PGITI Wine Group. Meeting January 12, 2013 Host: Monika and Frank Bernhardt

Transcription

1 PGITI Wine Group Meeting January 12, 2013 Host: Monika and Frank Bernhardt

2 French Wines

3 France France, officially the French Republic, is a state in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often referred to as L Hexagone ("The Hexagon") because of the geometric shape of its territory. It is bordered (clockwise starting from the northeast) by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Monaco; with Spain and Andorra to the south. France is linked to the United Kingdom by the Channel Tunnel, which passes underneath the English Channel. French wine is produced in several regions throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectoliters per year, or 7 8 billion bottles. France has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, behind Spain, and competes with Italy for the position of being the world's largest wine producer. French wines accounted for 17.6% of world exports in French wine traces its history to the 6th century BC, with many of France's regions dating their wine-making history to Roman times. The wines produced today range from expensive high-end wines sold internationally, to more modest wines usually only seen within France. All common styles of wine red, rosé, white (dry, semi-sweet and sweet), sparkling and fortified are produced in France. In most of these styles, the French production ranges from cheap and simple versions to some of the world's most famous and expensive examples. An exception is French fortified wines, which tend to be relatively unknown outside France. In many respects, French wines have more of a regional than a national identity, as evidenced by different grape varieties, production methods and different classification systems in the various regions. Quality levels and prices vary enormously, and some wines are made for immediate consumption while other are meant for long-time cellaring. From: and

4 Wine regions of France The recognized wine producing areas in France are regulated by the Institut National des Appellations d'origine - INAO in acronym. Every appellation in France is defined by INAO, in regards to the individual regions particular wine "character". If a wine fails to meet the INAO's strict criteria it is declassified into a lower appellation or even into Vin de Pays or Vin de Table. The concept of Terroir, which refers to the unique combination of natural factors associated with any particular vineyard, is important to French vignerons. It includes such factors as soil, underlying rock, altitude, slope of hill or terrain, orientation toward the sun, and microclimate (typical rain, winds, humidity, temperature variations, etc.). Even in the same area, no two vineyards have exactly the same terroir, thus being the base of the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been model for appellation and wine laws across the globe. In other words: when the same grape variety is planted in different regions, it can produce wines that are significantly different from each other. In France the concept of terroir manifests itself most extremely in the Burgundy region. The amount of influence and the scope that falls under the description of terroir has been a controversial topic in the wine industry.

5 Les Sétilles Olivier Leflaive 2009 Bourgogne, France This white wine has 13.0 % vol. and Jungle Jim s sells it for $ Bourgogne Blanc "les Sétilles" comes from a blend of vineyards in the villages of Puligny-Montrachet (60%) and Meursault (40%).The vineyard, in which we own certain parcels, adjoin communal appellations.the calcareous clay vineyards face southeast to south on flatter land.thanks to our loyal suppliers for many years, this wine has been very successful, probably owing to the finesse and elegance it offers - a sign of its Cote d Or origins. From:

6 Château Lamothe de Haux 2011 Bordeaux, France This wine has 12 % vol. and Jungle Jim s sells it for $12.99, reduced from $ Made with traditional Bordeaux grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (40%), Sémillon (40%), and Muscadelle (20%). This particular blend, which goes back centuries, has become rather rare in recent years. Winemaking is traditional: skin contact (50%) and cold fermentation (16/18 C). The wine is aged on the lees for about 3 weeks, which accounts for its round, smooth, and remarkably fruity flavour. It is ideal as an aperitif, or with fish, seafood (a must with oysters), and cheese. Best enjoyed young (2 years). From:

7 Château Piochet 2009 Bordeaux, France This wine has 13.5 % vol. and Jungle Jim s sells it for $9.99, reduced from $ Nice black fruit aromas and soft, silky finish, made for a cracking bit of beef or some good game was such an exceptional vintage that we recommend that you try this wine - it may be from a lesser know property but it just proves what great value Bordeaux can be. From:

8 Château Mazeyres 2005 Pomerol, France This wine has 13.5 % vol. and Jungle Jim s sells it for $36.99, reduced from $ Grape varieties: 80% Merlot 20% Cabernet franc Wine-making: fermentation in stainless steel vats of small capacity, equipped with temperature control Maturation: in oak barrels (50% new), for a period of 18 months Tasting note: It shows a lovely, deep, beautifully gleaming garnet-red hue. Precise and elegant, with aromas of black fruit, as well as dried fruit (almonds) and roasted hints (mocha, smoky touches); all this gives the promise of a delicious wine with excellent freshness. The first taste is fleshy and smooth. With great body, it has pleasantly plump tannin, already velvety-smooth and creamy, guaranteeing pleasure all the way through the wine s development. The finish is long, warm and elegant and reveals a lovely taste of fresh fruit that comes back again (cherry liqueur...) The overall sensation is one of generosity and fine balance. This wine shows to its best advantage its unctuous texture of tannin and fruitiness, with woodiness perfectly incorporated and pleasantly melted. Due to its excellent length on the palate, this wine can be laid-down for twenty years or so, but thanks to the charm of Merlot grown in Pomerol, can also be enjoyed when young. From:

9 Château Grand Corbin Manuel 2005 Saint-Emilion, France This wine has 13.8 % vol. and Jungle Jim s sells it for $34.99, reduced from $ This vintage has an aging capacity estimated between 5 and 15 years. Grape variety: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking: Winemaking in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks from 60 to 70 hl, Cold Maceration for 3 days, Malolactic fermentation in barrels Vatting time: 24 days Maturing: In barrels, renewed by half, for 17 months Tasting Notes: This wine has a beautiful garnet color. The nose at first is discreet, however revealing great purity. Once the bottle is decanted, aromas of cherries and wild blackberries dominate, sign of a great respect for the fruit during the barrel aging. On the palate, the attack is meaty and flavorful. The texture is dense and powerful, giving this wine great aging capacity. The finish is characterized by silky tannins and good length. From:

10 Château Cantemerle 1989 Medoc, France This wine has 12.5 % vol. and Frank got it for $30, it sells now for $139. This unique soil and microclimate are reflected in the wine's personality. Cantemerle has a brilliant color, a powerful bouquet, and a soft, lively flavor. It is rare to find such refined fruitiness. This great wine can be enjoyed young, when it is charming, fruity, and marked by a vanilla taste which comes from well-integrated oak. This makes Cantemerle an ideal choice for the modern wine drinker who likes fresh tannins. However, it can also age extremely well. Fine, old vintages have impeccable class, with incomparable flavors of sheer elegance. Cantemerle therefore belongs to that rare category of the world's wines which can not only age, but also improve over several decades. From:

11 PARMESAN CHEESE COOKIES from Monika Bernhardt 2/3 cup (66 g) refrigerated shredded Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup (113 g) butter or margarine 1 cup (120 g) flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground red pepper 1/4 cup milk to brush cookies 36 Pecan halves Position knife blade in food processor bowl, add cheese and butter. Process until blended. Add flour, salt and ground red pepper, process about 30 seconds or until mixture forms a ball. Shape dough into 3/4" balls and flatten to about 1/8" thickness, about 8 g dough per cookie. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, brush with milk and top with pecans if desired. Bake at 350 degrees (Convection 160 C) for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 dozen wafers

12 Tiramisu from Christiane Scheiber Ingredients (serves approx. 6 people): 6 egg yolks 100g (= 3.5 oz) white sugar 500g (= 1.1 lbs) mascarpone cheese 3/8 ltr (= approx. 13 oz) brewed, strong coffee, room temperature (I usually take Italian espresso coffee such as Illy) 1 tablespoon rum 2 tablespoons amaretto liquor 2 packages ladyfingers unsweetened cocoa powder Directions: 1. Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Add mascarpone and blend in slowly until smooth. 2. Combine coffee (room temperature), rum and amaretto liquor in a small bowl 3. Dip ladyfingers into liquid from both sides, but do not let soak! 4. Arrange in bottom of a dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers 6. Repeat the 2 layers (ladyfingers & mascarpone) and sprinkle with cocoa powder 7. Cover and refrigerate min. 4-6 hours until set Yummy!!!