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Eric Talavet, Château Valandraud, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

We were delighted to welcome to Ballymaloe today, Eric Talavet, directeur général, of the renowned Château Valandraud, in Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

Started by owner, Jean-Luc Thunevin, this is the original of the ‘garagiste’ (garage) wines, that was actually started in a garage by Jean-Luc in 1991, along with his wife, neither of whom came from a background in wine, but pursued their interest in wines, and purchased 0.5 hectare of wines in Saint-Emilion, and did everything with obsessive attention to detail. The rest is history, and after rave reviews by the international wine critics, Chateau Valandraud is now today still the original, and one of the most renowned of the so called ‘garage’ wines.

Eric Talavet, Château Valandraud, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
Eric Talavet, Château Valandraud, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

www.thunevin.com

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Paddy Borthwick, Wairarapa, New Zealand

On midsummers evening, the students enjoyed a talk and tasting from Paddy Borthwick of Borthwick Wines, Wairarapa, New Zealand. We learned all about the wines of New Zealand, and then focussed on Paddy’s region and his wines. A great evening and the students enjoyed his unique way of canopy management in his vineyard – his sheep eat some of the leaves!

Afterwards Paddy led a wine dinner at Ballymaloe House, which all was much enjoyed by all and a memorable way to spend midummmers evening 2010. www.borthwick.co.nz

Our thanks to Fionnuala Harkin of Wines Direct, for arranging this visit. www.winesdirect.ie

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Anne Vallejo, Marques de Caceres, Rioja

Anne gave a tutored tasting to the students on her wines from the renowned Bodegas Marques de Caceres, including a white Rioja, and their famous red wine. It was a great opportunity for the students to learn first hand about the famous wines from Rioja, grapes, aging terms, and its food and culture.

Our thanks to Aonghus and Colin from Cassidy Wines for organising this visit

Anne Vallejo, Marques de Caceres, Rioja
Anne Vallejo, Marques de Caceres, Rioja

www.marquesdecaceres.com

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Jean Smullen, Wines of Chile

Jean gave another of her fantastic wine presentations on Wines of Chile to the students of the 12-week cookery course at the Ballymaloe Cookery School.  The students really enjoyed the talk, and learning all about Chile, its food, culture, and of course its great wines and it was great for them to have the opportunity to taste such a great selection of different wines from the different wine regions of Chile. www.jeansmullen.com

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Harshal Shah, India

Harshal, Sommelier and Wine Consultant in India, gave a presentation and tasting about wine areas, grapae varieties, and viticulture in India, and we tasted two wines from India with Harshal, a Zinfandel and a Syrah from Sula Vineyards. Hashal also gave the students advice on what the best wines are to drink with the different styles of Indian Cuisine.

Harshal-Shah-India-june-2010
Harshal-Shah-India-june-2010

http://harshalshah.wordpress.com

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Mary Pawle

Mary Pawle is Ireland’s specialist wine merchant for Organic and Biodynamic wines. Mary gave a presentation to the students on organic and biodynamic wines, and we tasted a great selection of wines with Mary, many of which are available in the shop at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

www.marypawlewines.com

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Michele Jordan, Australia

Michele has spent the last 25 years involved in wine, which has taken her around the world presenting wine talks and tasting including the International Wine Centre in New York, the Hong Kong Royal Yacht Club and Ballymaloe, which she last visited in 2007.

Michele is the wine ambassador to some of Australia’s best boutique wineries including Shaw + Smith from the Adelaide Hills (who make elegant Sauvignon Blanc, refined Chardonnay (regarded as Australia’s finest Chardonnay), seductive Pinot Noir and intense Shiraz), Mitolo Wines from McLaren Vale (Mitolo make sumptuously rich, hedonistic Shiraz, and another one of their wines is called Serpico – Mitolo’s version of an Amarone) and Greenstone Wines from Heathcote, Victoria, and also wine ambassador to the renowned Poggiotondo, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.

Michele is married to Dr Tony Jordan, who is also a famous Australian winemaker and a senior wine judge at Australian and international wine competitions. They live, surrounded by their own vineyard, in the Yarra Valley, Victoria in South East Australia. Michele gave a tutored tasting to the students and also gave a wine dinner at Ballymaloe House that evening.

Michele-and-gerry-at-Ballymaloe-Cookery-School
Michele-and-gerry-at-Ballymaloe-Cookery-School
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Glenn Thompson, Domaine Chandon, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia

Winemaker, Glen Thompson, from Domaine Chandon, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, visited the school on Tuesday 18th May, and gave a presentation to the students.
 
Domaine Chandon, Australia, owned and started by Moet & Chandon, Champagne, are renowned for their award winning sparkling wines, crafted to the classic Methode Traditionnelle that they make in Australia. Domaine Chandon is located at Green Point, so named as it is one of the few places in the Yarra Valley that remains green during the summer months
 
Glenn specially brought over from Australia, the base wines that are then blended together to form the finished wine, so it was a great opportunity to taste the base wines, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, then the final blend, and then the actual sparkling wine itself, Domaine Chandon Brut NV. Glenn gave a fascinating insight into the skilled world of blending.
 
Thanks to all at Edward Dillon and Co, Wine Merchants, for arranging the visit.

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Philippe Menguy, Bollinger Champagne

Founded in 1829, Champagne Bollinger is still 100% family owned today. Bollinger is one of the last family houses in Champagne, and this is what allows for the uncompromising choice on behalf of quality and style that offers wine-lovers something different and unique. They produce the vintage Vieille Vignes Françaises, Grand Année and R.D. as well as the non-vintage Special Cuvée. Founded in 1829 in Aÿ by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger the house continues to be run by members of the Bollinger family. Bollinger Champagnes are affectionately known as “Bolly”.When 007 can tear himself away from Vodka Martini’s, he turns to Bollinger.
 “I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty.” Lilly Bollinger.
Out thanks to Ken Kinsella and Adrian McAleer of Findlater Wine and Spirit Group, for organising this visit, and our special thanks once again to all at Findlaters for their continuing sponsorship of the prize, which includes Bollinger Champagne, for the wine exam of the 12 week certificate course.
Photograph – Philippe Menguy, Ken Konsella, Adrian McAleer and Darina

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Chris Forbes, Taylor’s Port

Taylor’s is now over 300 years old. It remains a family firm, completely independent, owned still by relations of the original partners.

On the Atlantic coast at Oporto are the ancient lodges where Taylor’s priceless ports slowly reach their glorious maturity. High up in the Douro Valley is Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, one of the world’s truly great vineyards, comparable in quality to Chateau Latour. In between is the complex network of independent farmers, who have supplied Taylor’s for generations, their press-houses and wine making establishments. www.taylor.pt
 
Chris also showed how the often overloked White Port can be used as part of a refreshing long drink, when mixed with tonic water, ice and a spig of mint. Delicious, especialy outside in the lovely April sunshine in East Cork.
 
Out thanks to Colin Downey of Barry & Fitzwilliam for organising this visit. www.bandf.ie