Prestige tasting Toulouse
PRESTIGE TASTING
southwestern wines
Radisson Blu – April 28th, 2014
On last April 28th, SommelierS International gathered together
for a new Prestige Tasting in the lounges of the Radisson Blu Hotel a college
of tasters from the Associations
of Sommeliers of Midi-Pyrénées
and Bordeaux-Aquitaine, as well
as the representatives of 107 domains proposing all in all nearly 210 cuvees.
Voir la video de la dégustation /
Voir les autres vidéos des dégustations 
The Radisson Blu is considered as one of the most beautiful hotels in Toulouse with its modern architecture. At 15 minutes from the bustling city centre with its shops and restaurants, it offers 200 rooms, a relaxing spa and a fitness centre. The place is full of charm and the extremely competent staff shows a rare kindness. The Radisson Blu is an alliance of sympathy, quality and flavours.
Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier of the World, honoured this day of sharing and conviviality with his caring and friendly presence. Robert Desbureaux, President of the Association of Sommeliers of Midi-Pyrénées, masterfully orchestrated his sommeliers' work and enlightened with his knowledge this industrious and very intense tasting morning as far as about 210 cuvees had to be analysed! For this, he was helped by Bertrand Bijasson, President of the Association of Sommeliers of Bordeaux-Aquitaine, who had come with his members.
Fifty sommeliers accepted the invitation to take part in the difficult exercise of the sensory analysis of the wines. All morning long the sommeliers officiated by tables of 4 for a collegiate valuation, a single comment being written for each cuvee. Numerous quality products contributed to make of this tasting a moment particularly appreciated by the professionals, with beautiful discoveries.
IN the end of the morning, once the professional tasting completed and all the comments recorded, the sommeliers were joined by the House's representatives. As a prelude to the lunch, an aperitif has been served in the Icare lounge, where the partner of the event awaited the guests in order to delight their palate. Domaine de l’Herré offered a wonderful 2013 Sauvignon Blanc.
Philippe Faure-Brac expressed his immense satisfaction to be present, the event offering him the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of high quality products together in one place, and especially to be able to meet the people who have created them.
The Chief had concocted a fabulous menu: medium rare foie gras, apple and pineapple chutney with red onions as a starter; then a marvellous rump of veal, marinated in soja, orange-flavoured caramelized cooking juice,with Tarbais beans, season vegetables; and to finish with, a delicious raspberry tartlet with chocolate chips. This range of flavours was in perfect match with the variety of those offered by the bottles previously tasted by the sommeliers, and that everybody discovered with enthusiasm.
After the pleasant interlude of the meal, the sommeliers who had had the responsibility—but also the honour and the pleasure—to comment the wines during the morning tasting, could share their feeling with the producers, often joined by their cellar master, during an afternoon of exchange and conviviality. The atmosphere was relaxed, everyone could freely taste the wines displayed all around the room, go from a group to another or take part in an interview.
SommelierS International deeply thanks all the sommeliers and producers who participated in this event, as well as the team of the Radisson Blu for their commitment and professionalism. All our gratitude also to Arc International, partner of the event, who kindly provided the glasses of the range Chef&Sommeliers. Over the years, the range has grown increasingly popular with discerning enthusiasts on account of its many oenological features.Charlynne Zirah
Reportage photo : Samuel Duplaix
Reportage vidéo : Laurent Sola
COLLÈGE DE SOMMELIERS
Philippe Faure-Brac, Meilleur Sommelier du Monde.
Association des Sommeliers de Midi-Pyrénées
Robert DESBUREAUX, Président
Dominique ALVAREZ
Thierry BIAN
Vanessa BOUISSET
Claude CHERBOURG
Robert DESBUREAUX
Gaelle FERRIERES
Vincent GIRAUDBIT
Patrick GUIRAL
Jérémy JUANAS
Alain LANDOLT
Brieuc LAUSTRIAT
Julien MARTINEZ
Daniel VALANCE
Ramon YVES
Association des Sommeliers de Bordeaux-Aquitaine
Bertrand BIJASSON, Président
Maxime COURVOISIER
Caroline PLANES
Joël CASTANO
Dominique COUREGELONGUE
Jean-Luc CRASSAT
Marc DUBRUELH
Christophe FAVEAU
Coline JOUVIN Charles JULIEN
Christophe LA GARELLE
Pascal LEPOUL
M. MINSEOK
Jean-Pascal PAUBERT
Claude PEYRELONGUE
Christophe PLAT
Jean RIVIERE Les Cavistes
Philippe SWAEMPOEL
Jean-Marc RAVIDAT
Maxime BALLOU
Stéphanie GOURRIER
Philippe SUBIRA
Cécile CASTAIGNS
François DEDIEU
Tom FIORINA
Erell GRENET
Robert LALA
Laura MEYER
Didier MILHAU
Sophie MUR
Bernard POULIQUEN
Jean-Louis SOUBRIE
Autres
Florian BERGAUD, Sommelier du restaurant Lapérouse, Paris
Marie-Noëlle DIOSCA, Sommelier-Caviste
Clara TRISTANI, Sommelier, Paris
Photos of the tasting
