Planet V&S 62 - Tasting en

Lifestyle magazine

Tasting

MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT - USA BURGUNDY - FRANCE PORTO WINES - PORTUGAL RIOJA - SPAIN BAROLO - ITALY VAUD - SWITZERLAND www.planet-vs.com

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11 DISTINGUISHED SOMMELIERS DELIVER THEIR TASTING NOTES

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S P I R I T S

ENRICO BERNARDO Restaurants Il Vino & Goust • Paris World’s Best Sommelier 2004

MANUEL PEYRONDET President of the Chais d’oeuvre club Paris • France’s Best Sommelier 2008

VINCENT TAN Restaurant Odette • Singapore

PATRICE FRANK Hôtel de Paris***** • Monaco President of the Sommeliers of Monaco

JULIA SCAVO World’s 5th Best Sommelier 2013

JÉROME FAURE Constance Hotels***** • Mauritius President of the Sommeliers of Mauritius

PAZ LEVINSON Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015

FABRICE SOMMIER Georges Blanc***** • Vonnas Master of Port 2010

CHRISTOPHE TASSAN Restaurant The Battery • San Francisco Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2004

ERIC ZWIEBEL Summer Lodge***** • Evershot World’s 4th Best Sommelier 2013

CHRISTOPHE ORLAREI Waldorf Astoria***** • New York

Thank you to our eleven sommeliers who have enabled us to travel the world with their selections of wines and spirits, as well as Jean Bernard for his kind collaboration.

SURROUNDING GREAT STARRED CHEFS

PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS

AT THE TIME WHEN HAUTE CUISINE ENTERS THE COMITÉ COLBERT, THE “FRENCH LUXURY CLUB”, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS PARISIAN LUXURY HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. DISCOVER WITH US THE SOMMELIERS, STARRED CHEFS AND PERSONALITIES PRESENTED AT OUR EVENTS (ACTORS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, POLITICIANS, ETC.)

WINE TASTING 3

A GLIMPSE INTO GERMAN DIVERSITY

ENRICO BERNARDO “ Il Vino” and “Goust” • Paris and Courchevel www. enricobernardo.com World’s best sommelier 2004, Enrico Bernardo today creates original concepts to bring out the best in wine and cuisine. In France, he owns the restaurants “Il Vino” and “Goust” crowned by the Michelin Guide.

KÜNSTLER

A. CHRISTMANN

STIELWEG, RIESLING “ALTE REBEN”, TROCKEN 2011 COUNTRY: Germany COLOR: white TASTING: A winery located in Hochheim, a city in the Rheingau region, known principally for its wine culture. The wine has a nose which reveals a great purity and a mild development.

The mouthfeel is sophisticated. It is marked by a freshness and a remarkable final length.

WEBSITE: weingut-kuenstler.de PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

KÖNIGSBACHER ÖLBERG, TROCKEN, PFALZ, 2011 COUNTRY: Germany COLOR: white TASTING: A classic from Pfalz, a Palatinate wine region whose long tradition dates back to Roman times. This is the second largest German vineyard. The wine presents a great intensity on the nose and opens up with mandarin. The mouth is powerful and broad.

WEBSITE: weingutchristmann.de PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

Today, German Rieslings feature once again among the world’s best white wines. This success is owed to a generation of young vineyards who have begun working to breathe new life into the image of overly sweet wines.

REICHSGRAF VON KESSELSTATT SCHARZHOFBERGER, KABINETT, MOSEL, 2010 COUNTRY: Germany COLOR: white TASTING: Managed by Annegret Reh-Gartner, this is a family vineyard whose main vineyards are spread over three regions: Mosel, Saar, Ruwer. On the nose, there is a broad citrus palate. The mouth is fresh and rhythmic. A textbook case from the Moselle to be discovered.

WEBSITE: kesselstatt.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

FRITZ HAAG BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER SONNENUHR RIESLING SPATLESE, MOSEL, 2012 COUNTRY: Germany COLOR: white TASTING: Fritz Haag is an important name in the Moselle vineyards, having contributed to the reputation of the great German Rieslings. The wine is charming on the nose. It contains tangy green apple aromas. The mouth is dynamic, somewhere between mildly sugary and biting acidity.

WEBSITE: weingut-fritz-haag.de PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

KLOSTERMÜHLE ODERNHEIM KLOSTER DISIBODENBERG, RIESLING EISWEIN, NAHE, 2012 (50CL) COUNTRY: Germany COLOR: white TASTING: One of the many discrete and qualitative areas of the Nahe, one of the smallest wine regions in Germany. The wine is fresh, exotic and acidic on the nose. In the mouth, you can find a strong sugary concentration supported by a superb acidity.

WEBSITE: weingut-klostermuehle.de PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

4 WINE TASTING

THE CHAIS D’ŒUVRE OF THE WINE REGIONS!

MANUEL PEYRONDET

Discover the dynamism of the Loire, the good pleasure-price relationship of the northern Rhone valley, the vineyards of Tokaji which are at a historical turning point.... We invite you to take a tour of the vineyard and offer you a selection of Manuel Peyrondet.

DOMAINE THIBAUD

BOUDIGNON ANJOU, “A FRANÇOISE”, 2013 COUNTRY: France (Loire) COLOR: white TASTING: The mineral precision, relief, texture, the mouth length, the slight final reduction which recalls certain burgundies... Everything in this wine is a concentrate of happiness. “Françoise” is part of these rare Loire valley wines which highlights the region’s dynamism.

WEBSITE: chaisdoeuvre.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

DOMAINE DES HAUTS-CHASSIS

CROZES-HERMITAGE, “LES CHÂSSIS” 2011 COUNTRY: France (The Rhone Valley) COLOR: red TASTING: A good CrozesHermitage is always better than a too-young Côte Rôtie! This is what we must remember when giving some bottles of this wine whose price/pleasure ratio is truly amazing! Franck Faugier is one of the talents of the Rhone valley that we must follow closely!

WEBSITE: chaisdoeuvre.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

DOMAINE VINCENT DUREUIL RULLY 1ER CRU, “EN GRÉSIGNY”, 2014 COUNTRY: France (Burgundy) COLOR: white TASTING: The côte chalonnaise is undergoing a reshuffle and is shining thanks to talents such as Vincent Dureuil. His brand new plot “En Grésigny” is a model of purity and mineral expression.

Tasted blind, it gives any of the Côte de Beaune’s great whites a run for their money.

WEBSITE: chaisdoeuvre.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

President of the Chais d’oeuvre club • Paris www.chaisdoeuvre.com World’s Best Sommelier 2008 Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2011

PASSOPISCARIO ETNA ROSSO, 2011 COUNTRY: Italy (Sicily) COLOR: red TASTING: This Sicilian red wine showcases the incredible volcanic land of Mount Etna.

Andréa Franchetti enhances the Nerello Mascalese whose finesse and tannin features are unequivocal and as subtle as the pinot noir. It’s like the Etna version of Chambolle Musigny!

WEBSITE: chaisdoeuvre.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

DOMAINE SAMUEL TINON TOKAJI 5 PUTTONYOS, 2011 COUNTRY: Hungary (Tokajii) COLOR: syrupy TASTING: The region is awakened with this bottle. The balance borders perfection. A wonder of purity with notes of candied apricots, citrus zests and a slight touch of botrytised grapes. Persistence: endless, insolent limit, deliciously irresistible.

WEBSITE: chaisdoeuvre.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

WINE TASTING 5

THE CÔTE DE BEAUNE VINEYARD

VINCENT TAN Restaurant Odette • Singapore www.odetterestaurant.com Head sommelier at the gourmet restaurant Odette in Singapore, Vincent Tan has acquired oenological expertise after 10 years in Asia.

Twenty wine-making communities occupy France’s Côte de Beaune, along the 30-km long route des Grand Crus, each with its own appellation or designation in addition to those specific to all Burgundy vineyards. Discoveries....

DOMAINE PHILIPPE PACALET

DOMAINE MARQUIS D’ANGERVILLE

DOMAINE PAUL PILLOT

DOMAINE FRANÇOIS CARILLON

DOMAINE GUY ROULOT

BEAUNE 1ER CRU, LES PERRIÈRES, 2009 COUNTRY: France (Burgundy) COLOR: red TASTING: Philippe Pacalet is a wine artisan. He defines himself as a revealer of terroirs and not an interventionist. Upon tasting, there’s a beautiful concentrated mouthfeel of red fruits. A complex, mineral wine. It exudes a great fruitiness.

WEBSITE: philippe-pacalet.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

VOLNAY 1ER CRU, TAILLEPIEDS, 2003 COUNTRY: France (Burgundy) COLOR: red TASTING: Guillaume d’Angerville manages the Marquis d’Angerville winery while preserving essential values. This wine has structured tannins. A complex mixture of red and black fruits. Smoky touches and earthy aromas add a hint of masculinity to this very elegant wine.

WEBSITE: domainedangerville.fr PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

CHASSAGNE MONTRACHET 1ER CRU, LES GRANDES RUCHOTTES, 2011 COUNTRY: France (Burgundy) COLOR: white TASTING: A floral scent, soft on the nose, but providing a crisp acidity to the palate. A structured wine with a polished, refined finish and an unbelievable capacity to accentuate food flavors; and most certainly a great wine to have at the beginning of a meal.

WEBSITE: none PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

PULIGNY MONTRACHET 1ER CRU, LES CHAMPS GRAIN, 2010 COUNTRY: France (Burgundy) COLOR: white TASTING: Pure hints of yellow flowers and ripe peaches. An amazing balance between the purity of fruits and the use of oak, bringing a greater level of complexity to the wine. An example of great winemaking.

WEBSITE: francois-carillon.com PRICE: between 100 and 200 $

MEURSAULT, LES MEIX CHAVAUX, 2007 COUNTRY: FFrance (Burgundy) COLOR: white TASTING: Offering an unbelievable level of purity, wine cannot get clearer than this.

Thanks to their intense flavors and a highly targeted approach, the wines from this estate always manage to bring out the individual characteristics of each terroir.

PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

6 WINE TASTING

CONQUERING FRANCE’S TERROIRS

PATRICE FRANK

Did you know that French vineyards produce 3240 different wines and that it has 16 large vineyards? In fact, the diversity of the French climate, associated with countless terroirs, is particularly conducive to wine-growing. Patrice Frank offers us a varied selection.

CHÂTEAU DE MÉCRUES

CHÂTEAU DALMERAN

CHAMPAGNE MOUTARD

“ICÔNE WOW”, 2009 COUNTRY: France (Cahors) COLOR: red TASTING: On a limestone scree terroir, the Malbec gives us a great wine here. On the nose, it is marked by very mature dark fruits. The mouth is powerful, rich and highly balanced. It goes ideally with game dishes (woodcock, partridge).

WEBSITE: chateaudemercues.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

CUVÉE “MMX”, 2010 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: red TASTING: Blended with grenache, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, this lovely red wine from the south provides hints of cherry and strawberry. It has a fresh and delicate mouthfeel and is easily digestible. We can drink it gently cooled.

WEBSITE: dalmeran.fr PRICE: under 20 $

“CUVÉE 6 CÉPAGES”, 2008 COUNTRY: France (Champagne) COLOR: white TASTING: An original cuvée due to its blend of 6 grape varieties including petit meslier and arbane. A beautiful straw yellow color. We have notes of honeysuckle, citrus and jasmine.

The mouthfeel is delicious and perfectly balanced. An ideal accompaniment to white meats.

WEBSITE: champagnemoutard.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

Hôtel de Paris***** • Monaco www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com Head Sommelier at the Hôtel de Paris, Patrice helps manage the world’s biggest hotel cellar (600.000 bottles).

A Master Sommelier, he is President of the Association Monégasque des Sommeliers.

CHÂTEAU HAUT NOUCHET

CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR DE BOÜARD

2013 COUNTRY: France (Pessac-Léognan) COLOR: white TASTING: The Briset family produces a very elegant white wine from 70% sauvignon. It has citrus and green apple notes.

The mouthfeel is gently woody and ends with a nice freshness and high minerality. Ideal with seafood.

WEBSITE: hautnouchet.com PRICE: under 20 $

2010 COUNTRY: France (Lalande-de-Pomerol) COLOR: red TASTING: A beautiful winery bought in 1998 by the Boüard family. He we discover a wine made with 80% merlot. The nose is dominated by crunchy red fruits. The mouthfeel is elegant and soft with well-integrated tannins. Consume with small game.

WEBSITE: lafleurdebouard.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

WINE TASTING 7

JULIA SCAVO Consultant Sommelier - World’s 5th Best Sommelier 2013 - Europe’s 3rd Best Sommelier 2013 - Central Europe Sommellerie Champion 2012 - “Master of Port” Finalist 2012.

GAVAISSON ESTATE

DOMAINE GAVOTY

CUVÉE “INSPIRATION”, 2013 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: white TASTING: Covering 3.93 ha and organically certified, the estate produces only exceptional white wines in two cuvées: “Inspiration” and “Emotion”. The bewitching nose shows a fine floral veil with soft, creamy accents upon a pure, aniseed base. The fresh, delicate mouthfeel is carried by citruses, with all their essential zests. The wine reveals a precise, mineral finish.

WEBSITE: gavaisson.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

CUVÉE “CLARENDON”, 2010 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: white TASTING: The nose immerses us into a deep world, almost to root level with its mineral aspect, releasing an aeration of mild fruits, such as apple. The harmonious, silky mouthfeel oscillates between freshness and a soft touch. The fruit makes way for salty sensations, which tinge the long, precise finish.

WEBSITE: gavoty.com PRICE: Between 20 and 50 $

AN OVERVIEW OF THE JEWELS OF PROVENCE We often associate Provence with rosé, while trying to solve a complex problem.... But the rosé is just one piece of the puzzle....Julia Scavo guides us to the hidden face of Provence, with its white and red jewels, some of which are highly confidential! Let’s set off to discover them.

CHÂTEAU LA TOUR DE L’EVÊQUE CUVÉE “PÉTALE DE ROSE”, 2015 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: rosé TASTING: The intense nose reveals a bouquet of little forest fruits, sweet strawberry, accompanied by licorice and a touch of salt. A broad, delicate and palate slightly spiced with zestiness. Its finish contains pink pepper scents with licorice accents.

WEBSITE: toureveque.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

TURENNE WINERY

CLOS SAINT-VINCENT

CUVÉE “BASTIEN”, 2015 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: Red TASTING: The expressive nose is adorned with sweet cherry scents, with a fleshy register where the garrigue mingles with licorice. The mouth provides a silky touch, juicy material that coats the still firm tannins. Spicy, full-bodied, the finish evokes herbs and spices.

WEBSITE: domaineturenne. com PRICE: under 20 $

CUVÉE “LE CLOS”, 2014 COUNTRY: France (Provence) COLOR: Red TASTING: Fresh and characterized by its wild touch, it delivers herbs and spices with nuances of cherry on a floral base. The satiny mouthfeel is sprinkled with notes of cinnamon and clove. The tannin blends into its flesh. Concentrated and substantial, abundant in finesse.

WEBSITE: clos-st-vincent.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

8 WINE TASTING

FROM WASHINGTON TO CALIFORNIA

CHRISTOPHE ORLAREI

L’ECOLE NO 41

SEA SMOKE

AD VIVUM

ST FRANCIS

DELILLE CELLARS

“APOGÉE”, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2010 COUNTRY: United States (Washington State) COLOR: red TASTING: The Apogée vineyard, planted in terraces within deposits from the last ice age, is one of the valley’s most famous vineyards.

It features subtle notes of prune, black cherry and raspberry and intense flavors of blackberry and plum. A very elegant wine with a beautifully persistent finish.

WEBSITE: lecole.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

“SOUTHING”, PINOT NOIR, 2013 COUNTRY: United States (California) COLOR: red TASTING: 100 % Pinot Noir, aged for 16 months in French oak barrels. Intense and concentrated.

It has aromas of smoked black cherry and mineral notes.

Accompanied by subtle spiced and earthy notes, the wonderfully integrated tannins enrich the hints of red berry and offer an elegant and spicy mid-palate.

WEBSITE: seasmoke.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2012 COUNTRY: United States (California) COLOR: red TASTING: Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. This wine combines power and finesse with a rich, soft core with flavors of dark black raspberry, mocha and tobacco leaves. The mouthfeel slowly unfolds to reveal a velvety tannin with fine grains with a mineral-enriched blackberry palate.

WEBSITE: advivumcellars.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

RESERVE, ZINFANDEL, 2012 COUNTRY: United States (California) COLOR: red TASTING: This vintage is a combination of Zinfandel of the valley and hills in the extreme north of Dry Creek Valley. Fully aged in oak barrels. A strong and rich wine with elegant notes of red plum and spicy cherry.

It features an intense dark red color that brings a fresh and particularly persistent mouth finish.

WEBSITE: stfranciswine.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

“CHALEUR ESTATE”, 2014 COUNTRY: United States (Washington State) COLOR: white TASTING: 75 % Sauvignon Blanc, 25 % Sémillon. An ultra-chic and elegant style, with notes of fresh lemon, stone, vanilla, white peach and floral touches. Its incredibly creamy texture offers a wonderful mouth finish with superimposed layers of guava, lemon cream and a crisp acidity.

WEBSITE: delillecellars.com PRICE: under 20 $

© Pol Baril

Did you know that viticulture has existed in the United States since the sixteenth century ? And today there is wine production in the fifty States of the Union?

Christophe Orlarei invites us to discover the wines produced in the states of California and Washington.

Waldorf Astoria***** • New York www.waldorfnewyork.com Back in New York, having spent 5 years in Hong Kong where he was Head Sommelier at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and occupied a managerial position at ASC Fine Wines, he manages the wines and spirits division of three restaurants in the Waldorf Astoria.

DO YOU KNOW CHARLES HEIDSIECK? The man or the champagne?

Little does it matter, the two are inseparable! Charles was an inveterate traveller, a loud-mouthed, free-spirited dandy.

A look at the past...1822 Charles-Camille Heidsieck comes into the world. At 29, Charles changed his course of destiny and founds the House he wanted to reflect his image. But for this creative cosmopolitan, his desires know no limits, the world awaits him. 1852. America! Faithful to his intuition, Charles leaves to tread this promised land, a country still devoid of any champagne businesses. The future would prove him right.... www.charlesheidsieck.com

10 WINE TASTING

AROUND THE WORLD IN FIVE WINES...

JÉROME FAURE

Jérôme Faure delivers a selection of wines from around the world that he has had the chance to taste recently. Both fine and elegant, they are perfect for uncorking with friends over the summer.

MAS AMIEL

DOMINIO DE BIBEI

OLIVIER RIVIERE VINOS

2013 COUNTRY: France (Maury) COLOR: red TASTING: From the carignan variety, from a vine planted in 1990, the wine exudes gooseberry and sweetly spiced aromas. The palate is moderately structured to perfectly accompany roasted guinea fowl.

To be decanted.

WEBSITE: masamiel.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

2010

JEQUITIBÀ, 2013 COUNTRY: Spain (Rioja) COLOR: white TASTING: The Macabeo grape variety vinified in sherry casks gives this very expressive wine with aromas of yellow fruits, papaya, mango and toasted almonds. The palate is broad and sensual. This great wine will amaze you with sweetbreads, tripe, or Iberian ham.

WEBSITE: olivier-riviere.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

COUNTRY: Spain (Ribeira Sacra) COLOR: red TASTING: A charming wine with notes of woodland strawberries, cherries and peppery basil. A frank, linear attack. An elegant, mineral mouthfeel, beautifully balanced and crowned by a light bitterness. A gourmet wine for the summer. Pairs well with veal or white meat.

WEBSITE: dominiodobibei.com/ web/index.html PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

Constance Hotels & Resorts***** • Mauritius www. constancehotels.com Corporate sommelier of the Constance Hotels & Resorts Group in the Indian Ocean managing a tea, of 54 sommeliers. President of the Sommeliers of Mauritius. Knight of the Order of Merit and Master Sommelier.

ESCARPMENT CHARDONNAY 2012 COUNTRY: New Zealand (Martinborough) COLOR: white TASTING: A chardonnay dressed up as a burgundy, with notes of white fruits, peach, pear and almond. A frank and balanced palate with an acidic finish and a well-mastered woodiness which complements shrimp or trout meunière.

WEBSITE: escarpment.co.nz PRICE: under 20 $

MASSOLINO BAROLO 2011 COUNTRY: IItaly (Barolo) COLOR: red TASTING: This new generation of Barolo, with more accessible tannins, provides us with olfactory pleasure; ripe fruit, plum, crushed strawberries and some spicy nuances. This wine offers us a beautiful finesse with a pleasant tannin grain. Ideal with a rack of lamb.

WEBSITE: massolino.it PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

WINE TASTING 11

DISCOVERING SWISS WINES

PAZ LEVINSON www. pazlevinson.com Consultant Sommelier Best Sommelier of the Americas 2015, Best Argentinian Sommelier 2010 and 2014, Paz represented Argentina, his country, in the “World’s Best Sommelier” competition in 2016.

Recently, Edmond Gasser and Vincent Debergé, two French sommeliers living in Geneva organized a tasting of Swiss wines in Paris.

Paz Levinson, who attended this event, brings us a few wines from his selection.

GÉRARD DORSAZ

LES CURZILLES

DOMAINE LOUIS BOVARD

CAVE DES AMANDIERS

DOMAINE DES BALISIERS

MA PETITE ARVINE, 2014 COUNTRY: Switzerland (Valais) COLOR: white TASTING: This is a very beautiful expression of Petit Arvine. Its freshness is magnificent, lively and very pure. Its mid-palate texture is slightly oily, with abundant floral wisteria notes, jasmine and white peaches. This is a very precise, punctuated wine. I love this style of wine with touches of white peaches and marinated crab.

WEBSITE: gerarddorsaz.ch PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

2014 COUNTRY: Switzerland (Vaud) COLOR: white TASTING: This wine comes from a parcel which also houses Chasselas, Pinot Gris, Doral and Riesling plants. I particularly like the mixture of whites such as the Austrian Gemitcher Satz. This wine has energy; it combines a vigorous acidity with an array of flavors ranging from lemon, to peach through to brioche and almonds.

PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

ILEX, 2014 COUNTRY: Switzerland (Vaud) COLOR: white TASTING: If you want to know just how far the complexity of Chasselas can go, look no further than this wine. If I had performed a blind tasting of Ilex 2014, I would probably have concluded that it was an Anjou Blanc from a very good producer. This wine has waxy aromas of honey and candied lemon and touches of white flowers. Amazing!

WEBSITE: domainebovard.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

CORNALIN, 2013 COUNTRY: Switzerland (Valais) COLOR: red TASTING: Alexandre Déletraz’s cornalin grape comes from a little parcel composed of 100% gneiss. Concentration and excellent texture. The tannins are ripe, moderate and fine grained.

The black fruit flavors explode in the mouth, adding a slight touch of spices and floral aromas, such as violets.

WEBSITE: cavedesamandiers.ch PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

COMTE DE PENEY, 2011 COUNTRY: Switzerland (Geneva) COLOR: red TASTING: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc finely combined. This wine offers a perfect combination of earthiness, smoke and tobacco with flavors of black fruits; the fruit of a long aging process in clay amphorae. It is a perfect balance between these different components, without the need for any additions.

WEBSITE: balisiers.ch PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

12 WINE TASTING

BETWEEN MÂCONNAIS AND BEAUJOLAIS…

FABRICE SOMMIER

Between the Burgundy coast in the north and the Beaujolais in the south, the Mâconnais winery in France takes its originality from its very fractured relief. There are 43 appellations of which the best known is perhaps that of Pouilly-Fuissé.

Fabrice Sommier guides us and invites us to discover a selection of white wines...

ERIC FOREST POUILLY-FUISSÉ, 2014 COUNTRY: France COLOR: white TASTING: The wine has a beautiful intense golden yellow color and bright reflections. A lemon and white fruit nose with a bergamot edge. The palate is elegant and round. A fine example of the 2104 vintage to be served with a veal chop with morels.

WEBSITE: ericforest.fr PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

ALAIN DELAYE ESTATE POUILLY-LOCHÉ, 2014 COUNTRY: France COLOR: white TASTING: It is a brilliant light yellow color with golden hues. It offers a nose of candied fruits, gentian and lemon. The mineral palate offers an expression of flint and a dense finish. A wine which pairs perfectly with fried fish from the banks of the Saône.

WEBSITE: none PRICE: under 20 $

ROGER LASSARAT WINERY SAINT-VÉRAN, 2014 COUNTRY: France COLOR: white TASTING: It is a brilliant light yellow color with green hues.

Its nose is of white fruit and infusions such as verbena. The attack is fresh with a hazelnut finish. A fine wine to be served with pike quenelles with Nantua sauce.

WEBSITE: roger-lassarat.com PRICE: under 20 $

Georges Blanc***** • Vonnas (France) www. georgesblanc.com Head Sommelier and Restaurant Manager at the Georges Blanc group. Meilleur ouvrier de France 2007, he scooped the Master of Port 2010 award as well as the Best cigar pairing at the Habano sommelier 2013 and 2014 competition.

DOMAINE D’AZENAY

CHÂTEAU DU CHATELARD

MÂCON VILLAGES, 2015 COUNTRY: France COLOR: white TASTING: A beautiful pale color with silvery highlights. A nose of white fruits with a plum dominance. The mouthfeel is fresh and supple with a round, elegant finish. A beautiful pairing with Bresse chicken in a cream sauce.

WEBSITE: none PRICE: under 20 $

BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2014 COUNTRY: France COLOR: white TASTING: A beautiful brilliant pale yellow color. A nose of white and yellow (melon) fruits and citruses. A dense attack with freshness and a slightly salty iodine finish. A gourmet pairing with a jellied oyster and Osetra caviar.

WEBSITE: chateauduchatelard.com PRICE: under 20 $

WINE TASTING 13

DISCOVERING THE “MOON MOUNTAIN”

CHRISTOPHE TASSAN The Battery • San Francisco (USA) www.thebatterysf.com “Meilleur ouvrier de France 2004” as a sommelier, Christophe Tassan has lived and worked in the United States for over 10 years.

He is Head Sommelier at The Battery, a select San Francisco club.

Napa Valley and its wineries are today the second most popular tourist destination after Disneyland. A discovery through Christophe Tassan’s selection of the most recent “Moon Mountain District” appellation.

HAMEL FAMILY WINES

KAMEN WINES

KORBIN KAMERON

GUNDLACH BUNDSCHU

WINERY SIXTEEN 600

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 COUNTRY: United States (Napa Valley) COLOR: red TASTING: An intense, dark color with prominent purple glints. A generous aromatic expression with strong red and black wild fruit nuances. Herb notes (sage, bitter plants), exotic spices. A rich structure, beautiful length of fresh tannins. Concentration and grain.

WEBSITE: hamelfamilywines.com PRICE: between 100 and 200 $

SYRAH, 2013 COUNTRY: United States (Napa Valley) COLOR: red TASTING: Colored intensely purple with bluish reflections.

Dark legs. A complex aromatic expression with a range of dark fruits ((blackberry), spices (nutmeg, licorice), and wildtasting (leather), almost bloodlike. The wine texture is majestic and supple. A great length and a strong after-taste.

WEBSITE: kamenwines.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

MERLOT, 2012 COUNTRY: United States (Napa Valley) COLOR: red TASTING: A bright, dense purple with lively hues. The wine is open, offering plenty of red fruits and flowers (violet, rose). An amazing expression of fresh grapes. In the mouth, the wine is lively and frank. The melted tannins ensure a pleasant balance. A delicious yet solid finish.

WEBSITE: korbinkameron.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2013 COUNTRY: United States (Napa Valley) COLOR: red TASTING: An intense dark color with violet reflections. Dense and creamy. A discreet but complex expression. The wine delivers aromas of berries, bay leaves and fine wood vanilla. The mouth reveals a reassuring dense, tannic structure. A mellow, wellcoated nature.

WEBSITE: gunbun.com PRICE: between 50 and 100 $

ZINFANDEL, 2012 COUNTRY: United States (Napa Valley) COLOR: Red TASTING: A dark red of a beautiful intensity, garnet hues. Intense fruity aromas characteristic of the grape variety (strawberry jam, blackcurrant, raspberry liqueur, orange peel).

A well-integrated, spherical and highly aromatic palate. A persistent freshness on the finish.

WEBSITE: winerysixteen600.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

14 WINE TASTING

AN ESCAPADE INTO THE VINEYARDS OF ALSACE The Alscace wine route is one of France’s oldest wine routes covering 105 miles of vineyards. The wines produced are essentially white (under the appellations Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru). As the months of July and August are the ideal months for wine festivals, Eric Zwiebel shares his collection with us.

DOMAINE LAURENT BARTH MUSCAT, 2013 COUNTRY: France (Alsace) COLOR: white TASTING: An aromatic, floral nose. An expression of lychee, nutmeg and grape. A broad, fruity mouthfeel presenting a great deal of freshness.

WEBSITE: none PRICE: under 20 $

MARC TEMPE ESTATE PINOT BLANC “ZELLENBERG”, 2012 COUNTRY: France (Alsace) COLOR: white TASTING: A discreet and complex nose with aromas of white fruits such as peach, apricot and exotic fruits. A broad palate, with strength and mineral structure.

WEBSITE: marctempe.fr PRICE: under 20 $

DOMAINE AGATHE BURSIN GEWURZTRAMINER “DIRSTELBERG”, 2012 COUNTRY: France (Alsace) COLOR: white TASTING: An exuberant and expressive nose dominated by rose petal, mango and passion fruit. Generous on the palate with a touch of residue and fat.

WEBSITE: None.

PRICE: under 20 $

ERIC ZWIEBEL Summer Lodge***** • Evershot www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk Europe’s Best Sommelier (finalist in 2006 and 2008) World’s Best Sommelier (finalist in 2007, 4th in 2013 and representative of England in 2016)

MADER ESTATE

MURÉ ESTATE

RIESLING GRAND CRU “ROSACKER”, 2011 COUNTRY: France (Alsace) COLOR: white TASTING: A fragrance of citrus, pink grapefruit, with a mineral structure and gunflint. An intense mouthfeel with a mineral and vigorous edge.

WEBSITE: vins-mader.com PRICE: under 20 $

PINOT NOIR “V”, 2012 COUNTRY: France (Alsace) COLOR: red TASTING: A crushed red fruit nose dominated by notes of cherries, copper, clove and undergrowth. An elegant, delicate mouthfeel.

WEBSITE: mure.com PRICE: between 20 and 50 $

CANTENAC BROWN, A SCOTTISH ANCESTOR GRAND CRU CLASSÉ IN 1855 In the early nineteenth century, John-Lewis Brown (1769-1851) bought an estate in France, near Bordeaux and decided to build in the town of Cantenac an English Renaissance-style castle to remind him of his Scottish origins. His name will remain forever attached to this Grand Cru Classé.

Surrounded by a remarkable English-style park, the property is since then one of the most original in Médoc. Since 2006, the Simon Halabi family has given new impetus to this great vineyard, managed by José Sanfins, with the ambition of taking it to the very highest level. www. cantenacbrown.com

PHILIPPE FAURE-BRAC World’s Best Sommelier 1992

DISCOVER THE TASTINGS OF THE WORLD’S BEST SOMMELIERS

PHILIPPE BOURGUIGNON France’s Best Sommelier 1978

PHILIPPE JAMESSE

Head Sommelier, champagne expert

ERIC BEAUMARD

GÉRARD MARGEON

Vice-Best Sommelier in the World 1998

Head Sommelier for Alain Ducasse

OLIVIER POUSSIER

DAVID BIRAUD

World’s Best Sommelier 2000

World’s 2nd Best Sommelier 2016

ENRICO BERNARDO

World’s Best Sommelier 2004

SHINYA TASAKI

World’s Best Sommelier 1995

DISCOVER THROUGHOUT THE ISSUES OF OUR MAGAZINE AN EXCEPTIONAL OENOLOGICAL HERITAGE THE MOST MAJESTIC COGNAC AND CHAMPAGNE HOUSES, THE GREAT CHATEAUX AND ESTATES. THE TASTING NOTES OF THE GREATEST SOMMELIERS, THE LEGENDARY CELLARS OF THE STARRED RESTAURANTS, THE AUCTIONS OF THE FINEST BOTTLES.