Beijing Boyce

Upcoming Beijing wine-related events

Friday, June 6, Le Pre Lenotre (Sofitel Wanda Hotel), RMB998
Mas La Plana vertical tasting and dinner, with 1989, 2000, 2003, 2004 Black Label and 2006 Milmanda White Label; by Torres China; RSVP with Sophie at 5165-5519, x208 / sophie@torres.com.cn

Friday, June 6, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe (Sanlitun), RMB100
Tasting of American micro-brews, including North Coast Red Seal Ale, North Coast Old #38 Stout, Rogue American Amber Ale, Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Rogue Brutal Bitter Ale; RSVP with Frank at 13701-178-073.

Sunday, June 8, 7 PM, SALT, RMB398
Michel Torino wine dinner, 4 wines, 4-course degustation menu, with Torino’s Juliana Radavero; by Palette Wines; RSVP at 13671-382-187.

Saturday, June 14, 6:30 PM, Aria (China World Hotel), RMB118
Cakebread wine dinner, with wine maker / president Bruce Cakebread; by ASC Fine Wines; RSVP with Danny Kane at 6505-2266, x36 /danny.kane@shangri-la.com or Helen Lu at 6587-3863 / homedelivery@asc-wines.com.

Saturday, June 14, 3-6 PM, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, RMB120
The Culinary Coin Festival, with free-flow Champagne / wine, coffee, chocolate, and more.

Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Greenfish (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Volker Drkosch, 1-star Michelin chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.

Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Cepe (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Claudio Sadlerm, Michelin star chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.

Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Qi (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Eric M. Johnson, from Shanghai’s Jean George; RSVP at 6601-6666.

Note: To get a wine event listed, send event info, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com. If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm with the venue ahead of time.

Tasting wine in The Hidden City (photo: ASC)

Beijing consumers tasted their way through more than 100 wines from 22 producers as ASC held its Global Wine Extravaganza yesterday at 1949: The Hidden City. Representatives from the wineries, many of whom were in town after attending VinExpo in Hong Kong, did the pouring and chatted with consumers. ASC estimates that more than 300 people attended the event, which was moved indoors at 1949 due to the threat of rain. Despite it being a bit crowded and dim, the event had a nice vibe and the pours were substantial. This was the latest event to feature a good portion of a wine distributor’s portfolio at low cost (see these posts about tastings by Torres, Palette, Palette again, and GELIPU-Winelink).

Here are some of my notes on the wines, though I qualify them by stating that I didn’t make it to every winery’s table.

• Joseph Phelps. It is always a treat to drink Insignia - especially as this Napa Valley wine costs ~RMB2400 per bottle - and the powerful black fruit-driven 2001 didn’t disappoint. I also liked the finishes on the other Phelps wines, including Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon 2005.

• Seghesio: The Sonoma Zinfandel 2006 and Old Vine Zinfandel 2005 offered lots of fruit and jamminess, with a hint of spice. These are good options for people seeking wine that offers a combination of smoothness and high alcohol (~15 percent).

• Meerlust: I liked the constantly changing aroma of the Chardonnay 2006 (honey, citrus, and more). This is a wine I will try again.

• Brown Brothers: The Chenin Blanc 2007 (citrus and melon aromas, sweetness in the body), Everton White 2006 (lots of juicy fruit), and heavily perfumed Moscato 2007 (nice grapefruit, almost soda-like, zip) are all good white wines for beginners. I noticed that many people liked the Orange Muscat & Flora 2007, thought I found it a bit sweet (think hints of Creamsicle).

I also liked the Gavi di Gavi DOCG 2007 and Barbera D’Asti ‘La Court” 2004 from Michele Chiarlo, the Reserva 2003 from Marques de Riscal, and the wines from Trimbach.

By the way, I was among several attendees NBC interviewed about halfway through the tasting. I hope my answers were coherent!