So finely I got to go Champange tasting….in a wine bar!
We had 6 glasses that reflect the range available.
The first 3 where from left to right-
All 3 where served at around 9 degrees and warmed up to approx 14.
They definitely improved as they came up to room temp.
What a day it’s been…. the Nerdy Wino and her trusty side kick hit Saint Emilion to taste the local reds.
Naturally, the enthusiasm of the “trusty side kick” had us in a tasting room, with in 5 minutes of hitting the town….. literally in minutes , two tasting, he walks out with two bottles.
I managed to keep him on track and get us into a more formal tasting class run by the Which focused on The Grands Crus Classés
It was a great session but would have been better if we didn’t have a condescending Frenchman who was not too inclined to speak English, even though that was what he was paid to do…..deliver in English.
Now that I got that of my chest, the map shown is a great way to explain the lay of the land when it comes to this region. Anything on the northern side, tends to need more time to mature and the southern side is the best limestone soils, which give us the amazing Merlot, Cabernet franc and sometimes. Cabernet Sauvignon.
It was fascinating how a blind taste can make the difference. In case you where w8 der8 g we both preferred the 4th, 2nd,1st and the 3rd the least. Our “Frenchie” liked the 3rd the best. Not sure what that means! All 8can say our choices where not the expensive ones.
A standard Saint Emilion wine is normally 80% merlo and 20% Cabernet franc. Not sure if the Cabernet Sav is used to blend to cover mistakes. We found that they can’t “dump” excess wine onto the open market. Apparently they have to dump on farm. Not sure this is completely true…..it not not uncommon for businesses to put profit ahead of tradition. Just my opinion.
Just so you know, it is very serious the application classification: that a Château is given…..like playing for sheep stations.
We visited this place on the way out because of the beautiful building. Must say we didn’t buy anything as the wine did not grab us. Check it out
It’s taken me ages to finish this post…. so will wrote more about what I learn on another post
As Renoir
Rach
As you expect with a bunch of McDowalls around the there would be a bit of wine consumed
So far there have been some “hits and misses”
I attempted to keep track of what we had.
Here is a photo of a few
One of the misses was this one….
Don’t get me started on the “corked” champagne. It appears I didn’t take a photo
This was a nice one and reasonably priced even at the resturant.
Au revoir
Rach
In preparation for our trip I thought I would get in the spirit and try a bottle of bubbles from Bouzy!
Well how disappointed was I
It was ‘corked’….
However the good news of this story is that, Wal’s taste buds have matured and he can pick ‘corked’ wine. It has only taken 13 years
Need to add Pierre to the list!
So this is the top 30 champagnes we need to at least try. So let the fun begin….
I must stay it will be fun comparing Loui, Rog, Chuck, Bille, Tait, Dom, Alfred, Henri and Alain.
Not sure if the budget will be able to buy a bottle off each so we may have to settle for a glass and the 3 of us have a ‘small sip’ each.
Stay tuned for the various tasting notes…..not sure if there will be any of the special vocabulary used when describing our tastings.
You can take comfort that there will be no tasting of Doux champagne but hell bent and finding at least one Balthazer.
Salute
The Nerdy Wino
PS – This is the guide I am using for my Glossary of terms
I kid you not!
This is a name of a town in France where the champagne house – Pierre Pailliard is. We are going to try this, for we can source it in Australia – Emperor Champagne
The Emperor Champagne site said…..
Coming from 22 different vineyard cru’s in Bouzy, aptly named ‘Les Parcelles’ is a great expression of the terroir from this village. There is generous aromas of fig, spice, biscotti and almond. After a few moments in the glass yellow fruits, like nectarine introducing some balance to the toasty and rich notes of this wine.
The nose follows through on to the palate with body and richness yet liveliness from the acidity.
So this is the top 30 champagnes we need to at least try. So let the fun begin….
I must stay it will be fun comparing Loui, Rog, Chuck, Bille, Tait, Dom, Alfred, Henri and Alain.
Not sure if the budget will be able to buy a bottle off each so we may have to settle for a glass and the 3 of us have a ‘small sip’ each.
Stay tuned for the various tasting notes…..not sure if there will be any of the special vocabulary used when describing our tastings.
You can take comfort that there will be no tasting of Doux champagne but hell bent and finding at least one Balthazer.
Salute
The Nerdy Wino
PS – This is the guide I am using for my Glossary of terms
Bought this bottle because I thought it was going to be a Nero d’Avola. I saw a name that looked similar, so bought it.
Well, I was wrong.
The nice little red which is grown near Bari ( in the wine growing area of Puglia – where they mainly grow the Primivito – the ones I enjoyed when in Sorrento).
It is a little lighter then a Shiraz, slightly peppery but nice all the same. Here is a little bit of history on Nero di Troia
I do not want anyone to think I know what I am doing when it comes to selecting which bottle I buy…..This one just had a name similar to the type of pizza I was ordering!
Both Fi and I liked it straight away, after the first sip. It was a pleasant change from the ones I had been trying in Lucca. I did not really find one that I loved enough from the Tuscany area.
I have only found out anout the type of grape – Nero d’Avola and it does not surprise me why I liked it…. The grape variety is like Shiraz. For more info in Nero d’Avola
Will be trying more from Sicily….. Stay tuned!
Have often wondered what the Italians think of their economic situation. It has been hard to gauge. When we get to Rome, we will pick Kim and Fabrizio brains……. Will let you know.
However this is what one Bolognese thinks.
McDowall's plus 1 Litchfield 