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Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas & Happy New year 2012 - Wine Yours!

Dear all,


I am looking forward to keep on sharing with you my wine tasting experiences as well as wine trips whenever they might happen (even during business trips, don't tell my boss!).
I know that I was kind of lazy in november and december and did not make that many post even though I kept on drinking and tasting very interesting wines.
So, as for the start of 2012, my target is to get back on track and write below posts :
- Chinese wine tasting : Great Wall 1994, Cabernet Sauvignon (Shanghai 2011!)
- Results of the 1st wine I tasting I organized with a friend (5€/pax, not even break even!) : 5 reds wines from 5 most representative wine producing region in France (Brussels 2011)
- Others wine tastings.


In the mean time, Christmas and new years eve are coming, whith great wine tasting experience to come. Surprise, Surprise... but US wines (especially from California may have a nice spot in my january posts!)


All the best to you and your family for 2012!


Sébastien

Monday, November 7, 2011

Wonderful wines tasting experiences - Megavino Brussels 2011


On Saturday 22nd October my wife and I spent couple of hours at Megavino (http://www.megavino.be/fr/).

We were lucky enough to stop at the right booth as we were given the chance to meet passionate wine makers. They gave us the opportunity to taste their wines and share with us their passion. We learned a lot and enjoyed discussing with them as well as discovering wines that are true expression of their respective "terroir". 



We started with a trio of wines tasted with Mrs. Prisette (Rol Valentin, see below)...




3 splendid reds from Bordeaux: Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, Pessac-Léognan

Foreword: below 3 Bordeaux wines are exceptional, not that well-known except Brown. Some are still more or less affordable. The quality achieved benefits from the relatively small vineyards surfaces that make it possible to have almost each wine making step done by hand. Some of them are even called “garage” wines by some wine critics (making a parallel with Burgundy parceling). Putting aside this polemic, I’ll only focus on the tasting experience. Still, not sure that this passionate wine makers will longer resist fairy tales told by some profit oriented partners!. So, you maybe have a thin time slot to buy some bottles before prices skyrocket (too late?)!

N°23- Château le Vieux Taillefer - Pomerol - France
Origin : France
AOC : Pomerol
Vine : 100% Merlot
Wine grower : Catherine et philippe Cohen
Type : Red
Vintage : 2009
Comments
Wonderful from head to toe. Maybe the best wine I have ever tasted.

Details :

Prices :

Location :

N°22- Château Brown (red and white) - Pessac Léognan - France
Origin : France
AOC : Pessac Léognan
Vine : 55% cabernet Sauvignon – 40% Merlot – 5% Petit Verdot 

Wine grower : Jean-Christophe Mau
Type : Red

Vintage : 2007
Comments :
Amazing!

Details :

Prices :
Location :
http://g.co/maps/8enr2

N°21- Château Rol Valentin - Saint Emilion Grand Cru - France
Origin : France
AOC : Pessac Léognan
Vine : 90% cabernet Sauvignon – 10% Merlot
Wine grower : Mr & Mrs Prisette
Type : Red
Vintage : 2009
Comments :
Maybe the most impressive nose I have ever experienced so far in all my tasting experiences!
I would like to give a special reward to Mrs. Prisette (spouse of Mr. Prisette, owner of Rol Valentin) who very gently walks us through tasting Vieux Taillefer, Brown and Rol Valentin without mentioning at any step that she was Rol Valentin wine maker. Thank you very much for your time, true kindness and modesty. You wine does reflect it all!

Details :

Prices :

Location :
http://g.co/maps/nenhf

...then, we continued with another trio tasted with Mr. Pierre-Jean Sauvion















N°20- Jardins Secrets Brut 00 - Muscadet - France
 
Origin : France 
AOC : Muscadet
Vine : 100% melon de bourgogne
Wine grower : Mr. Pierre-Jean Sauvion
Type : Red
Vintage : 
Comments :
Once again, we have had the chance to meet another wine magician in the name of Pierre-Jean Sauvion. A passionate and highly interesting personnage!
We first tasted his Jardins Secrets. Ouahh!
Once Pierre-Jean poured the wine into our glasses we knew that were about to make a nice discovery and have a memorable tasting. Only but True!
It was a unique tasting experience starting with an exciting nose, continuing with a well-balanced body and finishing with a fresh and tasty taste. 
What's unique about this wine? A perfect equilibrium that distinguishes top wines like this from the rest of wannabe's.
If you allow me a metaphor : the most important Key Factor of Success for a company is to have all employees implementing action plans that are aligned with the overall strategy decided by the top management. But, it takes a great deal of passion and vision for managers to explain and transmit this message throughout the company organization. Few are succeeding, but, when success happens, it's no surprise as consumers “feel the passion” as well. Wine making is nothing but the same. Throughout the years, visionary and passionate wine makers are seamlessly communicating their "strategy" to their teams in order to reach the quality early envisioned. Each step is thought and double checked before being implemented. To be sure that it's in line with the wine makers expectations: to deliver a top quality wine after a long and difficult process. Only hard work pays!
Jardins Secrets is the result of such a vision!

Details :

Prices :

Location :
http://g.co/maps/8fm9g

N°19- Château de Fesles - Bonnezeaux - France 

Origin : France
AOC : Bonnezeaux
Vine : Chenin Blanc
Wine grower : Mr. Pierre-Jean Sauvion
Type : Red
Vintage : 
Comments :
We were lucky enough as Pierre-Jean made us a favor by allowing us to taste a wonderful Bonnezeaux (Chateau De Fesles).
Bonnezeaux is a sweet white wine, made out of Chenin Blanc grape. Chenin Blanc is my favorite white grape delivering "jewel like" white wines. Here again, the result is perfect. 1 advise I'd to give you: next time you want to go for a sweet wine, forget just once about Mombazillac, Sauternes, Cadillac and others Bordeaux. Instead, propose to your lucky guest a sweet wine from Loire Valley: Montlouis, Bonnezeaux, Côteaux du Layon, Quart De Chaume, Côteaux de l'Aubance. Why am I making such statement: these wines are wonderfully well-balanced and less overwhelming than Bordeaux sweet wines. Bordeaux sweet wines tend to hide the taste of the meal they are accompanied with. Furthermore, they tend to be cheaper than Bordeaux ones, the benefit of having a lower profile!
Chateau de Fesle for sure has to be on your list!

Details :

Prices :

Location :
http://g.co/maps/w979g


N°18- Agnus - Brazil
Origin : Brazil
AOC : Encruzilhada do Sul – Serra do Sudoeste
Vine : Merlot
Wine grower : Lidio Carraro Vinícola Boutique
Type : Red


Vintage : 

Comments :

I never tasted a wine from Brazil before.

I was pleasantly surprised by this Merlot. A bit short in the end, but worth a nice diner.
Aside of this interesting wine tasting, I also noted the elegant shape of the bottle and the neat labeling allowing consumer to quickly get the message and, helping them to keep the brand in mind next time they'll be looking for the bottle on a wine store shelf. Once again, effective efforts are being made on marketing aspect too much forgot by French wine makers!

Details :
Prices :

Location :
http://g.co/maps/8adk3

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Château Bujan - Côtes de Bourg - big-up to the Wine maker!

Clin d'oeil de Bujan
Clin d'oeil de BujanTHe bottle of Chateau BujanJust wanted to thanks Mr. Pascal Méli for gently welcoming us each year since 2007 on its booth during the Auchan (grocery chain) Wine Fair in Roncq France. Some years ago, Pascal handed over to us a glass of his wines. Both myself and my friend (Pierre Emmanuel) immediately liked the wine and the personage!. Since then, we are reloading our inventory with its Château Bujan and its high-end wine "Clin D'oeil (“Bujan's Wink") every year. Big-up to Pascal! keep going. See you next year, same place or maybe before at in your cellar!.
Price details : 

Location :
http://g.co/maps/gxjnz

Details : 




Sunday, October 9, 2011

Domaine La Grange Tiphaine - Ad Libitum - Touraine Amboise - Bio Wine

N°17 - 2011 - Ad Libitum - 2010

Check "Wines I tasted and enjoyed in 2011"

Comments:   
Bio Wine!. With Gamay as the main varietal you anticipate to have a very fresh and fruity wine...

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Exceptionnal wine tasting - Beychevelle 1980 - Impériale/Mathusalem bottle (6 liters!)


N°16 - 2011 : Château Beychevelle - 1980


Check "Wines I tasted & enjoyed in 2011"
Even if the bottle is 31 years old, the wine was perfect, we honored him with very good cheeses and meat delicatessen...

1st wine interview - Thomas Meunier - Wine Pro


Hello,
I'd like to start a new type of post by interviewing wines professionnals and wines lovers!
To initiate it, I asked Thomas Meunier, to answer few questions about wine. Aside of being one of my best friend, Thomas is passionnate about wine, a true authentic wine professionnal, and a very good coach when it comes to wine tasting!
Thank you very much Thomas for your answers.Keep on promoting "Authentic people that make authentic wine in a sustainable way which reveal the identity of a soil, a grape and a climate- the notion of Terroir.” (Authentique Vin).

  • First & Last Name: Thomas Meunier
  • Occupation in life : owner of Authentique Vin. French Wine importer for South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. http://authentiquevin.com/
  • Location : Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US

Your driver( s) in your pro life : Authenticity and humility


1.    What do you like about wine?
It's the best, simplest and shortest way of communication.

2.    How would you recommend to taste wine?
With the persons you love the most in your favorite and most comfortable place ;)
But if you ask how to taste wine in a technical way, I would say never forget to aerate or decant consistently the wine and use the most suitable glass.

3.    What's your favorite wine?
A dry and mineral Muscadet from Joseph Landron in the Loire Valley.
My favorite can change everyday depending of the temperature and my personal mood... So this one is the one for today ;)

4.    If you were a something related to wine (grape, terroir, wine...), what would you be, and why?
I would be a schist rock at the foot of a vine of Chenin Blanc in Savennieres, one of the most amazing Terroir that you can find overlooking the Loire river.


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Passionate Wine Makers - Videos - Burgundy - by Authentique Vin


I'd like to share below 2 videos with you that fully explain my passion for wines : true individual, true products!

These videos were made by Authentique Vin : http://authentiquevin.com/

Thank you very much thomas for sharing with us your journey in Burgundy and the passion of wine makers. Looking forward your next videos!

Stéphane Moreau, Vigneron in Chablis
Contact info: 
Location: http://g.co/maps/ktxv9

Sébastien Magnien, Vigneron in Burgundy


Location : http://g.co/maps/hv8qk

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Wine tasting results - 08/20 (Brussels) - USA & Argentina red wines winners!

Dear readers,
Please find below information regarding the last blind wines tasting we organized with friends:
.Wines tasted : 2 white wines (from 15 to 18€) and 5 red wines (from 21 to 27€)
.Wine tasting template (patented by Arnaud!) : I will write a dedicated post for wine tasting organization.

I would like to thank Anne-Flore & Arnaud who gently hosted this event!




General Comments:
Ranking below corresponds to average rankings.
Despite 4 out of the 5 red wines were from the Old World (France, Italy), the winners are wines from the New World : Argentina & USA.

Conclusion : 
We have all noticed a large tasting gap between the 1st 2 ranked red wines that happened to get the best votes and the other wines. Still, prices wise, there is only a slight difference (see below).
We were also a bit suprised to rank this 2 wines at top positions as we are mainly drinking and enjoying Bordeaux red wines. In fact, we liked the relative incomperable strength of these 2 wines. The taste of these wines were also remaining relatively longer in the mouth.
These 2 wines were playing in the 1st dvision whereas the other ones where playing the 2nd division.
We still would like to give a special award to the Bolida wine which also pleased our mouth and got ranked 1st by some of us!
This result is again raising the unconfortable question, that few people within the french wine yards are asking themselves : How to compete against the New World wines to avoid being downgraded to the 2nd worldwide wines division? Being more modest and end-users savvy might be a start!

Wines details: 
Country; Area; Appellation; Winery; Brand; Vintage; Grape(s); Ranking

White : winner is Quintaine (see below)
1. France, Bourgogne; Viré Cléssé Domaine Guillemot; Michel Quintaine; 2008; Chardonnay; 3
Average price : 15 to 18€
2. France; Bourgogne; Chablis 1er Cru Domaine Vocoret; Les Forêts; 2007; Chardonnay; 4
Average price : 15€
2006 Domaine Vocoret Chablis 1er Cru "La Forêt" (Elsewhere $32)

Red : 1st exequo, Alto Arelo & POV (see below)

1st : Argentina; Mendoza; Pulenta Estate; Alto Agrelo; Malbec; 2007; Malbec; 4,5
Average price : 24€


1st : USA; California (Napa Valley); Robert Sinskey vineyards; POV; 2005; Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc; Merlot); 4,5


Average price : 27€


3rd : France; Languedoc (Costières de Nîmes); Château d'Or et de Gueules by Diane de Puymorin; La Bolida; 2006; Mourvèdre 3,5
Average price : 22€


4th : France; Bordeaux (Haut Medoc); Château Citran; Château Citran; 2005; Bordeaux blend : Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot; 3        
      
Average price : 21€

5th : Italy; Sicili; Planeta; Santa Cecilia; 2006; Nero d'Avola: 2

Average price : 22€

Thursday, August 11, 2011

A note to persons reading my blogs! Thank you!

Dear readers,
I am glad to notice that my posts are being read by people all over the earth, not that many so far but enough to make me happy and to keeping me on sharing with you my wines tastings and opinions.
My moto for this blog : 
.Taste wines from anywhere in the world and share easy to graspe tasting notes as long as I enjoyed it. 
.When I would notice something about wine that need to be shared with you, I'll do it as well.
I am only a wine amateur so my tasting notes are simple in order for all to catch the most important feature of the wine I liked. English is not my mother tong neither, but I thought it would be the best to share with as many person as possible. I do taste a lot's of french wines but I am trying to put myself in a position to increase the number of wine I am tasting from other places.
If you'd like to have my last post in your mailbox, feel-in your email (see box on the side bar).
I am writing 2 to 3 posts per month.  That's my average so far and a target I am trying to keep up with.
I am also looking for your comments!
Thank you for your interest in my blog.
Sébastien
A french guy who sees the world as a giant playground to learn and grow!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Studying summer 2011 : lot's of wines testing ongoing...

Here is a list of wines I recently tasted and enjoyed. 


As you can see, I am fully endorsing my mission to help you discovering nice wines. These are mainly from France. As I am in vacations in France it's a bit difficult to taste non french wines.
What's interesting is that I am discovering wine areas that are not that wellknown. 


Here is the list:

.Domaine de Montgrignon, "Vin de Pays de la Meuse", East of France, white wine, Pinot Gris et Auxerrois grapes
I did not even think that this region in France would produce wines but there are some wines makers there that do very nice wines. Auxerrois is a local grape. this wine is a perfect image of the region, a bit harsh like the weather is goes well with cheese. Thanks to Lore dad's.
Google maps : 
http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=55210+Billy+sous+les+c%C3%B4tes&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&ll=49.009051,5.690918&spn=10.192603,23.269043&sll=46.75984,1.738281&sspn=10.643544,23.269043&z=6


http://www.domaine-montgrignon.com/nos_vins_tranquilles_034.htm



."Vin de pays des Coteaux de Coiffy", East of France (south east of Champagne), Gamay grape, from Florence Pelletier 
I was quite surprised to find Gamay grape in this region as I thought that Gamay was mainly to be found in Loire or in Beaujolais region. Like the "vin du pays de la Meuse", this wine is typical and is not made to please everyone. We are again in front of a wine that fully represent the soil of a region where grapes need more strengths to fight against the freezing winters. This wine is shapped like a rock. Definitely to be tried out if you want if you want to know what terroir means. Thanks to Lore dad's.
Google maps :
http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=COIFFY+LE+HAUT&hl=fr&ll=47.901614,5.690918&spn=10.41619,23.269043&sll=46.75984,1.738281&sspn=10.643544,23.269043&z=6


http://www.florence-pelletier-coiffy.com/p1013001.htm



.Uby, "Vin de Pays Côtes de Gascogne" (south west of Bordeaux), Colombard-Ugni Blanc grapes
My first ever experience of Colombard was in Thailand (check a recent post). This wine would perfectly go with asian food. Full of sunny fruit taste but not a sweet wine. Ugni blanc is a local grape. Thank you Carine and Good luck in India. Send me some wines for testing purposes.
Google maps:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=cazaubon&hl=fr&ll=43.92955,-0.065918&spn=11.185115,23.269043&sll=46.75984,1.738281&sspn=10.643544,23.269043&z=6


http://www.domaine-uby.com/index_en.php4



.Riesling Tradition, Alsace, 2009, riesling grape, from Mr.Stoeffler, indep. wine maker
I am not a bit fan of Alsace wines as even the dry white are often too sweet for me. But, this time it was a very pleasant surprise. The wine has a very nice acidity and a long lasting taste.Thank you Thomas.
Important :
2 wines of Mr. Stoeffler have recently been awarded best wines in the world (grapes based contest)!
http://www.vins-stoeffler.com/en/Actualites/medaille-gewurztraminer-riesling-monde.html


Google maps :
http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=barr+france&hl=fr&ll=48.400032,7.470703&spn=10.316045,23.269043&sll=46.75984,1.738281&sspn=10.643544,23.269043&z=6


http://www.vins-stoeffler.com/en/Les-Vins/domaine-vincent-stoeffler-organic-wine-alsace-france-riesling-gewurztraminer-pinot-sylvaner.html



.Amphibolite, Muscadet (Loire Valley), Melon de Bourgogne grape, from Jo Landron, indep.wine maker
Wine from the pope of Muscadet. Thought you knew all about Muscadet. Taste this wine, you'll be amazed by it's acidity and slight sparkling. Bio. By the way amphibolite is a type of rock that constitutes the soil on which the grape are being cultivated. Thank you Thomas. Time is too short but we spend very qualitative times with you, your familiies and friends. Good trip back to US.
Google maps:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=Route+de+la+Haye-Fouassi%C3%A8re,+44115+Haute-Goulaine,+Loire-Atlantique,+Pays+de+la+Loire&hl=fr&ie=UTF8&ll=47.189712,-1.384277&spn=10.557841,23.269043&sll=46.75984,1.738281&sspn=10.643544,23.269043&geocode=FS8K0AIdqqvq_w&z=6


http://www.domaines-landron.com/ElementsRubrique.aspx?SITE=LANDRO1&RUB=215&MP_SS_RUB=ELEM&MP_ELT=DETAI&PAGE=1

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Exceptional - New Wine Tasted & Enjoyed : Cos d'Estournel



N°8 Château Cos d'Estournel 2006
Check "Wine I tasted & enjoyed in 2011"

Wines Bottles Labels Design : boost your brand recognition!


Quercianera
Origin : Italy

AOC : Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Vine : Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Wine grower : Fontamera

Type : Red




From my point of view, this is a very creative yet quite pure bottle ID. There is no drawing that would overcharge the label. Aside of the colors that go very well together and the very clear (readable) fonts, I do like a lot the embossed paper (above red part).
For some years now (about 15 years), there has been a huge trend towards creative branding in the wine industry to build a real identity to face the increasing global competition. The wines from the New Worlds, as well as southern European wines, have worked a lot with designer to build-up brand awareness through their labeling. I recently visited a Oz wine shop
in Brussels and could notice that most of the bottles had very creative labels.
Thanks to continuous innovations from the label manufacturers there are almost no limits to your creativity, so do not hesitate to take advantage of it by starting rethinking your wine labels and do some branding activation!

Reminder for wine growers: Do not forget, that aside of having a good memory, or to buy the entire stock, the best chances for a wine amateur to find again the wine he liked will be thanks to the wine label. So you'd better be creative in designing your label so that it best represents your wine personality. Try also very careful in choosing the right fonts so that the wine's ID can be read and remembered by anyone across the globe!. Last but not least, chose an easy name for your wine and try to build-up a range under a common branding.

Comments : By the way, a nice wine that I would recommend a bit chilled at a terrace with friends!