LeDomduVin: Bubbly foam pattern (froth) on top of the wine in the glass after using Coravin

Bubbly foam pattern (froth) on top of the wine

 in the glass after using Coravin

Have you ever experienced a bubbly foam pattern (froth) on top of the wine in the glass after using Coravin?

If not, know that it may happen; even if your glass is spotlessly clean, it has nothing to do with the wine, and this is usually the reason why.

It is usually due to a slight excess of gas released into the glass before or after pouring the wine. If the wine is frothy at first (like in the picture), you might press the Coravin button too hard or too many times.

You're supposed to tap the button, wait for the wine to stop pouring, tap again, and so on until you've poured your desired amount.

This method is a bit slow, but you're not supposed to hold the button down or quickly press it multiple times while pouring the wine. Otherwise, you will release this excess of gas.

To prevent foam, press the button once before pouring the wine to release the excess gas in the air rather than in the glass; then, you can pour the wine into the glass. It might take some practice before you get used to it and become a pro at using Coravin.

If you always get the frothy pattern, do not panic. The argon gas used in Coravin is inert, colorless, odorless, and nonreactive, so it has no adverse effects on the wine.

And for those who are not familiar with Argon, here are a few facts:

Argon is added to wine to displace air. Because it is denser than air, it settles above the liquid, protecting the wine from souring and oxidation.

This method often preserves open wine and liquid bottles in bars, restaurants, and even barrels in wineries.

Argon does not dissolve in wine and, therefore, provides a long-term blanket of protection for the wine.

As for the time of preservation, Coravin claims to "preserve wine for months", yet from personal experience, it is more likely to be a few weeks, depending on the amount of wine remaining in the bottle, of course (the more wine in the bottle the longer).

Hope you've found this post helpful.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @coravin #coravin #wine #frothywine #froth #domainehumbert #burgundy #wineservice #wineeducation #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob #wineyearly

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LeDomduVin: Back to Earth

Back to Earth

I titled this post "Back to Earth" because when it comes to wine, I'm usually in the stratosphere with the "top-notch" and "expensive" wines. 

Yet, for once (yes, it happens occasionally), I recently served some more "down-to-earth" and "accessible" wines for a private dinner.

It felt good to be back on regular ground. 

Henriot Brut Millésimé 2008

Henriot Champagnes are brilliant champagnes and excellent "value for money". Their "Blanc-de-Blancs" is one of my favorite casual champagnes. And their vintage ones offer as much as some of their peers for 3 or 4 times less the price. Especially when from a great vintage, like 2008. 

Established in 1808, Champagne Henriot is one of the rare independent Champagne houses that has remained in the same family throughout its history. The 2008 vintage celebrates its 200th anniversary. 

A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, Henriot 2008 is a delightful champagne, fresh and crisp, and at the same time, rich, dense, and "gourmand," with lovely stone fruits, white flowers, and mineral aromas, great acidity, structure and texture, and a long lingering finish. Really enjoyable and a steal at that price! 

Humbert Frères Charmes Chambertin 2018

I have opened quite a few bottles of this wine in recent months. This is one of the cheapest Charmes Chambertin around, and while it may not be as complex as some of the best producers, it still offers plenty. 

The nose offers subtle aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherries, and floral notes combined with earthy, smoky nuances. The palate is relatively light in weight and texture yet well-balanced and vibrant due to great acidity, enough fruit ripeness, and a good grip of integrated tannins to give you something to chew on. Loved it.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @champagnehenriot #henriot #henriotchampagne #champagne #domainehumbert #domainehumbertfreres #charmeschambertin #burgundy #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #tastingnotes #wineyearly #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2024, 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: Good value-for-money wines!

Good value-for-money wines!

Well... Good "value-for-money" is all relative and not applicable to everyone. These wines may still be expensive for the average consumer, ranging between 150 and 200 Euros per bottle.

Ultimately, purchasing them depends on your wine budget and your ability. Yet, compared to the wines I usually open, these wines offer good value for money.

Dom Perignon 2013

Fresh, light, crisp, zesty, mineral, and overall good. Yet, it's somewhat short in the finish (IMO). I preferred the 2012 vintage.

Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Referts” 2019

I love Bachelet-Monnot’s wines. Fresh, light, crisp, zesty, lemony, mineral aromas and flavors mingle with delicate, oaky, buttery notes. A bit tight at the opening, it should be opened in advance or decanted to display its full palette. Soft, gentle, generous, ample, chiseled, and nicely expanding to the long finish. Loved it.

Domaine Humbert Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018

This is a great entry-level “Charmes-Chambertin” and a steal at this price. Lighter is not as opulent or complex as some of its peers, usually twice or thrice the price. Yet, the nose offers many aromas and perfumes: blackcurrant, dark cherries, and floral notes combined with earthy, smoky nuances. The palate is relatively light in weight and texture yet well-balanced and vibrant due to great acidity, enough fruit ripeness, and a good grip of integrated tannins to give you something to chew on. Loved it.

Chateau Haut-Bailly Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2009

I love Haut-Bailly. It is one of my favorite Pessac-Leognan. Beyond its opaque color, it boasts enticing blackcurrants and blackberry aromas mixed with a medley of earth, graphite, tobacco, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is at the same time dark, ripe, rich, layered, elegant, generous, and complex, with a great structure and texture, a long finish, and some tannins that will need a bit more time to integrate. I had to double-decant it to give a boost and clear out of the sediments, too. It mellowed down after 20 minutes. Loved it.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #champagne #burgundy #bordeaux #domperignon #humbert #domainehumbert #bacheletmonnot #hautbailly #tastingnotes #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob 

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).