Wines at OFF – part 2 – Riesling Ambassador

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Blindtaster

After the party comes the afterparty, and after the food and wine presentations at OFF comes the wine degustation at home, between chefs, food lovers and bloggers.

And since our thirst had grown during the day, it was good that there were a few bottles standing around. Of course, my deed was to bring some Rieslings from Germany and represent to a certain extent my country, also knowing that these wines are basically unavailable in France.

We started off with some Ulysse Colin Champagne. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is dry to the bone, but still with a delicious fresh minerality: what a nice way to rehydrate your body. Then as a contrast, a Riesling from Continue reading →

Wines at OFF – part 1

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Blindtaster

Besides the chef’s cooking presentations, the Omnivore food festival is also a showcase for high quality produce such as meats, cheeses and of course wine.

A good dozen of mostly French vignerons were presenting their so-called “Vins Naturels”, a non-certified or -controlled ideology of winemaking which basically reduces the process to a minimum of interference (pumping, filtration) or additons (non-indigenous yeasts, sulfites). While I’ve had a few disappointments especially with Continue reading →

OFF – Brasserie Evening – Les Vapeurs in Trouville

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Blindtaster

It seemed like ages since I last plunged into the bustling atmosphere of a French brasserie. So I was rather thrilled when after one last cooking presentation in the evening we all left for Les Vapeurs in Trouville. And when I say all I mean about 35 hungry people, a mix of bloggers, food lovers and starred chefs. Continue reading →

Back ON after “OFF” (Omnivore Food Festival)- First Impressions: Chef Presentations and Trends

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Blindtaster

I just got back from Deauville where I spent a great time at the 6th edition of Omnivore Food Festival. Great Chefs, great food, Great wine and great people to share it with – this all makes for superb memories. In the next couple of days I’ll try to post some of my impressions and start right away with the cooking presentations. But first of all, I have to thank Laurent for giving me the opportunity to join the party and greet all the fine palates I met – you know who you are.

… at the “restOFF”, lunch is being taken while sitting on straw bales

But what the heck is Omnivore? Continue reading →

2009 Westhofener Morstein Spätlese Trocken. Weingut Michel-Pfannebecker, Rheinhessen

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Blindtaster

Aus den unendlichen Weiten des so im Trend liegenden Rheinhessen gibt es noch eine Menge aufstrebende Weingüter die noch nicht so im Rampenlicht stehen wie Keller, Wittmann und Co. Es lohnt sich vielleicht also nach der ein oder anderen günstigeren Flasche aus den Top-Lagen Ausschau zu halten. Diese Bouteille Westhofener Morstein Spätlese vom Weingut Michel-Pfannebecker ist mir zufällig in einem Online-Shop begegnet und landete sogleich Zwecks Prüfung in meinem Warenkorb. Continue reading →

Riesling Birthday Party

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Blindtaster

What a nice evening with only bottles of Riesling. It was my mom’s birthday and a few friends came over for the occasion. Naturally, I seized the occasion to experiment a bit with the effect of different Riesling styles on our guests. Here are my quick notes:

2008 Von Den Terrassen Riesling, Weingut Castel Peter, Bad Dürkheim, Pfalz – Sleek and lean. Less on the riper side and thus a typical 08 I’d say. Good minerality, a bit lighter in weight as well but nonentheless a good introduciton to this estate I’ve never heard about. Also, a nice first wine for refreshing the palate. Continue reading →

Blind Tasting Club – Wine and Dine Blog

Notes about wine, food and restaurant experiences from around the world, randomly reported in German or English. Blog based in Frankfurt, Germany.

Monthly Archives: February 2011