London Trade Launch - July 2009

 

At long last, it's official!  our wines have landed and are ready to be submitted for the first time to some illustrious members of the internationally feared London Wine trade press.  I feel honored that Zelma Long graces us with her larger-that-life presence. Several gastonomic treats awaited:An unforgettable dinner at Sketch, carefully orchestrated by Fred Bruges,  the top sommelier of the Lecture Room. Pierre Gagnaire's chef designed a special menu to pair with our wines-- it's like having the Pope as your driver!  One non-wine journalist who came along recently described it as her favorite meal of 2010:  "Best menu: The 12-course taster menu that accompanied the debut of Nicole Rolet’s wine range at the West End restaurant Sketch. Her husband, Xavier, who is chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, attended but even he played second fiddle to the extraordinary menu. Anyone for foie gras soup with Sarawak pepper? Summer truffle custard with onion coulis? Or how about thinly sliced turnips in dark beer?"  Presenting the wines for the first time without much experience... Ouch!  talk about jumping into the deep end of the pool!  I had nightmares for weeks leading up to the dinner, and was supremely nervous, which cramped my style. Luckily not many piranhas in the pool, I'm still alive to tell the story.  The next day, a relaxed and enjoyable event at Angelus, Celebrity Sommelier Thierry Tomasin's charming bistro near Lancaster Gate, where I had the pleasure of meeting Tuggy Myers from Huntsworth Wines.FInally, a delightful Lunch Gastonomique with some charming journalists at Texture, the remarquable restaurant owned by  fast-track talented young sommelier Xavier Rousset.  Some very welcome press from the "hors normes" Christelle Guibert at Decanter:http://www.decanter.com/recommendations/subrecommendation.  Special mention though goes to Robert Joseph, who had the cojones to go on the record with all his positive comments about the wine.  That will not be forgotten!In conclusion:  presenting your first wines to this discriminating crowd is a necessary rite of passage--  might as well embrace the process and do it in style!