Monday, May 22, 2023

LeDomduVin: Clos Venturi Lunch at La Brasserie HK





Clos Venturi Lunch at La Brasserie HK



I was recently invited to a lunch hosted by Vinosophy and Cervoni Wine at La Brasserie HK, presenting some of the wines from Clos Venturi.  















@clos.venturi Lunch at @labrasseriehk 
hosted by Pierre Legrandois, founder/director of @vinosophyhk, and Vincent Cervoni of @cervoni_wine 

Thank you, Pierre, for inviting me, and thank you, Vincent, for introducing Clos Venturi’s wines to us. They were really lovely (full description on my blog soon, along with @siretchampagne we had as an aperitif and @aurelien_verdet Chambolle Musigny as a bonus wine from the restaurant head sommelier @chowchester ). Thank you 🙏😁🥂🍷👍

It was a really nice lunch with a good bunch of people, good found and good wines.

I cannot put all the pictures in one post, but those will give you a good idea. 

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #closventuri #vinosophy #labrasseriehk #vin #wine #vino #wein #lunch #winetasting #corsicanwine


Unless stated otherwise, all right 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).

Friday, May 19, 2023

LeDomduVin: "Le Nez du Vin" de Jean Lenoir

 





"Le Nez du Vin" de Jean Lenoir 



Jean Lenoir 


First and foremost, following my posts about "Le Nez du Vin" that I received for my birthday, I am dedicating this post to Jean Lenoir, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 85, and send all my thoughts and sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

Jean Lenoir was born in the Cote d'Or, Burgundy, in 1937. He fell in love with wine after tasting a Chassagne Montrachet opened for his 18th birthday.

After working as an educator and cultural leader, he became the director of an education and cultural centre. At 40, he shifted his career path and became the deputy director of the Maison de la Culture in Chalon-sur-Saône.

Wanting to incorporate taste and smell into his work, he attended courses at the Burgundy Oenological Centre (INRA, Beaune) under the guidance of renowned oenologist, researcher, and sensory analysis pioneer Max Léglise.

Through this experience, he gained an appreciation for the vast array of aromas found in wine and the difficulty of distinguishing them.

In 1978, he teamed up with Georges Pertuiset (voted France's Best Sommelier in December 1980) to offer the first introductory wine-tasting course at la Maison de la Culture.

Lenoir's pioneering approach treated wine as an art form worthy of inclusion in cultural institutions alongside music and painting.

While in Manosque, he crossed paths with Olivier Baussan, the founder of L'Occitane en Provence. In exchange for a crème de cassis from Burgundy, Jean received extractions of fresh essential oils of thyme and rosemary from Olivier.

These extracts became the foundation of Jean's collection of 120 aromas, which he used to teach initiation courses throughout France. His courses were met with great success everywhere he went.

In 1981, inspired by artist Daniel Spoerri's concept of a book object, Jean created Le Nez du Vin, which included both writings and scents. With a preface by Jules Chauvet and Jacques Pertuisais, this "revolution of the palate" was received with surprise and admiration. And the rest is history.

This illustration is my little contribution to commemorating his life's work.

He created the "Nez du Café" in 1997 and the "Nez du Whisky" in 2013, working with renowned experts Charles MacLean and Martine Nouet. 

Over the past 40 years, thousands of “noses" of professionals and amateurs around the world have been educated with the "Le Nez du Vin" kits. Translated into 11 languages, these olfactory alphabets provide a universal language for describing wine and sharing its pleasure. More than just a simple training tool, the aroma bottles stimulate our emotions by opening doors to the soul and awakening what can be very distant memories.

Thank you, Jean Lenoir, for your work and essential contribution to our civilisation's wine education.    

Dom 

NB: All info above edited by and for this article, courtesy of www.lenez.com 



Le Nez du Vin


My 50th Birthday occurred earlier this month. It was nice and simple, nothing fancy. Just the way I like it. After eating at a local Hot-Pot restaurant, the kids and I returned home, where they surprised me with a cake, homemade cards, drawing pens and two presents. 

There was a second cake from my colleagues, who insisted I bring it home and have it with my kids, so I did. 

The two presents (from my kids and their mum) were very nice and thoughtful, as I have wanted to have Jean Lenoir « Le nez du vin » for years, and that night my dream came true. What a nice present! Thank you, guys! 🙏 

They could have bought me one of the smaller "coffrets", and I would have been happy too. Yet, they went all out and offered me the biggest one, "La Crème de la crème", Jean Lenoir's "Chef d'Oeuvre", the 54 aromas Master Kit. I was speechless.      

I had used "Le Nez du Vin" since 1996 when I was studying for my Sommelier Diploma at the "Lycée d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme de Gascogne", a technical school for tourism and hotel management, located in Talence and part of the Bordeaux Academy. Yet, I never owned one, despite my desire to do so.  Well, now, I do.  😁👍🍷








And the cherry on the cake is that they also bought me the « 12 Wine Faults » coffret, which I also wanted for a long time, and perfectly complements the 54 Masterkit. Thank you for that, too. Much appreciated.  





The pictures above and below speak for themselves. What great presents! Thank you again to you 3, much appreciated. You’ve made my day! I am a lucky man and a blessed father! Love you, kids! 








Despite the pictures above, a few people, unfamiliar with the product, asked me to further explain what's in the boxes (coffrets), so I made a little video and posted it on YouTube.  The video is in French as the few people who asked me are French, and I thought it would be easier for them.  




 


And to conclude this post a picture of my cakes and me for my 50th Birthday while at home with my kids.  







Thank you to all my friends and family members who sent me their wishes and thoughts via texts and calls for my birthday. Much appreciated. 

I love you guys! 

For those who may wonder, I did not open any bottles the night of my birthday. Just 2 glasses of a rose left in the fridge. Yet, nothing is lost, as there will be many other occasions to do this year, as most of my friends were born in 1973 like me, and we probably will celebrate our birthdays together. 

Meanwhile, have a toast for my birthday, hoping that one of those days we can do it together for real. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom



@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #my50thbirthday #fiftyyearsold #birthday @lenezdejeanlenoir_official #lenezduvin #lenezduvindejeanlenoir #wine #vin #vino #wein #lesphotosadom #lesdessinsadom #lesillustrationsadom #lescollagesadom


Unless stated otherwise, all right 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).

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

LeDomduVin: Chateau Leoville Barton 2009 - Decantation

 


Chateau Leoville Barton 2009 - Decantation






I was recently invited to a farewell party at a discreet restaurant in a central Hong Kong tower. The restaurant resembles a private club and even has a wine shop where you can purchase a bottle (or more) to take away or enjoy in the restaurant, making it very convenient. 

As I came empty-handed, I bought a bottle of Chateau Leoville Barton at the restaurant's wine store and informed the restaurant manager that I would decant it myself. One of my colleagues made this video while I was decanting the bottle. 

I was disappointed with the wine as it didn't taste as good as on previous occasions. When I opened the bottle, I noticed a vinegar-like smell and the acetic acid odour was also noticeable during decantation. I didn't mention anything on camera, but I could tell something was off with this bottle.

I spoke with the restaurant manager regarding the issue. He suggested double decanting the wine, which slightly improved its aroma. However, the taste remained lacklustre and differed from what one would anticipate from a 2009 solar vintage.    

After waiting for approximately 2 hours, the taste slightly improved. However, it was still below the expected quality for such a good vintage and definitely not comparable to previous bottles I have opened.

Because I bought it, I could not leave it to waste, so I finished it.  

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @chateauleovillebarton #chateauleovillebarton #leovillebarton #saintjulien #bordeaux #decanting #decantation #vin #wine #vino #wein #lesvideosadom 


 

Unless stated otherwise, all right 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: "Le Monument aux Girondins" de Bordeaux (revisited)





"Le Monument aux Girondins" 


revisited by @ledomduvin 2023

"Le monument aux Girondins" is an emblematic monument of my home town, Bordeaux, partly designed by the architect Deverin and erected between 1894 and 1902 on the "Place des Quinquonces". 

I couldn't help but revisit it with  "bottle" and "glass", the two protagonists of most of my drawings and collages on my blog and social media. 

I did the white version first, but I thought it could use some colour, so I did seven more versions of it with different colours. 















(Maybe I should try to do some NFT?😁👍🍷)

I like the orange, brown, dark blue and grey versions. 

Which one do you like or prefer? 

Let me know in the comments. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lescreationsadom #lesimagesadom #lescollagesadom #lesillustrationsadom #lesdessinsadom #vin #wine #vino #wein #bordeaux #lemonumentauxgirondins


Unless stated otherwise, all right 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).

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

LeDomduVin: The last day of my 40s and Clos de Tart 2016





The last day of my 40s



Today is my last day of being 49 years old. Tomorrow, I will be 50. 





I was working for lunch and, thus, was dressed in my Sommelier suit. And it was an excellent occasion to mark the last day of my 40s. 





So, I asked a colleague to take a few pictures of me while tasting the « Clos de Tart » 2016 I had just opened, about 45 minutes before the host and her guests arrived.





Very happy with these few shots, and I don't think I look that bad for a guy about to turn 50. Youth is a state of mind. 😄👍🍷





I opened 2 bottles of Clos de Tart 2016, and both showed wonderfully. 


Domaine du Clos de Tart 'Clos de Tart' Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France 2016


It displayed an attractive ruby-red colour of medium intensity. Right after opening, the nose boasted fresh and inviting notes of freshly picked red cherry, mineral, floral and herbal nuances. The palate was incredibly soft and gentle, very silky, almost fragile, yet focused and precise, combining elegance and charm, then revealing greater complexity and potential as it opened up after a few minutes in the glass and a few swirls. 

After 45 minutes, it had changed, offering aromas and flavours of darker and ripper "griottes" (wild cherry) with earthy and oak nuances and a "soupçon" of tobacco and white pepper. The palate is silky, rich and fleshy, supported by excellent acidity and integrated tannins. Looooved it. 

Although very approachable now, it is still young and could benefit a few more years, if not decades, to get even better than it already is. 

A toast to the last day of my 40s. 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom (aka LeDomduVin aka Dominique Noël)

#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #dominiquenoel #closdetart @closdetart #lastdayofmy40s #wine #vin #vino #wein #burgundy #grandcru #redwine #lesphotosadom #sommelier #sommlife #sommelierlife #wineinlife #lifeinwine #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).

Thursday, May 4, 2023

LeDomduVin: Star Wines - May the 4th be with You - Yoda

 





Star Wines - May the 4th be with you

YODA


Over the last 5 decades, May the 4th (fourth) has inspired countless visual and written parodies and memes of the famous Star Wars phrase "May the force be with you", said by Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

And, since 1978 or 1979 (depending on the sources), "May the 4th" has officially been named "Star Wars Day".

As a huge fan of Star Wars, it has inspired me for years to create one or more illustrations to celebrate the day.

In the past few years, based on the franchise's famous characters, I have created:

OBI-WINE KENOBI - (representing young Obi-Wan Kenobi - Ewan McGregor)

MACE WINEDU (representing Mace Windu - Samuel L. Jackson)

THE PADAWINE (representing a young female Padawan)

So I had to create another one with Yoda. And here it is.

Cheers! Santé!

And may the force be with you always!
And the wine, too 😉👍🍷

Dom

NB: check my previous posts on May 4th to see the other illustrations I created, like this one here

#maythe4thbewithyou #maythe4th #maytheforcebewithyou #maythewinebewithyou #yoda #starwars #starwines #starwarsandwine #wine #vin #vino #wein #lesmemesadom #lescreationsadom #lesimagesadom #lesillustrationsadom #lescollagesadom #ledomduvin @ledomduvin ©ledomduvin 2023




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: Souvenir from 2018





Souvenir from an opened wine tasting in Hong Kong on June 30th 2018. 5 years ago already. 
Time flies! 





I was helping our dear Bernard de Laage introduce Chateau Le Bon Pasteur to a friendly group of amateurs, connoisseurs, and people from the trade. 

It was fun. Great memories from that day. 
I miss you, Bernard. May you rest in peace.

I would love to be 45 years old again, like in this picture 😁👍🍷.... as in a few days, I will turn 50.

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom


#ledomduvin @ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #tasting @chateaulebonpasteur #lebonpasteur #pomerol #souvenir #memories #bernarddelaage


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).

Monday, May 1, 2023

LeDomduVin: Happy 1st of May - Lily of the Valley Day




Du bonheur à vous toutes et tous. 




Joyeuse fête du Muguet et bon 1er Mai!

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #muguet #premiermai #fetedutravail #labourday #laborday #lilyofthevalley


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).