October 2022

Eugenio Collavini Winery – Part ll – Tasting the wines of Friuli’s ‘Lord of Ribolla Gialla’

…continued from Part l [ https://www.liz-palmer.com/eugenio-collavini-winery-part-l/ ]

Collavini brings together two contradictory practices: making wines in pioneering styles and at the same time drawing on indigenous varieties that have grown in Friuli for centuries. Blending innovation with history! It’s a formula that works.

Grape Varieties

Collavini’s focus is on local indigenous varieties, including Ribolla Gialla, Pignolo, Schiopettino and Fruliano, as well as some international varieties, particularly for sparkling wines.

Collavini Wines Tasted

Ribolla Gialla Spumante Brut Millesime 2018
Ribolla Gialla 100%

Brilliant straw yellow colour with slight green reflections with fine and persistent effervescence. A delicate and fine olfactory delight, with scents of nectarine, figs, green apple with some mingling mineral notes. In the mouth it is very fresh, rich in structure, with infinite nuances, including citrus with a long aromatic persistence.

Villa Canlungo Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia 2021
100% Pinot Grigio

The organoleptic analysis shows a pale straw color with vague copper reflections. The bouquet is varietal and floral with sweet citrus notes. On the palate, it is well balanced with delicate savoury notes enveloped in a silky texture and delivers a long, elegant finish.

T-Friulano DOC Collio 2021
100% Friulano

Straw yellow with greenish highlights. Penetrating fragrances of flowers , honeysuckle and pear, which is echoed on the dry, full-bodied palate. Fresh acidity with a long aromatic length.

Refosco Pucino DOC Friuli Venezia Giulia 2020

100% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso

A beautiful violet hue, with a fresh and vinous bouquet: the varietal fruity perception of wild blackberry and raspberry with subtle hints of licorice. The harmoniously balanced palate has a faint background of herbaceous notes leading to a fresh and elegant finish.

Broy DOC Collio 2019
40% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon, and 50% Friulano

The organoleptic examination of this sensational Friulian wine shows A saturated straw-yellow color with slight green reflections. Intense and persistent nose of ripe tropical fruit, honey, orange peel and flowers. The palate has a powerful and long body is wonderfully balanced with pleasant notes of minerality.

Pignolo DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2012
100% Pignolo

Stunning ruby red colour. A very distinctive nose offering ripe red fruits, dark chocolate. and spice, which follows through to the palate. A medium-full body wine – try and elegant with a long finish.

Thank you “Collavini Team”… I certainly enjoyed this experience!

#collaviniwines #eugeniocollavini #studioCru #makeyourmark #madeinitaly #italianwine #italianwinelovers #italiansparklingwine #vino #winetasting #collliodoc #winetravel #winelife #friuliveneziagiulia #collavinimethod #rosso #colavini

2023 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards London/Hong Kong

I’m so thrilled to be associated with this organization, and to be “nominated” to be a judge for the 2023 Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards London/Hong Kong.

The organizers state: “Your work in the industry is recognized by the Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards™”

The judging date is November 11th, 2023 and the wines and spirits will be judged by some of the world’s most influential female wine marketers, buyers, retailers, and sommeliers.

The wine business has discovered the exciting importance of women consumers. Some facts:

80%of wine is purchased by women (Women and Wine Study, Vinexpo)
Over 60% of wine is consumed by women (Women and Wine Study, Vinexpo)

#wwsa #womenswineandspiritsawards #wineawards #awards #women #womenbuyers #winetasting #womeninwine #womenspirits #wines #instawine #winejudge #winetime #winelife #winelovers #womeninwinebusiness #winetrade #winenews

Mumm Releases Tasmanian Sparkling Wine

Maison Mumm has joined with Pernod Ricard Winemakers Group White and Sparkling Winemaker Trina Smith to create a Tasmanian sparkling wine.

The newest sparkling wine in the Mumm Terroir range, Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige, joins the Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige and Mumm Marlborough Vintage Rosé from New Zealand that launched in 2020 to great accolades.

Tasmanian sparkling wine sales in the domestic off-trade have grown at an astronomic rate over the past two years, from $46million in July 2020 to $74million in July 2022.

Smith worked closely with G.H. Mumm Chef de Caves, Laurent Fresnet, to perfect Mumm Tasmania, with Fresnet travelling to Australia to see the 2022 vintage wines and the quality of the vineyards in northern Tasmania.

Fresnet said: “Maison Mumm has been celebrating pinot noir from the terroir of Champagne since 1827. Partnering with Trina opened up knowledge of the terroir and producers to source the best grapes. With Mumm Tasmania, we are revealing a new expression of pinot noir, with the same quest for the utmost quality, and in line with Maison Mumm’s style.”

Smith said: “I was thrilled to introduce Tasmania as the region to source grapes for our Terroir series and couldn’t wait to collaborate with Laurent Fresnet. There’s no better Australian region for sparkling wine, and I look forward to sharing this new release with sparkling wine appreciators around the nation.”

Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige is produced using méthode traditionnelle, the same process used by Maison Mumm. A complex, long and demanding practice that allows the wines to fully develop a wealth of flavours.

Mumm Tasmania emphasises this sophisticated style with complex aromas of warm spices and red berries balanced by delicate acidity, resulting in a refined wine with powerful length.

Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige is available from late October for RRP $40, joining Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige RRP $40 and Mumm Marlborough Vintage Rosé RRP $45.

#mummsparklingwine #sparklingwine #winesoftasmania #MaisonMumm #MummTasmania #sparklingwinelovers #winenews #wine #winelovers

Harvesting White Wines of Bordeaux with Jean-Christophe Darriet of Château Dauphiné-Rondillon

Some History
Château Dauphiné-Rondillon has been in the hands of the same family for eight generations. The Darriet Family history began in 1798 when Alfred Darriet started making sweet wine on the Loupiac property, using grapes affected by botrytis. Eight generations later, siblings, Sandrine and Jean-Christophe carry on the family tradition.

Vignobles Darriet currently own six châteaux: Château Dauphiné-Rondillon, Château Rouquette, Château Moutin, Château des Gravières, Château Les Tourelles and Clos du Château de Cadillac.

I had the amazing experience to harvest with owner/winegrower Jean-Christophe Darriet to hand-pick a few rows of vines of botrytized Semillon from the Château Dauphiné-Rondillon property.

Botrytis Cinerea or Noble Rot
I learned that harvesting botrytized grapes is a rigorous process that includes several passes to ensure that the grapes have the maximum noble rot when harvested. The grapes should contain over 45 g/L of residual sugar. Botrytis cinerea, or “noble rot” – is a necrotrophic fungus that helps concentrate the sugar in the grapes which increases the intensity of flavors through the wines. Depending on the location of the vineyard, some grapes could have higher acidity which makes the wine seem less sweet – this is all measured. The goal is to balance the acidity and the residual sugar. When this is accomplished, it makes the wine more favorable to be a versatile food wine.

Some of the yields are lower throughout the region following heat, drought, and hailstorms during the growing season. The CIVB cited ‘attractive but small berries’ and healthy vineyard conditions during the crucial flowering period and for harvest.

After experiencing this traditional method of handpicking we headed over to the historic tasting room to savor and experience the Cuvée d’Or Château Dauphiné-Rondillon 2015. What an amazing experience!

#vignoblesdarriet #loupiac #sweetwines #cadillac #bordeaux #winetasting@charmeu_usa @charmeu_canada and @vinsblancsdebordeaux_usa #enjoyitsfromeurope #euAgriPromo #MadeintheEU #thecharmingtasteofeu #charmeu #loupiac #cadillac #saintmacaire #cerons #saintecroixdumont #bordeauxsuperieur #premierescotesdebordeaux #bordeauxmoelleux #bordeauxwine#bordeauxlover #madeinfrance #wine #winelover #travelling #traveldiaries #winelife #winetourism #winedestinations #winetasting #sweetbordeauxwine #sweetbordeaux #stunningviews #harvest #harvesttime

AOC Entre-deux-Mers – the wine region between two rivers that is steeped in history

Frédéric Roger, Director of AOC Entre-deux-Mers gave a wonderful and detailed presentation to US/Canadian journalists and wine importers on the Entre-deux-Mers region yesterday at Wine Syndicate and House of Entre Deux Mers Wines, 16 rue de l’Abbaye, The Sauve, 33670. Following the presentation was a three-hour “speed dating” with 10 local winegrowers, owners and producers so we can taste and learn about their wines – this was followed by a massive plate of oysters and light lunch.

Firstly, the Entre-Deux-Mers is a large region located 80 km southeast of the City of Bordeaux, and secondly, it is situated between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers.

Each winegrower, owner and producer expressed with exhilaration and passion the typicality of their terroir. Their individual wine portfolios were also as diverse as their huge and wonderful personalities – this was a wonderful experience!

Some History
The Benedictine monks (in the Middle Ages) established the terroir and wines in this region. In 1079, Gérard de Corbie founded the Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure. The monks cleared the forest, planted the vines and worked to improve farming methods. It’s interesting to note that they established trade with England during this period.

The Abbey of La Sauve is today the property of the State and was officially classified in 1998 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

White Grape Varieties

According to the AOC Entre-deux-Mers regulations, the wines must be blended, with a minimum of two white grape varieties.

Sauvignon – this variety creates a more lively wine, with powerful aromas and brings to the nose fresh scents of citrus fruits, grapefruit, passion fruit, underlined by wild plants, acacia flower, and boxwood.

Muscadelle – this variety brings floral and fruit notes and flavours, and at the same time contributes to the complexity of the wines.

Sémillon – offers notes of flowers, white and yellow fruits, pears, white peaches, and at the same time offers suppleness and roundness in the mouth. As a young wine, it is subtly discreet and reveals itself and expresses its aromas as it ages.

Sauvignon Gris – gives aromas of exotic fruits and fatness to the wine.

By the Numbers:

Entre-deux-Mers is an appellation that covers over 1,700 hectares of vines
94% of the surface area has adopted an environmental approach [Environmental Adaptation].
There are 300 winegrowers
There almost 10 million bottles sold each year.

Historical dates :

1937 : the year the Entre-deux-Mers Appellation was established.
1953 : the year the decree defines new production conditions and designates the white grape varieties that will make up the blend: Sauvignon, Sémillon and Muscadelle [September 23 1953]

#vinse2m #vinsentredeuxmers #histoire #abbayedelasauvemajeure #entredeuxmerstourisme #girondetourisme @charmeu_usa @charmeu_canada and @vinsblancsdebordeaux_usa #enjoyitsfromeurope #euAgriPromo #MadeintheEU #thecharmingtasteofeu #charmeu #loupiac #cadillac #saintmacaire #cerons #saintecroixdumont #bordeauxsuperieur #premierescotesdebordeaux #bordeauxmoelleux #bordeauxwine#bordeauxlover #madeinfrance #wine #winelover # #winelife #winetourism #winedestinations #winetasting #sweetbordeauxwine #sweetbordeaux