TripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence

It's a joy for Gérald to share his knowledge of wine and today Loire Valley Uncorked was awarded with a 'Certificate of Excellence' from TripAdvisor.

• Loire Valley Uncorked

Le Figaro - Brighton la Pétulante

Word of Ten Green Bottles is spreading across The English Channel/La Manche into France. To read the full article visit : Le Figaro.fr

Kevin Major, highly acclaimed award winning writer

For the month of May we have Kevin and Ann Major staying in 'Annie's House'.

Learning Kevin is an award winning writer I got 'googling' and soon discovered his great passion for wine, and not only that! Kevin's fabulous wine blog; One Brilliant Bottle.

If this coincidence wasn't enough I couldn't believe it when Kevin mentioned my post on Domaine Singla, whose wines he and Ann have much interest in and had missed sampling the last time they were in the south of France.

Interest in Domaine Singla is equally shared in la famille Beaumont household and needless to say, it was a great pleasure for Gérald to introduce his great friend, Laurent de Besombes wines; Passe Temps and El Moli to Kevin and Ann, these wines are perfection.

Read about Kevin and Ann's exceptional wine finds during their stay in the Loire Valley by visiting : One Brilliant Bottle.

The Who
I’m Newfoundland & Labrador author Kevin Major. I’ve written fifteen books, including “No Man’s Land”, “As Near to Heaven by Sea”, and ”Hold Fast.” And plays, most recently “Lead Me Home.” The most recent novel, titled “New Under the Sun”, was released in 2010.

Nothing about wine, however.

For a good part of my life my wine purchases were based on: a. the price ($10-$15, depending on the decade) and/or b. the label (whether it was eye-catching, preferably with a gold sticker from some competition).
It was Hemingway who wrote, “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world.” Somehow that line had escaped me.

For years I skirted the world of exceptional wine, intimidated, ambivalent. But now, though late to the oasis, I’ve plunged feet first into it, reading as much as I can, and tasting as much as my pocketbook will allow. I’m feeling more confident.

I’ve taken a particular interest in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. My original goal was to search out and experience One Brilliant Bottle a week, each week for the first year of the new decade, 2010. That accomplished, I’ve extended the project into 2011. It’s been too much of a treat to stop!

Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Bourgogne - organic & biodynamic wine tasting, Brighton

A good friend of Géralds, Thiébault Huber from Domaine Huber-Verdereau will be hosting a private wine tasting at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton on Sunday 15 May 2011 at 15h00.

(photo : The Wine Estate, Bourgogne)

Thiébaults wines are certainly a 'must have' chez les Beaumonts and a personal favourite is the Bourgogne Chardonnay which is most likely to be amongst the chosen wines to be sampled.

History : Domaine Huber-Verdereau was founded by Thiébault Huber in 1994, but originates from the 19th century, when family Verdereau began to grow wine on the estate in Volnay. Thiébault runs 6.5 hectares of vines in three parishes: Volnay, Pommard and Meursault. Convinced that the true wealth and flavour of Burgundy comes from the soil, he controls yields and makes his wines in the traditional manner, though not hesitating to use modern techniques such as thermoregulation and pre-fermentation maceration when necessary. The Domaine has worked organically since 2001, and applied biodynamic principles in 2005.

Burgundy Tasting - booking can be made online; click ‘here’ or by contacting either Sam or Simon at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room on: 01273 567176

With Augustin & Constance in mind...

We thought it would be rather fun for Augustin and Constance to each receive wine for their birth years. Wine they will be able to appreciate at an appropriate time later on in their lives, and this week we received their gifts.

Naturally the choice of wine was made by Gérald whose expertise and choice never disappoints.

Géralds Choice :
Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Pommard 2008 and Pommard 2009, Bourgogne rouge; a blend of wines from three parcels, one of which was planted in 1930. The Pommards are very representative of the appellation, being very powerful, tannic wines they need to be left to age for a few years before drinking and can be kept for at least ten years.

Wine Tasting: Domaine de la Paleine, Le Puy Notre-Dame, Saumur, France at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton

Next weekend will see the return of Gérald Beaumont from Domaine de la Paleine to The Wine Shop & Tasting Room, Brighton.

Hosting a private wine tasting event on Sunday 13 March 2011 amongst the selected wines will be the recently 5 awarded Ligers 2011 wines from the Loire Valley Wine Fair.

Domaine de la Paleine - the vines of the chenin blanc and cabernet franc grape make up the majority of the vineyards 32 hectares.

Leaving grass to grow in between the vines encourages her roots to grow deep into the limestone soil. Exceptionally chalky the soil acts as a sponge retaining surplus water, a natural reservoir during the hot summer months thus allowing the vines to feed their growing fruits.

It is this action that gives the wines of Domaine de la Paleine their unique character: full bodied, yet subtle and fruity.

Booking can be made online; click ‘here’ or by contacting either Sam or Simon at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room on: 01273 567176

Domaine de la Paleine - Ligers 2011

Tuesday 2 February saw the close of the Salon des Vins de Loire 2011.

Held annually in Angers the Loire Valley Wine Fair, a 3 day trade fair plays host to the highest number of professionals, visitors, connoisseurs and Val de Loire vignerons under the same roof at any one given time.

Throughout the 3 day event vignerons wine and new vintages are sampled, professionals source favourites and new finds for commerce and connoisseurs judge the attending Domaines wines in order to establish who will be presented with the Ligers 2011 medals prior to the opening of the 3 day fair.

Proudly holding one of the highest number of Ligers medals awarded - Domaine de la Paleine was presented with a further 5 Ligers medals for its outstanding quality of wine:

Ligers Or
Saumur Rouge, ‘Cuvée de Printemps’ 2009
Saumur-Puy-Notre-Dame, 'Moulin des Quints' 2009

Ligers Argent
Saumur Rouge, Tamino 2008

Ligers Bronze
Saumur Champigny 2009
Saumur Brut

If you are interested in learning more about the wines produced at Domaine de la Paleine on Sunday 13 March 2011 Gerald will be hosting a wine tasting at The Wine Shop & Tasting Room in Brighton. To learn more about this private event please contact either Sam or Simon at Ten Green Bottles.