On May 19th, Moët Hennessy Diageo (MHD) held its Grand Wine Tasting 2014, an event where visitors could taste wines from around the world, speak directly with winemakers, and learn about the characteristics and commitment of each winery. This was the fourth time the event has been held, having been held every two years since 2008. This year, nine winemakers from nine wineries in eight countries that MHD works with were invited to taste 55 different wines. Dan Buckle, senior winemaker at Australia's Chandon, recommended Chandon Rosé, a sparkling wine. He explained that its sweet aroma of cherry and strawberry, balanced with a slight acidity, makes it a perfect pairing with Japanese cuisine like sashimi and grilled seafood, which explains its popularity in Japan.
NEWTON in California's Napa Valley employs conservation-based winemaking practices. In an effort to coexist with the ecosystem, they plant only 20% of their land and never use pesticides on the soil. Winemaker Chris Millard recommends the Unfiltered Chardonnay 2011. Produced using an unfiltered method that concentrates flavor, Millard says, "It has refreshing fruit flavors of yellow peach and mango, making it perfect for summer." While this wine is intended to be drunk at room temperature, he says it's best enjoyed slightly chilled in summer.
NUMANTHIA, a Spanish winery with a tradition dating back to ancient Roman times, is made from the highly concentrated Tempranillo grape. With a yield of 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms per hectare, it's one of the lowest in the world, and all the grapes are hand-picked. Estate Director Manuel Louzada says this powerful, long-lasting red wine is perfect with fatty tuna sashimi, marinated wagyu beef or pork, or teppanyaki.
TERRAZAS de los Andes has a farm in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. Because of its continental climate, completely unaffected by the ocean, average temperatures vary by elevation, allowing the estate to cultivate grape varieties suited to each location. The extremely dry climate also allows for pesticide-free cultivation without the risk of disease. Another distinctive feature is the use of meltwater from the Andes Mountains to irrigate the fields. Popular wines include Reserva Torrontes, a refreshing, casual white wine made at 1,800 meters above sea level, and Reserva Malbec, a concentrated red wine reminiscent of dark cherry confit made at 1,067 meters above sea level. Other wineries featured included Lapostolle, makers of Lapostolle Clos Apaltas, which was ranked number one in the 2005 edition of Wine Spectator's World's 100 Best Vintages; Taylor's, a port winery with over three centuries of history; Cape Mentelle, a prestigious winery in Margaret River, Australia; Cloudy Bay, a New Zealand winery renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc; and Boroli, an Italian wine brand that Moët Hennessy will begin selling in August. Also featured was special guest Annette Scarff, an Asia-based Master of Wine (the highest qualification in the world), who joined the winemakers to introduce the characteristics of delicious wines. "I'm very pleased to be able to share a variety of delicious wines with everyone," she said. The Master of Wine is said to be the highest qualification in wine-related professions, and there are four of them in Asia out of approximately 300 people.
