The association of wine with Bordeaux has been in place for centuries. Some of its Chateau wineries date back to the 12th century. The wine produced here, both reds and whites, are known around the world
In Los Angeles this fame has continued with the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux tasting, now in its third year, held at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills recently. The Grand Cercle includes the Cercle Rive Droite from the left bank of the river and Cercle Rive Gauche, wineries on the right bank. Both, of course, share the name of Bordeaux, and are located on the Gironde River and Estuary. Thirty four wineries, some with famous names, were at the Beverly Hills event. Famous names indeed like Grand Cru, Medoc, Margaux, Pomerol and Saint Emilion as well as Fronsac, Graves, and Montagne.
Here we learned of a new concept in the marketing of a particular vintage. It has been created at Chateau D'Arsac and is called The Winemaker' Collection. At almost all wineries, worldwide, the winemaker remains in the background. At Chateau D'Arsac this has changed. Each year a well known winemaker is invited to produce a wine from the same terroir in Margaux. When the vintage is bottled it bears the photo of the winemaker on the label. The idea was conceived ten years ago and has been a great success. Both men and women winemakers have participated in the Chateau D'Arsac program. The first woman chosen was Zelma Long, a familiar name in California where she was with Mondavi and then Simi. Today she owns her own winerey in South Africa. Her Winemaker Collection wine was Cuvee No. 6 in the program.
This was all explained to us by Phillipe Raoux of Chateaux d' Arsac which has nine hundred years of history.
One of the most memorable wines we tasted that day was a Pomerol from Chateau Vray Croix de Gay located on the east bank The amount of Pomerol made each year is relatively small since the wineries in that district typically have small vineyards. The wine we tasted certainly lived up to the reputation that Pomerol enjoys for outstanding quality.
At the tasting we met long time friend and acquaintance Ron Ziff, president and executive director of the California Beverage Retailers Association and snapped a photo of him with Jorge Mendez of DM Vineyards & Partners LP representing Chateau Seguin.
Saint Emilion, a famous name, is on the right bank and we chatted with George Skorka from Chateau La Marzelle and took a photo of him with restaurant and travel writer Ronnie Greenberg.. The wines produced depend heavily on Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.
The Peninsula Hotel event was well attended by the media, restaurateurs and beverage retailers. Served al fresco on the patio was a buffet with both sandwiches and French cheeses as well as most tasty pasta entrees.
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