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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