Last Monday 18, I had lunch with a colleague wine merchant in Bordeaux and the members of chain of wine stores in the USA: we visited our cellars and “Château” Valandraud in Saint Etienne de Lisse, with its very private Bed & Breakfast which will be used as guest rooms during the week of the tastings for the Union des Grands Crus in April. Meal and tasting of 9 wines available for this state where this retailer is located.
Fonguillon L’Enclos 2005, Montagne Saint Emilion : nice and chic presentation, good wine with a classic style, serious. It was selected for its good quality-price ratio and vintage (2005), an advantage in the USA (and elsewhere).
Haut-Carles 2001, Fleur Mongiron 2004, Clos Badon 2004, Virginie de Valandraud 2004, Valandraud 1999 and 2005, Bellevue de Tayac 2004 which has been tasting good for the past few weeks as well as the Blanc de Valandraud n° 1 2005 which should find an exclusive distributor in this state.
In the evening, we had dinner with Stéphane Droulers, owner of Château de Carles to review the last sales developments for his wine. He forgot his scarf at our place. Was only missing, a food lover like François Mauss to taste 2 great Burgundies: Clos de Tart 1995 (grand cru) and Domaine Michel Lafargue Clos des Chênes 1990 in Volnay 1er cru, a gift from Manu owner of « Lard et Bouchon » rue Guadet in Saint Emilion. A fun place with a bistro menu and wine by the glass, is out of the beaten path, with music and all of that with a smile. Manu’s passion (ex sommelier of Bernard Loiseau) and his charming wife Linda make this bar-restaurant located in the caves of an old quarry a must in this town. I often go there with friends and customers.
In Saint Emilion, I also enjoy going to Le Tertre, le Bistro du Clocher, La Cadène, La Puce (aux Bigaroux) and the Clos du Roy.
When will Madonna or Spielberg finally accept to be on a photo drinking Valandraud? An American or Chinese star, like Gong Li or Zhang Ziyi must hurry up, for the damaged caused by the Evin law, regarding the promotion of our product in France, will make it very difficult for wine which have not yet been discovered.
When will it be illegal to drink wine in a restaurant ? And will publications writing about wine like “La Revue du Vin de France” and all these pages published in the “Living section” of weeklies be forbidden?
The A.V.P., the trade representative for the wine press comments on their blog (in French) the Heineken decree, a formal complaint against Le Parisien regarding an article published on Moët et Chandon for it’s rosé with the incriminated title: “La Vie en Rose”.
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