Blog posts tagged with 'wine tasting'

Tasting Note: Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 & 2015 General Impression: When no one on our team has tasted the wine on the tasting table, you know it's something truly niche. The Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 and 2015 vintages exemplify this exclusivity. Origin: Irancy is situated southwest of Chablis and has been recognized as an appellation since 1998. The wines primarily consist of Pinot Noir, with up to 10% César allowed in the blend. Appearance: This wine displays a robust crimson hue, deepening towards dark red, enriched with vibrant highlights. Nose: The bouquet is bursting with a medley of fruit aromas, including blackcurrant, Morello cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. There are also occasional floral (violet), licorice, and pepper notes, which intriguingly draw comparisons to the Oude Kriek from 3 Fonteinen. Palate: On the palate, the tannins melt into a firm yet velvety structure. The wine's acidity is balanced perfectly, ensuring excellent aging potential. Character: Irancy wines often start off reticent, keeping their true character concealed. However, the 2010 and 2015 vintages are exceptions, revealing their noble qualities more readily. Similar to a great Nebbiolo, their initial resistance softens with time, allowing the wine's complexities to unfold. They present a rustic yet clean profile, highlighting a unique array of noble characteristics specific to this terroir. Overall: Patience rewards the drinker with this wine, as its rustic charm and noble complexities develop beautifully over time. The Vincent Dauvissat Irancy 2010 and 2015 are excellent examples of the unique elegance and depth this appellation has to offer.

Celebrating Milestones at Belgium Wine Watchers Today marks a special occasion at Belgium Wine Watchers. We're celebrating Danny, our senior purchaser, who has been with us for 18 years. This milestone is one that deserves a proper celebration, and what better way to toast to Danny's contributions than with a glass of Philipponnat 'Clos des Goisses' 2011? Tasting Notes: Philipponnat 'Clos des Goisses' 2011 Details: 100% Pinot Noir Disgorged: March 2020 Dosage: 4.5 g/L This exquisite Champagne boasts an elegant and pure nose that freely offers up its softly yeasty aromas of apple, quinine, and ripe citrus elements, particularly Meyer lemon. The richness of this relatively full-bodied Champagne is evident in its beautifully textured flavors, supported by a decidedly pliant mousse. The finish is complex and surprisingly long, revealing the wine's generous proportions. This vintage of Clos des Goisses is already drinking exceptionally well, although it promises to age beautifully. While I would be inclined to enjoy it now, those who prefer the very toasty, yeasty character that aged Champagne often develops will find this a perfect candidate for extended cellaring. In short, the Champagne is fantastic. But even more fantastic is having Danny as part of our team for 18 years. At Belgium Wine Watchers, we pride ourselves on being more than just a company—here, everyone is (big cliché but true) family. Here's to many more tastings, celebrations, and years together at Belgium Wine Watchers. Cheers! Tasted by Glenn Cambré for Belgium Wine Watchers

A Legacy of Passion Discover Domaine Faiveley's commitment to crafting wines that embody the essence of Burgundy's terroir since 1825. Passed down through six generations, the Faiveley family's dedication to quality and innovation has made their wines coveted treasures worldwide. Vineyards: Essence of Terroir Explore Domaine Faiveley's vineyard holdings spanning Burgundy's prestigious appellations. From legendary grands crus to revered premiers crus, each parcel is meticulously tended to by skilled viticulturists, ensuring the expression of Burgundy's unique terroir in every bottle. Winemaking: Tradition meets Innovation Experience Domaine Faiveley's artful blend of traditional techniques and modern innovation. From hand-harvesting to gentle pressing, every step of the winemaking process reflects the estate's commitment to excellence and the true essence of Burgundian winemaking. Signature Wines: Icons of Burgundy Indulge in Domaine Faiveley's diverse range of wines, from elegant whites to powerful reds. Whether it's the ethereal finesse of their Puligny-Montrachet or the structured intensity of their Mazis-Chambertin, each bottle captivates the senses and delights the palate. Visiting Domaine Faiveley For those eager to experience Domaine Faiveley firsthand, explore our curated selection of their exceptional wines. From historic cellars to sun-drenched vineyards, a journey to Domaine Faiveley is a journey to the heart of Burgundy winemaking. Conclusion: A Toast to Excellence As we raise our glasses to Domaine Faiveley, we raise them also to you, our valued patrons. Thank you for joining us on this journey through the world of fine wine. Cheers to Domaine Faiveley, to Burgundy, and to the joy of discovery.

1996 was a Classic Bordeaux vintage! The best of these wines have started to open up and can be drunk now or with some time in the decanter. Note that this is a vintage that relies heavily on the Merlot grape! Classic, fleshy and complex wines. Belgium Wine Watchers did the test for you! Tasting 1996 Troplong VS la Fleur Petrus. Both bottles are selected with damaged labels but with a perfect filling level. The Troplong begins a little closed on the nose with a deep colour and extraction. A concentrated fruit-driven wine that drinks well now and will hold several years more in the bottle. The la Fleur Petrus is 100 % one of the better pomerols of the vintage and a step higher in quality that the Troplong. This wine has a ruby-colored rim with a crystal clear shine. Razor sharp aromatics popping out the glass, black plums, cherries, spices and a hint of truffles. La Fleur Petrus is a great choice for this classic styled vintage. Want to taste these wines also? Have a look in our stock and pick your bottle.

Enter the world of Sauternes, where elegance and excellence converge to create France's finest white wine. As Thomas Jefferson proclaimed, Sauternes is the best white wine in France: "Sauternes is the best white wine in France, and the best is produced by Monsieur de Lur-Saluces". These words, spoken centuries ago, continue to resonate in the minds of wine lovers the world over. At Belgium Wine Watchers, we are honoured to present a selection of Sauternes wines, including the creations of Monsieur de Lur-Saluces. As guardians of winemaking excellence, we understand the importance of Jefferson's endorsement and strive to preserve the heritage of Sauternes with every bottle we offer. Sauternes wines are renowned for their succulent sweetness, balanced by vibrant acidity and complex flavours of honey, apricot and exotic spices. Made from grapes affected by noble rot, these wines undergo a meticulous winemaking process that transforms them into liquid gold, worthy of admiration and appreciation. From the historic vineyards of Bordeaux to the cellars of Monsieur de Lur-Saluces, each bottle of Sauternes tells a story of tradition, terroir and unrivalled expertise. Whether enjoyed at the end of a meal or accompanied by foie gras or blue cheese, Sauternes is a testament to the art of winemaking. Join us as we celebrate the elegance and allure of Sauternes, guided by the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson and the expertise of Belgium Wine Watchers. Explore our selection today and experience the timeless charm of France's finest white wine. Cheers to Sauternes, a treasure of the wine world, and to unforgettable moments in wine tasting!

Castello di Ama, the leading Chianti estate, is so full of works of art that when you arrive there’s a high risk of tripping over. ‘Le Chemin du Bonheur,’ the work of Pascale Marthine Tayou, lines the ancient stone street of Ama, enlivening the 18th century hamlet with colour. The contemporary art on the hill overlooking the estate is a tribute to what owners Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti call in latin “genius loci”: a spirit-like sense of place. On 10 December at the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence, genius loci was celebrated in a vertical tasting of L’Apparita, the 100% Merlot wine made in heart of Chianti Classico for which the estate became known. Ama had a ‘Judgement of Paris’ moment on 8 February 1992 when the L’Apparita 1987 vintage beat Pétrus 1988, Le Pin and 16 other world-class Merlot wines at a tasting hosted by the Académie du Vin in Switzerland, with a jury comprised of renowned winemaking consultant Michel Rolland.

Does tasting wine at a fancy restaurant make you nervous? Do you feel awkward when all eyes are on you while having the first sip? Many people are afraid of tasting wine, but it should be fun. In this blog, we teach you step-by-step how to taste wine and develop an objective opinion about the served wine. First things first Tasting wine is a careful observation of look, smell, and taste. The more carefully you taste, the better you know why you prefer certain wines over others. Don’t be shy and write down your findings about a particular wine so you learn to share your thoughts in a clear and structured way. The perfect serve A good tasting starts with the way a wine is served. It’s part of the experience of enjoying a fine wine, even at home. Do you have a dinner party planned and always wanted to serve your wine with style? In a previous blog post, we gathered five tips that will give you the necessary confidence to make an impression at the table. You might even want to take the time to give more details about the wine. The better you understand the wine label, the better the story. Before you know it, you’ll sound like a true sommelier. Evaluate a wine by sight The colour of the wine Look straight down into the glass and observe the colour. After a while, you will learn to identify certain grapes by colour: an aged Pinot Noir has a pale brick colour in the center and an even more transparent edge, while a young Cabernet Sauvignon can be recognized by the dark ruby center and a slightly magenta-tinted edge. The older the wine, the more difference between the color in the center and the color at the edge. In general, intense colours indicate an exclusive wine of good quality, yet keep in mind every grape has its own unique intensity level. Only compare the intensity between wines of the same vintage. For example, deeper and richer coloured Bordeaux wines will taste more intense, while young Bordeaux wines with light colours will taste lighter and have more red fruits than black ones. A good wine should also show some sparkle when looking down into the glass. The more reflection of the light, the better the quality, yet it doesn’t tell you anything about the taste itself. The clarity of the wine Raise your glass of wine and hold it to the light. See how clear it is. The clarity of the wine tells you more about the quality of the grapes and storage conditions. A cloudy wine doesn’t necessarily mean the wine is bad, but it can indicate a lack of finesse. If you notice any sediment, there’s no reason to panic because it’s perfectly normal with an aged vintage wine. It may not look pretty, but the wine is still perfect to drink. The viscosity of the wine Swirl the wine and evaluate the viscosity or the ‘wine legs’. The higher the alcohol level of the wine, the higher the density of the droplets on the inside of the wine glass. When the tears flow down slowly, it indicates a sweet wine. Evaluate the smell of a wine A first impression Don’t swirl or bury your nose inside the glass, but take a first sniff over the top. This is the perfect way to check if you smell cork or other things that don’t belong in a wine. If you smell anything irregular, don’t hesitate to mention it. Indicate the primary aromas Take a deep sniff without swirling the glass. Make sure you hold the glass by its stem so your hands don’t warm up the wine. What do you smell? Mostly fruits? Or more herbal or floral notes? When you smell multiple aromas, you’re holding a complex wine. Don’t panic if you can’t distinguish any aroma at this point. This means the wine is ‘closed’. Indicate the secondary and tertiary aromas Time to swirl and release the secondary aromas that come from the winemaking practices. Especially the influence of oak can be derived and aromas like toast, vanilla, cedar, spice. When you’re tasting a young white wine or a young sparkling wine, you may even notice the scent of beer. This is perfectly normal and comes from the yeast. If you still don’t smell anything, the wine is indeed closed. When you’re holding an aged vintage wine, it’s possible to smell tertiary aromas as well. Aged white wines can release the smell of honey, toast, burned nuts, and petrol, while the smell of an aged red wine might remind you of leather, fall, or the countryside. TIP: If you want to practice swirling, pour some water in a wine glass and swirl the water around until you feel confident enough. Evaluate the taste of a wine The main taste of wine Take a sip and circulate it throughout your mouth by sucking on it as if you’re pulling the wine through a straw. Our tongues can detect four tastes: salty, sour, sweet, or bitter. All wines will taste a little sour because grapes inherently have some level of acidity, yet a salty taste will be less likely present. The level of tannins influences the bitterness and colour. The higher the level, the deeper the colour, and the more chance your mouth will feel a little dry while tasting. When bitterness is all you can taste, the tannins aren’t of good quality. Good tannins influence the aging of the wine and add stability to the texture. They are present but should be balanced by sour and fruity notes. Discovering new aromas By circulating the wine in your mouth, you might smell new aromas. This is called the ‘retronasal smell’. As you are warming up the wine in your mouth, the smell molecules shunt up through the nasal passages. The length of the taste Keep paying attention after you have swallowed the wine. How long does it take before the flavour is gone? The finish of the wine is just as important as the beginning and mid-palate. Develop your own personal taste Tasting wine should always be an interesting and pleasant experience. After a while, you will develop a preference for certain grape varieties and wine regions, making choosing a wine at a fancy restaurant less stressful. Do you plan a private tasting or are you a professional in organizing wine tastings? At Belgium Wine Watchers, you will find a wide range of exclusive wines from the best regions in France and Italy. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help in making your selection.

Introduction: At Belgium Wine Watchers, we recently stumbled upon a ghost bottle of old Port, shrouded in mystery with no reference to its producer. Intrigued by the challenge, we decided to take a leap of faith and uncork this hidden gem. With eager anticipation, we indulged in a sip of this remarkably aged 1927 Porto, and what a delight it turned out to be! Body: This ancient Port, despite its age, still retains its charm and allure. With every sip, it reveals layers of flavor that tantalize the palate. The smoothness of ripe cherries dances alongside the subtle notes of wild herbs, creating a symphony of taste that captivates the senses. But the true surprise comes with a burst of baked biscuit character, adding depth and complexity to the experience. While the liquid may show signs of its age with a slight flakiness, it remains a testament to the enduring quality of well-aged Port. Despite the passage of time, this ghost bottle still boasts a stunning depth and richness of fruit, showcasing just how worthy aged Port can be. It's a true survivor, standing the test of time and leaving a lasting impression on all who have the privilege of tasting it. Conclusion: In a world where treasures often lie hidden, this ghost bottle of Porto from 1927 serves as a reminder of the timeless allure of fine wine. Its discovery is a testament to the thrill of exploration and the joy of uncovering hidden gems. As we raise our glasses to toast this remarkable find, we invite you to join us on a journey of discovery and indulgence, where every sip tells a story and every bottle holds the promise of adventure.