Translate my blog!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Wine reading list : comic strip "Les ignorants" by Etienne Davodeau & Richard Leroy



Comic strip cover : Les Ignorants (The Ignorants) by Etienne Davodeau
Comic strip cover page : les Ignorants (The Ignorants) by Etienne Davodeau
As explained by the author (Etienne D.), it's about a cross initiation where a Loire Valley winemaker (Richard Leroy) and Etienne D. share it's other passion. I have been informed by the author that the english version will be available in 2013 (in the US to start with). Still, the comic strips alone do help you to grab most of their adventures.


I had a very good time reading this comic strip that I have been offered by my very good friend Lore G.

+ : you do learn a lot the easy and funny away about comic strip and wine making!
+ : shows you once again that the more you know the better you understand other's culture and actually find a lot of common grounds!
- : should embedd a glass of wine (see below for wines portfolio) from Richard Leroy to get the full experience!


Richard Leroy, video extract from "La Clef des Terroirs", movie dedicated to winemakers only using natural processes to raise their wines

By the way, Richard Leroy wine portfolio (Video in french, sorry):
As I did not know wines from Richard D. before writing this reading review I happen to learn that he is recognized as a guru in the Loire Valley for it's Chenin Blanc dry white wines :Le Clos des Rouliers et Les Noel de Montbenault.


I did not find his website but here is infos about his wines on wine-searcher.com


Richard D. is "in love" with his terroir and do only rely on natural processes to raise his wine. The domaine is relatively small also allowing him to make what it seems (according my readings) one of the best expression of Chenin Blanc from Loire Valley.


Can't wait to test his wines and write you a more detailed tasting review!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sicilian wines tastings, buonissimo vini!


Below are wines we enjoyed with my wife while spending a week touring Sicily from east (Catania) to west (Trapani) + places where we enjoyed them


Red - Sicily - Passo Delle Mule - Nero d'Avola - Duca Di Salaparuta (Winery) - 2008 Place : La Battigia, Trattoria (Acireale)
Red - Sicily - Passo Delle Mule - Nero d'Avola - Duca Di Salaparuta (Winery) - 2008
Place : La Battigia, Trattoria (Acireale)
White - Sicily - Adenzia - Chardonnay - Baglio Del Cristo di Campobello (Winery) - 2008 Place : Hotel Metropole (Taormina)
White - Sicily - Adenzia - Chardonnay - Baglio Del Cristo di Campobello (Winery) - 2008
Place : Hotel Metropole (Taormina)
Red - Sicily - Lareco - Nero d'Avola - Firriato (Winery) - 2009 Place : Palazzio Giovanni, B&B (Stazzo, next to Catania)
Red - Sicily - Lareco - Nero d'Avola - Firriato (Winery) - 2009
Place : Palazzio Giovanni, B&B (Stazzo, next to Catania)
Sparkling (white) - Sicily - Murgo Brut - Murgo - (Winery) Place : Versi di Rosso, Wine bar (Trapani)
Sparkling (white) - Sicily - Murgo Brut - Murgo - (Winery)
Place : Versi di Rosso, Wine bar (Trapani)
Wines
Red :
2* 49 : Lareco, Firriato (Winery), 2009.
Grape : Nero d'Avola
Firriato Winery :this website is beautiful, maybe one of the best winery website I have ever seen!
Wine Searcher : 5,10€


3* 48 : Passo Delle Mule, Duca di Salaparuta (Winery), 2008
Grape : Nero d'Avola 
Duca di Salaparuta 
Wine Searcher : average price 7€


Tasting notes : 3*. I found out that Nero d'Avola (main red grape in Sicily) has a wide range of taste. It could be fruity and rather short in mouth or fullbodied (expressive). I prefered Passo Delle Mule has this wine is evenly well done (from nose to mouth). Each step is an experience that allows you to have a true representative tasting of a very good Nero d'Avola. 


White :
3* 47 : Adenzia, Baglio Del Cristo di Campobello (Winery), 2008
Grape : Chardonnay, Grillo
Duca di Campobello
Wine Searcher : average price 11€


Tasting notes : My wife actually ordered a prosecco (sparkling) but got this wine poored. Lucky us as this wine was wonderfull. The color is estonishing (almost transparent with sparks of yellow/green). The acidity is wonderfull and the butterness exceptional. This wine is a must drink on a well prepared fish meal (some vegetables and a bit of cream)!

Sparkling :
3*46 : Murgo Brut, Scammacca del Murgo (Winery)
Grape : Nerello MascaleseMurgo Winery
Wine Searcher : average price 11€


Tasting notes : My wife is a Champagne lover, so when she tells me that this prosecco is a killer, I tend to believe her. In fact, it could largely beat some well ranked Champagne. The bubbles are very thin and crispy in mouth. Well done Burgo!


Places where we enjoyed some of these wines :
.Palazzo Giovanni (website): Bed & Breakfirst, Acireale (Catania)
TripAdvisor
Palazzo Giovanni, Having breakfirst with our host (the cat and the turtles)!
Palazzo Giovanni, having breakfirst with our host (the cat and the turtles)!
Palazzo Giovanni, amazing Etna view from sunbath rooftop of B&B
Palazzo Giovanni, amazing Etna view from sunbath rooftop of B&B
.Versi di Rosso (TripAdvisor) :Wine Bar + restaurant, Trapani


Versi di Rosso, amazing selection of italian wine with super friendly managers!
Versi di Rosso, amazing selection of italian wine with super friendly managers!
Versi di rosso, will be missing these antipasti!
Versi di rosso, will be missing these antipasti!