15
March
2010
Nothing is better than to share a good bottle of wine with a friend after a great busy day of work.
Last Saturday night, after the staff left, my friend Ed and I opened a Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard Christina 2002 unfiltered from the California Russian Valley. Wow, it was good! We opened the bottle and poured some in the appropriate Pinot Noir Riedel glass. Honestly, it was one of my favorite Pinot from the US that I had. I had this bottle in my cellar for many years and never really had the reaction to pull it and open it. Finally I did. The bottle was unfiltered and was revealing amazing aromas of caramel, beurre noisette, and almost over riped black fruits. The tannin were very soft, a very easy drink at midnight. What better way to end a great day at work with some great discussions.
More, more and more…. Wine and Friends goes hand in hand. Wine is made to share, not keep for ever in a cellar or basement. The day is today on being special. Don’t wait to long, life go by fast, enjoy it the maximum you can, especially with a glass of wine.
Cedric Fichepain
Owner of Le Voltaire Restaurant and WineInStock.com
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5
March
2010
I just received today a gift from a friend of mine who came back from France recently. He and his wife had the chance to visit some common friends in Paris, and went to visit some Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards during the same stay.
VIEUX MARC DU CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE.
Before that, I only knew about their white and red Chateauneuf, but never heard about a marc. A marc is actually an Eau de Vie, its production is done with the pomace (solid remains of grape after the juice pressing and contains the seeds, the skins and the pulp). It is than distilled in copper still twice and is cellared in wood barrels for 5 years.. In this case, the gapes used are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The color is light brown.
I opened it and tasted it, and the first bursting aromas in my mouth was liquorice. It also had flavors of spices and dry raisins. I am usually not a big fan of after drinks and it was very tasty.
Even being a big fan of Chateauneuf du Pape wines, I never heard of this products. But to be honest, it makes sense. Making wine is like cooking, you get a much as you can of the products you work with. After just a few research, I found out that every wine regions and subregions have a marc or eau de vie based on grapes. The other known one are made with fruits like, apple (Cavados), Pear (Poire Williams)…
In the States you might know better the Italian Grappa. Well, let’s say this Marc of Chateauneuf to Pape, is a lot smoother than the Grappa.
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