| |
|
Return to Magazine
archive index
Read about:
v Finding Saint Emilion's G-spot
v a Bordeaux Wine Tour Alumni Experience
v Just read what our guests have to say
v 2012 Wine Tour Schedule
v Mouton Rothschild 2009 label
Member of
The American Society
of Travel Agents
|
Ronald and Margaret in front of Chateau Coulon Laurensac, ready for the Diner Millésimes de Collection at Clos Fourtet in Saint Emilion
|
Dear Wine Lover ,
Bordeaux never ceases to surprise me. We had roses on our Christmas dinner table. In itself not strange, but they came from our own garden! Spring was in the air in November and December resulting in Margaret being able to pick fresh roses from the rose garden on Christmas morning. Even January hasn't been very cold. Even the vines are awakening prematurely from their winter rest. This is way to early because February still might bring cold spells and this would not be good for the young vine shoots.
Finding Saint Emilion's G-spot
In this Magazine I am looking back at a very special experience we had in Saint Emilion during Vinexpo last year. And it had all to do with the pleasure of the senses and of course the best wines of the region.
| Quote of the month: |
"What I like to drink most is wine that belongs to others"
- Diogenes |
|
Alumni Experience
Many people make new friends on our tours. Some even commemorate their tour every year. Pat Gray tells you about his Alumni Experience with his friends.
Mouton Rothschild 2009
Mouton unveiled the artwork for the outstanding vintage 2009. We'll show you the brand new label.
Your own Bordeaux Wine Experience
I would like to draw your attention to our exciting 2012 Tour schedule. The June Grand Tour has already sold out but for July and September we still have spots left. Remember we just conduct a limited number of these tours per year and there are just so many spots available . Check out our Bordeaux Wine Tour Schedule for the dates and availabilities for this Summer. Or just hit Reply and we'll email you the full itinerary of the tour of your choice.
Guests of last year's July tour, enjoying the wine tasting at
Chateau Coulon Laurensac
|
I hope you'll enjoy reading this Magazine and
I look forward to hearing from you soon (Ronald@BXWINEX.com).
Don’t drink
anything I wouldn't drink!
Cheers from Bordeaux,
Ronald Rens, M. Sc., Wine Master
Wine writer and President
The Bordeaux Wine Experience
|
 Finding Saint Emilion´s G-spot ,
Dinner at Clos Fourtet, probably the longest table we ever sat at
|
Last time I told you about our experiences at the most prestigious Vinexpo dinner at First Growth Haut Brion . This time I will be telling you about the most exclusive Vinexpo dinner at Clos Fourtet, one of the few wineries not called 'chateau'.
So bear with me for some more pictures in tuxedo and some great Bordeaux Wine Experiences at this First Growth overlooking the village of Saint Emilion. It has been a tradition since 1999 for the owners of the First Growths from this appellation to come together for an exceptional black-tie dinner during Vinexpo.
Eric d'Aramon of Figéac (L): "I know we have a reputation for presenting older vintages but I
brought the 1989 because it is the first vintage
I ever made at Figéac."
|
All owners bring bottles directly from their cellars. Not just any bottles, no they bring bottles that make collector's dreams come true, hence the name of this dinner: Diner Millésimes de Collection, Dinner of the Collectible Vintages.
For this dinner owners of the First Growths usually bring bottles of exceptional older vintages . This time the emphasis was on more recent vintages with 1959 and 1982 as the oldest wines presented.
Space is limited in Saint Emilion, especially at Clos Fourtet on the edge of this medieval village. There just are no courtyards or empty patches where you can build party tents.
The solution of putting one long spectacular table on the chateau´s driveway must have been a nightmare for the caterer but created a dream venue for us as guests. Parisian Celebrity Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato with three stars in the Michelin Guide, signed for "la bouffe" as the french mockingly call these great meals.
Saint Emilion's G1-spot...
|
Come on, where is it?
Very well, I hear you thinking, what does this have to do with the G-spot? Well in his welcoming speech the president of the Groupement Des Premiers Grands Crus Classes of Saint Emilion, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, explained the new logo. We were not at the G8 but at the G1. Not just Grand Crus Classé of Saint Emilion but the First Growths. And if this wasn't enough he showed us that the First Growths on the local map form the new logo of G1. (see picture). At our end of the table this was called the G-spot of Saint Emilion, although I must confess that it wasn't me who came up with the idea.
The evening started with Champagne Krug 1998. After that we had a "happy ending" with the red wines that have created Saint Emilion's well deserved fame. We tasted:
Wines tasted at
Clos Fourtet
Chateau Pavie 2002,
from magnum
Chateau Beauséjour
Bécot 2000
Chateau Troplong Mondot 2000
Chateau Beauséjour 2000
Chateau Angélus 2000
Chateau Pavie Maquin 2000
Chateau Magdelaine 1995
Chateau Figéac 1989
Clos Fourtet 1989
from magnum
Chateau Canon 1985
from magnum
Chateau la Gaffelière 1982
Chateau Trottevieille 1959
Chateau Belair 2000
from magnum
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2000
|
 Ronald with Steven Spurier discussing which wine made the most impression. We were both leaning towards the outstanding Figéac '89. |
|
(First Growth Chateau Ausone did not present their wines as they are not a member.)
Second Annual Wine Tasting for the Grays, Brunners and the Grays
By Pat Gray (Harvest Tour 2010)
 Second Annual Wine Tasting for the Grays, Brunners and the Grays |
The farewell dinner at Ronald and Margaret’s Chateau was such a wonderful experience that three couples from last year’s Bordeaux Wine Experience had a second annual dinner in California on September 25, 2011 which highlighted a bottle of 1990 Bordeaux from each of the five First Growth wineries and a bottle of 1990 D’Yquem to conclude the meal.
Chef Eric Osley prepared a six course meal that was matched perfectly with each of the wines and paired duck with the Margaux, quail with Haut-Brion, beef bourguignon with Mouton, lamb with the Lafite Rothschild, buffalo with Latour and, of course, foie gras with the D’Yquem. Wine Master Sal Medina oversaw the pouring of the wine.
 "The harvest" of the Harvest Tour Alumni |
Melanie and Rob Brunner of Walnut Creek, California and Patti and Pat Gray of Norwell Massachusetts celebrated the Second Annual Bordeaux Wine Tasting dinner at the home of Toni and Glennon Gray of Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The meal started with a serving of each of the first growth wines followed by tasting and discussion of each of the wines.
 The Grays, Brunners and the Grays honoring Chef
Eric Osley |
This was followed by a more generous pour of the first growth that was matched with the food being served. Discussion followed each of the food courses regarding the impact of the passage of time and the food pairing on the taste of the wine. The Latour was considered the star of the evening, followed closely by the Lafite Rothschild and the Haut-Brion.
This was an excellent way to build on the knowledge of Bordeaux wine gained at the Bordeaux Wine Experience. All participants concluded that the only thing lacking was Ronald and Margaret...
Bordeaux Wine Tours 2012 Schedule online!
Want to be like the Grays, Brunners and the Grays and create your own memories of a life time?  Why not make this dream come true? Join us for one of our tours in 2012 and you will be treated to a once in a lifetime experience. You will taste barrel samples of 2011 and impressive older vintages of Bordeaux that have matured. You will visit famous First Classified Growths like Chateau Margaux and Lafite Rothschild. But you will also savour the best food as a special guest in the private dining rooms of Classified Growths. All this while having a lot of fun with a small group of other wine lovers like yourself!
 Because you don’t want to miss out on this unique opportunity I advise you to look into this now because our tours are starting to fill up and as you probably know accommodation at our Chateau is limited. So if you are really serious about touring and tasting these famous First Growths with me this summer you really need to look into this.
Your guide:
Ronald Rens, M.Sc., Wine Master
President and founder |
|
Let me give you a few of the tour highlights here:
- Visits and tastings at First Growths and Château d'Yquem!
- Accommodation at our privately owned 18th century chateau!
- Taste more Classified Growths than on any other Bordeaux wine tour!
- Grand Cru wines with all meals (except for breakfast…)
- Great food and a lot of fun!
- Gourmet meals at three Bordeaux Chateaux and in a famous Michelin two star restaurant!
- Grand Cru farewell dinner with all Grand Cru wines (including First Growth Mouton Rothschild, Latour and Superior First Growth Chateau d'Yquem!)
- A small group limited to six double/twin rooms and
one single; Expert Guidance by yours truly.
Don’t risk missing out on this unique opportunity to see Bordeaux as an insider and click here to read more. Or just reply and we will email you a full itinerary and all details.
If you reserve your spots quickly you can be sure we’ll tour Bordeaux together this Summer!
§ The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 2012
-June 11 - June 16 (Sold out )
-July 2 -July 7 (open for booking)
-September 3 - September 8 (open for booking)
§ The Bordeaux Harvest Tour 2012
-October 1 – October 6, 2012 (open for booking)
All tours are 6 days, 5 nights and limited to six double/twin rooms and one single!
Tour price: € 3995 Euro (per person, double or twin occupancy; one single room available)
Due to the exclusive nature of these tours, this program will sell out.
Just read what our guests have to say
The best vacation of our lives!
.jpg) "This has been a wonderful way to spend our anniversary; one we will certainly never forget. You both have made this such a comfortable and lovely experience- one we will certainly recommend to our friends.
Ronald has such a unique way of condensing about 500 years of history into an entertaining, interesting and informative message that also incorporates a peek into the French personality. This is not something we could have ever learned on our own, no matter how many books we read or courses we took. We so appreciate your sense of humor. Each day we said to ourselves: “There was no possible way you could top the prior days experience in food, wine and magnitude of specialness”. Every day you left us shaking our heads saying: “How does he do it?”
It’s obvious you take great pride in and care in the preparation for your guests. We feel so happy and elated to have had the change to have this time with you.
Margaret, thank you for what Dale and I are both saying: This has been the best vacation of our lives; and believe me, we have had a few great ones!"
Dale and Theresa
Lake Mathews and Laguna Beach, California, US
The Grand Tour of Bordeaux 2011
Leaving as friends and not acquaintances
 "A little bit of heaven in Bordeaux -mixed lightly with warmth, hospitality, laughter and wine! What a perfect combination –and we truly think that you are a Grand Cru Classé- a league of your own! We will remember this year (2011) as the year we fell in love with Bordeaux and you can be sure that we will become frequent visitors so don’t give our room out too often!
We are returning to the UK more knowledgeable, educated and hungry to learn more. But above all we are excited with the opportunity to have been able to share this with your both–leaving you as friends and not acquaintances.
The Bordeaux Wine Experience is a truly unique experience and one that we will both treasure."
Mark and Adrian
London, Great Britain The Bordeaux Harvest Tour 2011
|
 Mouton Rothschild label for the vintage 2009
A little history
For every vintage since 1945 a famous artist has created an original artwork for the Chateau Mouton Rothschild label. In 1924, to commemorate the first vintage entirely bottled at the chateau, Baron Philippe de Rothschild asked Jean Calu to create the Mouton label for him.
In 1945, to celebrate the end of the Second World War, the Baron decided to crown the label for the vintage with the "V" for Victory (drawn by Philippe Jullian). The bottles of this spectacular vintage remain collector's items to this very day. Even the empty bottles are highly sought after. Artist have include over the years names like: Cocteau, Braque, Dali, César, Miró, Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Balthus, Appel and so many others.
Since the 1980's it is Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the current owner of this First Growth from Pauillac, who chooses the artist.
Anish Kapoor will receive no money for his art.
He will be paid in cases of Mouton Rothschild. |
Indian influence on the 2009 label
The commission to illustrate the 2009 vintage was given to the sculptor, painter and
visual artist Anish Kapoor, a British citizen of Indian origin, born in Mumbai (Bombay)
in 1954 and a leading figure of contemporary art. His work reflects and transcends
the world's diversity through a constant invention of forms that offer the viewer
unforgettable experiences. His works are on display in the world's leading museums
and in prestigious public places, such as the Rockefeller Center in New York. His
Leviathan at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2011 drew thousands of visitors and he has
been commissioned to design the emblematic sculpture for the London Olympic
Games.
At once austere and flamboyant, the gouache he has created for Mouton Rothschild
2009 expresses the fertile thrust of plant life, the result of an intense encounter
between matter and light.
Subscribe your Friends
 Dear %%First name%%, I hope you enjoyed this
issue. I would like to ask you to subscribe your friends, family
members and colleagues that love wine, because
it's fun, easy and free!
Have a great Winter and we look forward to seeing you in Bordeaux in the near future!
Cheers from Bordeaux,
Ronald and Margaret Rens
   
|
Visit our
website:
Bordeaux Wine
Tours
www.BXWINEX.com
|
|
