In Food We Live!!!

There is a saying that some people “eat to live” while others “live to eat”. Our firm belief is that food is something that brings pleasure and enriches one’s experience rather than just providing nutrients and energy for life continuation. It needs not be expensive nor elegant. It must be enjoyable, to the extent of gratifying, perhaps even inspirational. Its consumption requires the right judgment too especially in the context of health, the environment and nature.

What may then be the best dishes? That is of course a matter of personal taste. And if you find that question somewhat difficult to answer, imagine you have just finished a 2-year placement in the Antarctica (plenty of well paid jobs there, including one that requires counting the number of penguins you come across at a certain time of the day…but that’s another story) and are now back home. What would you want to eat during the first one or two days? That should give you some clues. The pictures above are just some of what yours truly enjoyed most over the last few years. Surely you have your own list too.

Coming back to wines which is definitely something that will enhance one’s experience with food, we would like to recommend a few that have arrived recently:

2018 Belondrade y Lurton (WA95 at HK$420/bottle) – If Adria Ferran chose to use this as his house white at El Bulli, need we say more? While the restaurant is no longer operating (impossible to get a booking in any event), you can still enjoy this Spanish gem out of the Verdejo grape varietal which produces wines that typically shares some characteristics of a Sauvignon Blanc. This one is pure, crystalline, very subtle and elegant and transmits a sensation of harmony that is moving.

2012 Henriot Brut Rose Millesime (DC97 at HK$720/bottle) – This medium to full bodied Champagne offers attractive aromas of blood orange, red berries, peach and brioche. It has good concentration, with ripe but racy acidity and a delicate mousse, all to end with a long finish. Hard to find a pink vintage Champagne at this price level…

2009 Phelan-Segur (VN95 at HK$580/bottle) – Some critics rate it the best ever produced by this Bordeaux estate. Medium to full bodied, the wine leaps from the glass with scents of blueberry compote, molten chocolate, licorice and dried mints. The palate is well poised with a fine frame of grainy tannins and minerality, leading to a long finish.

2011 Gracia (RP95 at HK$750/bottle) – 2011 is generally not regarded as a strong Bordeaux vintage but this one is a few of the exceptions. It is a blockbuster that exhibits gorgeous aromas of black currants, blueberries , graphite, chalk, camphor and a hint of truffles. And you won’t find it everywhere as only 500 cases were produced.

2006 Vieux Ch. Certan (RP96 at HK$1,780/bottle) – An iconic Bordeaux estate in every sense, this one is among the best for the 2006 vintage. It has an airy red cherry and raspberry bouquet, hints of tea and charcoal. The palate is medium bodied with supple tannin, giving a smooth, harmonious mouthfeel, and ending with a composed, even sensual finish.

2012 Pian dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante (WA97 at HK$800/bottle) – This Italian red is with power and yet elegant. The bouquet shows wild cherry, rose, dried ginger, rosemary and spice. The palate is firm, almost crunchy. As it spends time in the glass long enough, savoury tones of moist earth and tea will begin to appear. Overall a very beautiful wine…

2013 Gaja Ca Marcanda Bolgheri Rosso (WA95 at HK$880/bottle) – Angela Gaja has long produced First Growth equivalents in Piedmont of Italy and this one is a project with daughter Gaia Gaja in Tuscany. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it offers generous fruit layers that are backed by spice, leather, tobacco and smooth tannins, all beautifully integrated to give long lasting flavours.

2016 Olivier Riviere El Quemado Vina de Sierra (WA95 at HK$400/bottle) – A Spanish red out of mostly Tempranillo and a little Grenache, it is the top wine of this estate but not bottled every year and only when the quality is deemed to meet certain standard. The wine has a complex aroma that is fruit and floral driven, but also spicy and herbal, with hints of licorice and fennel. It is tasty but supple and not flashy…just immensely enjoyable.

2017 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir (JS96 at HK$580/bottle) – From Oregon of NW US, this red is pure class. It has lovely scents of poached pear, elderflower, quince, stone and sweet spice with notions of lime peel and honeyed white peaches. The palate is medium bodied with great texture, layered and a long, fresh, mineral-accented finish. Around 3,500 cases made.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to go to our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to browse the full wine list. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.