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Chocolate and Wine Tasting
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Chocolate and Wine Tasting
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Monday, April 28, 2008 |
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Speakers: Jeff Pzena, Owner of Cotton Tree Lodge
John Flynn, Pasternak Wines
This tasting traced the process in making chocolate, through a live demonstration. We saw how chocolate is made from bean to bar using cocoa beans sourced from Southern Belize, Central America. Actual cocoa beans were provided for shelling. The event was hosted by Jeff Pzena, owner of Cotton Tree Lodge, an eco lodge in Belize where the cocoa beans are grown. John Flynn from Pasternak Wines led us in tasting the wines and spirits. We learned how chocolate is made, tasted 5 chocolates of different chocolate intensity from milk (40% cacao) to extra bitter ( 80% cacao), and tasted 6 different wines and spirits.
Prices are full markup retail price. We asked for one vote for favorite chocolate, two votes for favorite wines and spirits. The favorite chocolate was 70% cacao; the favorite wine and spirit was Chateau de Cosse 2005, Sauternes. Albrecht Brut NV placed second.
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| Flight I: Sparkling |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Albrecht Brut - NV Alsace France
Grapes: 100% Pinot Blanc. Harvest is hand picked and produced by “method traditionnelle” Champagne method. The full grapes are pressed in a bladder press. Straw color, fine bubbles, light, delicate, delicious. Placed second.
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18 |
$18.00 |
| Flight II: Muscat |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château de jau Muscat de Rivesaltes 2005
Limestone soil. Grape Variety: 100% Muscat. 80% of harvest is destemmed and benefits from extended skin contact before being pressed and then fermented. Neutral spirits is then added in the process known as ”mutage” to this fermenting clear ”must” resulting in the maximum retention of fresh aroma flavor and structure. The remaining 20% of the harvest is fermented and processed before pressing in order to provide tannins. Pale white color. Honey and apricot aromas, luscious, rich full flavors. |
8 |
$20.00
500 ml |
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Muscat St. Jean de Minervois NV
Grape : 100% Muscat Blanc a’ Petit Grains
Small (700 acres), high altitude, limestone plateau, planted almost exclusively small berry muscat grape. The vineyard benefits from it own appellation controlee. When the grapes are super-ripe, the grapes are harvested and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. The production of the wine is based on the ancient methods of mutage ; simply, the late harvested grapes are allowed to begin fermentation and then, suddenly, are frustrated in their wish ”to go all the way ” by the sweetness and sugar of the just fermenting grapes with the strength and backbone of the alcohol. Caramel color, bigger nose, apricots, honey, luscious.
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6 |
$12
1/2 bottle |
| Flight III: Dessert |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Château de Cosse 2005 -Sauternes
Grape Variety : Semillion 90% Sauvignon 6%, Muscadelle 4%. 1000 cases produced. 14% alcohol, Residual sugar:11.7%. Total acidity : 3.17 g/l. Second label of Chateau Rieussec, is selected from barrels that has the same base as the ” Grand Vine”, but with shorter aging in barrels. It may be enjoyed at a younger age than its counterpart. The 75 hectares of Chateau Rieussec are situated in the commune of Sauternes and Fargues, high above the Garonne river, in a small area where the cold Autumn dawns help form the famous mist. It is this mist which many believe plays a major role in the development of botrytis cinerea (noble rot).
Golden color, citrus, lemon notes on the nose, balanced, not really sweet but delicious.The favorite of this flight.
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26 |
$25.00 - $30.00 ½ bottle |
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Chateau de Jau Grand Rousillon 2002
Grape : 100% Grenache Blanc. Dark, caramel color.Tastes and smells like butterscotch. Excellent balance of sugar, tannin, acidity and alcohol. Perfect with apple pie.
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14 |
$20.00
500 ml |
| Flight IV: Red |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Les Clos de Paulilles Banyuls Rimage 2005
Grape: 100% Grenache noir. Grapes are crushed but not destemmed in stainless steel vats. Neutral grape spirit is added during fermentation- a process call ”mutage ”. After the wine is allowed to macerate for a full six weeks, the wines are pressed. Bottling occurs in the spring following the vintage and the wines are aged in bottle in climate controlled cellars for a minimum of two years.
Dark purple red color with intense blackberry jam aromas and rich flavors. Good with chocolate.
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17 |
$20.00 |
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