Updated: 25 March 2004
(These pages are updated early/end of each day from 24 March till 5 April. Additional reportage, with background information, before the event. Additional in-depth articles after the event)
report by Remie Law in Verona, Italy
Sensory Evaluation Day
ONE
25 March
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The Singapore flag proudly stand among the nations of the world in this Concorzio Enologico Internazionale (International Enological Competition), represented by JURY Remie Law of HappyVines.com. This year 3,406 wines were submitted from 30 countries to be judged the JURY panel made up of 90 Italian & International eneologists and journalists. They will judge the wines in 22 categories based on their qualities that will be acceptable to the consumer. No varietal or price levels are informed and each wine is judged on its own merits. |
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The International Sommeliers' Association members support this event by providing a professional pouring of the sample wines for the Jury. Unlike another competition, where sommeliers become the judges of the wines. These proud members of the Italian Chapter of the Association equit themselves dressed in their official uniform with a silver tastevin around their necks. |
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Remie Law of HappyVines.com, representing Singapore, is seen here with the sommelier assigned to his Jury Commission. Their performance included a standing decanting of wines of more than 3 years old. This shows the strict standards of transparency & quality of this judging as required by the Organisers of this Competition. 18 Jury Commissions, consisting of one foreign wine journalist, one foreign winemaker & 2 guest Italian winemakers, were randomly selected. On this first day of competition judging, 4 sessions of 12-15 wines were blind sampled by each Jury Commission. |
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After this full day of sampling wine, the group retired to dinner at this fabulous restaurant in downtown Verona. The chef works an open wood-fired oven, serving grilled meats & vegetables. More wine continued to be poured throughout dinner. |
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Here is the most famous winebar in Verona, offering all those wines, in the picture, by-the-glass! Prices range from Euro 4.00 upwards with names like Masi Amarone, Serego Alighieri, Bertani and other international & Italian wines. Excellent food is also served at this winebar that is a favourite pilgrimage for winelovers & locals alike. |
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Here is a view of their extensive cellar of Sassicaia from the early 1980s, onwards. This cellar stocks & sells wines from an international selection including Grange in magnums & in various vintages. Request to visit the cellars of Botega de Vini & be amazed. As for Armagnac, there is a whole range of vintages to choose from ...... by the glass. |
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