Wine + Malmaison = good times.
“Wine Tastings at the Mal. Headed up by Malās Head Sommelier, join us at CafĆ© Malmaison on from 7pm for a unique wine experience. This event is all about wine flights. The voyage presents you with a selection of our finest wines and a guided tasting tour conducted by our Sommelier.”
This week I was kindly invited along to the first of hopefully many of Malmaisonās latest wine tasting events.Ā The format of these sessions is very informal and designed to not be intimidating to wine beginners, which was welcome. Danny Diver, sommelier at Malmaison is a young but in-the-know kinda guy, and it was good to not be patronised by a āwine snobā, as can sometimes be the case with winos!
After canapĆ©s, we started withĀ Marmesa Chardonnay, Holister Peak, Edna Valley, California, 2007.
With each wine, Danny took us on the different āstagesā of scoping out a wine – from itās look in and on the glass, to picking up the different notes on the nose, through to the best bit – tasting!
He describes this gorgeous chardonnay as āfresh, aromatically complex, fully ripe and opulentā. While myself and many the other guests can only really get citrus fruits – we are of course here to learn more! It comes along with an absolutely gorgeous salmon canapĆ© – a perfect match for this wine – the buttery flavours are amazing together.
Next up we have Amonte Barbera, Piemonte, Italy, 2009 – ādeliciously fruity with notes of blueberries, cherries and raspberriesā. A really fruity and drinkable wine – again, one Iād look out for on any menu.
Finally, we have Valdivieso Reserve Merlot, Rapel Valley, Chile 2008.
Merlot is my favourite wine – and this one was an amazing choice – fruity but full-bodied with that lovely vanilla taste coming through from the oak – I think Iāve found my new favourite wine! Danny talks us though oak barrel ageing and the flavours that this imparts – even down to the detail of different nationalities of oak, and the different blends that have gone into this wine.Ā (Aged 12 months in small oak barrels, 70% French and 30% American. 85% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Mourvedre for those interested)
The night ended with an informal Q&A session – Danny offering some knowledgeable and informative advice on whereās best to buy and choose wine from as well as offering a personal insight into Malmaisonās wine selection process. It sounds like a fun job!
Weāre hopefully looking to attend the next event – you should come along too – if not to learn a bit about how to spot a better wine, then just to try some really lovely wines!!
Ā£15/person, monthly, check malmaison.com or at your local hotel
More interested in scran? Review of the Malmaison Newcastle restaurant here
