LeDomduVin: I ❤️ Wine Yearly!

I ❤️ Wine Yearly! 

And, this year, again, I won't do "Dry January" and won't do "Dry February" either, even if there are only 29 days! 😉 (Yes, in 2024, February has 29 days) Love wine! 

Cheers! Santé! 😁👍🥂🍾🍷

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesmemesadom #lovewine #wineyearly #wine #vin #vino #wein #dryjanuary #whatsthepoint #sommelier #winelover #drinkwine #drinkwinewithmoderation

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LeDomduVin: May 2024 bring you what 2023 did not!

May 2024 bring you what 2023 did not! 

With that, the year 2023 is coming to an end! Enjoy the rest of the holiday season, and may 2024 bring you what 2023 did not! 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #lesmemesadom #endoftheyear #may2024bringyouwhat2023didnot #wishes #newyear #newyearresolution

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

& HAPPY HOLIDAYS

by @ledomduvin 2023

May this holiday season bring you joy and happiness shared with family, friends, and loved ones.

The inspiration for this illustration came from recent articles about the trend of decreased alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, and the rise of non-alcoholic drinks.

Times have changed, and newer generations are less interested in drinking alcohol.

However, I wish you a blessed Christmas and a refreshing holiday season.

In the meantime, I'm going down to the cellar to get a bottle of red wine. 😁👍🍷

Cheers! Santé! And Merry Christmas!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #christmas #merrychristmas #holiday #holidayseason #wine

#vin #vino #wein #redwine #alcoholfree #nonalcoholic #timeshavechanged #newgeneration

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Great tasting lunch at Auor Restaurant Hong Kong with Thibault Liger-Belair and his wines

Great tasting lunch at Auor Restaurant Hong Kong with Thibault Liger-Belair and his wines, the team of L’IMPÉRATRICE, and a few wine lovers and Sommeliers. 

Photos are worth a thousand words, so here they are.  

Thank you to Thibault. It was a pleasure to meet you, hear you talk about your winemaking philosophy, and taste your wines with your explanations. Love them. 😄🙏🍷

Thank you to Aiolos and Paul (from L’Imperatrice) for inviting me to this pleasurable and memorable lunch. Much appreciated. 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you to Chef Voon and his team for the excellent food and service and Cherish Ho for joining us, asking pertinent questions, and explaining each dish in detail. 

Thank you also to the other guests, especially Peter Pang, founder of Big JJ (@bigjjseafood). It's a pleasure to meet you. 

It was good to be back at Auor. Have a look at their website to see what they offer and book your table: https://auor.com.hk/

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @thibaultligerbelair #thibaultligerbelair #wine #vin #vino #wein #burgundy #tasting #tastinglunch #lunch @auor.hkg #auor #auorrestaurant @cherish__ho #cherishho @edwardvoon74 #edwardvoon @aiolos.to #aiolosto @polo86tc #paulcouvertier @why.and.die #peterpang #food

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Good value-for-money wines!

Good value-for-money wines!

Well... Good "value-for-money" is all relative and not applicable to everyone. These wines may still be expensive for the average consumer, ranging between 150 and 200 Euros per bottle.

Ultimately, purchasing them depends on your wine budget and your ability. Yet, compared to the wines I usually open, these wines offer good value for money.

Dom Perignon 2013

Fresh, light, crisp, zesty, mineral, and overall good. Yet, it's somewhat short in the finish (IMO). I preferred the 2012 vintage.

Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Referts” 2019

I love Bachelet-Monnot’s wines. Fresh, light, crisp, zesty, lemony, mineral aromas and flavors mingle with delicate, oaky, buttery notes. A bit tight at the opening, it should be opened in advance or decanted to display its full palette. Soft, gentle, generous, ample, chiseled, and nicely expanding to the long finish. Loved it.

Domaine Humbert Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2018

This is a great entry-level “Charmes-Chambertin” and a steal at this price. Lighter is not as opulent or complex as some of its peers, usually twice or thrice the price. Yet, the nose offers many aromas and perfumes: blackcurrant, dark cherries, and floral notes combined with earthy, smoky nuances. The palate is relatively light in weight and texture yet well-balanced and vibrant due to great acidity, enough fruit ripeness, and a good grip of integrated tannins to give you something to chew on. Loved it.

Chateau Haut-Bailly Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2009

I love Haut-Bailly. It is one of my favorite Pessac-Leognan. Beyond its opaque color, it boasts enticing blackcurrants and blackberry aromas mixed with a medley of earth, graphite, tobacco, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is at the same time dark, ripe, rich, layered, elegant, generous, and complex, with a great structure and texture, a long finish, and some tannins that will need a bit more time to integrate. I had to double-decant it to give a boost and clear out of the sediments, too. It mellowed down after 20 minutes. Loved it.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #champagne #burgundy #bordeaux #domperignon #humbert #domainehumbert #bacheletmonnot #hautbailly #tastingnotes #wine #vin #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob 

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Wine in Museum

 

Wine in Museum

by @ledomduvin 2023

Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend among Millennials and Gen Z to consume non-alcoholic beverages.

According to the press, magazines, and social media, wine, beer, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages are now considered "cringe", "trashy", and "uncool".

It has been observed that the consumption of wine, particularly red wine, has been decreasing globally over the past few years.

Recent studies and articles in the wine press suggest that in France alone, the consumption of red wine has fallen by 32% compared to a decade ago.

It is sad news for me as a Gen X Sommelier and Wine Buyer.

It inspired me to create this illustration of "Wine" in a museum to depict the uncertain future of wine.

Just keep drinking in moderation. No need to binge on it.

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #museum #wineinmuseum #winefuture #redwine #sommelier #winebuyer #genx #genz #millennials #boomers #wineconsumption #thefutureofwine
#nonalcoholic #beverage

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Vie di Romans “Dessimis” Pinot Grigio 2021

Vie di Romans “Dessimis” Pinot Grigio 2021

This great wine is definitely different from your usual Pinot Grigio. As we say in France, it is a “vin de soif” (a wine of thirst). 

The type of wine that is so agreeable, easy to drink, and so good that the first sip immediately calls for the next one, the first glass calls the second one, and before you know it, you realize one bottle won’t be enough. 

Aside from being a sommelier and a wine buyer, my dream has always been to have (one day) a small wine boutique to sell only the wine (and food) I loved the most over my 32-year career in the wine business. 

The ones that have been the most consistent, reliable, and pleasurable. Recurrently producing stunning wines year in and year out. And I can proudly say that “Vie di Romans” would be one of those. 

I have been buying, selling, opening, tasting, serving, and drinking “Vie de Romans” for over 20 years. It is one of these “super” reliable producers that crafts wines you sure won’t disappoint wherever you bring them. 

Aside from being delicious, what makes this Pinot Grigio so particular is its attractive and intriguing light straw color with copper nuances conferred by more extended skin contact. 

Resulting from grapes coming from a single vineyard, fermented between 25 - 38 days, with no malolactic, then matured for 9 months on the lees, followed by natural clarification in stainless steel, and aged for 8 months prior to release, this is one of Vie de Romans top white wines. 

Dessimis Pinot Grigio 2021 offers a luscious, ample, round, creamy texture, lots of glycerin, vibrancy, and vivacity in a soft, delicate, generous, and friendly manner, with ripe stone fruit flavors combined with floral, mineral and nutty nuances. Incredibly delicious and easy to drink. 

Beautifully crafted happiness in a bottle! 

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @viediromans #viediromans #wine #vin #vino #wein #pinotgrigio #italy #white #notyourusualwine #tastingnotes #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Vincent Charlot “Le Fruit de ma Passion” Millésimé Extra Brut 2018

Champagne Vincent Charlot “Le Fruit de ma Passion” Millésimé Extra Brut 2018

Christmas is coming, announcing the Champagne season. Nothing is better than some fine bubbles to celebrate this holiday with family and friends. 

Tasted the other day. I did not know the producer and was pleasantly surprised. A nice, quaffable champagne that is extremely light, zesty, and dry. Refined, elegant, lively, perfect for the aperitif with some oysters. 

Some of you may find it too light, not rich, or opulent enough for a vintage champagne. I must admit that it was my first thought, yet the second sip, after a few swirling in the glass, convinced me. 

Look the other way if you like rich, generous, vinous Champagne. 

Predominantly crafted with Pinot Meunier and the remaining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, vinified for 10 months in oak barrels, with indigenous yeasts and no filtration, finished with a dosage of 3gr/l. This is as dry and zesty, lemony as it gets, with slightly toasted brioche nuances. Nice. 

Cheers! Santé!

Dom 

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @champcharlottanneux #vincentcharlot #champagne #vin #wine #vino #wein #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #tastingnotes #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).

LeDomduVin: Stunning Wines

Stunning Wines 

Served this weekend, some of my favorite producers.

Champagne @eglyouriet Millesime Grand Cru 2013

Sophisticated, refined, rich, and opulent without being heavy, vibrant, and lively due to great acidity, perfect balance, and yellow fruits mingling with mineral and oaky nuances. The palate is ample and generous, with a long finish. Loved it. Stunning!

@domaine_jeannoel_gagnard Batard Montrachet Grand Cru 2018

The enticing nose combines white flowers, white and yellow fruits, and minerals with delicate, integrated buttery, oaky notes. The palate is gorgeous, generously expanding from the beginning to the seamless finish, with that glycerine sensation coating the palate that makes you want more. It is so well-crafted, balanced, generous, expressive, and charming that it is impossible not to love it. The type of wine that is so good, it makes you melt on sight and love Burgundy white wine at first taste. Loooooved it. Delicious!

@domaine.robert.groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Amoureuses" 2018

I have opened several bottles of this incredible wine in the last 8 months, and each time was as pleasurable as the next. Refined, delicate, and almost shy at the opening, it displays inviting fresh aromas of red and dark cherries mixed with floral and earthy notes. It does need to be decanted, but it needs to breathe. It started to develop after about 1 hour of opening: rounder, more affluent, elegant, refined, lively, gentle, and so long. Offering all the elegance and sophistication that the great Burgundian Pinot Noir is known for. 

Loved it. Another stunner!

@domaine.robert.groffier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Sentiers" 2018

For those of you who may not know, "Les Sentiers" lies south of the Grand Cru "Les Bonnes Mares" (eastern part of Chambolle-Musigny, touching Morey-Saint-Denis), while "Les Amoureuses" lies south of "Musigny" Grand Cru (western part of Chambolle-Musigny, touching "Les Petits-Vougeots"). Although they are both "1er Cru", "Les Amoureuses" (Euros 758) sells for about 3 times the average price of "Les Sentiers" (Euros 262). Lighter and earthier, with higher acidity, pepper, and spices. It's not as grand, yet very nice too.

Cheers! Santé! 

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin #wine #vin #vino #wein #champagne #burgundy #stunning #greatlineup #greatwines #eglyouriet #jeannoelgagnard #robertgroffier #sommelier #sommelierlife #sommlife #ilovemyjob

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).