85-89/100 si 5 stele vinuri de peste 90 de puncte.

Jurizarea s-a facut pe comisii care au alternat intre echipe de cate 2 sau 4 membri. Toate soiurile autohtone au fost degustate si comentate de catre toti membrii juriului, in timp ce la soiurile internationale degustarea si comentarea lor s-a facut in comisii de cate 4 membri formate din 2 echipe de cate 2 jurati.

Modul de desfasurare a jurizarii soiurilor autohtone s-a desfasurat in urmatorii pasi:

• echipe de cate 2 jurati asezati la aceeasi masa au degustat aceleasi vinuri servite tuturor celor 8 membri.
• fiecare echipa a produs un rezultat final partial notat intre 3 si 5 stele sau descalificat (cand era cazul).
• fiecare echipa si-a ales un reprezentant care sa discute cu reprezentantii celorlalte 3 echipe nota acordata fiecarui vin. In cazul in care punctajele acordate fiecarui vin nu erau la fel pentru toate cele 4 echipe, aveau loc discutii pentru a clarifica care aspecte ale acelui vin au fost apreciate sau depunctate de catre echipe. In baza unui acord general se stabilea nota finala.
• vinurile care au fost eliminate au fost reintroduse in concurs in ultima sesiune de degustare de joi seara pentru a se constata consecventa notei initiale.
• intregul eveniment inclusiv sesiunile de degustare si discutiile au fost filmate in intregime si vor apare in cadrul unui documentar TV.

In cazul soiurilor internationale s-a procedat in acelasi mod la notarea vinurilor, diferenta fiind ca nu toti membrii juriului au degustat toate vinurile. Comisii de cate 4 membrii impartiti in 2 echipe de cate 2 persoane au urmarit aceeasi pasi mentionati mai sus.

Partea interesanta este ca la fiecare serie de vinuri se schimbau membrii echipelor, astfel incat fiecare jurat a putut degusta cu toti ceilalti 7 colegi de cel putin 3-4 ori in cursul celor 2 zile. Fiecare serie continea intre 6 si 12 vinuri, cu pauze de 5-10 minute intre serii, timp in care se schimbau toate paharele cu unele noi si vinurile noi erau turnate de catre somelieri.

Ceea ce m-a surprins extrem de placut este ca juratii straini au recunoscut o parte din strugurii autohtoni: Novac, Negru de Dragasani, Feteasca Neagra, Feteasca Regala, etc. Ce este cert este insa ca unanim au constatat evolutia calitatii vinurilor produse in Romania.

Mi-a placut initiativa Marinelei care a solicitat ca fiecare membru al juriului sa-si aleaga un vin care l-a marcat/impresionat in mod deosebit si despre care sa scrie propria nota de degustare care va apare de asemenea in aceasta carte. Mentionez ca nici in acest caz nu s-a comunicat numele vinului sau al producatorului.

A fost o experienta deosebita pentru ca am putut degusta si comenta vinurile alaturi de o echipa de specialisti internationali. Am apreciat fiecare moment petrecut in compania fiecarui jurat si cred ca aceste discutii au avut o valoare la fel, poate chiar mai insemnata decat nota in sine, cel putin pentru mine ca membru al juriului.

Sparkling only tasting – July 16th

There are several ways to fight the hot summer: fly to New Zealand or other cool areas, take several cold showers or brace the air conditioning unit like it’s your ultimate lover. But there is hope in a more enjoyable and easily reachable alternative: enjoy some glasses of a perfectly cold sparkling on a cool terrace. We propose the best solution: join us for an evening of sparks and discover the differences between different styles of bubbles: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava and brilliant Methode Traditionnelle made Cremants. You could read about these differences here with excellent infographic, but practice is everything. Take our word on this. So, here is what you’ll have, 10 wines:

• Prosecco Foss Marai Strada di Guia Brut
• Prince Stirbey Spumant Cramposie 2010 (Methode Champenois)
• Jane Ventura Reserva de la Musica Brut Nature Cava
• Charles Wantz Cremant d’Alsace Carte Noire (Methode Traditionnelle)
• Antech Cuvee Eugenie Brut 2013 Cremant de Limoux  (Methode Traditionnelle)
• Jean-Louis Denois Tradition Extra-Brut NV (Methode Traditionnelle)
• Jean-Louis Denois ‘Vins Rares’ Pinot Noir Brut 2006 (Methode Traditionnelle)
• Champagne Delamotte NV
• Champagne Laurent Gabriel Grand Reserve Premier Cru NV
• Champagne Demiere-Ansiot Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage 2008 Grand Cru

The wine tasting takes place on the lovely terrace of: Restaurant Dada, 94 bis Matei Voievod street,

When: THU July 16th, starting at 19:30.

There are 12 tickets available and each costs 175 lei and includes the wines, small tapas, water and our enjoyable presence. Advance payment is required.

Please confirm your reservation by phone to Nicusor: +40 722 141 879, nicusor.cazan@gmail.com or to Cosmin +40 723 240 102, cosmin.grozea@gmail.com.