Category: Articles

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

 

Sweet Bordeaux Wine and Food Pairing Master Class 

Sweet Bordeaux Wine and Food Pairing Master Class 

Ms Emma Baudry of Union des Vins Doux de Bordeaux gave an amazing Master Class tonight at a charming historic chateau in Cadillac on Sweet Bordeaux wine along with food pairings – what a wonderful experience and a great surprise.  Watch this space for the full report.

@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 #winepairing #sweetbordeauxwine g #sweetbordeaux

How to start off an evening in London ….

How to start off an evening …… with a coupe of Barons de Rothschild ‘Reserve Ritz” Brut NV, at the Rivoli Bar at the Ritz London – what can I say?

This is one of my favorite cocktail lounges in London.  It’s intimate and decadent with an art deco interior inspired by the Orient Express.

#champagne #champagnelover #champagnelife #instachampagne #wine #winelovers #aboutlastnight #travelling #onlyinlondon #winetravel #winetravels #traveldiary #traveling #theritzlondon #RivoliBar #drinks #londoncalling #michelin #luxuryhotels #champagnebaronsderothschild #baronsderothschild #metime

Eugenio Collavini Winery – Part l

The History
Eugenio Collavini is one of the original, pioneering wine producers in Friuli-Venezia Giuli. Not only was Collavini the first in the area to introduce many different styles and techniques to the region, he also revived Ribolla Gialla and created the first sparkling wine from this varietal.

The history of Eugenio Collavini is quite interesting – beginning with the founder, Eugenio Collavini, who supplied wine to stores and noble families back in 1896, followed by his son Giovanni who led the wine estate and business through both world wars. The next generation, Manlio Collavini, who was Giovanni’s son, move the wine business to Corno di Rosazzo and where he introduced “advanced science of oenology” as well as established the head office with the purchase of a XVI Century Manor.

Manlio Collavini is a true pioneer and one of the most respected producers in Italy and is best known for reviving Friuli’s renowned autochthonous grape variety Ribolla Gialla, and bringing Friuli wines to global markets. Here are some of his accomplishments:

  1. Producing a new Pinot Grigio [fermented off the skins] vinified in white;
  2. Began bottling in transparent Bordeaux bottles [to show the pale and bright colours of his wines];
  3. In 1971 he created lI Grigio [trending sparkling wine/from Pinot Grigio grapes]; and
  4. At the end of the ‘70s he produced sparkling Ribolla Gialla, his biggest success to date! [this variety is rare and an ancient native Friuli variety] – this is known as the “Collavini Method”.

The wine estate remains family-owned and continues to be managed by Manlio and his two sons Giovanni and Liugi.

Dachshund Image in Corporate Branding
This logo is a symbol of love between Manlio Collavini and his first dachshund “Ribolla”, who has since passed and is now a tribute.  You will find Ribolla on the Pinot Grigio label.

Location
The wine estate is located in Corno di Rosazzo, with the vineyards being located in both Collio and Collio Orientali DOC appellations.  These two DOCs have had the highest accolades and awards in Friuli. Collio has an abundance of hills, slopes and terraces and is on the border of Slovenia. Collavini currently has 170 hectares under vines and produce 1.5 million bottles/year, with 50% being exported to 50 international markets.

Soil and Climate
Friuli has unique soil and climatic conditions.

The soils here consist of layers of marl and sandstone or ponca – this imparts salinity and a slight mineral edge to the wines.  Ponca is composed of marine fossils from the Adriatic Sea.

Winegrowing in Friuli is marked by the meeting of mountain and sea, rain and wind. This region exists on the edge of the Mediterranean climate, where summers are warm, springs threaten frost, fall is typically rainy, and vintage variation can be considerable

Grape Varieties:
The focus is on local indigenous varieties, including: Ribolla Gialla, Pignolo, Schiopettino and Fruliano, as well as some international varieties, particularly for sparkling wines.

Continues with …Eugenio Collavini Winery – Part ll – Tasting through the range with Luigi Collavini

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