Prestige Tasting Montpellier
Prestige Tasting TO THE JARDIN DES SENS
SommelierS International, in partnership with the Interprofession of IGP Pays d'Oc wines (Inter Oc), gathered on last April 23rd, in the lovely setting of the Jardin des Sens in Montpellier, a college of sommeliers of the Association Languedoc-Roussillon Vallée du Rhône-Sud and some Parisians, as well as representatives of close to 90 domains, around a selection of 174 cuvees for a new Prestige Tasting.
A beautiful place
In the hectic city of Montpellier, the Jardin des Sens is a contemporary, harmonious place offering architecture with character and a unique design. Pure outlines, reassuring comfort express a real lifestyle. You feel out of time, in brothers Pourcel's “southern universe dedicated to the five senses”. Glass cube within a garden of Mediterranean species, the twin chefs' starred restaurant is a luminous place where contemporary art and four-hand creative cuisine mingle. Colourful, savoury and gourmet, it is the modern interpretation of traditional French cuisine that plays earth and sea notes all together.
Expert tasters
Michel Hermet, President of the UDSF, shared the honours of this event with Philippe Faure-Brac, World's Best Sommelier, and Olivier Bompas, President of the Association of Sommeliers of Languedoc-Roussillon Vallée du Rhône-Sud. The latter masterly staged his sommeliers whose knowledge and talent worked marvels as this morning was industrious and intense.
The team of Yannis Kérachi, Chef Sommelier of the establishment, remarkably prepared the room and put the wines in good conditions. Arc International, partner of the A.S.I., also contributed to the success of the event by kindly providing all the glasses.
An active partnership
The Interprofession of IGP Pays d'Oc wines was the partner of this day dedicated to terroir.
Jacques Gravegeal, President of the Union of Producers of Pays d'Oc wines, Olivier Simonou, President of the Interprofession of IGP Pays d'Oc wines (Inter Oc), Florence Barthès, General Manager, and Linda Filone, in charge of Strategic Communication, came to present their actions and welcome the producers.
A thousand flavours for a meal
Everybody reassembled for the lunch in the beautiful dining room of the restaurant with its large windows opening on the charming panorama of the gardens and its pond. Discreet colours, carefully laid tables, delicate crockery and thoughtful service indicated an exceptional moment. A glass of the wonderful white Champagne Michel Gonet Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2004, given by the famous House, welcomed the guests. Accomplices of SommelierS International, Jacques and Laurent Pourcel imagined a sumptuous meal for the occasion. After the appetizer came a pan-fried half Lobster, Assortment of green asparagus, raw in a salad, as tempura, rolled in ham, with Shellfish juice vinaigrette. It was followed by a Roasted bone-in Fillet of Pigeon, with its leg in a Ballottine glazed with Banyuls and vanilla-flavoured apple compote, pan-fried mushrooms and foie gras sauce. This symphony of flavours finished with a Caramel cream Sablé and strawberries, with Strawberry and basil sorbet and a Rice pudding sauce.
An afternoon of exchanges
After this marvellous tickle of the palate, the sommeliers who had the responsibi-lity—but also the honour and pleasure—to comment the wines in the morning could share their impressions with the numerous producers who came to join them at Compagnie des Comptoirs, the second restaurant of the Jardins des Sens, for an afternoon of exchanges and conviviality.
The atmosphere was relaxed. Each guest could taste has he pleases the bottles displayed all around the room, go from one group to the other, give an interview or enjoy the sunny terrace.
Sommeliers International warmly thanks all the sommeliers and producers who participated in the event, as well as the team of the Jardin des Sens for their availability and professionalism.
Dominique Peyral-Bon
Reportage Photo: Samuel Duplaix - MontpellierReportage vidéo: Michel Akrich – Les Productions de l’Ange
Video of the tasting available on: www.sommeliers-international.com
www.youtube.com/user/SommeliersInternat COLLEGE DES SOMMELIERS
Michel HERMET, Président de l’Union De la Sommellerie Française
Philippe FAURE-BRAC, Meilleur Sommelier du Monde
ASSOCIATION DES SOMMELIERS DU LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
VALLEE DU RHONE-SUD
Olivier BOMPAS, Président
Pierrette AGULHON
Marco BERTOSSI
Jackie BONNET
Michel BONNET
Julie BOTIJO
Julien CAUMES
Daniel CHAUSSEE
Ludovic DE BEAUCHAMP
Richard DEYDIER
Thierry ESCOFFIER
Jacqueline EYRAUD
Sylvain FERNANDEZ
Gérard IMBERT
Philippe NUSSWITZ
Pierre PAPPALARDO Stéphane PATE
Jérôme PERRONNET
Pascal PLUTONI
Tania PLUTONI
Louis PORTE
Patrice ROBAIL
Paul SALVADOR
Marlène SORIA
Raphaël SORIA
Isabelle VASSALO
Rémi VILLA
Rémy VINCENT Autres
Marie-Noëlle DIOSCA,
consultant
