Leone de Castris Salice Salentino DOC 2001 - Tasted on 23 & 24/Jun/06

Tasting Date: 23rd (1st bottle) & 24th June, 2006. (2nd bottle)
Venue: Home
Name of Wine: Leone de Castris Salice Salentino DOC 750ml
Vintage: 2001
Region: Salice Salentino, Puglia
Country: Italy
Alcohol level: 13%
Cost: HK$143 (From Citysuper)

23/6 - Corked!!! Obviously tainted by cork & no fruit but vinegar on palate.

24/6 Tasting notes:

Appearance ~ Bright & Clear, medium ruby core fading to a pink rim. Noticeable legs.

Nose ~ Clean, medium intensity & slightly aged. Red cherries, red plums, liquorice, earthy & savoury.

Palate ~ Dry, high acidity, low-medium level of ripe tannins. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Sour cherries, still some red fruit. Spicy & faintly floral. Medium alcohol level but only a short-medium length of bitter finish.

Comments ~ A simple, straight-forward wine with no complexity. Yet still an enjoyable everyday drinking wine, but must drink with food (being so acidic).

Rizzi Fondetta Barbaresco DOCG 2001 - Tasted on 23/Jun/06

Tasting Date: 23rd June, 2006.
Venue: Home
Name of Wine: Rizzi Fondetta Barbaresco DOCG 750ml
Vintage: 2001
Region: Salice Barbaresco, Piedmonte
Country: Italy
Alcohol level: 14.5%



Tasting notes:

Appearance ~ Bright & Clear, medium ruby core fading to a garnet rim. Noticeable legs.

Nose ~ Clean, medium intensity & slightly aged. Red cherries, dusty, earthy, spicy & floral.

Palate ~ Dry, mouth-watering crisp acidity, medium level of soft tannins. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Sour cherries, red cherries, liquorice, floral (violets), hint of cedarwood. Medium alcohol level & a medium length of finish.

Wine Dinner at KCC on 16/June/06

Tasting Date: 16/Jun/06

Venue: Kowloon Cricket Club

Organized by: Dr. Peter Au-Yeung

Number of Wines Tasted: 11

Country of Wines: 9 France, 1 South Africa & 1 Switzerland

France regions: Burgundy & Bordeaux

Wine: Chateau Villa Bel Air

Region / Country: Graves, Bordeaux, France

Vintage: 2003

A.b.v.: 12.5%

Tasting Notes:

Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of lemon colour core, with a broad watery rim

Nose ~ Clean, medium-intensity, youthful aromas. Citrus, mineral, buttery.

Palate ~ Dry, high acidity. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Mainly citrus, mineral, oak & smokey.

Wine: Albert Pio Chablis
Region / Country: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2000
A.b.v.: 13%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, very pale intensity of lemon green colour core fading to a broad watery rim
Nose ~ Clean but weak-intensity, youthful aromas. Tropical, pineapple, apple, vegetal & grassy.
Palate ~ Dry, medium level of acidity. Light-bodied & medium intensity. Citrus, lime, grapefruit, apple & slightly animal (to my surprise actually!!)

Wine: Saint Aubin
Region / Country: Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2000

A.b.v.: 12.5%

Tasting Notes:Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of lemon-green colour, few legs.

Nose ~ Clean, medium-intensity, youthful aromas. Buttery, creamy, perfumed, floral, white flowers.

Palate ~ Dry,crisp acidity. Light-bodied & medium intensity. Oak, butter, toasty, slightly perfumed.

Main course: Lamb chop

Starter: Smoked Salmon

Wine Dinner at KCC on 16/June/06

Wine: L'esprit de Chevalier
Region / Country: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 1999
A.b.v.: 13%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of lemon-green colour, few legs.
Nose ~ Clean, medium-intensity, slightly aged bouquet. Vegetal, fresh cabbage, seaweed.
Palate ~ Dry with medium acidity. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Salmon, buttery, dusty & earthy.

Wine: Chateau La Louviere
Region / Country: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 1997
A.b.v.: 12.5%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of gold colour, few legs.
Nose ~ Clean, medium-pronounced intensity, slightly aged bouquet. Dried fig, ripe apples, floral.
Palate ~ Off-dry with medium acidity. Light-bodied & medium intensity. Dried apples, dried fig, very ripe fruit & flowers. High alcohol & medium-long length.

Wine: Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Le Cailleret
Region / Country: Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2002
A.b.v.: 14%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of lemon colour, few legs.

Nose ~ Clean, medium intensity, youthful aromas. Citrus, buttery, vanilla, mineral.

Palate ~ Dry with crisp acidity. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Grapefruit, lime, some oak & a bit creamy. Medium-high alcohol & medium length of finish. A very enjoyable, good quality premier cru.

Wine: Chateau Smith Havt Lafite
Region / Country: Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 1997
A.b.v.: 12.5%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, medium intensity of gold colour, few legs.
Nose ~ Clean, medium-pronounced intensity. An aged bouquet comprises of aromas like tar, roasted coffee beans, toasted nuts & chestnuts.
Palate ~ Dry with low-medium acidity. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Roasted nuts & tar follow through, with obvious oak. Bitter finish. High alcohol & medium length.

Wine: Domaine Vincent Girardin Meursault Les Narvaux
Region / Country: Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2002
A.b.v.: 13.5%

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, pale intensity of lemon-green colour, few legs.
Nose ~ Clean, weak-medium intensity yet youthful. Citrus, steely & minerally.
Palate ~ Dry with crisp acidity. Light-bodied & light intensity. Citrus, stone fruit ~ pear, mineral. Medium alcohol level & medium length. A relatively simple wine.

Wine: Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion
Region / Country: Pessace-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2003

Tasting Notes:
Appearance ~ Bright & clear, opague intensity of a ruby core fading to a pinkish rim. Few legs.
Nose ~ Clean, medium intensity, youthful. Red fruit, mainly redcurrants, strawberries, confectionery, tea leaves.
Palate ~ Dry, medium acidity. Medium-bodied & light-medium intensity. Low-medium level of soft tannins. Fruity, with abundant raspberries & red cherries. Very easy-to-drink. Not a very complex wine but enjoyable & food-friendly.

Wine: Excelsior Paddock Shiraz
Region / Country: Robertson, Breede River Valley, South Africa
Vintage: 2004
A.b.v.: 14%

Remarks: Breede River Valley is located at the South Coast of South Africa. Along the Breede River, Robertson has a lot of limesone, which is ideal for Chardonnay. Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon do well here too.




Wine: Truttiker Barrique Pinot Noir Eigenkelterung Rebgut W. Zahner - Schelling Truttikon
Country: Switzerland
Vintage: 1998
A.b.v.: 13%

Wines tasted during the Wine Dinner at 嚼江南 on 15/6/06

Tasting Date: 15/Jun/06
Venue: 嚼江南 - 沙田新城市廣場第三期
Organized by: 阿橋
Number of Wines Tasted: 5
Country of Wines: France
Region: Bordeaux Left Bank

Wine: Gonet Grande Reserve Brut
Region / Country: Champagne, France
Vintage: NV

Wine: Chateau Haut-Franquet

Region / Country: Moulis, France

Vintage: 1995

A.b.v.: 12%

Tasting Notes:

Appearance ~ Bright & clear, medium intensity of ruby colour core fading to a garnet rim

Nose ~ Clean but weak-intensity, aged bouquet. Red fruits, dried prunes.

Palate ~ Dry, low level of acidity. Low-medium level of soft tannins. Medium-bodied & medium intensity. Dried cherries, oak, plums.

Wine: Chateau Croizet-Bages

Region / Country: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Vintage: 1998

Tasting Notes:

Nose ~ Clean, pronounced-intensity, slightly aged aromas. Dried prunes, dried orange peels, slightly gamey, obvious oak.

Palate ~ Dry, medium level of acidity. High level of ripe tannins. Full-bodied & medium intensity of complex flavours. Blackcherries, blueberries, tea leaves, slightly earthy. Oaky, hints of redcurrants. Complexity of flavours with medium level of alcohol, but a very long length of finish.

Wine: Chateau Beychevelle
Region / Country: St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 1999

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Bright & clear. Medium intensity of ruby core fading to a garnet hue rim.

Nose ~ Clean, medium-intensity, slightly aged aromas. Animal, wet wool, wet leaves, leather, oak & cigarbox. Savoury.

Palate ~ Dry, medium-high acidity. Medium level of ripe tannins. Medium-full-bodied & medium-high intensity of subtle flavours. Red fruit, raspberries, leather, floral & cigarbox. Savoury flavour follows through. Silky textured.

Wine: Chateau Gruaud Larose

Region / Country: St. Julien, Bordeaux, France

Vintage: 1999

Sémillon in Australia

A comparison between Hunter Valley & Margaret River Sémillon

The white grape Sémillon…
- Golden grape variety
- Features as the main grape in the legendary sweet wines of Sauternes
- Rich, concentrated, lusciously sweet flavours
- Wax, honey, orange marmalade, burned toast
- Without oak, wines are light & zesty when young, but develop delicious toasted aroma with age

Hunter Valley Sémillon...

- Lower Hunter Climate ~ Warm & humid
- Style: Full-bodied, age-worthy
- Traditional Hunter Valley Sémillon does not appear to be much of a classic
- A young Sémillon looks watery in the glass, vaguely aromatic & lemony tang
- Striking acidity & dryness
- Unoaked & low-alcohol
- With age, a gorgeous golden toastiness, become rich & complex
- The high acidity of its youth keep the wine firm as it ages
- Can be kept for a decade or more, but is enjoyable after 5 yrs

Margaret River Sémillon...

- Climate ~ Maritime-influenced, with ocean winds moderating the warm climate. Overall, relatively cooler than Hunter Valley
- With a more temperate climate, Sémillon is often tropical with a herbal edge, rounder in flavour than the Hunter Valley version
- In cooler years, offer grassy herbal notes & an edgy acidity
- Capable of ageing
- Usually blend with Sauvignon Blanc ~ fruity with a generous palate
- Some producers have them barrel-fermented for more complexity

Provence - Wines & Regions

Climate:
- Mediterranean, with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine annually.
- Rainfall concentrated in spring & autumn
- Mild winters, but allow full vine dormancy

Topography:
- Proximity to the sea & careful vineyard sitting on southern expositions

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Red Grapes:

1) Syrah
- Full-bodied, perfumed, age-worthy
- Endowing Grenache with life expectancy
2) Mourvedre
- Deep-coloured, powerfully flavoured, opague colour & intense licorice
- Intense fruit, perfume often redolent of blackcherries
3) Carignan
- Tannic, rustic, robust deep colour, simple red berry
- High in everything: Acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness
4) Grenache
- Juicy, high alcohol, cherry & pepper-flavoured
5) Cinsault
- Light, soft, perfumed, Spicy, Pale-coloured
6) Cabernet Sauvignon
- Full-bodied, deep-coloured, blackcurrant


White Grapes:
1) Grenache Blanc
- Dull, slightly peppery, spicy
2) Vermentino
- Dry, spicy
3) Bourboulenc
- Fine, acidic, hint of smoke
4) Semillon
- Wax, honey, orange marmalade, burnt toast, fat
5) Ugni Blanc
- Bland, high acidity
6) Chardonnay
- Versatile, flavoursome
7) Clairette
- Dull, flabby, alcoholic – maderize easily



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Principal Viticultural Hazards:
- Wind ~ Mistral

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AOC’s:

1) Bellet
- The cool hill sites are su8ited to the production of fresh, aromatic whites mainly from Vermentino

2) Côtes de Provence
- 80% of production is rosé
- 20,000ha under vine
- Rosé is made mainly from Cinsault & Grenache

3) Coteaux Varois
- Inland away from the coast & all at a higher, cooler altitude
- Wine style: A little more intense

4) Bandol
- Most serious appellation in Provence
- Rosé provides the volume
- Red that arouse interest
- Style: Steely, tannic, with a herbal nuance & good ageing potential
- Elevation up to 1,300 ft
- 3,000 hours of sunshine ripening the grape
- Sea breezes temper the heat
- Condition ideal for Mourvèdre ~ 50% of the blend for red
- Wine has to be aged in cask for a min 18 months

5) Cassis
- Producing mainly white wines
- Style: Fresh, but low in acidity
- Demand locally

6) Palette
- Distinctive limestone soil called calcaire de Langesse
- Red, White & Rosé – benefit from bottle age
- Style: Firm, minerally whites; long-lived reds

7) Coteaux d’Aix en Provence
- Rosé ~ mainstay: 55%
- Red ~ 44%
- White ~ 6%
- A diverse range of grapes is permitted
- Style: Fresh, sound rosés with a certain depth & intensity

8) Les Baux de Provence
- AOC for reds & rosé
- Whites still labelled as Coteauz d’Aix en Provence
- Vineyards located at the foothills of the Alpilles Mountains
- Cabernet Sauvignon ~ max 20%
- Style: fruity reds with a little tannic grip

Languedoc-Roussillon - Wines & Regions

Climate:
Mediterranean, Hot, dry summers and mainly winter rain

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Red Grapes:

1) Syrah
- Full-bodied, perfumed, age-worthy
- Endowing Grenache with life expectancy
2) Mourvedre
- Deep-coloured, powerfully flavoured, opague colour & intense licorice
- Intense fruit, perfume often redolent of blackcherries
3) Carignan
- Tannic, rustic, robust deep colour, simple red berry
- High in everything: Acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness
4) Grenache
- Juicy, high alcohol, cherry & pepper-flavoured
5) Cinsault
- Light, soft, perfumed, Spicy, Pale-coloured

White Grapes:
1) Grenache Blanc
- Dull, slightly peppery, spicy
2) Marsanne
- Flavours of marzipan & almonds, full-bodied with low acidity, plenty of character
3) Rousanne
- Finesse, fruity, crisp, acidic
4) Macabeo
- Fairly characterless, useful for blending
- Vaguely floral character, relatively low acidity
5) Bourboulenc
- Fine, acidic, hint of smoke


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Principal Viticultural Hazards:
- Storms; humidity; weather fluctuations

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AOC’s:

1) Costieres de Nimes
- Politically & administratively embraced by the Rhône
- The easternmost of the Languedoc appellations.
- Climate is one of the hottest in France.
- The land low-lying
- Soil: covered with large pebble stones (galets roules), like those in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, that radiates heat at night, which encourages ripening.
- Wine style: fleshy, powerful reds, similar to those of the Southern Rhone

2) Coteaux du Languedoc
- 15,000ha under vine
- 90% red & rosé
- Wine style: fresher in cooler area, & bigger & bolder in warmer area that reaches the Mediterranean seaboard. Overall theme: ripe concentration, vigor & a nuance of herbs
- Soil: Rocky
- 3-tier hierarchy established: Generic -> Subregions -> AOC

3) Minervois
- Huge, south-facing. Hilly terrain
- Climate: Warm, dry
- Atlantic influence in the west near Carcassonne
- Cooperatives ~ particularly important here!
- Wine style: Full, fruity, firm & long-lived

4) Corbières
- Mix of mountain & valley with areas of sparse, rocky terrain
- Wine Style: Full bodied, meaty

5) Fitou
- AOC for red wine only
- Produced in two within Corbière
- Vines grown in the rugged, hilly interior are more structured & capable of ageing
- Vineyard bordering the Mediterranean - less structured & less age-worthy

6) Cabardès AOC & Côtes de Malepère VDQS
- Two most westerly appellations of Longuedoc-Roussillon
- Wine style depends on blend
- More Cab. Franc + Cab. Sauvignon – leaner, firmer, black-currantly, like SW France
- More Grenache offers more Mediterranean warmth

7) Limoux
- AOC for white wine mainly from Chardonnay
- Blanquette de Limoux – sparkling – 90% Mauzac
- Cremant de Limoux – sparkling – more Chardonnay
- Climate: Cool, Atlantic influence
- Topography: Hilly
- Therefore encourages good balance & acidity in white grapes

8) Côtes du Roussillon & Côtes du Roussillon Villages
- Climate: Hot & Dry
- Land swept almost continuously by the northerly Tramontane wind
- Wine Style: Rich, warm, plummy
- Cotes du Roussillon Villages – Superior ~ more spice & concentration, softer texture
- “Villages” ~ Grapes sourced sp. from hill sites in the valleys to the north
- 4 communes for “Villages” label: Caramany, La Tour de France, Lesquerde, Tautavel

9) Rivesaltes & Maury
- Climate: Hot & dry
- Historical reputation for strong, sweet fortified vin de naturel
- Rivesaltes VDN ~ Red, white, occasionally rosé
- Rivesaltes Ambré comes from white
- Rivesaltes Tulié from min. 50% red Grenache
- Above two ~ Both are aged in barrel for 2 years
- “Hors d’Age” ~ wine has been aged for at least 5 yrs
- Maury ~ strong, tannic, Grenache-based VDN produced in the north, aged for a few years before bottling

10) Banyuls & Collioure
- Steep, sun-baked hills
- Terraced vineyards at 6,000km of dry stone walls
- Banyuls ~ France’s finest fortified wine
- Vintage Banyuls, labelled Rimage ~ bottled early
- Banyuls grand cru ~ 75% Grenache, at least 30mths ageing in barrel
- Collioure ~ Dry & full-bodied

Greece - Wines & Regions

Climate:
Mediterranean, with cooler continental influences in the mountains.

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Soil:
Limestone subsoils on the mainland & volcanic soils on the islands. Low fertility.

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Red Grapes:

1) Mavrodaphne
Two styles:
a) Of Pátras – Port-like dessert wine
b) Dry style – For blending ~ aromatic yet powerful
2) Xynomavro
- Acidic, a good wine for ageing
- Seem harsh in youth but age well, e.g. Naoussa
- Used as a base for sparkling wines on the cool, high vineyards
- Style ~ relatively soft but have good acid & attractive bite
3) Limnio
- Produces a full-bodied wine with good level of acidity
4) Agioghitiko
- Second most planted red, after Xynomavro
- Blends well with other varieties, e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon
- Also produce good-quality rosé
- Style ~ Fruity but can lack acidity
5) Mendelaria
- Powerful speciality
- Often blended with the much softer Kotifali
- Third most planted red in Greece
- Thick-skinned, therefore high tannins & deep coloured

Pinkish White Grapes:
1) Rhoditis
- Sensitive to Powdery Mildew
- Ripens late & keep its acidity well even in such hot climate
- Also ripen well in high-altitude vineyards
- Often blended with the softer Savatiano, particularly for Retsina
2) Moscophilero
- Deep pink-skinned
- Strongly perfumed
- Spicy
- Name like Italy’s Vespaiolo, indicates insects are drawn to these ripe grapes
- Strong flavour similarities with Muscat

White Grapes:
1) Assyrtiko
- Top quality
- Useful because it can still retain acidity in hot climate
- Can compensate relatively low acidity of Savatiano
2) Robola
- Distinctly powerful
- Lemony, dry
- High acidity
- High extract
3) Savatiano
- Most common wine grape
- Light-berried
- Low acid
- Most common ingredient in Retsina
- Drought resistant
- Produce well-balanced dry whites
4) Debina
- Lightly sparkling
- High acid
- Tendency to oxidation


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Principal Viticultural Hazards:
- Drought, sudden storms

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Major Wines:

Retsina
- Produced throughout the Greece
- Main centres of production ~ Attica & Euboea
- Principal grape: Savatiano, may blend w/ a small amt of Rhoditis to increase acidity
- Made in exactly the same way as any dry white wine, except liquid Aleppine resin is added to the must during fermentation.

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Wine Regions:

1) The Peloponnese
a) Nemea AOQS
- Grape: Agioghitiko grown on red soils
- Barriques used, semi-carbonic maceration for Nemea Nouveau
b) Mantinia AOQS
- Grape: Moscophilero
- Fresh, dry, aromatic, slightly spicy
- Or with extended maceration, to yield a simple but fruity rosé
2) Central Greece
a) Zitsa AOQS
- Grape: Debina
- The only QWPSR of Epirus
b) Metsovo
- Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon + Agioghitiko
- Greece’s highest vineyards
3) Thessaly
a) Ankgialos AOQS
- Grape: Rhoditis + Savatiano
- Dry White
b) Rapsani AOQS
- Long lived, concentrated
c) Macedonia
- Xynomavro thrives at all altitudes, dense, tannic, long-lived
- Whites – Rhoditis, Assyrtiko draw supreme freshness & acidity
- Condition for fine wine production ~ southeastern slopes, altitude of between 200-350m, no serious lack of rain, winters are cool enough
d) Thrace
- Best whites from Malvasia, soft, fruity, freshly perfumed
e) Cotes de Meliton AOQS
- White & reds ~ made with a mix of Greek + French varieties, e.g. Cab.
f) Goumenissa
- Cool summers mean the dominant grape Xynomavro difficult to ripen
- Winemakers blend the wine with Negoska
g) Naoussa
- Must be aged for at least 1 year in oak
- Traditionally in old wooden casks
- Experimenting with new & small barriques
- Vineyard development: A system of defining the better slopes
- Awarding them Grand Cru status

Bulgaria - Wines & Regions

Climate:
Continental in the north & Mediterranean in the south, Maritime on the Black Sea coast
***********************************************************************
Red Grapes:
1) Gamza
- Tendency to Grey Rot
- Habit of ripening riskily
- Productive
- Fine, tannic, full-bodied, worth ageing
2) Mavrud
- Intense, tannic, robust
- Small berried, low-yielding
- Responds well to oak ageing
- Age rather fast
3) Melnik (Shiroka Melnishka)
- Powerful
- Extract, tannic, alcoholic
- Aroma of tobacco leaves
- Small berries, thick & blue-skinned
- Warmth, resembles Chateauneuf-du-Pape
- Longevity
White Grapes:
1) Misket
- Grape-scented
- A crossing of the native Dimiat & Riesling
- Red Misket ~ also used for perfumed white wines, is probably a pink-berried mutant
2) Dimiat
- Producer of perfumed everyday whites of varying levels of sweetness
- Yield copper-colored grapes in great quantity
- Wines should be consumed young & cool
3) Rkatsiteli
- Most important white grape variety in Bulgaria
- Well adpated to particularly cold winters
- Providing a base for a wide range of wine styles
- Distinguished by a keen level of acidity
- Good sugar levels
- Longevity
International Grape Varieties:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay

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Principal Viticultural Hazards:
- Fungal Diseases ~ treated by Sulphur Sprays & Bordeaux Mixture

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Wine Regions:

1) Black Sea Region (Formerly Eastern Region)
- Heart of white wines
- Climate moderated by Black Sea
- Noted on the international markets for its white - Chardonnay ~ acidic, fresh & aromatic
- Designated regions
- Burgas
~ Muscat Ottonel, Aligote, Ugni Blanc, some Chardonnay, Cab, Merlot
- Lujen Briag
- Kralevo
- Khan Krum / Novi Pazar / Preslav / Shumen
~ High priced, Chardonnay, oaked, barrel fermented, S. Blanc, Gewurz, Riesling
- Vama
~ Aromatic whites: Chardonnay

2) Danube Plain Region (Formerly Northern Region)
- Runs from Vidin in the north west across to Russe & south to Balkan foothills
- Generally continental, slightly cooler overall than those regions in the south
- Therefore gives wines with a degree of elegance
- Wineries
- Russe
~ Whites + Reds
~ Cabernet Sauvignon from Yantra Valley
- Suhindol
~ Specializes in reds
~ Particularly Gamza
~ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Svishtov
~ Specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon

3) Struma Valley Region (Formerly Southwestern Region)
- Mediterranean climate
- Produces a large volume of white wine, made from Rkatsiteli
- But the reds (by Cabernet Sauvignon & Melnik) feature more often in the export markets
- Melnik
~ Grown on nearby rugged hillsides
~ Concentration
~ Longevity

4) Thracian Valley Region - West & East (Formerly Sub-Balkan & Southern Region)
- East
~ Continental climate
~ Red Misket is important here, in both dry & medium styles
~ Chardonnay is successful too, full, creamy flavours balanced by fresh acidity
- West
~ Moderate continental climate in the west
~ Benefits from rainfall throughout growing season
~ Red varieties dominate production
~ Home to indigenous Mavrud
~ Rich, fruity Merlots

Wines of United States - North Coast California - Napa Valley

Napa Valley

----------------------------

1) Rutherford

Soil: Gravelly loam & well-drained benchlands at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains. Richer soil near Napa River.

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Style: Sumptuous wines of great profundity & longevity

Remarks: Highly sought after & expensive

2) St. Helena

Geography & Cimate: Immediately north of Rutherford. Slightly warmer.

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Style: Striking elegance as well as richness

3) Oakville

Climate: Slightly fresher than the farther north (the previous two AVAs)

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Wine Style: Cabernet shows more spice, if less power, than that from Rutherford.

Remarks: Vineyards of Mondavi / Rothschild joint venture, Opus One, are planted here.

4) Yountville

Geography & Climate: Most southerly Red wine AVA of the region. Distinctly cooler.

Soil: Well-drained loam

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Style: Muscular Bordeaux-style reds

5) Stags Leap District

Climate: Wind that funnels in cool air from San Pablo Bay during the afternoon prevents the vines from becoming too hot & baked

Soil: Reddish in colour, with volcanic subsoil on the slopes

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Style: Elegant, supple, have structure to age well

6) Howell Mountain & Atlas Peak

Climate: Mesoclimate differed from the valley floor because of the elevation <1,000-2,000ft> & above the fog line. Altitude gives cooler nighttime temperatures.

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel

Wine Style: Big, brawny. May lack elegance but powerful & intense.

7) Mount Veeder

Geography & Climate: Similar elevation & fog-free conditions.

Important Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay

Wine Style: Reds can be burly & tannic. Cabernet shows more spice, if less power, than that from Rutherford.

Remarks: Vineyards of Mondavi / Rothschild joint venture, Opus One, are planted here.

8) Spring Mountain

Geography & Soils: Located up in the Mayacamas Mountains. Eroded volcanic soils.

Important Grape(s): Similar to Mount Veeder

Wine Style: Slightly more supple than Mount Veeder

9) Carneros

Geography & Climate: Close to San Pablo Bay, comprise Napa's most southerly winegrowing area. Far cooler than the valley floor due to the proximity to Pacific breezes & fog.

Important Grape(s): Chardonnay & Pinot Noir

Wine Style: Still & sparkling.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06

Tasting Date: 3/Jun/06

Venue: The Restaurant - Kowloon Cricket Club

Organized by: Dr. Peter Au-Yeung

Number of Wines Tasted: 7

Country of Wines: Spain

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #1

Name of Wine: Faustino I
Vintage: 1995
Region: Rioja
Alcohol level: 13%

The wine is clear, with a deep purple colour. It has a narrow pink rim & there's a few legs. A light, clean nose. Slightly aged. Dusty with some red fruit & peppery aromas. On palate it's dry, still a medium-high acidity as a 11 yr old. Light-medium bodied & giving a medium intensity of flavours. It has a low-medium level of soft tannins. Savoury, an earthy tone, little red fruits like red cherries & raspberries. Obvious oak. A light flavoured with a medium alcohol level but a relatively short length. Grapes: Tempranillo + Garnacha + probably some Mazuelo (Carignan) or Graciano. Oak aged. The "I" means Gran Reserva, which implicates that the wine has gone through 2 yrs of ageing in cask & 3 yrs in bottle. It is ready to drink now.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #2

Name of Wine: Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2001
Region: Penedes, Catalunya
Alcohol level: 14%

The wine is clear, showing a very deep ruby colour. It has a purple rim & viscous. A clean & medium-intensity nose. Slightly aged. Dried plums, some wet leaves, earthy aromas. In the mouth it's dry, medium acidity. Medium & well-balanced pleasantly soft tannins. Medium bodied & giving a medium intensity of flavours. Plummy & blackcurrants or blackcherries. The medium-high alcohol heats up the throat but still be able to give a medium-long length of fruit flavours. Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It can be consumed now but it could be kept for another 2 to 3 yrs.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #3

Name of Wine: Clos De L'Obac
Vintage: 1996
Region: Priorato, Catalunya
Alcohol level: 13.5%

Appearance: Clear, medium-intensity of ruby colour. Pink rim & a few legs.

Nose: Clean, but relatively weak. A slightly aged bouquet. Red fruit, mainly raspberries. Rustic.

Palate: Dry with medium acidity. Medium levels of ripe tannins. Light-medium intensity & medium-bodied. Red fruit followed through, & peppery notes. Medium alcohol level & a short-medium length of finish.

Grapes: Garnacha & Carinena.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #4

Name of Wine: Hacienda Monasterio (Crianza)
Vintage: 1998
Region: Ribera del Duero
Alcohol level: 13.5%

Appearance: Clear, opague-intensity. Ruby coloured with a narrow garnet rim & some legs.

Nose: Clean, medium-intensity, youthful aromas. Blackcherries, a bit medicinal, and there's a hint of mint.

Palate: Dry, medium acidity. Medium-high levels of soft tannins. Medium-full bodied & medium intensity of flavours. Blackfruit, mostly blackcurrants, mineral, peppery-spiced. High alcohol level, a medium-long length of finish.

Grapes: Tempranillo

Remarks: "Crianza" indicates this wine should have gone through at least 1 yr of ageing in oak & another yr in bottle. The wine must not be released before the third year.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #5

Name of Wine: Torres Grans Muralles
Vintage: 1998
Region: Conca de Barbera, Catalunya
Alcohol level: 14%

Appearance: Clear, medium-intensity of ruby colour. Purplish-pink rim. Some legs.

Nose: Clean but weak. Slightly aged bouquet. Blackcherries dominating with notes of farmyard, wetleaves. Quite a bit of oak.

Palate: Dry with medium-high acidity. Medium-high levels of ripe tannins. Medium-high intensity & medium-full bodied. Blackfruit & plummy flavours with some cigarbox. Burnt rubber, oak, coffee with hints of liquorice. Medium alcohol level & finish with a beautiful long length. An excellent red with a range of flavor complexity.

Grapes: Mazuelo (Carinena) & Monastrell

Remarks: Climate ~ Mediterranean Temperate

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #6

Name of Wine: Dalmau Reserva
Vintage: 1994
Region: Rioja
Alcohol level: 13.5%

Appearance: Clear, medium-intensity of ruby colour. Garnet rim with a few legs.

Nose: Clean, medium intensity. An aged bouquet. Savoury, cheese aromas with some black fruit. Subtly meaty.

Palate: Dry with low acidity. Low-medium levels of soft tannins. Medium intensity & medium-bodied. Dried prunes, oaky & cedarwood, with hints of leather. Medium alcohol & medium-long length.

Remarks: Rioja Alta & Rioja Alavesa share clay soils rich in chalk & iron, whereas Rioja Baja has alluvial soils.

KCC Spanish Wine Dinner on 3/Jun/06 - Wine #7

Name of Wine: Vega Sicilia Tinto
Vintage: 1998
Region: Ribera Del Duero
Alcohol level: 14%

Appearance: Clear, deep-intensity of ruby colour. Purple rim with a few legs.

Nose: Clean, medium intensity. A slightly aged bouquet. Blackfruit, mostly blakcherries. Some dried fruit & chocolate.

Palate: Dry with medium acidity. Medium intensity & medium-bodied. Blackfruit, mineral & some oak. Medium alcohol & a long length of finish.

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec & Tempranillo blend