I’ve a lot to thank Three Wine Men for. The June event was one of the first things I ever wrote about and I couldn’t have discovered a love of wine without them. I certainly wouldn’t be chapter head for the 7 Word Wine Review in Manchester without learning from my first visit.
So when I got an email from them announcing the ticket dates for December, I booked. I knew this would be bigger and better, Port Street Beer House were bringing beers and Levanter Foods were there supplying their delicious Spanish treats. I’m pleased to say I wasn’t wrong.
Arriving nice and early, catching Tim Atkin for a photograph before he’d even finished his coffee, we grabbed our glasses, notebooks and pens. Catching up with my friend and expert Gordon (Everyman Wines) I knew I’d be in good hands and have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips.
Our friends Barrica Wines, who we visited recently, guided us to a lovely Cattin Gewürztraminer Reserve 2011 from France – it was everything I hoped for – scented with honeysuckle, gentle and lovely. This was followed by the Aresti Late Harvest Gewürztraminer – with the grapes left longer on the vine to sweeten. It was richer, but still managed to skate around the over-sweetness present in some dessert wines.
Errazuriz proved to be full of lovely gems – in particular the Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2011 was beautifully rounded and lightly honeyed. The Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2011 with it’s light vegetable taste, sour cherries and spice was gorgeous, but it was the ‘Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard’ 2010 and the Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2007 that really blew us away. Both rich and heady with deep fruits, the Costa having heavier tannins in the aftertaste and the Reserve with it’s striking mocha flavours impressing.
On the table next to us were wines from Domaine de la Rencontre. Everything on their table was beautiful. From the Rencontre 2011 to the Eclat 2011, AOP Muscat de Mireval. We were enthralled by the wines and the winemakers. I understand they need a UK distributor, I hope that someone grabs onto them quickly.
Ravenswood had some more reds on offer – with their Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2010, a smokey, spicy red with rich fruit and their Lodi Zinfandel 2009 with it’s heavy intense red fruit. We also loved their Teldeschi Zinfandel 2006 with green pepper, tobacco and heavier tannins.
On the same table were wines from Robert Mondavi and we loved the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009 – another busty red, this demanded a food pairing, again with heavy tannins and berries. They also had two ice wines from Inniskillen in Canada. Created when the grapes are left on the vine until they freeze, resulting in a more intense, sweeter, richer wine. The Vidal Gold Icewine 2007 was sweet with a woody, rich flavour, whereas the Cabernet Franc Icewine 2006 was more acidic and had an intense sultana flavour.
At the Corks Out table three whites leapt out at us. The Foundry Roussane 2011 from South Africa was rich, slightly nutty with a honeyed finish, absolutely perfect. This was followed by the Allan Scott Pinot Gris 2011, another winner with lovely red apple flavours and hint of almond. Lastly, the Braun Riesling Spatlese Trocken Ellerstadter 2010 rounded things off nicely – unexpectedly honeyed it was less petrolly than we expected with a nice acidic balance.
Lastly, but by no means least, we finally made it to the Domaine de Belfort table, to meet Muriel Lismonde. The Tour de Belfort Malbec blend 2010 was delicious – buttery with an earthiness to it, like beetroot and cream soda flavours. Following it with the Grand Vin Malbec 2011, this was much more intense and punchy, without being overpowering. My final highlight of the day was the Grand Vin Chardonnay 2011. Very scented, it’s peachiness was divine enhanced only by the almond and toasted flavours it was a fantastic way to round off the event.
Thanks again gentlemen. I learned more again, and as for next year? We’re already booking…
