More wine trivia…

We had our newsletter under a similar headline a bit more than three years ago (https://www.vinopolis.com.hk/single-post/wine-trivia).

There are questions surrounding the subject of wine directed to us every now and then. We are covering a few such things in this edition and hope you will find them useful.

The picture above lists out the range of bottle sizes and what each is called. Perhaps not very common, there are actually the following additional sizes:

Jennie – 500 ml

Clavelin – 620 ml (often used for yellow wines from Jura)

Marie Jeanne – 2.25L

McKenzie – 5L

Solomon – 20L

Sovereign – 26L

Goliath or Primat – 27L

Maximus -130L (enough to serve 1,000 glasses!!!)

The other variations are that some call a Double Magnum the Jeroboam and the 4.5L size the Rehoboam.

Now why is a “standard” bottle 750 ml? There seems to be a certain historical context somewhere.

The French will always regard themselves as the best and most important wine producers. But it is fair to say the English have been the most important wine merchants, dating back to well over 100 years ago. We all know the two countries use different measurements, the Metric System and the Imperial System respectively. In volume terms, an imperial gallon corresponds to approximately 4.5 litres. To make things simple, there was a “compromise” to ship wines in 50-gallon barrels which, to the French, was the volume to fill 300 bottles each of 750 ml capacity (or 1 gallon = 6 standard bottles). Indeed, that is why even today wines are typically packed in 6-bottle or 12-bottle cases (1 gallon or 2 gallons equivalent).

As to the appropriate serving portion for wine…there is no absolute standard. One would look stingy to pour less than 100 ml. Too much in the glass though will make swirling a challenge. The glass will also be too top heavy with the risk of toppling easily. Especially for white and champagne, too much might end up having the wine getting warm before being finished. Our humble opinion of the most appropriate serving portion is around 120 ml or, about 6-7 servings per standard bottle.

Now let’s go to our wine list and we hope some of our latest additions will be of interest to you:   

2021 Schiopetto Friulano Colli (JS95 at HK$220/bottle) – Friulano is an indigenous grape varietal of Friuli, NE Italy. This white by Schiopetto has good body, offering notes of floral blossoms, grapefruit and seaweed, with a palate of savoury characteristics. In terms of food pairing, it is versatile and will go well with cure meats, seafood, shellfish pastas and poultry dishes.

2020 Domaine Hubert Lamy St-Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes (WA93 at HK$800/bottle) – By a reputable Burgundy producer, this is the more reserved white from the range as it unwinds in the glass with aromas of orange zest, confit citrus, crisp apple and white flowers. It is medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with racy acids and a long, saline finish. Drinkable now though somewhat young, those with patience will no doubt be able to reap great rewards for another few years of cellaring.

2013 Nikolaihof Baumpresse Im Weingebirge Gruner Veltliner (WA98 at HK$650/bottle) – This is the outstanding Austrian white wine. It is beautifully clear, refined and elegant with a deep, spicy, fruit-intense and complex nose.  Rich and intense on the palate, it has ripe and concentrated fruit combined with fine tannins and a slightly oxidative style. Culturally exquisite!!!

2009 Marojailla (RP95+ at HK$820/bottle) – From the Margaux area of Bordeaux, this is possibly the finest ever from this Estate. An absolutely stunning nose of violets, crème de cassis, pencil shavings and subtle oak burst from the glass. The wine has great fruit, superb texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel and an extravagantly rich, concentrated palate with low acidity and ripe tannin, ending with an enduring finish.

2016 Cos d’Estournel (WA100 at HK$1,550/bottle) – By one of our favourite Bordeaux estates, this deep garnet-purple wine starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavours that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Pure magic!!!   

2017 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux Burns (WS94 at HK$800) – By a popular producer, this succulent Burgundy red has ample flavours of cherry, raspberry, floral and spice notes too. Good texture and a solid structure, the palate has a mix of grape and oak tannins imparting density on a long finish.

2010 Domaine Perrot-Minot Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru (WA95-97 at HK$2,750/bottle) – By one of the most exciting Burgundy domaines, this red is a racy beauty bursting with cassis, blackberries, white flowers and licorice. An exceptionally deep, dark Chapelle defined by its sheer power and huge, textured richness but even with all of its size, the tannins remain silky and refined throughout.

2018 Lacima Domino do Bibei (WA95 at HK$380/bottle) – This subtle and elegant Spanish red has a beautifully perfumed explosive nose of pomegranate and flowers with a spicy and herbal touch. It's a blend of 75% Mencía, 20% Brancellao and the rest Mouratón and Sousón. The palate reveals pungent flavors, very good ripeness and balance. It feels very open and inviting, finishing with long, dry and clean flavours that last for a long time. Only 5,075 bottles were filled.

2016 Massolino Barolo (WS95 at HK$390/bottle) – A stream of pure, juicy cherry fruit is at the heart of this Italian red, along with mineral, tobacco and wild herb notes. Firm and tightly wound, with a matrix of dense, refined tannins for support. All the elements are in the right proportions for a good wine. 

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.