LeDomduVin: Thank you!!! LeDomduVin is once again back in the Feedspot Top 100 Wine Blogs at #97

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO YOU ALL 

FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT

MERCI !!!

LeDomduVin is once again back in the Feedspot Top 100 Wine Blogs at #97

And, it is because of you and I thank you very much for it, I'm very grateful and humbled at the same time. 🙏🙏🙏

Every end of January, I usually take a look at Feedspot's Top 100 Wine Blogs to see what is my rank among some of the best wine blogs on the planet, and, for example, back in 2020, I was ranked #85, (it was great, thank you for that too), #118 in 2021 (it should be the "Top 200" instead, as they have about 200+ wine blogs listed 😊) and #124 last year (2022).

Yet, this year, I'm back in the Top 100 at #97, that's amazing! And, I thank you again for it.

It may not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me as I have been dedicating a lot of time to it, since I started this blog, back in 2008 (15 years already).

Being back in the Top 100 motivates me to continue creating, writing, and posting more articles, photos, images, drawings, collages, visuals, and videos on my blog.

And, above all, I will gladly continue to share my passion and knowledge with you all (as well as my passion for writing, drawing, creating visuals, and taking pictures) via this blog.

Thank you for your help and support and kind words over the last 15 years, and thank you for putting LeDomduVin back in the Top 100 Wine Blogs. Much Appreciated.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom aka LeDomduVin (aka Dominique Noel)

NB: For those who may not know Feedspot's Top 100 Wine Blogs, it ranks (as per their words): "The best Wine blogs from thousands of blogs on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness."

You can find the Top 100 Wine Blogs at https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_blogs/

And, Thank you Feedspot too! 😊👍🍷

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #thankyou #wine #vin #vino #wein @feedspotdotcom @feedspotapp #feedspot #topwineblogs #top100wineblogs #wineblog #wineblogs #ninetyseven

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2022 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, drawings, illustrations, visuals, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Comfort Food with Comfort Wine

Domaine de l'Oiselet Vacqueyras 

Vieilles Vignes Bio 2020

This weekend was cold in Hong Kong, with temperatures below 10°C at night (which is cold for HK). So, I mostly stayed inside, doing my things, like writing, drawing, making music, watching some Netflix series and a few movies, and eating some comfort food.

When people do nothing at home, many usually order pizzas, I prefer cooking. I am not a great cook, but in the last 16 years of cooking for my kids and me, I mastered a few recipes from my childhood, that my mum and/or my grandfather used to make and added my own twist to them.

And last night, I wanted something warm, cozy, and wintery, so I made myself some comforting winter food, one of my favorite dishes actually: slow-cooked chicken with garlic and “Fines Herbes” and “Gratin Dauphinois”. It was really good and definitely hit the spot.

In fact, I made enough for at least 2-3 people, even if I was alone, and finished it all. It was that good!!! Yet, nothing surprising as I love eating, more especially when it brings back great memories of my childhood in the countryside.

With it, I wanted to drink a rustic, ample, generous, bold, powerful wine with a nice balance between acidity and tannins, a good body and plenty of earthiness, something Terroir oriented, and I don’t know about you, but for me, that means a red wine from the Rhone Valley, Southern Rhone actually, where grape varieties like Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault, when blended together, fully express themselves with such characteristics. 

As mentioned in previous posts, at work, I open some of the greatest bottles this world has to offer, yet at home, especially if I’m alone, I only drink inexpensive wine. 

So, I find myself a nice Vacqueyras (around 140 HKD / 16 Euros in HK, but about 10 Euros in France) to drink with my comfort food. It paired really well with it, which was really enjoyable and greatly satisfied the grandson of a paysan that I am. 

The best things in life are usually the simplest! 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #vacqueyras #southernrhone #domainedeloiselet #rhone #redwine #france #comfortwine #comfortfood #homecooking 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Theory of the decades for Bordeaux Vintages - Vintage Chart 1900 to 2020 (suite)

 

LeDomduVin: Theory of the decades for Bordeaux Vintages - Vintage Chart 1900 to 2022

Back in 2012, I wrote a long post on my blog (read it here) about a "theory" originally initiated by my grandfather, a winemaker making "Cotes de Bourg" & "Cotes de Blaye" wines, who planted the idea in my mind.

This idea, or "theory", consists in believing that there could be a recurring "pattern" or "cycle" of the vintage's quality and conditions for Bordeaux wines, coming back nearly every decade in very similar ways, making the quality of the vintages almost predictable (despite the acceleration of recent climate changes since the mid-80s, more especially since 2000).

I know it is a far-fetched idea. That's why I call it a "theory". And I should not generalize or make any general assumptions, as each Bordeaux vintage is different and, therefore, inconsistent from one another, even more so when you take each appellation individually.

But, let's say we take Bordeaux as a whole and generalize on the overall quality of each vintage, regardless of the appellations and left bank/right bank differences (topography, geography, climate, micro-climate, grape varieties, soils, sub-soils, etc...).

To do that, I studied different Bordeaux vintage charts from various reputable sources (Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Decanter, Wine Cellar Insider, etc...). I compiled them into an easy-to-understand "Bordeaux-at-a-glance" vintage chart.

As a visual worth a thousand words, I created this Vintage Chart in 2019 as a supporting visual to the post I wrote back in 2012 (easier to comprehend the theory, see it here).

Today, I reviewed this chart a little and completed it until the vintage 2022 (which is a great vintage, by the way). And the results speak for themselves: despite some rare exceptions, like 1947, 1961, 1964, 1982 and 2022, since the 40s, the vintages ending in 0, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are consistently coming back as "Best" or "Great to good", while the ones ending in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 are consistently “Good to fair" and/or "Fair to mediocre”. 

It is just a theory, yet it seems quite clear to me, and recent vintages have repeatedly proved it, with the "5s" for example, 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015. Same with the "6s", "9s" and "0s" 

 

I'm not saying it is science or pure fact. It is just the result of my personal observation over 30+ years as a Sommelier and Wine Buyer and grandson of a winemaker who started to talk to me about this pattern when I was a kid, and the idea stuck in my head.  

NB: for more details, you can read my 2012 post on the subject, read it here.

Meanwhile, I have just pre-ordered Neal Martin's new book "The Complete Bordeaux Vintage Guide - 150 years from 1870 to 2020" (official release mid-April), which I highly suggest you buy to complete your library of "necessary wine books to have" and better comprehend the complex variations/factors that have influenced each Bordeaux vintage over the last 150 years. 

And maybe you'll see the pattern, too. 😉👍🍷

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #theoryofthedecades #theoryofthedecadesforbordeauxwines #bordeauxvintagechart #vintagechart #theory #wineknowledge #wineeducation #winetheory 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: A Cabernet Franc Crave

 

A Cabernet Franc Crave

When asked what my favorite grape variety is, my heart balances between Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

Cabernet Sauvignon, as I am from Bordeaux, and thus grew up with wines predominantly made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. And, no matter what I do, I always come back to Bordeaux wines. Back to my roots.

And, Pinot Noir, as, throughout my career as a Sommelier/Wine Buyer, I have learned how to also love and, with age, even prefer Pinot Noir. I slowly became a traitor to my region of Bordeaux, by drinking more Burgundy.

As someone told me recently, and I think this sentence perfectly resumes the situation and reflects the reality of the drinking habits of a lot of people I know:

«Les amateurs de bons vins naissent à Bordeaux et meurent en Bourgogne!»

(“Lovers of good wines are born in Bordeaux and die in Burgundy!”)

However, besides these two, another grape variety that also gives me true pleasure in drinking is Cabernet Franc. And, do not ask me why, as, if not done right, Cabernet Franc can be green, herbaceous, bitter, tannic, rugged, even rough and rustic, and rather unpleasant.

Yet, when done right, especially in the Loire Valley, where it is thriving, Cabernet Franc is delightful, and can easily withstand or even surpass some of its Bordeaux and Burgundy counterparts, in terms of taste, complexity, and more especially price, like this wine at around 8€ a bottle.

Driven by the sudden desire to drink a Cabernet Franc, on a budget, I just picked it up from the aisle of a local supermarket, to give it a try; more by curiosity than knowledge, as despite the famous names of Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur, Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire (the list would be too long to mention them all…), I must admit that my knowledge of Loire Valley is rather limited.

Domaine Bruneau “Grande Cuvée” Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Vieilles Vignes 2018, is an exquisite little wine, well crafted, light to medium-bodied, well balanced, fairly supple, boasting fresh, crisp acidity, deliciously perfumed, exhibiting aromas of raspberry and blackcurrant, with bramble notes. It paired well with the slices of Salchichon Iberico Bellota.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #cabernetfranc #bourgueil #saintnicolasdebourgueil #loirevalley #domainebruneau #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #housewine #housewines #wineonabudget

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: A great lineup (again)

A great lineup (again)

I love my job, for many reasons, yet, more especially as it gives me access to rare and unique wine gems (that I cannot afford and would not have access to otherwise).

I always feel very privileged and humble when I open such great wines, and luckily for me, in my 31 years career as a Sommelier/Wine Buyer, I have been working in great places (restaurants, clubs, casinos, hotels...) with wealthy patrons drinking great wines.

And, a few days ago, I had the chance to taste and serve some great wines (again), at a private party, for about 10 people, in our Japanese restaurant.

They gave me a budget per bottle and I made my selection, sourced them, and bought them for the night. It was only supposed to include Sake, Champagne, and a red Burgundy.

So, I decided to go with Juyondai, reputed for the high quality and excellent taste of their Sake, and chose JUYONDAI JUNMAI DAIGINJO TATSUNO OTOSHIGO 十四代純米大吟釀龍之落子. A bold and distinctive Sake, rich and generous, without being too heavy or too sweet, delivering a lot of peachy, melon, and lychee flavors with mineral nuances. Love it.

For the Champagne, in their price range, Krug 2008 seemed like the perfect choice and it did not disappoint, on the contrary, it exploded with richness and complexity, freshness and ampleness. Stunning.

For the red Burgundy, my initial and only choice was the Mongeard Mugneret Grands Echezeaux 2015. Yet, as some guests were asking for some red immediately, I knew that 2 bottles of Mongeard will not be enough.

So, I decided to open 2 bottles of Robert Groffier Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Les Amoureuses" 2018 from my hidden stash, a beautifully crafted, youthful, friendly, juicy wine offering plenty of red fruits, great acidity, superb balance and freshness, and a zesty mouthfeel. Way too young, but still, what a treat! Loooooved it.

Then, I served the Mongeard, a much more mature, masculine, and cerebral wine, complex, layered, and rich. Beautiful.

As they were drinking more, I had to return to my stash and bring my secret weapon of late, Perrot Minot La Richemone 2018, another one of my favorite wines. Amazing! (see my previous post for the full description, here) 

A good Sommelier is always prepared!

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #krug #robertgroffier #mongeardmugneret #perrotminnot #champagne #burgundy #france #frenchwines #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #winebuyer #greatlineup #greatwines

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Petite soirée entre amis

Petite soirée entre amis 

Lots of people tell me: “Wow, you always open such great bottles!”, most of the time thinking "he must be rich and have a great lifestyle". 

Well, for once and for all, I would like to remind these people, that no I’m not rich, I do have a rather common low middle-class lifestyle, which can be resumed to “metro-boulot-dodo”, and that I am just a Sommelier sourcing, buying, tasting and serving wine to wealthy patrons. 

95% of the bottles you see in my posts are bottles that I open when I am at work, not for my personal consumption. 

The good thing is that I get to source them, buy them, taste them and serve them, which is the reason why I love my job, as it give me access to such beautiful “ladies” (as I like to call them). 

The fact is that, like most Sommeliers I know, I open super expensive bottles at work, but I drink rather inexpensive, every day wines at home, as I cannot afford the expensive ones. 

For example, the other day, some friends came at home, and these are the wines we drank and enjoyed together. Nothing extraordinary, nor extravagant, just simple, affordable wines. Nice and easy. 😄👍🍷🍷🍷😋😋😋😋

A muscadet, from Domaine de la Bretonniere, to start as an aperitif, “pour se mettre en bouche” as we say in French. Nice, clean, fresh, easy going, great to whet your appetite. About 8€

Then, a Sancerre Henri Bourgeois “Les Baronnes” 2021, zesty, mineral, well balanced, quaffable. About 21€

Chateau Larroque Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 at about 15€

Relais de La Dominique Saint Émilion 2018 at about 23€

Et voilà, and we had a really good evening, enjoying these bottles over charcuterie and cheeses and pizzas. Nice and simple, enjoyable and convivial. Nothing fancy, just “une petite soirée entre amis”! 

😄👍🍷🍷🍷😋😋😋

Voilà, voilà…

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #everydaywines #petitesoiree #petitesoireeentreamis #simple #simplewines #simplelife #housewines @domainedelabretonniere @henribourgeois @chateaularroque @chateau_ladominique

LeDomduVin: Happy Chinese New Year 2023 - Year of the Rabbit 😁👍🍷

Happy Chinese New Year 2023 
Year of the Rabbit 😁👍🍷

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái
Kung Hei Fat Choi 恭喜發財
Gong Hei Fat choy 恭喜发财
Xīnnián kuàilè 新年快樂

I wish you and your family and loved ones a happy, prosperous, healthy, and wealthy Chinese New Year of the Rabbit

May 2023 bring you what 2022 did not.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #happynewyear #happychinesenewyear #chinesenewyear #wine #vin #vino #wine #lescreationsadom #lesimagesadom #lescollagesadom #rabbitlevercorkscrew #rabbitcorkscrew

LeDomduVin: Domaine Perrot-Minot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru “La Richemone” Vignes Centenaires Cuvée Ultra 2018

Domaine Perrot-Minot 

Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru 

“La Richemone” Vignes Centenaires 

Cuvée Ultra 2018

I have said it before and will say it again: Perrot-Minot is one of my top favorite Domaines in Burgundy. 

I just loooooove their wines. And, I also love the way they revamped the look of their bottles, labels, and packaging. 

And this wine (opened for a private lunch today) definitely confirms it. 

My god, what a gorgeous wine!!! 

First, the package is a statement on its own: clean, clear, smart, and sophisticated. 

Secondly, both the thick, solid bottle and the bold, modern, yet elegantly designed labels (front and back) also convey a refined and cultivated image.

Even the long and qualitative cork is synonymous with attention to detail, passion, and precision. 

Yet, the best is in the bottle (as it always is) 😁👍🍷 

The second I popped the cork up, dark fruits, spices, and smoky and earthy fragrances were already perfuming the room. The palate opened with a fresh juicy, fruity attack, then smoothly expanded in the mid-palate with layers of red and dark fruit flavors mingling with earthy, smoky, terroir-driven notes and very integrated oak nuances. Extremely well-balanced, precise, elegant, and refined, with great acidity, yet ample, round, and delivering generously with a comforting boldness and confidence. The finish is long, lingering, and seamless. Gorgeous! A stunning wine from beginning to end. 

Looooooove it!

NB: Only 2531 bottles were produced, and I bought 7 of them. Make sure to source some for yourself asap. They won't last long.

Cheers! Santé! And... 

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI 恭喜發財

Happy Chinese New Year! to all of you and your families. 

Stay safe and take good care of yourself and your loved ones. 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein @domaineperrotminot #domaineperrotminot #nuitssaintgeorges #premiercru #larichemone #cuveeultra #larichemonecuveeultra #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovethiswine #ilovemyjob 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Sauternes by Château d'Yquem

Sauternes by Château d'Yquem

Have you ever seen this bottle before? 

Well, me neither, until tonight. It was given as a gift to someone who wanted me to verify its authenticity. 

As an ex-Wine Quality Control Director (for 9 years in my previous job), I accepted right away, both interested and bewildered by the sight of this strange-looking label. 

To be honest, “What is this? Is it made in China?” is the first thing that came to my mind. 

I had never seen such a bottle in my entire 31 years career in the wine industry. Moreover, it says "produced at Chateau d’Yquem". And, in all these years of buying, selling, tasting and serving both wines from Chateau d’Yquem, “Y” of Yquem and the eponymous Grand Vin of the Chateau, you will think that I would have come across this particular wine and label. But, no, never. 

What is this? A “Sauternes” made by Yquem? Is it a fake? Could it be a counterfeit? I had to look it up prior to sending an email to the Chateau to obtain some explanation. 

And, what I found out is very interesting (at least to me). 

It is not a fake, nor a counterfeit, actually. As Jeff Leve (@jeff_leve) wrote on his very helpful and insightful website "The Wine Cellar Insider": 

"While the estate strives to make vintages of Chateau d’Yquem every year, that is not always possible. Chateau d’Yquem ended up declassifying the entire harvest and did not make wine in the following vintages, 1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, and 2012.

So, what does Chateau d’Yquem do with the declassified wine? In the past, declassified grapes that were not used in the production of their dry, white wine “Y”, were sold off in bulk and used to produce a generic, Sauternes wine.

Today, declassified grapes are also used to produce a special blend of declassified d’Yquem that is only available to employees through internal sales at the property. The wine is not meant to be sold as a commercial product. The wine is classed as a generic AOC Sauternes wine.” - Jeff Leve (www.thewinecellarinsider.com)

Now we have the answer. Thank you, Jeff. 😊👍🍷

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom @yquem #yquem #sauternes #wine #vin #vino #wein #bordeaux #france

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Smoking Champagne

Smoking Champagne 

I opened this bottle today to welcome some guests for the aperitif, and it was stunning.

Attractive golden color. Toasted brioche, stone fruits, and yellow fruit, with nutty and mineral nuances. Rich, layered, complex, long, and beautifully balanced with a refreshing acidity keeping it sharp and elegant, while generously coating the palate from the beginning to the lingering finish. Really satisfying and definitely calling for another glass. Loooove it.

For a Churchill, it was smoking!!!

NB: These were not my guests, of course, I wish, but no, I was working, yes, even on Sundays. And, btw. a friendly reminder for the people who continue to believe that all these beautiful ladies (that I open on nearly a daily basis) are mine and that I open them for my own personal consumption, well, sorry to say, but they are not. I’m just a Sommelier opening bottles for some wealthy people. The good thing is that, at least, I get to buy them, taste them and serve them.😁👍🍷

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom @champagnepolroger #champagnepolroger #polroger #champagne #wine #vin #vino #wein #vintagechampagne

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Like a Saturday on the boat

Like a Saturday on the boat…

It was supposed to be cold and even raining today, and it ended up being hot and humid, a misty and cloudy day for the most part of the morning, until the sun came out timidly for the lunch and stayed the whole afternoon until it disappeared behind the mountain, leaving behind him, a pink hue to the sky. It was beautiful. It was a very nice day. 

The wines were also nice and showed fantastically well. 

Dom Pérignon 2010

Margaux Blanc 2018

Henri Magnien Ruchottes Chambertin 2017

Montrose Saint Estéphe 2009

Tasting notes coming soon… on my blog at www.ledomduvin.com

Santé! Cheers! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #leshotosadom @domperignonofficial #domperignon @chateaumargaux #chateaumargaux @domainehenrimagnien #domainehenrimagnien @chateau_montrose #chateaumontrose #champagne #bordeaux #burgundy #france #frenchwines

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Bordeaux Bashing

Bordeaux bashing 

Montrose Saint Estèphe 2nd GCC 2009

Average aggregate score 96/100

Tertre Roteboeuf Saint Émilion GC 2008

Average aggregate score 94/100

Évangile Pomerol 2016

Average aggregate score 96/100

I'm just kidding about the « bashing », and I also don’t care about scores (even if they are helpful at times).

Bordeaux is my hometown. I grew up drinking Bordeaux, and I have been both a partisan and an ambassador of Bordeaux wines for the past 31 years as a Sommelier/Wine buyer in Bordeaux, Paris, London, New York, and Hong Kong.

I love Bordeaux and its wines and will continue defending, promoting, buying, selling, and serving them for as long as I can.

And, these 3 wines are great examples of how great Bordeaux can be and why Bordeaux is and will remain one of the top wine regions in France, in Europe, and in the world.

And, despite the common belief, they are plenty of great Bordeaux wines at low to mid-range prices.

I raise my glass to all the Bordelais & Bordelaises, and to you too. Yes, you, reading this post, I also raise my glass to you for your help and support and for drinking some Bordeaux wines occasionally and wine in general. 😁👍🙏🍷🍷🍷

And if you read all the above, thank you also for not being one of these persons who only read the first line. 🙏👏👍🍷🍷🍷

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #bordeaux #bordeauxwines #france #redwine @chateau_montrose #chateaumontrose #tertreroteboeuf @chateaulevangile

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: It's Friday the 13th...

It's Friday the 13th 

Keep calm and pour some more wine

😉😁👍🍷🍷🍷🤣🤣🤣

Nothing to be afraid of as long you have a bottle in your hand.... as you can throw it, break it on the head, knock out your opponents, or simply drink it, you can just do that too 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Santé! Cheers!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #fridaythe13th #lesmemesadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #keepcalm #keepcalmandpoursomemorewine

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Drinking wine or being skinny?

As it is winter, I'll choose a red

😁👍🍷🍷🍷🤣🤣🤣🤣

Moreover, there is no point in being skinny in winter 😉🤪😁👍🍷

Santé! Cheers!

Dom 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #skinny #wine #vin #vino #wein #diet #drinking

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Party on Tuesday

Party on Tuesday

And, why not? In fact, we should basically party every day as if it was the last, to make the best of it, right? 😁👍🥂

Well, that's what some people did last night, and I was pleased to be part of it as their Sommelier, firstly because they were extremely nice, and secondly, because they brought a great lineup of champagnes and wines not to be missed. 

Champagne Fleury Symphonie d'Europe Extra Brut 1992 

(disgorged December 2016) 

Unfortunately, it was gone, down the hill, smelled off, and was totally unbalanced and unharmonious. Too bad as I would have loved to love it.

Bereche et Fils Reflet d'Antan Brut 

(BA14 disgorged February 2019)

Really nice, fresh, enticing nose of brioche and toast mingling with minerals and yellow fruits, quite complex and long. Love it.

Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Cotes de Val Vilaine Blanc de Noirs Pinot noir 

(V17, disgorged April 2019) 

A classic in my book, zesty, fresh, crisp, yet generous and complex, rich without being heavy, sharp and precise, and a perfect introduction to Cedric Bouchard Champagnes if you do not know them. Love it.

Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 1996 

For a Puligny Montrachet village of that age, this is an amazing and incredibly surprising wine. Rich, ample, complex, layered, incredibly balanced and harmonious, and nicely expanding from the mouthwatering attack to the highly satisfying lingering finish, with a strong potential to age even much longer. Man, what a wine!!! Love it!

Domaine Faiveley Mazis Chambertin 2010 

Great wine, but it needs time to open up and is still a bit shy, and in fact too young. Wait for it a bit.

Yquem 1975 

Absolutely gorgeous! Great balance between the fruit, the acidity, the sweetness, and the alcohol, nicely coating the palate, highly recommended and to revisit in 20 years.

What a great lineup, wouldn't you agree? And that's the reason why I love my job.  

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein #champagne #burgundy #bordeaux #sauternes @champagne.fleury #champagnefleury @bereche_champagne_officiel #champagnebereche #champagnerosesdejeanne #rosesdejeanne #cedricbouchard #cedricbouchardrosesdejeanne @domaineleflaive #domaineleflaive @domainefaiveley #domainefaiveley @yquem #yquem #greatlineup

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: My usual Trio

My usual Trio

Most of the wines I open and share with you in my posts are usually from the main 3 regions that govern and rule the Wine World: Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux.

Not because I'm French, although it might influence my choices a little, but because I realized that, in my 31+ years of career in the wine business, no matter what I do and no matter my efforts to remain unbiased, curious about everything and open to other french regions and to the rest of the world, I always go back to the wines of these 3 most iconic regions. 

Maybe it is because of the types of patrons I have been serving these wines to for all these years, usually very wealthy and part of the high society, somewhat posh and snobs too, and therefore only asking for "names and labels", "la crème de la crème", "Ze best", as we say in our anglicized french jargon. 

But, more than anything else, I believe it is due to many factors, including taste, quality, and complexity of these wines, that have countlessly been copied, imitated, reproduced, and recreated elsewhere, yet have remained unmatched to this day. 

For good reasons, the wines of these 3 regions have had a major impact and greatly inspired the rest of the world for roughly the last 170 years, since the first World Exposition in London in 1851, and, more especially, the one in Paris in 1855. 

Why, more specifically, the one in Paris in 1855? Well, because the 1855 "Exposition Universelle de Paris" (Paris Universal Exposition) spawned two major classifications that would redefine the perception of French wine and its impact on the rest of the world for decades (even centuries) to come.  

The first was the famous creation of the "1855 Bordeaux Classification". Commanded by Napoleon III for the "Exposition Universelle de Paris", Bordeaux wine merchants had to produce a list of the best Chateaux at the time, classified according to their wine's quality and prices, to be proudly displayed at the exposition to impress the visitors and show one of France's most treasured pride: Wine.   

The second, known by the most erudite wine lovers and created for the Paris Universal Exhibition, was the classification of the soils (and thus climates) of the Burgundy region according to the quality of associated wines. This led to the establishment of the Burgundy soils map classification (Grand crus, Premier crus, village, and regional appellations) and the writing of a book called "Histoire et Statistique de la Vigne et des Grands Vins de la Cote-d'Or", by Dr. M.J. Lavalle, which became the basis for a more comprehensive wine classification published six years later, still in force today.

And, basically, the rest is history...😁👍🍷

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #vin #wine #vino #wein #champagne #bourgogne #burgundy #bordeaux #myusualtrio #winehistory #wineeducation #wineknowledge #tastingnotes 

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: THIS JANUARY... LET'S KEEP IT DRY!!!

THIS JANUARY... KEEP IT DRY!!! 

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

DRY JANUARYcollage by @ledomduvin 2019

Re-posting this post from January 2020, with the full post on this blog, under the link below: 

https://www.ledomduvin.com/2020/01/this-january-keep-it-dry.html?m=1

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #dryjanuary #keepitdry #dryjanuaryalternatives #beverageselectionfordryjanuary #beverageselections #lesphotosadom #lescollagesadom #lesmemesadom #lescreationsadom #vin #wine #vino #wein #noalcohol #noalcoholforonemonth #noalcoholmonth

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Au Revoir Monsieur Erick De Sousa

Au revoir Monsieur Erick De Sousa!

Champagne mourns one of his finest and most renowned small producers, Erick de Sousa, head of the famous Champagne House "De Sousa", has passed at the young age of 59 years old.

An iconic figure of the Côte des Blancs, he was a pioneer of biodynamic methods and certified Bio and Demeter, and his many cuvées reflected his passion for quality, purity, precision, and, more specifically, they were the perfect expression of the various terroirs the grapes were coming from and the various blends he was creating and crafting with them.

Located in Avize, at the heart of the Cotes des Blancs, his vineyards holding comprises about 42 plots, spanning 9.5 hectares, including 2.5 hectares of coveted old vines in Avize, Cramant, and Oger.

Production is about 85,000 bottles annually and, with the exception of his entry-level "Brut Tradition", every vineyard source is "Grand Cru", with 70% of vines over 40 years of age and a significant percentage 50-60 years old. Some planted by his grandfather are more than 80 years old.

If you have never tried "De Sousa" Champagnes, you definitely should as each of them is a truly unique experience on its own for your tastebuds.

And, since 1995, for the old vines (more than 50 years old), the vinification is done in small oak barrels to give matter to the wine, providing them with even more complexity, personality, and character.

Champagne De Sousa Cuvées currently include the following: 

Brut Tradition 

Extra-Brut 

Réserve 

Brut Rosé 

3A 

Mycorhize 

Cuvée des Caudalies 

Cuvée des Caudalies Rosé 

Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru 2008 

Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru 2010 

Umami 2009

And, you will surely like more than one, no doubt. Production is rather small for some of them, so they are not easy to find and often allocated, and thus some of the prices are in consequence of the rarity. Yet, they are absolutely worth it.

Moreover, the price to pay for such artisanally and meticulously crafted champagnes is rather small compared to the hefty prices of some of the bigger and more commercial champagne house's entry levels.

Thoughts and condolences to the family. RIP 🙏

Dom

Info sourced from:

https://www.champagnedesousa.com/en/home/

https://champagne-asia.com.hk/partner/de-sousa/

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #champagne #rip #champagnedesousa #wine #vin #vino #wein #erickdesousa #france 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: I ❤ Wine January

I ❤ WINE JANUARY 

by Dominique Noël - LeDomduVin 2023

I posted this post last year, and the same goes for this year 😁👍🍷🍷🍷

Dominique Noël - LeDomduVin 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesmemesadom #lesillustrationsadom #ilovewinejanuary #lovewinejanuary  #winejanuary #therevolutionbeginswithyou #wine #vin #vino #wein #buvezduvin #achetezduvin #soutenezlesvignerons #soutenezlescavistes #soutenezlesbars #soutenezlesrestaurants #soutenezlarestauration #soutenezlescommercants #soutenezlesmetiersduvin #soutenezlesmetiersdebouche #saveawinemaker #winerevolution

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: The table corner’s wine

The table corner’s wine

For any good wine lover, moreover, any Sommelier (like me), wine is a constant, an essential, even an existential part, should I say, of our daily life, routine and experience.

As the grandson of a winemaker, I grew up in a barrel (a large one, in fact, about 2m deep and a bit more than 2m wide if I remember well, it was my hideout). 

I tried my first few sips at around 6 years old and didn’t like wine. Yet, a few years later, around 10 years old, my grandfather started to get me acquainted with it, by pouring a few drops into my water glass at the table when we were eating.

Then, the older I grew, the darker my water became (more wine, less water). By the age of 14 years old, I had two glasses, one of water and one of wine. 

We were a low middle-class family, so we were not drinking expensive wines, mostly the one produced by my grandfather, and some inexpensive Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur, some 2nd and 3rd wines, and, more rarely, some grand crus for really special occasions.

As you can imagine, more especially when born in a producing wine region like Bordeaux, wine is also part of the local way of life, culture, and traditions. 

So, it’s almost blasphemy not to have a bottle of wine somewhere on the table or in a cellar, no matter how small it is and only comprises just a few bottles. 

As a convivial drink, wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed with people and with food generally. So, you got to be prepared and ready for any family members or friends coming by surprise for the “Apéro” and usually staying until dessert.

Thus, you need a table corner’s wine, ready to be opened and served for when such an occasion occurs. It does not have to be expensive as long as it is good and quaffable. And, even if no one comes, you know you’ll probably open this bottle anyway. 😅

And, tonight, this is exactly what I’m drinking, a nice, well-crafted wine, quaffable, nothing fancy, no fuss, just a very enjoyable bottle of Bordeaux wine. It was there, alone, on the corner of the table, I had no other choice but to open it. 😄👍🍷😋

Thank you @matthieubordes_ and your team at @chateaulagrange, this Haut-Médoc de Lagrange 2018 is regal.

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #wine #vin #vino #wein @chateaulagrange #chateaulagrange @matthieubordes_ #hautmedoc #bordeaux #redwine #france #tablecornerswine #quaffable 

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin & Domelgabor: May 2023 bring you what 2022 did not.

May 2023 bring you what 2022 did not.

#domelgabor @domelgabor #lesmemesadom #lesmessagesadom #lescreationsadom #newyear #happynewyear #2022 #2023 #expectations

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, and ©Domelgabor 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Foie gras and Champagne, what else?

Foie gras and Champagne, what else? 

😁👍🍾🥂😋😋😋

Happy New Year and best wishes to you all and your family and loved ones for the new year. May 2023 bring you what 2022 did not. 

To start the new year on the bright side, how about some foie gras on a warm toast with champagne? 

I don’t care what some people might say or think, I’m from the southwest of France, the birthplace of foie gras, and it is a tradition for us to eat foie gras with champagne or sweet wine for New Year’s Eve and/or the first day of the year. 

If Champagne is not your thing, you can pair it with a sweet wine from Sauternes, Barsac, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Jurançon, Monbazillac or Loupiac. 

Or, if you want to venture out of the southwest, you can even pair it with a Riesling, a Coteaux du Layon, or even a Quart de Chaumes. Or whatever else you feel like 😁👍😋😋😋

Look at this can of artisanal foie gras crafted by a farmer from the “Landes” region, isn’t it so appetizing? 

Underneath this thick layer of “good fat”, there is a succulent piece of foie gras, that make my mouth watering just by looking at it. 😋😋😋😋

Happy New Year and live dangerously, for once, eat some foie gras while drinking champagne!!! 

😁🤣🤣🤣😋😋😋

May 2023 bring you what 2022 did not. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

NB: it went really well with Champagne Jérôme Lefèvre Cuvée Rated X. 

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #lesphotosadom #foiegras #champagne #newyear #vin #wine #vino #wein #livedangerously #livealittle

Unless stated otherwise, all right reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023 on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).