Mike Frost in Courier Mail reviews Beycheville's Grand Bateau Bordeaux Blanc

Another review for our new white wine called Grand Bateau Bordeaux 2012.

This is the first time this wine has been imported to Australia. It is available online and to our trade customers exclusively through DiscoverVin. It is one of only a few white wines made in the Medoc- one of the premium red wine growing regions of world. Chateau Beycheville produce thiis white wine as well as a grand cru red wine.

The bateau refers to the famous sailing ship that symbolises Chateau Beycheville. Ships sailing on the Gironde estuary coming to and from the port of Bordeaux would be saluted by a retired Admiral (the "Amiral of Beycheville") who would lower the flag on the tower of the Chateau.

Mike Frost in the Courier Mail published the following review on February 14, 2014:

"From well-known Bordeaux producer Château Beychevelle, this blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc shows citrus and herbal characters with a touch of oak and mineral backbone. 
Its a natural partner with oysters, shellfish or white fish dishes. $24.50 at discovervin.com.au Rating 91 points"


See also a review for this wine by Sean Mitchell in Grape Observer.


We think this is a great quality/value for money white wine from a famous Bordeaux producer.

Currently online or through restaurants and wine stores.

Bordeaux Dinner Brisbane January 31, 2014

DiscoverVin was pleased to do another food and wine event with Celine Damour and her team at C'est Bon restaurant in Woolloongabba on January 31st.

This restaurant has a loyal following and is well known for its award winning cuisine. It is a bastion of french culture, cuisine and hospitality.

The Bordeaux dinner featured 6 courses and matched wines...

Guests were welcomed with a refreshing glass of rosé by Domaine de la Croix Irresistable cru classé from Provence. Poured from magnums and accompanied by an amuse -bouche of Bayonne Ham, it was a great start to the evening. Domaine de la Croix  is a classy, crisp rosé from a premium producer. 


It comes in a stunning bottle. The magnum certainly turns heads at events and dinner parties.

This is currently one of our best selling wines and so it was not really a surprise it was so well enjoyed by all as an aperitif.

The first sit down course was a beautiful dish- Monkfish in a pastry case with a rich red wine sauce. 

It was perhaps a little unusual to have a red wine sauce with fish, but since monkfish is a fairly robust fish, it worked well. 

And certainly what worked extremely well was the wine match. The delicious semillon/sauvignon blanc blend from the Graves appellation of Bordeaux- 
Chateau Haut Peyrous-Pêche au Carrelet-Graves Blanc 2010. This organic white wine is made by Marc Darroze who recommends that it is served with fish dishes or eel. It was perfect with the monkfish. Many commented that this textural dry white wine was the match of the night. 




Next up was one of our favourites, duck breast with a peach sauce which was beautifully cooked (not overdone) and with a lovely sauce taking advantage of a seasonal ingredient.

The wine was really special and one that we have not often had the chance to show at a dinner: Clos des Quatres Vents 2007 from the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. 

Clos des Quatre Vents consists of a tiny 1.2 hectare plot planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The proprietor is Luc Thienpont. The estate produces only 6000 bottles/500 cases from a vineyard planted with very old vines with an average age of 80 years old.  The vineyard is situated on a plateau at the entrance to the town of Margaux, surrounded by Cru Classée vineyards.

This wine was made by Jacques Boissenot, wine consultant to four of the five First Growths of the Médoc, and named Winemaker of the Decade in 2010 by the Chinese Bordeaux Guide to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication.

It showed its obvious class, with layered deep fruit, fine tannins. It has balance, poise and restraint. Wonderful!

The main course was a rich beef stew- boeuf carbonnade. We served 2 older Bordeaux wines. 

Chateau Lannessan 2004 and Chateau Rollan de By 2006.

Both married beautifully with the rich beef dish. The room was divided on which was better. Some preferred the Lannesan with its soft integrated tannins and some preferred the Rollan de By, a classy wine currently being served in Air France business class ! 

We then had a refreshing pre-dessert, an apricot and fennel sorbet, which sharpened our palettes for desert.

Dessert was spectacular, a pear poached in sauternes , sitting on a hazelnut biscuit base and surrounded by a cinnamon and chocolate sauce.

To accompany this was a classic sauternes from a small family producer Chateau de Rolland 2007 .  The "10 best list" in France in 2013 named this wine in the 10 best value Bordeaux wines. 

It was perfect with the pears and a great way to finish a wonderful night  of great food and wines.

Review for our new white wine from Bordeaux-Grand Bateau

This week we were really pleased to see a review for our new white wine from Bordeaux called Grand Bateau. This is the first time this wine has been imported to Australia. It is available online and to trade exclusively through DiscoverVin. It is one of only a few white wines made in the Medoc- one of the premium red wine growing regions of world. I guess the Bordelais can't drink red all the time!

The bateau refers to the famous sailing ship that symbolises Chateau Beycheville. Ships sailing on the Gironde estuary coming to and from the port of Bordeaux would be saluted by a retired Admiral (the "Amiral of Beycheville") who would lower the flag on the tower of the Chateau.

Sean Mitchell in the Grape Observer published the following review:

"Produced by Château Beychevelle, the Grand Bateau Bordeaux blanc is a lovely wine.  A blend of 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon, it has reticent aromatics of apple skin, bruised peach, lemon, stone fruit kernels, hay, grass and gooseberry.  The palate is medium to full bodied, the acid medium and its flavours remind of lemon, apple skin, grass and gooseberry.  The finish is medium in terms of length and depth of flavour.  This is overall a good wine due to the complexity on offer.  Good

Abv: 12.5%
Price: $24.50
Source: sample"

We think this is a great quality/value for money white wine from a famous Bordeaux producer.

Grand Bateau – Discover an excellent white wine from an elite Bordeaux producer

DiscoverVin is excited to be importing Grand Bateau Blanc, a Bordeaux white from the well-known Bordeaux Cru Classé producer Chateau Beychevelle.  Chateau Beychevelle is a classified Saint-Julien producer with a tradition of growing vines on the Garonne gravel of the Médoc dating back to the Middle Ages.

The boat (bateau) on the label refers to the mythical galleon of Chateau Beychevelle.  Ships on the Gironde estuary sailing past the Chateau would lower their sails to honour the Admiral who began growing vines there over three hundred years ago.

With a rich winemaking history Chateau Beychevelle has collaborated with Bordeaux negogiant Maison Barrière to produce this exciting, value for money wine.

The same team that produces the prestigious Chateau Beychevelle red wine makes this wine Philippe Blanc, the chief winemaker of Chateau Beychevelle guides the assemblage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc wines, based on a selection of the best wines from the Beychevelle estates.  Chateau Beychevelle follows “Terra Vitis” and “Sustainable Viticulture” practices, to produce high quality grapes using environmentally friendly methods.

This was a standout wine at Vinexpo 2013.   A perfect wine for the summer months, it offers value for money and exquisite drinking.

Grapes:  Semillon (20%), Sauvignon Blanc (80%).

Alcohol: 12.5 % VOL

Wine making:  Pre-fermentation maceration results in a wonderful aromatic structure.  Seventy percent of the juice is fermented in new oak barrels for four months, with accompanying batonnage (stirring of the lees).

Our Tasting notes:  Aromatic nose with buttery-vanillin oak notes and exotic fruit.  On the palate the wine is round, fleshy with wonderful minerality and delightful exotic fruit flavours.  Lovely balance between the oak, fruit and acidity.  Excellent finish.

Online price is $24.50.
Trade price on application.

Please call DiscoverVin on 0260 206 016 for more information or to place an order.

Fifth anniversary Cocktail Party at Franck Provost Double Bay

Franck Provost Paris Hair is France's number one salon and last night the Double Bay Salon was celebrating its 5th Anniversary.  Amber Renae, the Franck Provost brand ambassador, VIP's, members of the French Trade Commission and Alliance Francaise, bloggers, journalists, fashionistas and just about every French person living in Sydney was there! So French, so chic!!

DiscoverVin wines were sponsors of this event and we offered the following wines by the glass:

Domaine de la Croix, Irrésistible Rosé  - The name says it all! A delicious rosé from one of the top producers in Provence.

Château de la Bouyere Bordeaux Blanc - A great value for money crisp white wine for the coming summer months.

Château des Saurs, La Constance, 2009 - One of our best sellers is this lovely lighter style red from Gaillac in South West France. Silver Medal winner.   

We also offered tastings of some of our best sellers:

Château Jolys Jurançon Sec 2011 - a delicious dry white wine awarded 92 points and voted 'Best Import' by Huon Hooke in the Sydney Morning Herald in June 2013.

Château Haut Peyrous, Retours de Palombieres, 2008 - a sensational Merlot/Cabernet/Petit Verdot blend from an organic producer (Marc Darroze) in Graves (Bordeaux).

Chateau de Saurs, Moelleux, 2011 - A late harvest wine made from an ancient variety in Gaillac.  Silver medal winner at the Paris 2012 Concours General Agricole.  

All of these wines, I am happy to say, were a hit with Francophiles and French people alike. 

There was a real buzz in the air as the glamorous models displayed the Summer 2013 (Hair Style) Collection - long soft curled tresses seem to be the hairstyle of the moment - pity I've got short hair!  

Indigenous Variety Négrette from south-west France now available in Australia

DiscoverVin is pleased to be importing Négrette wine from Château Bouissel an organic independent producer in the appellation of AOC Fronton, near Toulouse, in the south-west of France.


The main variety in Le Bouissel is Négrette, meaning “black” in the local dialect. According to Jancis Robinson’s tome Wine Grapes, these deeply coloured grapes are a “supple, fruity and distinctive variety that has thrived for centuries just north of Toulouse”. The origins of Négrette has not been confirmed by DNA studies to date. Some claim it has been grown in the region since the time of the ancient Gauls. Others say it was introduced to France from the Crusades by the Knights Templar and planted in their vineyards near Toulouse in the 14th century. It is possibly descended from a grape variety, Mayro, indigenous to Cyprus, and perhaps crossed with wild vines growing locally. It has soft, spicy characteristics with modest acid levels making wines best for early drinking. Négrette is now grown exclusively in Fronton.

Anne-Marie and Pierre Selle, with their son Nicolas, the third generation at Chateau Bouissel, are renowned for the quality and consistency of their wines, which emphasise the terroir of Fronton. They are ideally situated on the third terrace above the Tarn river. They are at the vanguard of the appellation, leading its revival, removing international varieties such as cabernet and merlot and replanting with Négrette best suited to the local conditions. They use modern techniques to make clean, modern and authentic wines tat appeal to the domestic and international market. They are converting to organic production and will be fully accredited with releases of 2012 vintage wines.

Pierre says “we aim to create a bond between vine and man, and we are attentive to the needs of one and the expectations of the other. That’s how we like our wines, when the fruit of our vines satisfies your palate. We like to try to help our vines gently along, to encourage them to yield the best fruit they can; that’s why we choose to use as little chemical products as possible.”

Château Bouissel, Le Bouissel, 2010
Grapes: 50% Négrette, 25% Shiraz, 25% Malbec

Wine making: Long maceration (18 days). Fermentation and maceration with micro-oxygenation. Twelve month ageing period in stainless steel tanks and 10% in oak barrels.
2010 was an irregular year with perfect spring conditions, followed by rain and warm weather in summer with cool nights preserving the freshness of the grapes.

Our tasting notes: Nice and intense ruby colour with purple tints. Intense aromas of small red and black fruit, of spices (liquorice and pepper) and of flowers (violet and peony). This wine is both powerful and harmonious. The first taste is velvety, the mouth feel is ample and rich and the finish is long with great balance.


Accolades: This wine was awarded a gold medal by Concours des Vignerons Independent in 2013.

The American magazine “Wine Enthusiast” has awarded it 91 points.
A classic from the southwest of France. Powerful fruit wrapped in soft tannins.

DiscoverVin at Soirée Bleue de la Bastille

Zette Rouge featured at the Bastille Ball

Can Can dancers, Tahitian dancers, and Plastic Bertrand with a gourmet French menu and French wines from DiscoverVin made for a fabulous event in Brisbane to celebrate Bastille Day.

DiscoverVin supplied wine for Soirée Bleue de la Bastille at Sofitel Brisbane on Saturday 13 August 2013. The sit down gala dinner featured a gourmet four course menu showcasing French gastronomy at its best.

Can Can Dancers bring the Moulin Rouge to Brisbane

 Domaine Ancienne Cure Bergerac Sec was a popular as the white wine and was a perfect accompaniment with the Smoked Pork and Duck breast terrine or the poached rainbow trout.

Elegant island dancers

For red wine drinkers complimentary Zette Rouge, a light Malbec from Domaine Lagrezette, Cahors also matched with the terrine and the coq au vin.  Many guests also appreciated the supple, delicious and fruit driven Merlot from Chateau Lagarde.

View from the Sofitel Brisbane

 

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