Prestige Tasting wines of Bordeaux & spirits

Prestige Tasting Bordeaux

Wine of Bordeaux & spirits

Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa – april 14th, 2014

SommelierS International needed
not less than the finery and marble
of the Grand Hotel of Bordeaux & Spa
to welcome as required such a prestigious
body of sommeliers for this splendid event.





See the video of the tasting / Videos of others tasting available on Opposite the Grand Théâtre, the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa offers elegance and glamour in the heart of the Golden triangle, registered on the world heritage list of UNESCO. Facade of neo-classic inspiration, Corinthian style colonnade, immoderation of the interior fitting, the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa entered from its creation the life of its city, its heritage, its region and its vineyard. What was true in the late 18th century, at the very beginning of its history, is still 230 years later. With the same strength, the same commitment, the same passion, and the same taste for perfection. Five stars are shining now on top of this historic building which has combined with accuracy its rich past with luxurious features. You are welcomed and greeted with a kindness that goes beyond just courtesy. Reception is marked here by a true care for others.
Paolo Basso and Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommeliers of the World, honoured this day of sharing and conviviality with their caring and friendly presence. They supported Bertrand Bijasson, President of the Association of Sommeliers of Bordeaux-Aquitaine, in the organization of the sommeliers’ works.
Overhanging the Place de la Comédie, the Saint-Emilion lounge boasts a theatrical setting: huge carpets, curtains of style and big chandeliers. This is where Bertrand Bijasson brilliantly orches­trated this morning tasting by managing the work of the 60 pro­fessionals of the wine world divided into tables of 5 persons. The Sommeliers of Bordeaux-Aquitaine, supported by their counterparts from the Association of Poitou-Charentes had a lot to do: 210 cuvees sent by 107 Houses had to be commented! The team of the Grand Hôtel Bordeaux & Spa has perfectly managed the stewardship of this tasting and the preparation of the products. Arc International, A.S.I. partner, kindly provided the glasses for this grand event.
Once the tasting ended, the professionals were joined by repre­sentatives of the various houses that had submitted their samples to the experts’ palate. An eagerly-awaited moment as some important guests were expected. Hubert de Bouärd (Grand Master of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux) accompanied Adriana Karembeu, Philippe Porcheron (owner of Château Marojallia), and seven out of the fourteen Best Sommeliers of the World: Shinya Tasaki, President of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (A.S.I.), Serge Dubs, vice-president of the A.S.I. for Europe, Philippe Faure-Brac, Piero Sattanino, Enrico Bernardo, Giuseppe Vaccarini and Paolo Basso, who were joined by Nelson Chow, President of the Sommeliers of Hong Kong and Michèle Chantôme, General secretary of the A.S.I. All the grand sommeliers had just been enthroned at the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux. It was also an opportunity for some souvenir pictures as such an occasion to gather grand sommeliers is rare.
As a prelude to the lunch, an aperitif has been served by two domains who awaited the guests in order to delight their palates. Domaine du Cassard has shared with the guests the delicate bubbles of its superb Crémant de Bordeaux Brut and Château de Fargues offered a wonderful Sauternes 2004.
New Chef Stéphane Carrade had imagined a savoury menu: Half-cooked duck foie gras with fresh morels, and a Poultry suprême white asparagus au gratin. The symphony of flavours finished with a Babarmagnac. This dessert had specially been created by the Chef to set in majesty the Armagnac Dartigalongue.
After the coffee and the petits fours, the sommeliers who had had the heavy responsibility—but also the honour and pleasure—to comment the wines in the morning could share their impressions with the producers during an afternoon of exchanges and conviviality. The atmosphere was relaxed, each one could freely taste, go from a lounge the Saint-Emilion lounge for the wines to the Sauternes one for the Spirits.
SommelierS International sincerely thanks all the producers and sommeliers who took part in the success of this day.
Charlynne Zirah
Reportage Photo: Thierry Garcia
Reportage Video: Quai des Lunes

THE COLLEGE OF SOMMELIERS

Paolo BASSO, Best Sommelier of the World

Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier of the World

Association des Sommeliers de Bordeaux-Aquitaine

Bertrand BIJASSON, President

Jordan ANIORTE
Didier AUBERT
Chantal BELLOT
Erick BILLIERES
Joël CASTANO
Dominique COURREGELONGUE
Jean-Luc CRASSAT
Marc DUBRUELH
Yu FEI
Dominique GARCIA
Alain GASTON

Kinette GAUTHIER

Arnaud GAUVAIN

Bastien GAZEAU
Eole HODKINSON
Charles JULIEN
Muriel LAFOURCADE
Brice MAGRET
Aurélien OBRESKA
Jean-Pascal PAUBERT
Anne-Sophie PERRIER
Claude PEYRELONGUE
Christophe PLAT
Jean RIVIERE

Association des Sommeliers de Poitou-Charente

Laurent BOUTELLEAU
Oriane CHAMBON
Nicolas CHEDOZEAU
Patrice DEVAINE
Jérémy DUCHEMIN
Rachid EL IDRISSI
Frantzy ESPOSITO FARESE
Patrick LARRONZE
Julie LE TREVOU
Xavier LEGRY
Cécile MALESCOT
Christophe MARTIN
Marine PAYANET
Martial PROUTEAU
Dominique PRUNIER
Quentin SANSAULT
Jacques SARRAUD
Aurélien VINCENT
Yves ZERBIB

Autres

Marie-Noëlle DIOSCA, consultante
Erell GRENET, sommelière

Photos de la manifestation