This international competition is organised by the Spanish Winemakers Federation (FEAE), which this year will be held in Shanghai, China from June 28th-30th. What's so interesting about that, you may well ask? Well, focusing on the Tempranillo grape variety makes a refreshing change from more familiar territory; especially as it can be at the heart of some great red wines in Spain, Argentina and who knows where else: Australia, USA etc? I guess we'll see when the results are released in a few months time.
Another original aspect to the show is the selection of a different host city each year in an "emerging market," as the blurb puts it. "The main goal of Tempranillos al Mundo is to showcase high quality Tempranillo wines to professionals and consumers in the country hosting the event," it concludes. Have fun then, Shanghai wine folk.
Source: Global Wine & Spirits, one of the event's sponsors. More info from the competition website: click on the logo above left.
This flash mini-hotel is the latest venture from the ever expanding Laroche empire, although this time it's on 'home turf' in Chablis, so to speak. The opening sentence of their press release made me smile: "Within the wine trade, the Laroche name has a well-earned reputation for hospitality – whether it is in Chablis, Béziers, Casablanca or now Stellenbosch." Bit like London, Skegness, Paris and New York perhaps...
Putting my silly sense of humour aside, the Vieux Moulin does sound and look the part: "a beautiful 11th century mill that straddles the river Serein and overlooks the picturesque Grand Cru vineyards," as their blurb continues. The five air-conditioned (you wouldn't want that on too often in Chablis) double rooms and two suites cost from 150 to 250 €uros. The personal styling even extends to the furniture, designed by Michel and Gwenael Laroche themselves. And on the ground floor, you'll find the Laroche Wine Bar where you can try chef Julien Lasserre's culinary creations along with, not surprisingly, Laroche wines from around the world. Hotel du Vieux Moulin, 18 rue des Moulins, 89800 Chablis. Tel +33 3 86 42 47 30 / Fax +33 3 86 42 84 44, vieuxmoulin@larochewines.com / winebar@larochewines.com. Posted 20/4/07
If you find yourself in the French Catalonian capital on a Friday evening, why not check out this new wine bar & bistrot (63 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 66000 Perpignan, tel. +33 04 68 73 96 83) found alongside, and owned by, the well-stocked wine merchant Le Comptoir des Crus. Their Friday evening tasting events are called 'Les Vendredis du Bistrot' and each one is led by a local winegrower presenting their own wines. Starting tonight at 7pm with Guy Prédal, here's the program running into the summer:
20/04/2007 Domaine Marcevol - Guy Prédal
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of his cuvée Prestige.
27/04/2007 Domaine Clot de l’Oum - Éric Monné
Vertical tasting of 3 vintages of his cuvée Compagnie des Papillons and 2005 white wine.
04/05/2007 Domaine Vaquer - Frédérique Vaquer
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of her cuvée Expression.
11/05/2007 Domaine La Casenove - Etienne Montès
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of his cuvée Commandant Jaubert.
25/05/2007 Domaine Singla - Laurent de Besombes
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of his cuvée Moli.
08/06/2007 Domaine Lafage - Jean-Marc Lafage
Tasting of their whole range. Special promo at the Comptoir des Crus: 10% off Lafage's range between 6-10pm.
15/06/2007 La Cave de Castelmaure - Xavier Peyrot des Gachons
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of his cuvée N°3.
22/06/2007 Summer rosés - Jean-Pierre Rudelle
Special promo at the Comptoir des Crus: 10% off all rosés between 6-10pm.
29/06/2007 Château Saint Roch - Emma and Marc Bournazeau
Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of their cuvée Kerbuccio.
Hélène and Christian Meunier are the third generation to farm their 11 ha / 28 acre wine estate lying at 260m (850 feet) altitude on the slopes around St-Paul, in the wilder-still northwestern corner of Roussillon Villages country. These four wines were tasted at the Fenouillèdes wine show in April 2007:
2006 L'Impossible Muscat sec, vin de pays des Côtes Catalanes – fresh and crisp with grape aromas and flavours, fuller creamier palate; nice style. €7 87
2006 white barrique-fermented (barrel sample: Grenache Gris Macabeu Chardonnay) – lightly toasty with milky mouth-feel, exotic apricot fruit, full and rounded. 87
2004 La Clue, vin de pays des Côtes Catalanes (Carignan Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre) – tobacco and violet tones on top of black cherry and smoky liquorice, nice fruit v grip and fresh finish. €7 87-89
2004 Ricochet, Côtes du Roussillon Villages (Carignan Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre) – similar profile to above although lusher, tobacco edges on a sweet v savoury palate, attractive weight and power. €9 89 Chemin de Bayra (cellar), tasting/shop: 28 Avenue du 16 Août 1944, 66220 Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. Tel/fax: 04 68 59 11 62, mobile: 06 12 54 94 07, domainedelafou@wanadoo.fr
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Header image: Château de Flandry, Limoux, Languedoc. Background: Vineyard near Terrats in Les Aspres, Roussillon.
