Tag Archives: sauvignon blanc

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Interview with Jack Gonsalves, Restaurant Manager of Va Bene

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Va Bene is positioned to be a stylish recreation of a traditional Italain-style trattoria. For over 20 years it has provided guests the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Italian menu in a laid-back yet elegant environment, before immersing themselves in the bustling nightlife of LKF. Under high ceilings painted with the blue, sunny sky, one can enjoy Italian classics such as Beef Carpaccio or Veal Milanese, a pasta or risotto, pairing the dish with one of the over 200 Italian and French labels in the restaurant’s impressive wine cellar.

Va Bene Entrance (Photo courtesy of Gaia Group)

I met with Restaurant Manager Jack Gonsalves to learn more about the wine program at Va Bene. In addition to explaining the rather cheerful name of the establishment, the décor and the inspiration behind the cuisine, Jack described to me the composition of Va Bene’s mostly Italian wine list and the trends that he has noticed in which regions and appellations seem most popular among the restaurant’s mostly expat clientele. He recounted to me the story behind the wine list’s “Gaia Group Special Selection of Imported Wines” section and the special connection between the Gaia Group and Pietro Rinaldi’s wines, which are featured heavily in this section. When asked to recommend a signature dish and wine pairing, he chose the Scialatielli pasta with sea scallops and sea urchin, which he paired with the 2011 Ansitz Waldgries Sauvignon Blanc.
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Sommelier Nicolás Reines Sobre Las Características del Sauvignon Blanc

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Durante nuestra ultima cata en la oficina Entaste, Sommelier Nicolás Reines nos explicó la típica personalidad del Sauvignon Blanc. Habló sobre sus aromas, su sabor y su característica acidez, sobre su historia y las regiones donde se produce. También habló sobre las tendencias de tomarlo y sobre maridajes con comida.

Para aprender mucho acerca de esta noble cepa, vean el video abajo!

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Wine in Abu Dhabi

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(Photo by Makz)

First of all, you should know that United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, meaning that drinking wine or liquor is not something too often permitted. Of course, for us non-Muslim people it is okay, but you definitely can’t drink just anywhere or find wine that easily. To be served a glass of wine in the United Arab Emirates, you must go to a 5-star hotel. And to buy yourself some, you will need to find a liquor store (not the most common type of shop here) and have a liquor licence as well.

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Three Steps to a Perfect Wine Experience – Select, Serve, Savor

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Select

Selection is an obvious first step in a perfect wine experience, yet there can be a lot more to this than you might think. Even those who insist that they “know nothing about wine” can enhance their wine enjoyment immensely by enthusiastically engaging in the selection process. Sure you can go to your favorite wine shop and just ask for a recommendation, but even in that, your approach to choosing is meaningful. It takes a little work, research, and thought but finding a good wine for the occasion can be as much fun as drinking it. Here are some tips:

Our first thought when choosing a wine is about what food we’ll be having. Some wines are fine alone but the truth is most wines are their best with food. We always select wine in relation to the dishes we plan to serve. This can also go the other way around. We’ll already have a wine in mind and then choose food to go with it.

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La tapa a rosca, una pulseada difícil de ganar, una gran apuesta hacia el futuro…

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Cada vez más vinos aparecen en las góndolas con la “mal percibida” tapa a rosca. Este método moderno de cierre, se empieza a ver cada vez con mas frecuencia en productos que forman parte de los segmentos $30 a $70, y sobre todo en vinos blancos. Cepajes como el Torrontes o el Sauvignon Blanc casi en un 100%, debido a que la frescura de sus fragancias permanecen por más tiempo dentro de la botella. También algunos Chardonnay sin paso por madera, y muchos de los rosados de las marcas líderes. En definitiva es una herramienta que se esta propagando a fuerza de perseverancia y por sus resultados positivos.

La tapa a rosca es una herramienta brillante que debería usarse de manera unánime para vinos (blancos, tintos o rosados) que no superen el segmento de los vinos Súper Premium, y que están destinados a góndolas de grandes cadenas de supermercados, donde no le prestan el cuidado necesario para la perfecta conservación del liquido a lo largo de su estadía en la misma. Es verdad que le quita un poco del misterio, la historia y el glamour que existe alrededor al vino tinto. El corcho es un material que trasmite mucho, y que tiene presencia gracias a su amistad incondicional a lo largo de la historia con el vino. Han formado una pareja digna de compararse con Batman y Robin. Pero el corcho tiene grandes desventajas.

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Midsummer Wine Nights in Punta del Este: Wine Picks and Surprises

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As you may remember, some weeks ago I let you all know about a very special wine event which is held at the Conrad Hotel in Punta del Este every last weekend of January for the past years. So now, let´s quickly fly over this year´s edition, the tenth anniversary, and then focus on the most interesting wines I encountered.

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Wines With a Sense of Humor: Funny Wine Brand Names

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Oops, Bitch you Fat Bastard, big ass Gnarly Head go drink some Cat’s Pee and run around Naked On Roller Skates. No, the Entaste blog has not been diagnosed with a mad case of Tourettes, we are just really into funny-ass, wacky and weird, creative names for wines. We have scoured the globe, far and wide, (and by globe, we mean internet), to bring you our top picks for the best wine names.  Since there are so many bizarre wine names to choose from, we have brought you our first, of many, segments on the best wine brand names. Continue reading →

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Dessert Please!

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Winery: Chateau Rieussec

Vintage: 2001

Appellation: Sauternes AOC

Varietal: Semillion/Sauvignon Blanc

Average Price: $150.00

Tasting Notes: By far the greatest and most memorable Sauterne I have ever tasted (yes, including Y’quem). A rich and profound aroma of pure organic honey, Creme Brulee and ripe apricots, trumped by the impeccably balanced and rich flavors on the palate. Well over a minute after taking my first taste, this wine is still lingering, amazing length and perfect acidity. I expect this the age well over 30 years.

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