Dear WineTasters,
Those lucky enough to attend the grand showcase of Spanish wines on 02 September in Singapore, 04 September in Kuala Lumpur, will realise that the quality & innovation ball has been sent back to the "Old World".
The likes of Italy and Spain, with hundreds and thousands of authentic native material to work on, are amazing the world by commercialising hundreds of previously unknown grape varietals as they become available. I never cease to wonder at the variety of aromatic & textural flavours that the simply grape can offer. I approach each wine exposition by these two countries with nervous anxiety, just like a boy entering the latest toy store in town.
This year, the new 'toys' were from the north-west coast of Spain. First off, 100% Godello by Adega a Coroa from the DO Valdeorras, which is a little known DO to many wine enthusiasts, as well. This is a tiny DO located inland from the more famous Rias Baixas in Galicia. Previously, there were wines with Godello in the blend, but this is the first sample that is unblended. But what a wine! Gloriously glowing in the glass, competing with the crystal for prominence. This wine offered gorgeous aromas of white flowers in full bloom supported by scents of freshly squeezed lemons just reaching optimum ripeness. On the palate, there is good racy ripe acidity giving a wonderful lift to the flavours, a seductive lithe body that is neither too light or too heavy. The finish was long and elegant. Excellent with fine Cantonese cuisine featuring the lighter ingredients of fresh seafood, chicken or pork, but this wine will be hard put to put down until the glass is dry.
The next varietal, Treixadura from the same approximate region but under DO Ribeiro. More fuller in body because of its riper acidity. A certain oiliness is evident but that simply allow it to match with more elaborately prepared dishes using the same ingredients, above. There were samples of 100% varietal wines but this grape offers up the possibility and a wider flavour profile by leading in blends involving Godello, Torrontes, Loureira and Albarino. The only negative point about all this is that the core region itself is so small that production cannot ever be large but isn't small is beautiful?
More to follow ...................
********************
Please watch out for photos and report on this wonderful event, soonest.
Newsletter subscribers would have received my announcement of dinner at Imperial Treasures @ Great World City, Singapore on 01 September, featuring 2 great wineries from Spain. A white wine specialist - Bodegas Campante/Bodegas Morgadio of Galicia and top-quality red wine producer - Bodegas Sierra Salinas from Alicante.
These days, very exciting wines from Spain come from the most obscure regions or regions that used to have poor bulk-wine reputations. These changes occur as new investors in wine take a revaluation of the wine production areas and try to understand and explore the hidden potential in them. Previously, such potential is unattainable due to lack of financial commitment and economic expediency. The situation has changed and if you had read my previous report on Albacete in La Mancha, you would realise the huge & exciting changes in this, soon to be, largest wine producer in the world.
Asians are just beginning to wake up to this dynamic changes in the "old" countries. Most are still enamoured with the "new" world wines of Australia and California. However, the changes are coming to their doorstep, as younger export managers from Spain, Italy and even France are beating on the doors of Asia's wine importers. They bring not only Cabernets, Shirazes, Merlots, Chardonnays or Sauvignon Blancs but new exciting flavours from Albarino, Verdejo (not to be confused with Verdelho), Mencia, Garnacha, Monastrell, Prosecco, Fruilano, Nero d'Avola, Primitivo, Insolia, Falanghina and many, many more unique varietals. Grape varietals that nearly went extinct but are currently being revived in these new wave excitingly dynamic countries of the "old" world. These changes have been ongoing for over 15 years but now we are seeing the innovation of these years. They are ready to engage the world & Asia with English-speaking personnel to tell of these excitingly new flavours.
Take a chance and join us, but quickly, at Imperial Treasures as we attempt to make the connection between Spain and modern Cantonese cuisine.
***************
Beyond this, we have several new listings in our WINE MART section. Lafite 1982, Carruades, Chateau d'Yquem, Grange and more. Check them out and get into old fashioned bargaining with the sellers, who are entusiastic collectors with excess in their cellars.
***************
Finally, here is a reason to visit Sabah (Malaysia) in October 2008. Our favourite Master of Wine, Ms. Cathy van Zyl, will be paying Kota Kinabalu a visit 03 - 07 October, for a holiday as well as to enjoy wines with the freshest seafood, kampong vegetables, pork of locally-bred pigs & beef of kerabau (water buffalo). If we are lucky, some game meats from the jungles of Borneo.
Come also the enjoy the natural beauty of sun, sea and mountains. Breathe fresh country air, or climb a few mountain trails to work off the fat.
DIY and package details, coming soon.
Those lucky enough to attend the grand showcase of Spanish wines on 02 September in Singapore, 04 September in Kuala Lumpur, will realise that the quality & innovation ball has been sent back to the "Old World".
The likes of Italy and Spain, with hundreds and thousands of authentic native material to work on, are amazing the world by commercialising hundreds of previously unknown grape varietals as they become available. I never cease to wonder at the variety of aromatic & textural flavours that the simply grape can offer. I approach each wine exposition by these two countries with nervous anxiety, just like a boy entering the latest toy store in town.
This year, the new 'toys' were from the north-west coast of Spain. First off, 100% Godello by Adega a Coroa from the DO Valdeorras, which is a little known DO to many wine enthusiasts, as well. This is a tiny DO located inland from the more famous Rias Baixas in Galicia. Previously, there were wines with Godello in the blend, but this is the first sample that is unblended. But what a wine! Gloriously glowing in the glass, competing with the crystal for prominence. This wine offered gorgeous aromas of white flowers in full bloom supported by scents of freshly squeezed lemons just reaching optimum ripeness. On the palate, there is good racy ripe acidity giving a wonderful lift to the flavours, a seductive lithe body that is neither too light or too heavy. The finish was long and elegant. Excellent with fine Cantonese cuisine featuring the lighter ingredients of fresh seafood, chicken or pork, but this wine will be hard put to put down until the glass is dry.
The next varietal, Treixadura from the same approximate region but under DO Ribeiro. More fuller in body because of its riper acidity. A certain oiliness is evident but that simply allow it to match with more elaborately prepared dishes using the same ingredients, above. There were samples of 100% varietal wines but this grape offers up the possibility and a wider flavour profile by leading in blends involving Godello, Torrontes, Loureira and Albarino. The only negative point about all this is that the core region itself is so small that production cannot ever be large but isn't small is beautiful?
More to follow ...................
********************
Please watch out for photos and report on this wonderful event, soonest.
Newsletter subscribers would have received my announcement of dinner at Imperial Treasures @ Great World City, Singapore on 01 September, featuring 2 great wineries from Spain. A white wine specialist - Bodegas Campante/Bodegas Morgadio of Galicia and top-quality red wine producer - Bodegas Sierra Salinas from Alicante.
These days, very exciting wines from Spain come from the most obscure regions or regions that used to have poor bulk-wine reputations. These changes occur as new investors in wine take a revaluation of the wine production areas and try to understand and explore the hidden potential in them. Previously, such potential is unattainable due to lack of financial commitment and economic expediency. The situation has changed and if you had read my previous report on Albacete in La Mancha, you would realise the huge & exciting changes in this, soon to be, largest wine producer in the world.
Asians are just beginning to wake up to this dynamic changes in the "old" countries. Most are still enamoured with the "new" world wines of Australia and California. However, the changes are coming to their doorstep, as younger export managers from Spain, Italy and even France are beating on the doors of Asia's wine importers. They bring not only Cabernets, Shirazes, Merlots, Chardonnays or Sauvignon Blancs but new exciting flavours from Albarino, Verdejo (not to be confused with Verdelho), Mencia, Garnacha, Monastrell, Prosecco, Fruilano, Nero d'Avola, Primitivo, Insolia, Falanghina and many, many more unique varietals. Grape varietals that nearly went extinct but are currently being revived in these new wave excitingly dynamic countries of the "old" world. These changes have been ongoing for over 15 years but now we are seeing the innovation of these years. They are ready to engage the world & Asia with English-speaking personnel to tell of these excitingly new flavours.
Take a chance and join us, but quickly, at Imperial Treasures as we attempt to make the connection between Spain and modern Cantonese cuisine.
***************
Beyond this, we have several new listings in our WINE MART section. Lafite 1982, Carruades, Chateau d'Yquem, Grange and more. Check them out and get into old fashioned bargaining with the sellers, who are entusiastic collectors with excess in their cellars.
***************
Finally, here is a reason to visit Sabah (Malaysia) in October 2008. Our favourite Master of Wine, Ms. Cathy van Zyl, will be paying Kota Kinabalu a visit 03 - 07 October, for a holiday as well as to enjoy wines with the freshest seafood, kampong vegetables, pork of locally-bred pigs & beef of kerabau (water buffalo). If we are lucky, some game meats from the jungles of Borneo.
Come also the enjoy the natural beauty of sun, sea and mountains. Breathe fresh country air, or climb a few mountain trails to work off the fat.
DIY and package details, coming soon.
May the
be with you,
