Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 100 Symposium
The Wine and Spirits Magazine put together an incredible Symposium that showcased the top 100 wineries from around the world. Attendees were able to try the best of the best while enjoying incredible cuisine. We explored the venue, trying absolutely everything that was offered to us.
One of our top picks from the festival was a 2017 Vintage Straw Wine from Mullineux Family Wine. Andrea Mullineux and her husband Chris Mullineux established their winery in the Swartland region in 2007. Due to its delicious taste, Mullineux Family Wine quickly became one of South Africa’s most celebrated brands. Andrea is the owner and winemaker, and we were delighted to speak to her about the process of making such an exquisite wine.
If you are unfamiliar with what straw wine is, don’t worry because at first we were too. After speaking to Andrea we discovered that sweet wine is made differently depending on the environment it is grown in. After the grapes are cut they are laid on straw mats where they dry for three weeks. This method is used to concentrate the sugar, the flavor, and the acidity, giving it a complex taste. When the dried out grapes are pressed, it takes twenty four hours to press out the honey like juice from the grapes. It is then put into barrels where the fermentation process is started naturally. Andrea informed us that “the longer and slower the fermentation, the more complex and the more depth the flavor,” which is why she leaves it to ferment for eight to ten months.
We were also drawn to Catena Zapata’s booth because of the intricately designed label. After tasting the delectable Catena Malbec Argentina we spoke to Pablo Piccolo and learned about history behind the new label and about the winery itself. Catena Zapata was one of the first to bring European techniques to Argentina when they founded in 1902. The beautifully illustrated label which was released in 2015, and tells the story of the birth, death, and rebirth of the Malbec. The label starts with an image of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen of France and England. Next to her is a woman representing all of the immigrants who brought the vines from Argentina to the new world. As you continue to turn the bottle you can see Phylloxera, who killed most of the Malbec living there. Then sitting next to her is Bodega Catena Zapata, symbolizing the reemergence of the Malbec.
We loved learning about the history behind the wine! The vineyard is located in Medosa Catena, and it is one of six vineyards in Medosa owned by Catena Zapata. After trying a glass we quickly understood why they are so well known for their wines.
After trying so many incredible wines back to back for hours, we got a little hungry. Luckily several restaurants had booths showcasing their extraordinary dishes. One of our favorites was Junsik’s Bossam. Bossam is pork belly with ssamjang aioli. Jungsik is an incredibly well known Korean restaurant with two Michelin Stars.
Another dish we were salivating over was the Yuzu Cheesecake with Kishu Mandarin from Bâtard. The scrumptious mini cake paired perfectly with a sweet dessert wine. The cake was amazing on it’s own, but the Royal Tokaji 2013 Betsek wine really enhanced the flavor.
The Wine and Spirits Symposium is the perfect event for those in the wine industry, wine enthusiasts, and anyone who just likes to drink and eat. We can’t wait until next year so we can have more of the best wines in existence.
Photos from Wine & Spirits Magazine
Olivier Leflaive Dinner at Park Avenue
On October 28th, a few lucky guests gathered at the Park Avenue Autumn to learn about and celebrate Olivier Leflaive, a wine tasting event. The private affair was led by Jean Soubeyrand, who has been the president of Olivier Leflaive since 2008. Formerly a stock trader, (but always a wine lover) living abroad, Jean returned to joined the team at Olivier Leflaive under the tutelage of his former father-in-law, Olivier himself.
The history of the The Leflaive Family goes back all the way to 1717, then Domaine Leflaive began exporting to the United States in the early 1930’s. Entrepreneurial and creative, in 1985, Olivier started his own business, focusing solely on quality, buying grapes and managing vineyards, with a team directed by Olivier Leflaive himself. With his own team in place, Olivier Leflaive was able to source wines from outside of Puligny-Montrachet. In 1995, Olivier Leflaive, in mutual agreement with his family, left Domaine Leflaive to concentrate on Maison Olivier Leflaive. Today, the Maison Olivier Leflaive controls 50 acres of vineyards throughout Puligny-Monrachet, Chassagne-Monrachet, Meursault and Pommard.
The evening got off to a relaxed start, with a champagne reception in the Autumn's private dining room accentuated by delicious hors d’oeuvres. This reception was then followed by an extravagant dinner that began with a toast from guest of honor Jean Soubeyrand:“I want us to have a wonderful night and enjoy some of the finest wines we have.”
The appetizers were Hamachi Crudo, Orecchhiette, and Local Burrata & Roasted Grapes // Paired with Pugliny Montrachet AC. 2016, Chassagne Montrachet AC. 2017, and Mersault “Poruzots” Ier Cru.2015. The main course was Roasted Filet Mignon with Creamed Spinach & Mushroom Strudel// Paired with Volnay AC. 2017, Pommard “Pezerolles” Ier Cru. 2017, and Corton “Clos du Roi” Grand Cru. 2017. For the desert the table was served Park Avenue Auturmn Cheese plates paired with Corton Charlemnage Grand Cru. 2017. After the dinner, Champagne Valentine Leflaive and Brut Rose. NV was the perfect choice to end a remarkable evening.
Throughout the night, Jean told wonderful stories about the Leflaive wines and the kind of wines he prefers. Jean said that he continues educating himself by blind pouring wines when he is home, and tasting select wines from around the globe. His taste ranges from around France, Italy and even California.
Being a grower and grape buyer enables Maison Olivier Leflaive the strength to produce wines from Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune. The wines of Maison Olivier Leflaive are widely regarded for their precision, elegance and finesse rather than power and ‘specularité’. More than a dinner pairing, the wines are symbols of classiness, purity that consumers of all ages will enjoy and love.
Pascal Jolivet Wine Dinner
On October 21st, 2019, guests were invited to a very distinctive evening- a celebration and tasting of Pascal Jolivet’s latest 2018 vintage bottlings. The affair was hosted by Pascal himself, who shared intimate stories about wine and food and his favorite types of wine. Pascal Jolivet is one of the most vibrant representatives of wine in the world. The Frenchman has impeccable grape DNA. Both his great-grandfather Louis and grandfather Lucien were winemakers.
The house of Pascal Jolivet was founded in 1987 and is one of the most dynamic domaines in France’s Loire Valley. Based in Sancerre, the domaine now boasts over 120 acres of prime vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Sancerre wines originate from three soil types: clay, limestone and flint. Sancerre wines are more floral and elegant than wines of the same varietal type in other regions.
Pascal Jolivet is a firm believer in natural winemaking and practices environmentally friendly techniques in both the vineyard and the cellar. The philosophy of the estate is to let nature take its course as much as possible. The juices are fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks with thermoregulation. Valentina Buoso is Pascal Jolivet’s newest winemaker, and she continues to fulfill Pascal Jolivet’s philosophy and practices.
The event took place at the Estiatorio Milos, inside new hotspot Hudson Yards, which afforded gorgeous views of The Vessel and Hudson River. The reception started with all the guests receiving a glass of Attitude Sauvignon Blanc. Since 2001, Pascal Jolivet has engaged in a profound reflection on Attitude. The idea was to create a high-quality Loire collection not especially from Sancerre area but from the Loire Valley, the best terroir in the world for the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety.
This reception was then followed by a very elaborate dinner served in an intimate setting within the hotel’s restaurant. While the highlight of the night was clearly engaged by the various courses of delectable wines that were paired with each dinner course, the food didn’t fail to impress either.
The first course was Sashimi quality Mediterranean Octopus, Santorini yellow split pea fava // Paired with Sancerre, Blanc-Fumé & Metis Sauvignon Blanc. Second, was the Madagascar Shrimp & Endive Salad // Paired with Sancerre “Le Chêne Marchand”, Pouilly Fumé “Les Terres Blanches” & Sancerre Rosé. The main course was the Grilled Mediterranean Sea bream with steamed crown broccoli // Paired with Sancerre “Sauvage” & Pouilly Fumé “Indigène”.
A wonderful night with one of the most knowledgeable and amazing hosts.
For more information on Pascal Jolivet, visit pascaljolivet.com.