In the Plane: Wining and Lunching on an Airbus 380 from Frankfurt am Main, Germany to Johannesburg, South Africa in Business Class (LH 572)

Pictures: Wining and Dining on an Airbus 380 in Business Class from Frankfurt am Main, Germany to Johannesburg, South Africa (LH 572)

This was supposed to be a night flight, leaving Frankfurt at 10:10 pm and arriving 12 hours later in the morning in Johannesburg in South Africa. But it turned out to be a day flight, leaving Frankfurt in the morning at 10:30 am and arriving in Johannesburg 12 hours later at night. The reason for the change was a combination of 2 things: a technical problem of Lufthansa with the Airbus 380 and the new curfew that has been imposed at Frankfurt International Airport. The Captain told us the next day that there was a slight problem, which however, could not be fixed in time to leave before 11:00 pm. So, the flight had to be rescheduled and my wife Annette and I spent the night at the Sheraton Hotel at Frankfurt Airport instead of in the plane and the following day in the plane instead of in Johannesburg. The lesson I have drawn: With the strict curfew at 11:00 pm at Frankfurt International Airport, it has become very risky to take flights late in the evening; you may end up in a Frankfurt hotel instead of on a flight to the place where you are heading to.

New World Wine Producer South Africa

South Africa is a New World wine country, with a long wine history. With about 100.000 hectares of land under vine, it accounts for 1.5% of the world's grape vineyards. Yearly production is around 10 million hectoliters, which puts the country among the top ten wine producing countries in the world.

I have traveled in South Africa many times in the past 3 decades, in particular during the period 1989 to 1992, when I used to live in Madagascar. The last time I went there, was about a year ago in 2011. When traveling in South Africa today, it quickly becomes evident that apartheid is resting in the dustbin of history. South Africa’s current President is the Zulu Jakob Zuma, who is mired in personal and political controversy. The Txosa Nelson Mandela, who had spent more than 25 years in prison during apartheid, was President in the 1990s and is now a revered elder called "Madiba" ("Papa"). South Africa successfully hosted the Soccer World Cup. The Soccer World Cup was hoped to provide a boost to the tourism industry; but indications are that the expected boost did not materialize, at least not fully. The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to be wide, but is narrowing and a black middle class is emerging. This, however, is not so much evident in the wine region, which continues to be dominated by the whites; Cape Town even has a white mayor. 99% of the vineyard area is in the hands of whites. The AIDS pandemic is taking a huge toll with the HIV infection rate at about 20 percent.

Over the course of the years, I have detected an increasing openness, pride and camaraderie among all the South Africans – white, colored or black, Boers or Brits; Indians, Jews, Zulus, Txosas or Vendas, I met. Nevertheless, this rainbow society with a share of 75% of blacks, has huge challenges to cope with.

The Wines

Lufthansa offered 6 wines in business, the usual mix of interesting wines.

NV Champagne Piper Heidsick Brut, France

The sparkler in Business Class was a Champagne from the renowned Champagne House Piper Heidsick. The NV Piper Heidsick presented itself with delightful aromas of roasted hazelnuts, fresh brioche, aromatic vanilla, a touch of pear and elements of citrus.



2010 Mosel Riesling aus der Steillage, Peter and Peter, Germany

A Mosel wine with a rather restrained sweetness on the palate. Fresh, crisp with a mineral character. Probably most international travelers expect a sweeter wine, when they choose a Mosel Riesling.

2009 Nord Sud Langeduedoc Viognier, Laurent Miquel, France

Long native to the Rhone valley, Viognier is grown all over the world now. Fine floral notes, combined with hints of aromatic oranges and juicy apricots.

2007 Chateau Mazails, Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France

A fine Cru Bourgeois wine with some toasty notes, good depth of flavor and an elegant tannin structure on the palate.



2008 Zweigelt and Cabernet, Freigut Thallern, Thermenregion, Austria

An excellent example of what Austria is now able to produce, a “Super Austrian” juicy New World style red wine.

2008 Syrah, Spier, South Africa

Not on the printed wine list. An extra. A tribute to the destination country. Big, juicy, full-bodied.

The Menu

The lunch was composed by Douce Steiner, owner of and Chef at the Restaurant Hirschen in Sulzburg in the Markgraeflerland region (Baden) in Germany. Douce is the daughter of Michelin starred Chef Hans-Paul Steiner and she herself is a Michelin starred Chef.

Here is what we ate.

Starter

My wife Annette and I both chose the same: Petit Four of salted Herring and Pumpernickel with Cucumber Salad. The other 2 options were (1) Pate Baden Style with Waldorf Salad and Lingonberries and (2) Leaf Salad with Chanterelles, Cherry Tomatoes and Pumkin served with Potato Dressing



Main Course

We had 3 choices and chose the following. We missed Roast Goose with Red Cabbage and Potato Dumplings

Swabian Dumplings and Caramelized Onions



Filet of Halibut in Lime Fond and Fresh Mint



Camembert, Gruyere, Blue Cheese



Mango Tart



Alternatively, we could have chosen Fruit Salad.

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In the Plane: Wine on South African Airways from Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia (Victoria Falls)

New World Wine Producer South Africa

In the Plane: Wine on South African Airways from Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia (Victoria Falls)

Picture: This Gentleman Lives at the Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe

I flew South African Airways from Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia to spend a couple of days at the Victoria Falls.

2008 Merlot Reserve, Anura, South Africa

On the flight, I had a choice between a small bottle of red or white wine. I picked the red wine: 2008 Merlot Reserve, Private Cellar, Anura, Simonsberg Paarl

Anura is situated between Paarl and Stellenbosch in the foothills of the Simonsberg mountain range in South Africa. Anura has 120 hectares under vineyards with mainly red varieties, including Shiraz, Mourvedré, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese and Malbec.

The Bouma family purchased the estate in 1989 and developed the farm from the original 2 blocks of vineyards into 120 hectares of vines, with a production potential of 800 tons. Until Anura's first own vintage in 2001, all grapes were sold to neighboring estates.

Anura produces 2 ranges of wine - Anura, the premium label, meaning “Frog” and Frog Hill, a second tier label, named after the historic “Padda Bult” found on the farm. Anura wines are now distributed 11 countries, and have won numerous awards over the past 8 years.

Tasting notes: dark ruby in the glass, thick legs, nuances of mocha and fruitcake on the nose, lean structure, pronounced tannin on the palate, nice finish.

Livingstone and the Victoria Falls

Our destination was the town of Livingstone in Zambia at the mighty Zambezi river and the Victoria Falls. Livingstone is named after Dr. Livingstone, the explorer and missionary, who in 1805 was the first to set eyes on the “Smoke that Thunders”, as the locals call the falls. He named it Victoria Falls in honor of his reigning monarch, Queen Victoria.

Pictures: Sunset at the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls

There are three impressive waterfalls in the world: Iguaçu Falls in Argentina/Brazil, Niagara Falls in North America and Victoria Falls in Southern Africa. The Victoria Falls is 108 meters high and 2 km wide. The spray from the falls can rise as high as 800 meters, depending on the season. Half of the falls belongs to Zimbabwe.

Royal Livingstone Hotel

We stayed at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, which is the place to choose, if you want a true colonial experience, a location right on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river, to be in walking distance to the falls and if you have no budget constraint.

The pre-dinner drinks on the deck at the Zambezi river and the dinner on the veranda of the Royal Livingstone Hotel are a dream experience.

I had beef Carpaccio and two whole local fishes – a Bream from the Zambezi River, which belongs to the carp family – for dinner, with a Pinotage, South Africa’s signature wine. Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, has seen its plantings rise and fall due to the current fashion of the South African wine industry. Today it is the second most widely planted red grape variety in South Africa, although it is rarely grown outside of South Africa.

The wine list contains practically only South African wines, mostly in US$ 40 to 130 range, with most wines costing more than US$ 70. While the food was very reasonably priced for such a luxury place, the wine list looked a bit overpriced. But his could reflect steep import duties in Zambia.

I stayed on the Zimbabwean side of the falls a couple of years ago at the Victoria Falls Hotel. This was also a true colonial experience and also in walking distance to the falls. But because of the economic and political situation in Zimbabwe, I prefer the Royal Livingstone in Zambia today.

Wild Animals and Shona Art

The Royal Victoria Hotel is located in a natural park, which has the added advantage that wild African animals tend to come rather close to the hotel. In the vicinity of the hotel, there are plenty of monkeys and a herd of zebras; walking to the falls from our room, we also met giraffes. And on the way back to the airport, we saw an elephant.

One aspect of this area that always gets my attention is the Shona art. Shona art is contemporary stone sculpture from Zimbabwe and neighboring countries. The Shona art movement began around the 1950s and has really taken off since 1980, when Zimbabwe became independent. There were many Shoan art sculptures in the vicinity of the hotel.

Picture: Shona Sculpture on the way to the Victoria Falls

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Top Airline Wines – Cellars in the Sky Awards for 2009

Top Airline Wines – Cellars in the Sky Awards for 2009

Business Traveller announced on February 9, 2010, the annual Cellars in the Sky Awards, recognizing the best business and first class wines served by airlines worldwide.

The big winner this year was Qantas, which walked away with four awards, for Best First Class Red Wine, Best First Class Fortified / Sweet Wine, Best First Class Cellar, and Best Presented Wine List. The airline's haul also helped Oneworld come out on top in the Best Alliance category. Cathay Pacific won two awards for its business-class offerings, triumphing in the Best Business Class Red Wine and Best Business Class Cellar categories, and Lufthansa also bagged two awards, for Best Business Class Fortified / Sweet Wine, and Best First Class Sparkling Wine.

For a full rundown of the results, click here.

Commenting on this year's entries, TV wine presenter and co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge Metcalfe, one of the judges, said there had been some pleasant surprises, with a number of unusual choices, perhaps reflective of the economic situation. "Airlines are having to be more creative with their wine choices," said Metcalfe. "Rather than choosing an expensive and well-known label, they are choosing lesser-known but much more interesting wines."

The Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards have been running since 1985, with 34 airlines taking part this time round: Aer Lingus, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, American Airlines, ANA, Austrian Airlines, Bmi, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Gulf Air, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, LAN, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Qantas, Qatar Airways, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM Airlines and US Airways.

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In the plane: Lufthansa from Frankfurt, Germany to Washington DC, US in January 2010

Picture: Frankfurt am Main Airport

Lufthansa served 5 excellent sparkling and still wines in business class from Frankfurt am Main to Washington DC in January 2010. On this flight, in contrast to previous flights, all wines served were old world wines – on a route to a new world country.

NV Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique.

This was the same Champagne as on the last flight, a couple of months ago, a cuvee of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. An excellent champagne. Maturation on the fine lees after second fermentation. Intense straw-yellow color, yeasty aromas and fruity notes of pear and apple. On the palate, the wine is very refreshing with pleasant mousse.

2008 Franken Cuvee Kabinett trocken, Weingut Brennfleck, Germany

The Brennfleck Estate is a top German Wine Estate (3 Gault Millau Grapes) in Franken, with a history of 400 years.

Franken, located in the northern part of Bavaria, is boasting a long tradition and some fine terroirs (mostly shell limestone and Keuper, a kind of marl). Its two leading grape varieties are Riesling and Silvaner. Typically, Franken wine comes in the distinctive, dumpily-rounded Franken “Bocksbeutel” wine bottle and the Brennfleck Kabinett does too. The bottle’s unusual shape dates back to at least the 16th century. The Bocksbeutel may only be used for Franken wines. In Germany, it is a sign of excellence, while in the US, many consumers link this kind of bottle shape to lower quality wine.

This is an unusual wine, a blend of Kerner, Bacchus and Rivaner at the Kabinett level. These three grape varieties belong to the so-called "new breeds" of grape varieties created since the late 19th century. It reminds me a bit of the Edelzwicker from Alscace, where I was a few weeks ago. See here and here.

The wine is greenish in the glass, has a restrained bouquet, is very fruity on the palate, with notes of pineapple, oranges, mango and banana, coupled with marzipan and petrol, pleasant finish.

2008 Friendly Gruener Veltliner, Laurenz V., Austria

This is a wine a bit like the tremendously successful Dr. L. of Ernst Loosen – one of the two German wines that made it to the Top 100 list of the wine spectator in 2009, but completely unheard of in Germany, because it is produced only for the export market. Similarly, the Laurenz V. project was launched a few years ago, with the sole purpose to take advantage of the Gruener Veltliner boom in the world and in particular in the US.

Laurenz Maria Moser V., descendant of the famous Lenz Moser wine dynasty, had been the General Manager of Robert Mondavi’s European operations for many years, when Mondavi was sold to Constellation Brands in 2004. So, in 2005, he started the Lorenz V. project, with two partners. The grapes are sourced from growers in Kamptal, Kremstal and the Weinviertel. Laurenz V. works together with different winemakers; for the “Friendly”, it is Ernst Grossauer.

Grüner Veltliner is Austria's showpiece grape. It makes up one third of Austria’s entire wine production. It is not known for high quality and aging potential, but more for its easy drinking, summer wine qualities. In the US and other countries, it is becoming increasingly popular.

This is an easy drinking party wine, with a restrained bouquet and lots of spices and apple, pear and citrus notes on the palate,lingering finish.

Here is a very interesting and entertaining power point presentation about the wine.

2005 Chateau Barreyres, Haut Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, France.

I had this wine before on a Lufthanse a flight. Ruby red in the glass, light aromas of dark chocolate and cassis fruit on the nose, subtle spiciness and elegant toasty notes on the plate, long finish. A good Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois in the traditional style.

2007 Rosso Toscana IGT, Villa Antinori, Italy

A wine well known around the world as the “Villa Antinori”. It is made mainly from the Sangioves grape, with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. This classis Tuscan wine is ruby-red in the glass, with touches of purple. It has a pleasing bouquet with aromas of ripe berry fruits, vanilla and spices. On the palate, the spices become stronger, with dark chocolate. Pleasant finish.

As usual, I finished the dinner with a Schladerer Kirschwasser, a very nice German brandy which is made on the basis of cherry.


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In the plane: Wines on Air France from Washington DC to Paris in Business in December 2009

Air France serves 4 very good wines on the flight from Washington DC to Paris, one Champagne and 3 still wines. All 4 wines are French - Air France shows no interest in exploring American wines, although the flight originates in the US.

Unfortunately, the flight leaves Washington at 10:00 pm in the evening and one doesn't have the time to fully appreciate the wines because service is fast so people can get some sleep, and ...the wines are served in plastic cups.

NV Champagne Brut, Duval-Leroy

Duval-Leroy is a family business, established in 1859 through the merger of two Champagne growers. The company is still based in its village of origin, Vertus, which is with five hundred hectares of vines now the second largest wine-growing district in the Champagne region, after Les Riceys.

Since 1991, Duval-Leroy has been headed by Carol Duval-Leroy, after the sudden loss of her husband that same year. Reminding me a bit of Veuve Clicquot, Carol Duval-Leroy has focused on the modernisation of the production processes and the expansion of exports.

Tasting notes: A blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, light yellow in the glass, fine bubbles, delicate texture on the palate, with mineral tones, very satisfying finish—nice wine ...
...but served in a plastic cup by Air France, as were all the wines.

2007 Vire Clesse, Bourgogne Blanc, Jaffelin

The Maison Jaffelin is owned by the Boisset family in the Bourgogne. Jean-Claude Boisset, the head, is very much concerned with “green” wine making, including of reducing its carbon footprint. The company is trying out a range of different packaging options. It is for this approach that Jean-Charles Boisset has been named “Innovator of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast magazine a few years ago.

The Boisset family business, based at Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy, is among France’s five leading wine groups and owns some prestigious estates including Bouchard Aîné & fils, Jaffelin, Ropiteau Frères, Mommessin, J. Moreau & Fils as well as De Loach in California.

The Jaffelin family has been producing Bourgogne for over 100 years. In the heart of the Mâcon wine growing region, the two villages Viré and Clessé form a unique "terroir" on slopes facing South-East.

Tasting notes: An Appelation Vire Clesse, made from Chardonnay grapes grown on lime and clay, a brilliant light gold in color, complex nose of white blossom and fresh butter, with hints of green apple, a full-flavored wine with a lovely acidity and a pleasant finish.

Cote de Beaune-Villages, 2007, Joseph Drouhin

The Maison Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880. The estate owns vineyards in Chablis, Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune, as well as in the Williamette Valley in Oregon. Drouhin is a wine producer and one of the major negociants in the Bourgogne that produces wines made from purchased grapes grown in different parts of Burgundy. Today both Maison Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin Oregon are owned and operated by the great grandchildren of Joseph Drouhin.

A Chardonnay from the Appellation Cote de Beaune Villages. This Appellation covers the city of Beaune and 16 villages in the Cote de Beaune.

Tasting notes: entry-level red Burgundy from a well recognized negociant of Bourgogne wines, light ruby-red, nice legs in the glass, overwhelming attack of strawberries and other red fruits on the nose, on the palate you have a light, elegant, delectable fruit with great style and refinement, combined with wet leaves, rather than the power of a full body, lovely, but not too long lasting finish.

2005, Medoc, Chateau Haut Condissas

Joël Robuchon, the most Michelin starred Chef of the world (18 stars) entered into a special deal with Jean Guyon earlier this years by selecting the Chateau Tour Seran as his signature wine for all his restaurants. This Cru Bourgeois is the little brother of the Chateaux Rollan de By and Haut Condissas, the latter being served on business class flights of Air France.

At the head of 76 hectares today, Jean Guyon produces 500 000 bottles a year under five labels. Chateau Haut-Condissas in the Medoc was purchased by Jean Guyon in 1998. He also owns Chateaux Tour Seran, La Clare, Rollan de By and La Fleur de By.

Tasting notes: Primarily Merlot, blended with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc; very dark red in the glass, remarkable intensity on the nose, a full-bodied wine with soft tannins and notes of spicy wood on the palate, combined with notes of ripe blackberries and raspberries, long lasting finish of an intense wine.

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In the Plane: Lufthansa Business Class from Frankfurt am Main to Washington DC in October 2009

Lufthansa served 6 excellent wines in business class, a very good selection of both old and new World wines, although most of the wines were the same as 6 weeks ago when I flew from Washington DC to Frankfurt am Main.

Before arriving in Washington DC, Lufthansa offered a Sushi Box. I like Sushi very much, but I found this Sushi Box disappointing, for one reason only--the food lacked the indispensable freshness.

The Sushi Box is prepared under the supervision of Hiroshi Akutsu, Germany's leading sushi master according to Gault Millau. It was a very good selection of food -- very nice sushi rolls, an interesting Asian beef salad and Japanese-style exotic fruits. It was interesting, but had been in the fridge for too long.

NV Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique.

This is a cuvee of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. An excellent champagne. Maturation on the fine lees after second fermentation. Intense straw-yellow color, yeasty aromas and fruity notes of pear and apple. On the palate, the wine is very refreshing with pleasant mousse.

2007 Riesling trocken, Schloss Rheinhartshausen, Rheingau, Germany.

Schloss Rheinhartshausen has a long history. It started to cultivate wine in 1337, when it belonged to the knights of Allendorf. Successive owners include the Langwerth von Simmern dynasty, the Duke of Westfalen, who built Schloss Reinhartshausen as we see it today, and Princess Marianne of Prussia from the Royal House Oranien-Nassau. Today, the highly regarded Wine Estate is the largest privately owned wine estate in the Rheingau.

This is a Gutswein, i.e. an entry-level bottling at the QbA level, without vineyard specification. It proved very satisfying, with wonderful minerality, crystalline fruit and a great sense of balance and long and lasting finish. A very good table wine. It costs Euro 5.90 ex winery.

2008 Iphoefer Kronsberg Silvaner Spaetlese trocken, Weingut Wirsching, Franken, Germany.

Silvaner is a high-yielding white-wine grape, which is extensively cultivated in Rheinhessen, Pfalz and Franken. Weingut Wirsching has been in the family since 1630, today in the 14th generation. With about 70 hectares it is the biggest privately owned vineyard in the Franken.

On the nose, the wine displays a bouquet of subtle, mineral notes, touches of ripe apple and notes of citrus. On the palate it has a most appealing juicy character, fine texture, fresh acidity and pleasant finish.

It comes in the distinctive, dumpily-rounded Franken “Bocksbeutel” wine bottle. The bottle’s unusual shape dates back to at least the 16th century. The Bocksbeutel may only be used for Franken wines.

2007 Columbia Valley Chardonnay, Red Diamond, USA.

The wine region of Washington State, north of Oregon, has scored a huge upswing in the wine world in recent years. This is a Chardonnay in classic New World style, with pleasing aromas of ripe citrus fruit, juicy pineapple and subtle hints of vanilla.

2005 Chateau Barreyres, Haut Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, France.

A classic elegant Cru Bourgeois with subtle spiciness, cassis fruit and elegant toasty notes. A classical Haut Medoc in the traditional style.

2006 Quinta do Gradi, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal.

A juicy wine crafted in the New World style. The bouquet is appealing with well-integrated oak spiciness, a little cinnamon and clove, as well as dark berry fruits. It has a touch of chocolate on the palate and well-knit tannins and a good structure on the finish. A wine from an upcoming region in Portugal that is turning to New World style techniques.

A finished the dinner with a Schladerer Kirschwasser, a very nice German brandy which is made on the basis of cherry.

In the Plane: Germanwings from Belgrade to Cologne (September 2009)

Germanwings is a no-thrills low-cost carrier, which belongs to the Lufthansa group. They offered three wines, all in 0,187 liters bottles (i.e. a quarter of a normal bottle) and each for Euro 4,--. A Prosecco, a red South African Wine and a white German wine. I chose the latter. It was a good choice.

2008 Weisser Burgunder, QbA trocken, Rheinhessen
Krug’scher Hof, Gau Odernheim

Krug’scher Hof is owned and managed by the winemaker couple Regina and Klaus Menger-Krug, who also own and operate the Motzenbecker estate in the Pfalz; the sparkling Menger Krug wines from there are well know.

The Krug’scher Hof Weisser Burgunder is an excellent "Gutswein", with 11.5 percent alcohol, which I enjoyed very much flying over Serbia, Hungary, Austria and Germany. It had a nice acidity and was fresh on the palate.

In the Plane: Lufthansa/Business/Washington D.C to Frankfurt am Main/September 2009

Lufthansa serves 5 excellent wines in business class and one has ample time to taste all of them. It is a very good selection of both old and new World wines.

Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique. This is a cuvee of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. An excellent champagne. Maturation on the fine lees after second fermentation. Intense straw-yellow color, yeasty aromas and fruity notes of pear and apple. On the palate, the wine is very refreshing with pleasant mousse.

2008 Sonnenwind, Riesling Spaetlese trocken, Weingut Motzenbaecker, Germany. Motzenbaecker is one of the wine estates of Gina and Klaus Menger-Krug, who met at collage and now own several wine estates in different wine regions. They are also known for producing one of the best German sparkling wines. This was a dry Spaetlese with a bouquet reminiscent of ripe apricots, juicy peaches and ripe citrus fruit, which flatters the palate with freshness and finesse.

2007 Columbia Valley Chardonnay, Red Diamond, USA. The wine region of Washington State north of Oregon has scored a huge upswing in the wine world in recent years. This is a chardonnay in classic New World style, with pleasing aromas of ripe citrus fruit, juicy pineapple and subtle hints of vanilla.

2005 Chateau Barreyres, Haut Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, France. A classic elegant Cru Bourgeois with subtle spiciness, cassis fruit and elegant toasty notes. A classical Haut Medoc in the traditional style.

2006 Quinta do Gradi, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal. A juicy wine crafted in the New World style. The bouquet is appealing with well-integrated oak spiciness, a little cinnamon and clove, as well as dark berry fruits. It has a touch of chocolate on the palate and well-knit tannins and a good structure on the finish. A wine from an upcoming region in Portugal that is turning to New World style techniques.

A finished the dinner with a Schladerer Kirschwasser, a very nice German brandy which is made on the basis of cherry.