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 IN THIS ISSUE
December 2010
ON THE GRAPEVINE
IWC TASTING & COURSES
BETTANE & DESSEAUVE TALK BORDEAUX
TASTE THIS SPACE
IWC IS HIRING
YUMMY QUIZ
   
 ON THE GRAPEVINE

Flavour Colours

A Chinese food and wine food pairing iPhone/iPad app by Simon Tam. Available free at all Apple iTunes Stores now. Download from here

The principles of Flavour Colours consider taste holistically: not just the science of four basic flavours but also seasonality, our mood and our individual expectations of what will make a good match.

Flavour Colours divides wine and food flavours into just four categories: Blond, Ivory, Tan and Brown. By accurately defining which colour tone each food and wine belong to, pairing them is made simple and 90% accurate. It is intrinsically delicious and it will work for you time after time.

 
The Vintage Port Academy

The Vintage Port Academy was launched with much fanfare in Hong Kong on the 9th of November. The launch activities included two masterclasses for the F&B industry, a media tasting of 18 vintage ports from the last decade produced by Grahams', Fonseca, Dow's, Warre's, Croft's and Taylor's.  More tha n 200 wine lovers attended the consumer Port tasting at La Loggia in the IFC. 

Participants sat a short examination at the VPA Masterclasses. The top student, Chan Ka Wo of Wine Connection was awarded a rare six bottles case of 2000 Vintage Ports fromGrahams', Fonseca, Dow's, Warre's, Croft's and Taylor's. His winning answer to question: How do you convince a friend who had never drunk Port before to try it? 

"There are many ways to enjoy Port wines, from an aperitif to an after dinner wine.  If it is a dry style one wants, try a dry white Port served chilled before a meal.  This would make a great aperitif.  Or have a red Port after dinner with dessert or on its own.  Especially so just have a glass of vintage Port to savour and to round off a perfect dinner.  It would be most pleasurable just to sit on the sofa with a glass of Port and forget all the worries!"

    Wine lovers at the consumer tasting in La Loggia were served:
  • Garham's 1994 Vintage Port with Mini Melanine (dark chocolate, raspberry puree, chocolate sponge cake);
  • Graham's 40 Year Old Tawny with Mixed smoked duck breast, assorted dried fruits & nuts mini tart with hazelnut dressing;
  • Taylor's 20 Year Old Tawny with Foie gras terrine on brioche with fresh fig, melon skewers;
  • Taylor's 1985 Vintage Port with Cheese platter, and mini vol au vent of black pepper venison
 
Wickens & Co launch party

Simon and Michel Bettane joined the MC stage at Wickens and Co launch party in the Mandarin Oriental. The two wine specialists exchanged stories and historical insights into famous Chateaux. Somewhat controversial, Simon asked Michel 'Are there any FAKE WINES in the world?' Michel promptly replied, 'Yes and I still have bottles of 47 Cheval Blanc in my cellar which I know is fake! Buy only from reputable source and people that you trust!' was the French wi ne master's advice.

 
2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirt Competition
Trophy winners
Best Chardonnay Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Adelaide Hills 2009
Pike & Joyce 2008
Best Sauvignon Blanc Oldbury 2010
Best Riesling Wegeler Ruedesheimer Berg Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2005
Best Other White Greystone Gewurztraminer 2010
Best Cabernet and Cabernet Blend Amelia Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009
Best Merlot Journey's End Merlot 2007
Best Shiraz / Syrah The Hay Paddock 2006
Crown Wine Cellars Best Pinot Noir Gladstone Vineyard 2009
Best Tempranillo and Tempranillo Blend Baigorri Reserva 2005
Best Touriga Nacional and Touriga Blend Quinta Do Vale Meao Meandro 2007
Best Other Red Maestri Italiani Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2008
Best New World Chardonnay Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Adelaide Hills 2009
Pike & Joyce 2008
Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Split Rock Nelson 2009
Best New World Riesling Knappstein Hand Picked 2010
Best New World Pinot Noir Gladstone Vineyard 2009
Best Bordeaux Style Blend below HK$300 Hedges Family Estates Three Vineyards Cabernet Merlot
Red Mountain 2007
Best Australian Shiraz Pikes 'Eastside' 2008
Best Italian Red Maestri Italiani Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2008
Best South Africa Red Journey's End Merlot 2007
Best White Wine below HK$150 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2010
Best Red Wine below HK$200 Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Best Sparkling Wine Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne NV
Best Sweet Wine Frogmore Creek Iced Riesling 2008
Crown Wine Cellars Best Wine from China Grace Vineyard Deep Blue 2008
Best Wine from Japan Château Mercian Kikyogahara Merlot 2006
Best Wine from Thailand Monsoon Valley Cuvee de Siam Rouge 2008
Best wine with Braised Abalone Domain Road Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir
Best Wine with Bubbles below HK$400 Griffith Park Sparkling Rose NV
Best wine with Dim Sum Torlesse 2007 Pinot Noir
Best wine with Kung Pao Chicken Hahn Monterey Pinot Noir 2009
Best Wine with Peking Duck Monemvasia St George Regional Red Dry Wine 2006
Best wine with Sashimi Chuo Budoshu Grace Koshu 2009
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky under 15 years Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest
Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky Over 15 years Highland Park18 Year Old
Best Cognac Delamain XO Grande Champagne Cognac
 
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 IWC TASTING & COURSES

IWC will be taking a Christmas/New Year break. Watch this space for the new series of Flavour Colours course.

 
  BETTANE & DESSEAUVE TALK BORDEAUX

En primeur system

 

'En Primeur is a stupid system' That sums up Michel Bettane's view of the century old Bordeaux practice of tasting unfinished wines. The world's greatest French wine expert also points out that it is even more ludicrous to based and value one's buying decision on just one tasting. 'The wine is always changing, it changes even more when it is young, how is it possible to make a accurate assessment and a 'score' to a wine' It is not only unfair and it is not a wise decision.

This article was written by Simon because Michel and Thierry were not available.
Click here for more Bettane & Desseauve's answers to 2009 Bordeaux questions

  TASTE THIS SPACE
Riesling Master, Jeffrey Grosset from South Australia's Clare Valley comments on Riesling style at Landmark Australia Tutorial
  IWC IS HIRING

Are you organised, energetic, Chinese speaking, IT capable and passionate about wine? IWC needs help to organise our various events. If you are the right person or know the right person, please contact us now
 YUMMY QUIZ

Last month's question: In which Asian city will you find this dish? The answer Abalone Sashimi from Seoul, Korea. The winner is Airey Wong . Congratulations Airey, you have won a mystery bottle from Simon's cellar.

This month's question: Which family and in which year did the current owner acquired Chateau Pavie?

Prize: bottle of wine from Simon's cellar (with all his global wine travel, you know you'll be in for a treat!)

Send Us Your Answer here!

 Get In Touch
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