ボルドー最高評議会
the Grand conseil du vin de bordeaux
CommanderIES, wine brotherhoods

Maître Colin Smith

Whilst it was a cold and wintry evening in Manchester a total of 28 representatives of the RNCM braved the cold to attend the tasting of 12 wines from Bordeaux facilitated by the Maître and Maître Echanson.

As those attending were enjoying a glass of Perle de la Brande Brut, Crémant de Bordeaux the Maître provided a summary of the different areas that would be visited as the evening progressed and the different grape varieties that would be tasted. Many, who had not tasted a Crémant de Bordeaux wine before, were surprised by the quality of the wine tasted. Furthermore, when it was outlined that Crémant de Bordeaux wines are readily available in many shops in the UK, it was agreed that the wines are an excellent alternative to Champagne. The wine was enjoyed by all.

Next to be tasted were two Dry White wines from the Entre-Deux Mers and Pessac-Léognan appellations, namely Chateau Pont Saint-Martin, 2021and Chateau Thieuley, 2022. Lots of citrus fruit was enjoyed by all and, when asked which was the favourite Dry White wine, there was a 50:50 split in preference.

The final White wine to be sampled before the red wines was the semi dry white wine of L’Ephémère, Bordeaux Superior 2020. The sweetness of 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sauternes was very new to all present but very well received.

Prior to tasting the red wines, a summary was provided of the influence of the different ‘Terroirs’ within the Bordeaux appellations and how different grape varieties prosper within the different regions.

The following 6 red wines were tasted:

• Château Sauman, 2019, Côtes de Bourg

• Château Chantegrive, 2019, Graves

• Château Siran, 2018, Margaux

• Château Mangot, 2019, Saint Emillion

• Château Gaby, 2010, Canon-Fronsac

• Château Lanbersac Or, 2019, Puisseguin Saint Emilion

It was wonderful to receive feedback from those present in terms of the structure, flavour and complexity of the wines tasted. It was also interesting how there was not one overall favourite red wine on the evening but that there was a mix of those who preferred a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wines, those who preferred the Merlot dominated wines and those who preferred the blended wines.

Following a short summary of what Botrytis is and its integral part to the development of Sweet White wines those attending were invited to taste some ‘Noble Rot’. The two sweet wines tasted, from both Cadillac and Sauternes, were Chateau Peneau Crème de Tete, 2015 and Chateau Rabaud-Promis, 2018.

This part of the evening was very interesting in that a number of those attending had never previously tasted a Sweet White wine and it was a great shock to some – particularly those at the younger end. However, as the wines developed in the glass and were slowly enjoyed, they became very popular indeed – a great success.

As the evening came to an end everyone was able to enjoy an additional glass (or two) of their favourite wine of the evening, with many thanks being given to those at the RNCM who had helped to arrange the wonderful evening.

A final thanks was also given to those at Grand Conseil and CVIB who had supported the evening.

An excellent evening was had by all.