Prestige tasting Marseille
Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, the vineyard of Provence extends from Avignon to Nice on about 200 km. Historic specialist of crystal-clear, fruity and generous rosés, the Provençal vineyard produces just as remarkable, powerful and well-structured red wines which can age several years in the cellar, and ethereal white wines, soft and delicate.
As for the Southern Rhône Valley it extends from Avignon to Montélimar on a surface area of 71,000 hectares. This complex terroir of hillsides and plateaux enables diversified grape varieties, offering typical wines with character, a beautiful variety of styles.
Corsica is not outdone. By itself, the island typifies all the French terroirs. At the crossroads of winds, its territory, shared between sea and high summits, offers at the same time a Mediterranean, marine and mountain climate. Rewarded by nine AOC recognised since 1975, the Corsican wine growers developed over time wines of quality which gained precision and expression. They now have their place among the French fine wines.
To illustrate the richness of the Southern wines, SommelierS International had selected the most iconic and representative chateaus and domains, and invited the sommeliers of the Association of Alpes-Marseille-Provence, but also from Languedoc. These professionals lent their expert palates to the difficult exercise of commented tasting, under Gisèle Marguin's presidency, chairman of the association of Marseille. She was supported for the day by Philippe Faure-Brac, Best Sommelier of the World, and Fabrice Sommier, Best Craftsman of France, Master of Port and Master Sommelier of the UDSF.
For the Best Sommelier of the World, this day had a peculiar taste as he is native from Marseille. But it also was his first official appearance as newly promoted MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) as he had received a few days before his medal of Best Craftsman of France honoris causa at the Sorbonne University.
Chef & Sommelier took advantage of this occasion to present their new range of Reveal'Up glasses created in partnership with Julia Scavo by putting them at the disposal of the sommeliers. This new oenological line aims at revealing the wine thanks to a combination of characteristics studied by Arc international: a wide oxygenation surface, an important aromatic chamber favouring the development of the aromas, a bowl reducing gradually to concentrate them and a straight chimney to reduce the perception of alcohol and acidity in the nose and the palate. High technicality, elegant design and resistance turn these new glasses into tools particularly adapted to the bars, hotels and restaurants.
Partner of the tasting, Diam Bouchage had come to expose the advantages of its technological corks. Diam is the only cork which offers at the same time a perfect homogeneity from a bottle to an other one, the control of various levels of permeability. He also assures, thanks to the DIAMANT® process, an incomparable sensory neutrality. Tested and approved by numerous international laboratories, Diam is an innovative cork which allies the tradition of a cork shutter and the mechanical and organoleptic security of a technological corking.
After a studious morning, the sommeliers were joined by the wine growers and the producers for an aperitif and a lunch over the wines tasted in the morning. Terrine of red pepper bell, eggplant and cumin, heart of goat's cheese and tomato coulis; chicken mousse and mascarpone with basil, cake with zucchinis and gnocchis, Parmesan cheese and mushroom cream; raspberry tiramisu, a farandole of flavours to accompany every colour of wines. A moment of sharing and conviviality which continued in the afternoon during a tasting in the magnificent room of Golden Tulip Villa Massalia with a view over the Borély racecourse and the Mediterranean Sea.
Thank you all for your contribution!
Sylvia van der VeldenGisèle MARGUIN,
présidente de l'ASAMP
Philippe FAURE-BRAC,
Meilleur Sommelier du Monde
Fabrice SOMMIER,
MOF, Master of Port,
Maître Sommelier de l'UDSF
Anthony, L'Epuisette
Jacqueline BONNET
Pierre-Alex ANGE, Diam Bouchage
Photos of the event
