Burgundy wine is all the rage at the moment, and Acker Merrall & Condit‘s staggering auction record of HK$112,740,200 on 5 November just goes to prove that the famed French wine isn’t bowing out of the limelight just yet.

Setting the world record for the highest total sales in one auction in 2011, and 145 world auction records on top of that, the day saw bidders competing to aquire one of the world’s greatest grand cru Burgundy collections.

China’s wine market is increasingly getting a taste for Burgundy wine, so much so that wine critic Jancis Robinson MW recently expressed her fears at Wine Future held from 6 -8 November, that there wouldn’t be enough in the market to satisfy Asian demand. And, if Saturday’s auction is anything to go by, she could be right!

There was highly competitive bidding for this prized Don Stott Collection, with lots such as a case of 1990 Domaine de la Romanee Conti, La Tache, fetching an unprecedented price of HK$536,800.

It seems the Burgundy boom is set to long continue!

According to Master of Wine Jancis Robinson; “Anne Gros is one of the most respected, and most fortunate, wine producers in the world. As an only child, she inherited all of her father François’s three hectares of prime Côte d’Or vineyard land around Vosne- Romanée, at the age of 22.

Anne GROS is now famous for her Richebourg Grand Cru, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru that she turned 100% bio-dynamic many years ago. She is probably the most respected female winemaker of Burgundy with Lalou Bize Leroy.

This burgundian lady, together with Jean Paul Tollot, has combined their over 20 years of expertise and experience in Burgundy making and has established an entirely new domaine in France’s most challenging wine region, the Languedoc, the Minervois, in pursuit of another ecologically respectable house.

About the region: Minervois in Languedoc, south of France, is home to Cazelles which is known for the diversity of its soil, made of limestone, clay and sandstone; the discovery of 4 main cepages (Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault); and the quality and wide age range of its vines grown in the privileged environment at the foot of the Black Mountain at an altitude of 220 metres (identical to Vosne-Romanée).

A unique architectural structure was cleverly created to grow, receive, make and care for these fine terroir wines which have been designed with great attention to detail, respecting the energies, the grapes and the people of the region. The first vintage of Anne Gros wines is 2008 and they are lovingly aged for one year in Burgundy barrels, and then blended and bottled in this authentic Burgundian bottle with the instantly recognizable Orangy label…

Top picks :

Anne GROS, Minervois, Les Carrétals

An utterly unique, 100% Carignan wine from a perfect 2-acre, chalky plot completely dedicated to ancient vines now 99 years old. The terroir here is also very Burgundian, littered with white rocks and rich in chalk.

Anne GROS, Minervois, Les Fontanilles

Elegant with silky fruit and peppery spark all rolled into one. This small, walled vineyard is surrounded by wild garrigue and pine, the aromatic soul of the south of France, and the wine’s perfume is infused with these heady scents. A blend of Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache.

Anne GROS, Minervois, La Ciaude

This is Anne’s “great terroir” wine, one that benefits from a unique vein of limestone à la Burgundy. La Ciaude is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, of which the Carignan vines are 104 years old. Mineral energy combines effortlessly with an extraordinary rich and layered feel. This wine has volume, depth and a fantastic concentration without sacrificing balance. Vines face south and as such get the full power of the sun, adding to the wine’s saturated, sultry personality.

Official Importer in Hong Kong

• L’Imperatrice Fine Wines

Recently, I had an excellent experience with Matsutake mushrooms from Japan (松茸) with some vintage Champagne and a Burgundy red.

A wonderful dinner was hosted at Amuse Bouche, which is located in Wan Chai. The most impressive dish served that night was the Roasted Seasonal Matsutake Mushroom. Matsutake mushroom is a very rare and seasonal ingredient, which is extremely popular in Japan. With it’s heavy unique aroma and very smooth texture, the taste is reminiscent of cooked scallop. Definitely, a magical dish, and paired with the right wines only ignites the taste buds even further.

However, the best was yet to come: the wines served on that night were amazing and took enjoyment of food pairing to a whole new level. The wines were Mumm Cordon Rouge Vintage 1969 Champagne Brut and Hospic de Beaune, J. Calvet, Beaune 1929.

The aged Champagne performed with a high intensity nose of floral, honey, ripe quince, smoke and mushroom – which combined to create a very complex and rich aroma. On the palate, the taste of ripe apple, earth and minerals came with a nice mushroom aftertaste too. When Matsutake collides with the Mumm 1969, a mushroom taste explosion will happen in your mouth.

The 1929 Bourgogne was also wonderful – the ruby color and aroma were lively with fresh red fruit, strawberry, cherry and dried rose. A surprising lively acidity with a very smooth palate, pleasant mouth feel and very rounded taste of red fruit . The length of truffle and mineral was also nice. When it pairs with the dish, the mushroom creates a better body for the delicate wine, similarly, the wine gives more depth and length to the dish as well. A prefect matching!

Many wine drinkers are very eager to drink rare old vintage wine, although the quality is sometimes very unreliable when compared to young wine. But then again if you’re lucky to open a nice bottle of old wine; the surprising enjoyment is incomparable too.

So think about mushrooms, specifically the Matsutake, for pairing when you are opening a vintage bottle of wine at your next gathering.

Jordi Chan is currently working as Wine Gallery Manager at ASC Fine Wines and was Sommelier of The Peninsula’s legendary restaurant “Gaddis” and Head Sommelier at The Mira Hong Kong . He has won awards including the Grand Prize of Hong Kong Best Sommelier Competition 2010 and “Best Performance in Blind Tasting” in Hong Kong Best Sommelier Competition 2009. He also serves as contributing journalist for magazines in Hong Kong, Macau and PRC. Find him on Facebook here.

Louis Latour, the iconic Burgundy winery, has just released its latest vintage and, on first reflection, this could be one of the greatest ever vintages for Burgundian reds.

Founded in 1794, Louis Latour has for a long time been the benchmark for commercial Burgundian wine. Now in its eleventh generation of family ownership, the Louis Latour winery has turned out some stunning 2009 reds, to match their 2008 vintage that was so successful for whites.

2009 Louis Latour – the best ever Burgundy vintage?

Louis Latour, the iconic Burgundy winery, has just released its latest vintage and, on first reflection, this could be one of the greatest ever vintages for Burgundian reds.

Founded in 1794, Louis Latour has for a long time been the benchmark for commercial Burgundian wine. Now in its eleventh generation of family ownership, the Louis Latour winery has turned out some stunning 2009 reds, to match their 2008 vintage that was so successful for whites.

In the company of Bruno Pepin, the commercial director of Louis Latour, tasters at their recent showcase were able to preview the 2009 Chardonnays, starting with the Meursault Premier Cru “Chateau de Blagny” which allayed notes of fresh peach and tropical fruits. This was swiftly followed by the Meursault Premier Cru “Perriers” which displayed subtle mineral tones and sweet citrus fruit on the palate.

Of the 2009 vintage Mr. Pepin commented; “At Louis Latour, we only have good and outstanding vintages.” We can’t argue with that. The Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Morgeot,” Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru and Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru only highlighted Mr. Pepin’s observations who added; “Burgundy reds of 2009 are as good as or better than the superb vintages of 2005 and 1999.”

The Aloxe Corton Domaine Latour showed light flavours of red berries but, in truth, underperformed. The same, however, cannot be said for the rest of the vintage. The Beaune Premier Cru Vignes Franches is insatiable and, upon drinking, summer immediately springs to mind. Fresh-picked raspberries and blackcurrants are dangerously evident and the finish is eternal.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru “Les Cazetiers” was very fruit-forward and simple, yet somehow ingeniously sophisticated and certainly one to drink now and avoid putting in the cellar. Not like the Chambertin Grand Cru “Cuvee Heritiers Latour” which was full, with great body and structure, matching the tannins which should allow for 3-8 years cellaring.

The stand-out wine was most certainly the Nuits-St.-Georges Premier Cru “Les Damodes.” Earthy and unquestionably made in an old world rustic style, the subtle tannins make for a wine that is palatable and exquisite, coupled with a potential for medium to short term cellaring.

Overall, the Louis Latour 2009 vintage is remarkable in its ability to be the drinking wine of today, and the cellaring wine for the rest of this decade. A fantastic vintage.

Louis Latour is available exclusively through Maxxium Hong Kong.

By Alasdair NicolIn the company of Bruno Pepin, the commercial director of Louis Latour, tasters at their recent showcase were able to preview the 2009 Chardonnays, starting with the Meursault Premier Cru “Chateau de Blagny” which allayed notes of fresh peach and tropical fruits. This was swiftly followed by the Meursault Premier Cru “Perriers” which displayed subtle mineral tones and sweet citrus fruit on the palate.

Of the 2009 vintage Mr. Pepin commented; “At Louis Latour, we only have good and outstanding vintages.” We can’t argue with that. The Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Morgeot,” Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru and Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru only highlighted Mr. Pepin’s observations who added; “Burgundy reds of 2009 are as good as or better than the superb vintages of 2005 and 1999.”

The Aloxe Corton Domaine Latour showed light flavours of red berries but, in truth, underperformed. The same, however, cannot be said for the rest of the vintage. The Beaune Premier Cru Vignes Franches is insatiable and, upon drinking, summer immediately springs to mind. Fresh-picked raspberries and blackcurrants are dangerously evident and the finish is eternal.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru “Les Cazetiers” was very fruit-forward and simple, yet somehow ingeniously sophisticated and certainly one to drink now and avoid putting in the cellar. Not like the Chambertin Grand Cru “Cuvee Heritiers Latour” which was full, with great body and structure, matching the tannins which should allow for 3-8 years cellaring.

The stand-out wine was most certainly the Nuits-St.-Georges Premier Cru “Les Damodes.” Earthy and unquestionably made in an old world rustic style, the subtle tannins make for a wine that is palatable and exquisite, coupled with a potential for medium to short term cellaring.

Overall, the Louis Latour 2009 vintage is remarkable in its ability to be the drinking wine of today, and the cellaring wine for the rest of this decade. A fantastic vintage.

Louis Latour is available exclusively through Maxxium Hong Kong.

If you attended the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair last year, you know the event enjoyed a very successful debut, attracting 240 exhibitors and more than 8,700 trade visitors. Not surprisingly, the fair is coming back for a second round, which will take place from November 4 – 6 with France as the Partner Country. And its almost doubled in size from last year with an estimated 450 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions will be attending, so you should have more than enough to keep you busy!

Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and hosted at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, the fair will showcase exhibits of wine, spirits, and beer, as well as many products, equipment, and services associated with wine production. A French pavilion showcasing many different wines – such as Burgundy, St. Emilion, Alsace, Bordeaux, and Lyon – will be featured at the fair, and group pavilions many countries from all over the world will also be featured.

In addition, the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition will be introduced in partnership with the International Wine and Spirit Competition based in London. “Best Wine” awards will be given for countries such as China, Japan, India, and Thailand.

If you are an international or local buyer, if you register online before October 29th you can gain free entry to the entire show. For more information about the fair, exhibitors, and registration, you can visit their website at http://hkwinefair.hktdc.com and have a look at the photo gallery and video from last years event. Winebuzz.hk will be bringing you more insight into the show as we lead up to the big event.

For those looking for enjoy a Sunday night of good wine and good food, you might want to look at the wine appreciation nights held at LaVilla Restaurant each Sunday in July. During wine appreciation and dinner, there will be brief lessons on wine with topics ranging from how to write descriptive tasting notes, how to pair wine with food to how to read labels. La Villa will be serving up a series of different 5 courses French dinner to match each wine theme for the night.

19 July 2009: Aroma Workshop.
Learn to identify key aromas in a glass of wine and write descriptive tasting notes. You will also learn how to recreate a glass of wine with aroma aids.

Aromatic Menu (dinner menu for Aroma Workshop):

• Champagne & Two Peppers Marinated Goose Liver Toast
• Beef Carpaccio
• Pumpkin Cream Soup and Smoked Duck Julienne
• Honey Glazed SeaBass Fillet in Beurre Blanc with Cream Leeks and Sauteed New Potatoes
• Chocolate Box

26 July 2009: Famous French Region
Learn characteristics of French region wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone and uprising VDP. Become an expert in French wine and learn to read French wine labels, French wine food pairing, characteristics of Burgundy and Bordeaux wine.

French Menu (dinner Menu for Famous French Region):

• French Smoked Duck & Grilled Pineapple
• Egg Benedict
• Lobster Bisque
• Grilled Lamb Fillet with Cumin Zucchini & Red Peppercorn Sauce
• Mango & Raspberry Napoleon

How much?

• Wine appreciation: 6.30 -7.30pm HK$380
• Dinner: 7.30pm onwards HK$480
• Wine appreciation & dinner HK$660 (include service fees)

Where?

• All events will be held at LaVilla 38 Restaurant, 38/F, 393 Jaffe Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
• To attend, please make reservations at Tel: 3154 9570

Zachys returned to Hong Kong for its second auction in the city last Saturday, April 25. The auction reached a staggering sales total of HK$32 million and featured over 760 lots of the world’s finest and rarest wines, including the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Zachys President Jeff Zacharia commented, “We are thrilled to return to Hong Kong for our second auction. There is no doubt in my mind that Asia is emerging as one of the most important wine markets in the world and that Hong Kong is certainly the hub of all of this excitement.”

The highlight of the auction was undoubtedly the 1982 Latour Superlot (12 bottles, 6 magnums, 3 double magnums and 1 6L imperial), which sold for HK$786,500. Other highlights include a lot of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982, the 6-magnum lot fetched a total of HK$314,600, as well as a rare twenty-magnum (1.5 L) lot of 1998 Krug Clos du Mesnil, which fetched HK$290,400.

Zachys next auction will take place in Hong Kong June 13 2009, stay tuned for more details.