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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Latest wines tasting : Italy, India, France, South Africa...

It has been a while you might say...and you are right, I am keeping on  experimenting new wines but do not take the time to share with you, blame on me!

So in this post, you'll get a bunch of good wines I recently enjoyed, to be more precise 12 of them!
4 countries are represented: Italy, India, France, South Africa

Personal note towards French wine makers : I am not happy (again)!
I am very frustrated for my non-french readers (80% of them) as most of the wine makers producing below french wines do not have a UK version of their website. Even worse, some do not even have website!.
I am deeply convinced that Export is key for a sustainable growth of the french wine industry. Some fully aknowledge this strategy and do a lot in this direction with great rewards. So, I am begging you to make some effort in getting a website with a UK version.
Otherwise, don't blame yourself nor the government for flat or worse weakening sales!

Next time, I will not display any info if I do not find the wine maker website in english!
A good benchmark : Boschendal (South Africa) website (see below), that's what I call wine marketing!

Wines can certainly help France Trade balance to become more healthier. French government, do not hide, that's also a question you must take care of.


Cascina Gilli winery, Malvasia (Grape) Di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Monferrato
ITALY - RED : Cascina Gilli winery, Malvasia (Grape) Di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Monferrato
Love Casale Monferrato village, love their wines, visiting again in May!


La Giribaldina Winery, Barbera d'Asti, Asti
ITALY - RED : La Giribaldina Winery, Barbera d'Asti, Asti
One of the best known wine producing region in Italy. Italian style!


Chêne Bleu Winery, Astralabe 2009, Ventoux
FRANCE - RED : Chêne Bleu Winery, Astralabe 2009, Ventoux
 (sorry only found french info)
What a wonderful surprise, felt like I was taking a sun bath in south of France!


Sula Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (grape), Nashik
INDIA - WHITE : Sula Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (grape), Nashik
Liked it a lot, coming from one of the most recognized Indian winery, if you get a chance to drink it, do it!


Fritz Winery, Riesling 2011, Alsace
FRANCE - WHITE : Fritz Winery, Riesling 2011, Alsace
(sorry only found french info)
I decided to start again from scratch about Alsace wines and put aside all my deep entranched stereotypes.
During an independant wine fair in France (Lille), we had the chance to discover excellent wines and low profile still very friendly wine makers, go for Alsace!


Larrivet Haut-Brion, Domaine de Larrivet 2000, Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux)
FRANCE - RED : Larrivet Haut-Brion, Domaine de Larrivet 2000, Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux)
Pessac-Leognan, whaoou, one of my favorite wine region in France. Perhaps some of the best balanced wines in the world.


Domaine de Vodanis, Vouvray, Loire Valley
FRANCE - SPARKLING WHITE : Domaine de Vodanis, Vouvray, Loire Valley
(no website)
In 2012, I decided to focus on Loire Valley sparkling wines (from Montlouis or Vouvray).
This wines are wonderful, Chenin Blanc (grape) amazing. Champagne are good but Loire Valley sparkling are as good and much cheaper, yet too much low profile. Your next pick for sure!


Zoeller winery, Riesling 2010, Alsace
FRANCE - WHITE : Zoeller winery, Riesling 2010, Alsace
(sorry only found french info)
Told you I tasted some of Alsace! Riesling, again please!

Vullien winery, Vullien, Savoie (France)
 FRANCE - SPARKLING WHITE : Vullien winery, Vullien, Savoie (France)
No more Loire Valley Sparkling in the wine shop. Shit!
Followed the advice from the shop owner. Result : very good!


Alliance des Vignerons du Beaujolais winery, Moulin à vent, Beaujolais
FRANCE - RED : Alliance des Vignerons du Beaujolais winery, Moulin à vent, Beaujolais
(sorry only found french info)
I am a big fan of Beaujolais wines, especially, Moulin à vent and Brouilly.
Each time there is one on the wine menu I got for it. Very good price/quality ratio.


Louis Jadot winery, Moulin à vent, Beaujolais
FRANCE - RED : Louis Jadot winery, Moulin à vent, Beaujolais
Like I said above, picked-up this wine in a restaurant in Amsterdam!
You may say that it's a Louis Jadot estate so, it's a safe pick!


Boschendal winery, Chenin Blanc 2012, Cape
SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE : Boschendal winery, Chenin Blanc 2012, Cape
Our darling Chenin Blanc (isn't Thomas!) stricked again.
I knew from my Wine Institute Wine class that Chenin also best express itself in South Africa.
Still, not that easy to find! So, in Amsterdam we did it and it match my expectation.
Loire Valley Chenin Blanc, you cousin is a tough competitor! 

Cascina Gilli, Malvasia, Casale Monferrato, La Giribaldina, Barbera d'Asti, Ventoux, Chêne bleu, Sula, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling, alsace, pessac leognan, Larrivet, Vouvray, Loire Valley, Vullien, Savoie, Beaujolais, moulin à vent, Louis Jadot, Boschendal, chenin blanc