PHOTO'S AND TEXT FROM VISITS TO THE LANGHE, PIEMONTE. ITALY
This trip to Barolo and Barbaresco was amazing, genuine hospitality from producers who really love to work and play together.
NEBBIOLO PRIMA 2015 offered the opportunity to visit Punset, a biodynamic producer of the region and following that a visit to the famous Tower of Barbaresco for a round table tasting and discussion of cru vineyards of the regions.
Barbaresco and it's People
Approaching Tenuta Marchesi dei Gresy
2013. SUMMER. PHOTO ESSAY.
I WAS ASKED TO HOST THE WINES OF PORTUGAL TRADE SEMINAR AT THE AGO [A(rt) G(allery) of O(ntario)]. BOY WAS I NERVOUS AND SO VERY UNPREPARED TO MANAGE A STRUCTURED TASTING. MY LOVE FOR THESE WINES CARRIED ME THROUGH AND I THINK and I HOPE I MADE AN IMPRESSION. 2 MONTHS LATER I WAS ON A PLANE TO PORTUGAL FOR A 9 DAY, 21 PRODUCERS, 8 REGION TOUR OF PORTUGAL….AMAZING. I WAS TO RETURN TO TORONTO TO FACILITATE A SERIES OF LCBO PRODUCT CONSULTING TRAINING SESSIONS AND THEN TO HOST A TRADE TASTING FOR INDUSTRY AND MEDIA.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY PORTUGAL IS. THE WINES, THE PEOPLE AND THE FOOD WERE ALL SO COMFORTABLE IN WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM. IT IS ONLY OUR LACK OF PERSPECTIVE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PALATE THAT IS HOLDING US BACK FROM ENJOYING THE VALUE, QUALITY, EXCELLENCE AND GREATNESS OF PORTUGAL.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM PORTUGAL IS A TREASURE TROVE OF DISCOVERY
Several bottles of every vintage of Moscatel are set aside for future generations. Only Kings and Queens, rarely, are gifted a taste.
VINHO VERDE
During the last weeks of September 2015, I had the fantastic opportunity to travel to region of Vinho Verde, Portugal. My previous visit to Portugal included a full tour of the country, this time the spotlight would be on Vinho Verde and the many unique and interesting characters behind the nations most popular wines.
A TRIP TO AUSTRIA IN JUNE 2015 WITH THE UNIQUE GROUP : PREMIUM ESTATES OF AUSTRIA, HOSTED AND CURATED BY ANDREAS WICKHOFF, MASTER OF WINE, AND STEPHANIE LOIBNER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING.
A SMALL GROUP OF SOMMELIERS FROM DANEMARK, SWEDEN, POLAND AND CANADA ( MYSELF AND A FEW FROM MONTREAL) EXPERIENCED THE WINES, FAMILIES AND ESTATES THAT MAKE UP THIS GROUP. THE PREMIUM ESTATES OF AUSTRIA IS FOCUSED ON REGIONAL WINES, THAT STRIVE FOR TOP QUALITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF PRODUCTION AND SHARE AN UTMOST 'RESPEKT' FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE VINEYARDS.
A MASSIVE 12 DAY TOUR OF GREECE AND HER IMPORTANT WINE REGIONS.
A VISUAL TOUR OF THE ISLANDS OF SANTORINI AND CRETE.
IN THE SUMMER OF 2012 I TRAVELLED TO GREECE ON A 12 DAY ODYSSEY. HOSTED BY NEW WINES OF GREECE, I WAS IN THE COMPANY OF A GOOD MANY WINE PROFESSIONALS AND MASTER SOMMELIER. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THE ADVENTURE WAS IMPRESSIVE!
PEOPLE: When we think of Terroir in wine and how this elusive notion of Terroir creates itself we think of the soil, the air, the exposition and so many other elements linked to the environment. There is another key factor that is not often overlooked but plays a major role in the freedom of this expression of Terroir and that is the people.
Here is a simple gallery of the 'People' of wine that I get to meet day to day and from the various trips I have had.
A Barolo vs. Burgundy tasting at Clerico with Anders Levander and Claudia of Cigliutti (Barbaresco)
Walter Fissore at Elvio Cogno
Enrico Rivetto and Alberto Cordero di Montezemelo - Back Vintage Tasting.
Rizzi and Lanzolutto of Barbaresco with Walter Speller (Jancis Robinson)
Tasting at Castello di Verduno with Mario Androne (right) and Marcella Burlotto (centre)
Massolino
Ryhs Pender MW and myself in Greece 2012
Marai Teresa Mascarello
Tom Eddy - California Legend w/ Daun Bailey
Felsina of Chianti.
Jean-Hervé of Jacquesson Champagne!
A much younger me on an epic trip to Morocco. circa 2008
Digging in the film archives.
Essouira to Tafroute to the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and time in both Marrakech and Fez.
