母親節的小禮物 Small gift for Mother's Day - Brown Brothers Muscat

Something little, something sweet.

My helper is always the most caring so she already sent flower bouquet for my mum's birthday. What should I do?

No doubt, a bottle of wine. This has to be  little and decent as my mum is not a wine buddy.

Few tips on how to make the gift looked customized and decent:

1. Sweet, not too sweet

2. Small, woman like cute gifts

3. Decorations, I did buy a little wrapping to wrap it up

4. Easy to consume

5. Affordable

So a screwcap semi sweet half bottle Brown Brother Muscat becomes the choice. I bought some fancy accessories to wrap it like a necklace and here we go.

Honey, citrus peel and floral sweetness dominant wine. Simple and welcoming bouquet impressed mum easily. She loves it so much. I propose her to sip it daily when she is enjoying little Chinese dessert such as floral squares or biscuits. 

Happy Mother's Day~

Price: $117 at Wine-searcher.com

Branding grape varietal

We should be proud of Australian who are so cooperative and passionate about their grapes. They are not just loving it, they believe it.

In 10 years time Shiraz becomes a popular grape varietal that is well known across general Hong Kong citizens.

Given this is not easy to pronounce word (well slightly easier than Cabernet Sauvignon) and appear in different forms: Syrah, Sirah, people still relate Shiraz to Australia.

Great effort. Looking at other less known grape variety: Chenin Blanc, petit Syrah. They are with similar or longer history than Shiraz. Yet They have appeared in the market for quite a while yet without strong presence or coverage like supermarket and restaurants. They then can't beat Sauvignon blanc Chardonnay as easy drinking white.

Thanks to the power or marketing. Constant select as the topic on wine magazine, huge promotion on wine competition results, pair Shiraz with Australia. Good branding made image equivalent to history.

A further extention of this example is GSM - stands for Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre. Easy to remember, easy to market. Now most of the people will link the direct competitor of Australia with Rhone Valley, not the other way round. Again, power of marketing. The more union the winemakers in doing these, is this blue sea method?

Bonheur - the long missing wine buddies are back!

Remhoogte Estate Wine 2004

Africa Stellenbosch
Produced by Michel Rolland and Auguste Natter
Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage

Looking at winery like this (the view above),  african wineries are worth paying a visit, espeically when
famous Bordeaux oenologist - the influential Rolland effect is the producer!

Dry body, with strong hint of "corn" and cranberries. Fruity and easy drinking style. Stronger black current in palate. The acidic and tannin tangle on my tongue for a while and gone. Mimic bordeaux style however the aftertaste needs to catch up.
Not sure if 2004 is a matured vintage to drink for Stellenbosch.

Food Pairing: Goes so well with 36 months parma ham and melted Parmesan cheese. My choice of typical Foie Gras will be better for even stronger cab dominant wine. And the pan-fried scallop is quite a highlight as the inside is still very fresh and meaty. Even pan-fried seafood pairs quite well with this wine.

Eight Heritage 2007

The only 'winery' in Hong Kong - The 8th Estate Winery. Located in Aberdeen, blending grapes from all over the world trying to see if this works out in a non-grape growing city. This was bought during last visit organized by company event.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington USA

Spicy nose. Classic cab flavour, peppery. Fuller body 1 hour later. Stronger dark chocolate with certain bitterness as back bone. This pairs better with Foie Gras. Since we did not do the food pairing this time, majority of us picks the tomato fish soup, which is an innovative dish. The blended fish brings context and chewiness to the tomato soup that you can't imagine they are perfect match. 

Salad's vinegar actually spoils the acidity of the wine. Suggest not to have salad with vinegar as an option.

Mount Mary Quintet 2006
Yarra Valley Australia
Producer: Dr. John Middleton
Grape: Blend - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, others...

Almost majority of the Australian wine producer are either retired lawyer or doctor, probably because during their work / life they have a lot more chance to get in touch with wine than anybody else.

This was bought 4 years ago at slightly below $400. As the highest grade "excellence" of Langton's ranking, my last impression was a very powerful shiraz that I would definitely revisit with no doubt.

This time, it feels like stranger to me. It tasted different from before, a much weaker wine. Due to the Cabernet Franc element, the cassis and cloves aroma is quite welcoming, with a garnet color. Once drink it through, the structure is fair, yet the body is medium and fruitiness makes it looks like a medium level wine instead of excellent one for investment. It suppose to last till 2024+ from Robert Parker. I have strong doubt to this, fingercross that is only a storage issue. Mild aftertaste and goes best with the black juicy pork tonight. The juicy thick and gigantic pork.

Pavie Macquin 2007
St. Emilion Bordeaux
Grape: Bordeaux blend - Merlot, little Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt.

Not only Pavie Macquin, Nicholas is also the producer of Larcis Ducasse, Les Chares Godard, Puygueraud and La Prade - all are representative and famous on its own.

From latest Decanter note, it says this wine is light and early drinking. Well, hang in there... as we had it breathed for 2 hours that it starts evolving. I love evolving wine, it's like drinking several wines. 1 price, 3 tastes, great!

Hint of malt and wheat. Clear red berries, plummy and licorice with silky end. Medium body. Flavor gets richer and intense only in mid way of palate. It comes to the peak when we came to the cheese platter part, that's... 4 hours. Long lengthy aftertaste 

Lovely marriage with pork as the mild juicy pork melt with macquin. This Grand Cru Classe B has earned its best rank among 5 wines of the night, also it's the most expensive wine of the night. ($720)

Lascomes 2008
Chateau Lascomes, Margaux, Bordeaux (Grand Cru Classe 2nd Growth, First wine of the chateau)
Grape: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly others.
Owner: Marcel Kahn

This is the 1st wine I stole from Dad's wine cellar that brought me to the world of grand cru classe. (without knowing the price by then) I was hardly scolded and told not to touch any wine. That refrains me from wine for quite a while until... I buy the permit to drink (with a wine cert -- a real ticket).
Silky texture, full body, not much leather, and again this is peppery and black fruit with chocolate flavour at the end.

After years of drinking a wide range of wine, I would say this is a regular choice. It won't fail you, especially if you go for wine with steak and mash potato. Sometimes I would prefer you go for Chevalier de Lascome (2nd wine of Chateau Lascombe) at around $250 which makes a reasonable price and daily joy too.

Mango Napoleon itself is the signature dish of Bonheur. It stands well by itself, or with coffee. Hard to enjoy in good manner, with friends... we just love it!

Dornfelder 2009
Grape: Dornfelder Germany Red grapes for red wine

Easy drinking and surprisigly good match with anything mad eof vanilla, in the case with apple tart and soft center chocolate cake. The unique boysenberry sweetness makes the apple tart and chocolate cake like topped with berries , fill out the missing part of it.

We all use the remaining wine from previous mentioned to match the cheese and grapes~ That brings the lone dominant flavour and character of the wines. No doubt why cheese platter always served parallel with 'desserts' -- to revitalize , revisit and wrap up our impression to all our wines.

Welcome back my drinking buddies. Looking forward to more themes in our wine gatherings. Enjoy~

Restaurant: Bonheur

Address: 22-26 Bonham Strand, 6F, The Pemberton, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Phone: +852 2544 6333

Map:

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Petaluma - Good with range managment

One thing I always think Yellow Tail and Wolf Blass have done wrong is on adopting the same label name entering different range of market.

E.g. you will see wolf blass selling $26 in convenience store, $100 in supermarket and $399 for the premium version. Indeed, using different coloring: red label, blue label, black label, platinum label...
who cares if they don't look into details? They count by whatever they see the most -- the lower end ones.

In Hong Kong, what the conglomerates do is to wear different brands targeting different industries, different segments so that at the end of the day, residents don't even realize they are surrounded by the same company: supermarket, convenience store, electric stores, real estates, gas station, airlines...all are owned under one.

Petaluma in fact did our way: the 2 brands way.

Petaluma carried 37 years of history, and in the name of Petaluma town. 

Croser and Petaluma are the 2 lines - one concentrating on sparkling wines, another targeting the mid range supermarkets and hotels. 

Comparing to the Adelaide hills, Petaluma is slightly commercial, in a sense that it provides own restaurant called Bridgewater Mill, right next to watermill view. 

When serving, the long bench breaks the ice among visitors and the hosts, with piano upstairs serving as a background soundtrack. Though this couldn't be concluded as warm welcoming, it is decent enough to hold huge wine tasting event in here.
 

After the hectic driving day we barely catch the last tasting batch. Tasting note:

2008 sparkling: strong aromatic nose, acidic n dry, bitter end, stone n citrus  fruit, high alcohol, slight yeast/ biscuit 

5/10

2008 rose 100% Pinot noir

Nose is more acidic, floral

Taste: strawberry hint, balancing end, fruity light end, 

6/10

2011 Riesling super light white

Peach pear aroma pungent fresh

Simple, petrol, flat, 

3/10

2009 viognier like green

Nose Leather smell, gasoline cigar hint

Taste: woody, balance, savory, crisp

6/10

2009 Chardonnay

Nose: little gamey

Taste: lengthy aftertaste, gamy, oaky, hint of peachy as a finishing

8/10

2008 cab merlot

Nose: blend half

Taste: well balanced, chalky, tannin of cab, hint of oak, merlot's smoothness, cherry n berries on the end

8/10

2010 Shiraz

Nose perfume pear lime

Shiraz: peppery, mild, spicy, balance not strong character end 

6/10

I am quite interested with Petaluma project. Anything they can share more with would be good.

Vineyard Visit - inside view of Adelaide Hills

Well, this is nothing about the inside story of whoever's family, not even tiny about the history how a family owned vineyard grow the vines to become the gold trophy of whatever competition.

This is about life of running a vineyard through lens.

Most of the vineyard owners in Adelaide are retiring from lawyers, doctors. Instead of having a very commercial display at the frontdoor, like Robert Mondavi or D'arenberg. (Will elaborate the art / magic of it in separate blogpost).

This looks village like, and that's how I love it. Homely, family run. No need to hide, no need fancy. Well, while I am taking these photos, owners were out...wide open. Friend open arms~

You can see the busy life running the vineyard, from:

Clearing the webs from vines...

Pasting labels

Doing the finance

Taking pictures for webpage display

Not that they have time to make a good outlook for their trophies!!!

They'd rather put focus onto handmaking the brands with wires

Workplace with a view like this...

That is what impresses me working in the vineyard. This is reflecting the true meaning of life, coordination with nature and enjoy what is growing from the deeds in the hill.

Around the world in 10 sips

Opening the cellar: Errazuriz Gruaud Larose; Llyod; Monbuesquet, Krug...

Namely a series of fantastic collections.

Reluctance to drink, coming from within: Can't finish -> Leave it till tomorrow -> Declining -> $ wasted...

Strong withdrawal, cellar door closed by demons.

Have been thinking of several options to avoid the forementioned:

1. Get everyday wine (throw same $ to sea)

2. Half bottle: better option, yet my thirst level hasn't reached that yet

Shop around lately in IFC, Amo Eno is a digital menu ordering bar selling wine bottles and accessories for wine geeks like me. 

Place with good deal in Languiole chic glassware, corkscrew and Wine Samples!!! 

Current offers are limited to California wines. Guess old world may not like it as they are all screwcap, yet for taster like me, I would buy a set home.

For a snail home the sample set is good pick as miniature display, authentic consumable collectables. Perhaps worth more than the stamps later (US is using stickers instead of
stamp now. Hinting the loss of value in old stamps?)

Well, who told you product design doesn't matter for wine? Though you can't tell what it tastes like from the design of the bottle, the product outlook matters.

Recalling my last trip to Mornington Peninsula where I went to a vineyard called "10 minutes by tractor" for wine dinner. The appetizer pairs with tasting sample of latest wine issue, in TESTTUBE form! Impressive that I actually brought it home.

This is such a good way of showing customers every bit of the vineyard, especially for those in Australia where buying various land planting different vines are common practice. The presentation of test tube depicts the meaning of "testtube" the best combo of the vines.

Dining experience at 10 minutes by Tractor

If there is a sample set created, I would like to order a set called "Around the world in 10 sips".

BYOB Blind Tasting #1 - Pinot Noir at Twyst

To learn tasting the truth of each grape, blind tasting would be the best way.We did prepare well by wrapping our bottle with aluminium foil. Special thanks to our waiter who help us recording the numbering of the bottle so that we can't tell the wine even from the wrapping of it. Now you know why I desperately look for free corkage restaurant. Let me know if you have any.

After this fascinating and extraordinary event that wow my friends and I, I decided to hold this event regularly called BYOB - Bring your own bottle where I setup the topic every time and a limit to the blind tasting bottle so that the more people we have, the wider range we can share.

Wine of Australia by James Halliday (2005) - Amazing Forecast is realized

 

This book was published in year 2000, then revised in 2003 & 2005 respectively. Compared to the Australian Wine Companion, it definitely would not contain as much information. It would more or less be a wine route guide for beginner travelers.

Interesting to see this book as a trace to the route of how James has nurtured his style of writing, redesign of content structure leading to his success in his Australian Wine Companion. If you look into this book, not much information to make you determine which vineyard to visit really, except his personal stars (1 * to 5 *****) that's really it. Slightly covering the family tree, yields, address, and type of wine famous didn't really arouse your interest much.

What you should look into INSTEAD is to see his capability of forecast. AMAZING! For those which rank as 3-4 *** / **** with a "V" next to it, representing "Denotes a winery whose wines are particularly well priced in the context of their quality". They after a decade of the issuance of this book, all become 5 *****!!! Some examples below:

Wine Dinner with Online Seafood Delivery – Ocean Three

Such a vast growing trend on seafood online order & delivery service in Hong Kong in recent 2 years; people who have source on seafood wholesale will offer online delivery to cut cost and sustain freshness of seafood. As a wine-ie and foodie (do we have a funky name for wine luvers?) of course time to throw a party!

Wine of the day #4 – Tellurian Tranter Shiraz 2010 Heathcote Victoria Australia

Assessment of Quality

Used to be outstanding quality, when it was just opened. However after 7 days, the alcohol length is much shorter, and the flavor is not as strong and intense when it was first drunk.

It can still be identified that 7 days before it should be the star drunk. The gamy flavor is speculated in the nose, not in the flavor. The loss of peppery days later indicate the wine cannot mature for too long. 10 years would be max. This is the signature wine of Tellurian which was picked in Tranter Road Vineyard, illustrating through the blend of French oak and American oak barrique aging by wine maker Tobias Ansted to give both front and mid palate a smoother taste. 7/10

Dragon of Wine for 5 Descendants of the Dragon

Dragon – the symbol of dignity, auspicious power and respect. Chinese people are represented as “Descendants of the Dragon”. Not only is this the year of Dragon, it is also the 5^th Dragon cycle (every 12 years), which is why we had an opulent dinner, celebrating 5 dragons’ 60^th birthday.

So-called “no-budget” wine dinner ^^, I was responsible for wine selection and food pairing. Here’s the sumptuous Dragon Wine list:

1.      Billecart Salmon Extra Brut NV (France - Champagne)

2.      TaittingerPrelude Brut  NV(France - Champagne)
3.      Meursault 2006 (France – Burgundy)
4.      Caymus Special Selection 2003 (USA – Napa)
5.      Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2006 (France – Bordeaux)
6.      Errazuriz Kai 2009 (Chile – Aconcagua Valley)
7.      Niepoort Port 1952 (Portugal - Douro)
8.      Kay Brothers Amery Rare Muscat (Australia - McLaren Vale)


Level of difficulty : *** (5* is the hardest)
Before you click more, let's guess how the food matching was done?

Wine of the day #3 - Stefano Lubiana Pinot Noir Tasmania 2009

Assessment of quality

Excellent quality, especially after decanting. After 3 days, the velvet tannin is evolving and the flavour intensity is much stronger with a very long aftertaste. The leathery and gamy flavour stands out  with a sumptuous structure. The licorice taste swells in the mouth, however not sure it is popular among people on the mixing palate of licorice and leather. It can last for at least 20 - 25 years. Time to store some. The only question left in thought is whether young Australian wine would illustrate secondary note when decanted? Guess this is the beauty of Pinot Noir, similar to Burgundy's complex region.

Wine of the day # 2 - Coriole Lloyd Reserve Shiraz 2008

Assessment of quality

Outstanding quality, after 6 days or during the first opening the complexity and balance of body have not gone tired, the secondary note of smoke gamey and tar express more and more after days of opening. It has the quality of a french oaky old wine while only having 4 years of aging in the bottle. Amazingly good. Strong and lengthy aftertaste. The jammy liquid suggests strong concentration. Excellent quality and should worth a higher ranking than excellent in Langton's Classification.

Wine of the day # 1 - Pierro L.T.C 2010

Assessment of quality
Very good quality, due to balanced body with high concentration and outstanding complexity of fruit, floral and mineral. Flavour is getting more and more intense from nose to palate to aftertaste.
An outstanding Australian wine , can identify because the character of semillon and sauvignon blanc 's typicity is clear in the note.