Grand Tasting 2011, Paris

Last Friday and Saturday, Paris was welcoming in the heart of the city the 6th edition of the Grand Tasting. This annual event reunites more than 350 producers, from well-known French Châteaux and Domaines to smaller producers, as well as foreign like Italian, Turkish and Syrian wines.

Red, white, rosé, champagne, sparkling wine, brandy… visitors were overwhelmed by all the choices of wines! Champagnes and sparkling wines were well represented with about 40 brands proposing almost 180 different wines. There were famous Champagnes as Ayala, Jacquesson, Laurent-Perrier, Moët et Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Taittinger and among others, Veuve Cliquot who offered a tasting of la Grande Dame, white, 1998. Moreover, visitors had also the delight to taste, discover or rediscover less famous Champagnes and more affordable like Penet-Chardonnet and H.Blin.

At the stand of H.Blin, the Grand Tasting’s participants could taste: 

Brut, white (16€): 80% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay. The Champagne was cellared in March 2008, left on the lees at least 20 months, disgorged 3 months before delivery and contains 12.5% ALC/VOL. H.Blin has a sustainable viticulture politic. At the tasting, this Brut is lightly sparkling and then it grows rounder offering notes of exotic fruits such as mango. This champagne can be drunk as a daily aperitif or served with a white meat.   

Blanc de Blancs, white (20€): 100% Chardonnay. The champagne was cellared in March 2008, left on the lees at least 20 months, disgorged 3 months before delivery and contains 12.5% ALC/VOL. At the tasting, the nose reveals complex floral senses. In mouth, theses aromas are completed by spice flavors especially vanilla and soft fruits like peaches.  This champagne can be easily accompanied by sea food such as lobsters or langoustines.  

Brut Millésimé, 2004, white (21€): 50% Pinot Meunier, 50% Chardonnay. The champagne was cellared in March 2005, left on the lees 5 ½ years, disgorged 3 months before delivery and contains 12.5% ALC/VOL. At the tasting, the nose reveals a smell of grasses, flowers and fresh berries. In mouth, the flavors escalate and deliver ginger and honey flavors.