Friday, June 19, 2015

Tasting The Unexpected at Bordeaux's Vinexpo 2015

by Paige Donner

Vinexpo Bordeaux is all work and no play. These photos and video from the four days spent there earlier this week give a good strong visual indication of exactly what I mean. 

I suppose it's really simply a question of, yes, it's hard work, but somebody's gotta do it...

All photos by Paige Donner copyright 2015

Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 Atmosphere Photos 

Setting the stage....

 

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 Frédéric Castéja photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright
 
Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015 atmosphere photos by Paige Donner copyright

 


Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass...

 

 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass
 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass
 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass

 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass
 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass
 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass

 
Decanter's Excellence From Unexpected Places Masterclass

 

Of these 8 Decanter Awards- winning wines, the Australian sweet wine made a presence. It was the Morris, Black Label Liqueur Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria Australia. Established in 1859 and currently owned by Pernod-Ricard. The nose is a candied apricot, caramel and crème brulée. Mouth is ginger, cinnamon, dates. Like drinking caramel. Perfect paired with a Christmas Pudding. It is a Christmas pudding (in a bottle). 

Decanter Wine Awards is the largest wine competition in the world. More awards results can be found here.


The Winemaker's Collection

 

 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015

 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015

 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015

 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015

 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015
 
The Winemaker's Collection Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015

 

The Winemaker's Collection. A collection of wines from well-respected and well-known wine consultants and winemakers: Michel Rolland, Denis Dubourdieu, Andrea Franchetti, Stéphane Derenoncourt, Eric Boissenot, Zelma Long, Susana Balbo, Ntsiki Bayela, Dany Rolland.

thewinemakerscollection.com


Wine Spectator's Global Connections Wine Tasting



Global Connections, Fine Wines from the U.S. and abroad, presented by Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015. 

 

 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright

 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright

 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright

 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Wine Spectator and Vinexpo Bordeaux's Global Connections wine tasting photo by Paige Donner copyright

 

These wines are all household name fine wines and famous brands. The other significant thing is that the top people from the houses were present and pouring. From Paul Hobbs to Marimar Torres to Frédéric Rouzaud to Madame Drouhin and many, many more. 


Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting

 

 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.
 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.
 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.

 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.
 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.
 
Le Pan Media's Oregon Pinot Noirs with Doug Frost M.W.

 


One of the exciting new developments just launched during Vinexpo 2015 there in Bordeaux is Jeannie Cho Lee's (MW) new publishing venture called Le Pan. It is more than a glossy beautiful wine magazine, much much more. It is The Art of Fine Wine Living

At their elegant and spacious booth at Vinexpo they held daily tastings. One of the most interesting and best attended was the tasting of Pinot Noirs from Oregon, led by Doug Frost M.W. All excellent and chosen particularly to showcase the difference between 2011's and 2012's and the range among them. Highlighted were the Willammette Valley AVAs.  

TIP: Buy 2011's. The critics missed this one when it was first released and now they are an excellent value, showing excellently.

LePanMedia.com



Château Margaux   1815 - 2015

 

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux
 
Château Margaux

 

Evening time was spent taking a guided walk through the just-revealed Château Margaux chais and cuverie. 

The big news at Château Margaux, in addition to this up-do of their first and second year cellars, cooperie and their vinification rooms is that they have installed a new vinothèque.  "Two centuries of Architecture in Tribute to a geat wine from Louis Combes to Lord Norma Foster."

And, of course, this is the year that this most famous Bordelais château celebrates its 200th year. 

(note: my photos of the vinothèque were too dark to publish. you will have to go visit for yourself!)

chateau-margaux.com


From California to Patagonia presented by Paz Levinson, Sommelier

 

 
California to Patagonia
 
California to Patagonia
 
California to Patagonia

 
California to Patagonia
 
California to Patagonia

 

The wines from Uruguay were a delightfully surprising discovery for me. As was the Syrah from the northern most planted vineyards of Chile that are also just 6km from the coast in an area called Colchagua Valley. You have never tasted a shiraz like this before!


Albert Bichot's Great Burgundy Wines

 

 
 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy
 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy

 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy
 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy
 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy

 
Albert Bichot's - The Iconic Climats From Burgundy

 

Albert Bichot wine tasting, The Iconic climats from Albert Bichot. What else need be said? Although, you never know when you are going to learn that obscure tidbit of wine knowledge...In this case it came when they explained their Château Gris "Les Terrasses" lieu-dit. It is exceptional in that it is a real chateau, not a domaine as is the case in Burgundy, and that it is a wine from a single terroir, not assembled from different parcels. But here comes the wine competition-winning bit of knowledge: In Nuits-St. Georges, where this chateau is located, there is another property (not theirs) who planted pinot-blanc. The only exception - save for Saint Bris - in Burgundy. 

albert-bichot.com


Lanson's Vin Clair Tasting

 

 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker

 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker

 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker
 
Lanson's Vin Clair tasting with Hervé Danton, their winemaker

 

How unusual to offer a vin clair tasting, led by the champagne house's own winemaker. It's enough of a rarity in Champagne, but to offer that at a big (humongous, really) wine expo is, quite frankly, unheard of. 

To taste vins clair (still wines) with the man who is responsible for the blending of these into a wine that will one day sparkle with the effervescence of champagne, is a once-in-a-lifetime. Still wines from Trépail, Villers Marmery, Ay, Verzenay... It certainly makes you ponder just how these magicians come up with their final product?!

lanson.com


Drappier's 2002 Vintage Champagne

 

 
Champagne Drappier Jeroboam 2002
 
Champagne Drappier Jeroboam 2002
 
Champagne Drappier Jeroboam 2002

 
Champagne Drappier Jeroboam 2002
 
Champagne Drappier Jeroboam 2002

 

The popping of a champagne cork around midday on the third day of a wine conference gets people's attention. And that was just what Mr. Drappier was betting on when he unveiled, then opened, Magnums and even Jeroboams of his vintage 2002 (low dosage). 

Champagne-Drappier.com


Krug Champagne Masterclass, Le Pan Media, With Olivier Krug and Charles Curtis M.W.

 

 
Le Pan Media's Krug Vintage Champagne Tasting with Charles Curtis and Olivier Krug
 
Le Pan Media's Krug Vintage Champagne Tasting with Charles Curtis and Olivier Krug
 
Le Pan Media's Krug Vintage Champagne Tasting with Charles Curtis and Olivier Krug

 
Le Pan Media's Krug Vintage Champagne Tasting with Charles Curtis and Olivier Krug

 

It's not every day you get to swirl and then spit out 2000, 2003 and Brut NV Krug champagnes - and all in the presence of the namesake descendant of such a great house as Krug. 

With 2003 being that very hot year all over France, not just in France, most 2003's are not all that interesting. But Krug has their own way of doing things and their impeccable style of champagne comes through here too, notably in its freshness.  Another thing worth noting is that, remember, most houses keep their only their vintages 8 years; at Krug they keep their Brut NV's 8 years minimum. 

Krug-Lovers


Gault & Millau's l'Atelier Food and Wine

 

 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement
 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement
 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement

 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement
 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement
 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement

 
Gault&Miillau's l'Atelier Food an Wine with Arnaud Lallement

 

Despite having a nearly unpronouncable name for their magazine, this is France's foremeost food and wine magazine that has been around for over a couple of generations at least. 

They hit the target at this Vinexpo this year by hosting a Food and Wine atelier, one and even sometimes two every day, where a noted chef would guest while their sommelier did the pairings. 

For Arnaud Lallement that meant a silky kind of a mashed potato topped with divine caviar. Paired with? You got it: champagne. Two kinds were served, the no-dosage Frédéric Sarvat being the one that was the most exciting discovery and also that set off the caviar quite nicely. By the way, the front label of his champagne is not blank, it's just white print on a white label. Very distinctive, really.

Gault&Millau



Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux Wine Tasting

 

 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright

 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright

 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright
 
Bettane+Desseauve's Super Bordeaux wine tasting Vinexpo 2015 photo by Paige Donner copyright

 


What's a super Bordeaux? Well, as France's premier wine critics will tell you, they are today's mavericks, tomorrow's classics.  

It's like discovering next year's next big thing before everyone else does (and also before the prices catch up with the wine's value). 

BettaneDesseauve.fr

MORE HERE ON THIS AWESOME VIDEO 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOTARWeKNJM


Louis Roederer Garden Party at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

 

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande
 
Louis Roederer garden party at Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lallande

 

There are still a few people who know how to - occasionally - relax and have a good time even during something as rigorous as Vinexpo. 

Not just Cristal was flowing but so was the 2002 Cristal Rosé. And even the 2007 Brut NV, the newest Roederer "baby."

And to go with those Hachis Parmentier Canard, a nice round glass of 1989 Pichon Comtesse. Just stunning. Especially with those expansive vineyard views overlooking the Gironde. 

louis-roederer.com

Merci Beaucoup Vinexpo Bordeaux 2015!


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♥Chérie Du Vin

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