After a fun 10 days in Europe – Duesseldorf for ProWein 2009 and then Verona for Vinitaly 2009, it’s back to the daily grind here in India.
ProWein was superb: extremely well-organised (Germans, of course!!!) and there seemed to be a lot of good wine ‘business’ taking place, along with some rather spectacular tastings. I promise to write up the notes of some of the incredible wines that I was lucky enough to have tasted there, but as a teaser, I managed to attend a tastings of Dolcetto from various DOCG’s in Piedmont including Alba, Dogliani, Ovada and Acqui. Very interesting.
The highlight was, without a doubt, a tasting entitled ‘Fascination Riesling’ presented by Jancis Robinson MW.
Jancis Robinson at ProWein
3 flights of old, sweet Rieslings – Auslese, Eiswein, Beerenauslese and Trockenbeerenauslese – culminated in some relics from the 1950’s, including a still-lively 1959 TBA from the Kanzemer Altenberg vineyard of Bischoefliches Priesterseminar from the Mosel.
Aged sweet Rieslings at ProWein 2009
There was also a Barolo vertical from Fontanafredda, a producer founded in 1878. All the wines were the La Rosa Barolo, starting with the 2004 vintage and ending with the 1990.
I was very impressed with a quick tasting of Muscadet’s from the Loire Valley. If anyone thinks Muscadet cannot age – I have to say I was skeptical – then they have to try the 2000 Vignoble de Lorière et d’Herbauges’ Cuvée de Legendaire. For a 9-year old light white wine, it tasted youthful, fresh and still just a bit fruity.
Vinitaly update to follow, but I have to say immediately, the the best wine I tried in Verona was the 1964 Gaja Barbaresco, guided by Angelo and Gaia Gaja at their 150th anniversary tasting. Jancis Robinson was again present, moderating this tasting. A rare and extremely special event!
Gaja 150th Anniversary tasting, including the 1964 Barbaresco, extreme right
And there is a comment from Fouad in Sydney about wine and Indian food, which I will get to shortly. Thanks for your patience.
