Learning about Wine at Ballymaloe Cookery School
We were delighted to welcome Anne-Claude Leflaive, and her husband Christian, and out thanks to Paddy Moore, Moores’ Wine, Dublin, for arranging this visit. Domaine Leflaive has been described as Burgundy’s greatest white wine domaine, a flagship domaine in the Côte de Beaune, and biodynamic since 1997. It is a family estate that was initially created by Anne-Claude’s grandfather Joseph, and is now managed by Anne-Claude Leflaive. Decanter Wine Magazine, in their Top 10 White Winemakers of the World, rated Anne-Claude Leflaive, Domaine Leflaive as the Number1. All her wines, from Village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru, have all been critically acclaimed by the world’s leading wine writers. www.leflaive.fr
Christie Schulz, Turkey Flat Vineyards, Barossa Valley, South Australia Turkey Flat is more than just a vineyard and home of the best Barossa wines, it is a family business that forms a vital part of the region’s rich cultural history and heritage
It was here, on the banks of Tanunda Creek where bush turkeys once roamed, that pioneer Silesian settler Johann Friedrich August Fiedler planted the first Shiraz vines in 1847. His vines flourished and the land – Section One, in the Hundred of Moorooroo – was bought in 1865 by Gottlieb Ernst Schulz, a successful butcher who established a thriving retail business among the vines
Butchering developed into dairying, but the vineyards were always kept, and eventually transformed the historic bluestone butchers shop into the cellar door and heart of their Turkey Flat wine business, and made sure that the vines that Fiedler planted so long ago, now gnarled and twisted, are still a vital part of the process
And with good reason, for it is the intense, concentrated fruit from these ancient vines that set Turkey Flat wines apart and have made them sought after the world over. With thanks to Susie O’Connor, Classic Drinks for arranging this visit www.classicdrinks.ie
We were delighted to welcome César Saldaña, Director of DO Jerez, Manzanilla and Brandy of Jerez, to Ballymaloe. He also is the General Manager of both CRDO Vinos de Jerez and CRDE Brandy de Jerez, the institution for Spain’s most important spirit.
His visit to Ballymaloe was a busy one -with three seperate events, in association with Wines of Spain and The Irish Times Readers Evening. See the Wines of Spain blog here on his visit, and also Billy Lyons ‘Restaurants and Food in Cork’ Blog here
This was a great opportunity for the students to learn more about the unique special wine that is Sherry. He is an expert on Sherry – its wines, food, culture and history, and a great Sherry ‘Ambassador’, on what is becoming a very fashionable drink once again – Sherry. www.sherry.org . Ballymaloe Cookery School also run a ‘Tapas & Sherry’ course, three times a year – further details here.
Cesar Saldana pictured here with Darina Allen
Pascal Rossignol, of Le Caveau, Kilkenny (and originally from Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy) gave another of his masterclass wine presentations to the students, on wines from Burgundy and The South-West of France. A great wine class and tasting was much enjoyed and appreciated by the students. Our thanks once again to Pascal www.lecaveau.ie
Next time you are in Kilkenny City, do drop in to Le Caveau- a small, but lovely wine shop on the Market yardÂ
Le Caveau – Market Yard – Kilkenny Tel: 056 775 2166 Fax: 056 775 2101
Santa Alicia have been producing wines in the heart of Maipo Valley since 1954. With grapes from three select communes, a state of the art winery, and judicious use of the finest American and French oak barrels, the wines represent  good price/quality ratio.
In 2007, they were named Chilean Wine Producer of the Year for “best overall results from a Chilean winery” in the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.
Cristobel Socias, Santa Alicia, Chile, pictured with Michael Kane, Curious Wines, Cork www.curiouswines.ie
Wine Event at Ballymaloe
Sherry Talk and Tasting with César Saldaña, Consejo Regulador, Sherry
For a world class presentation & tasting of different styles of Sherry, on his first ever visit to this part of Ireland, in association with Wines of Spain.
The Grain Store at Ballymaloe, Wednesday 25th May, 7pm,  €10
César Saldaña is a passionate and expert speaker on Sherry – its wines, food, culture and history. He is the Director of Sherry – the Consejo Regulador, and is without doubt the worlds best speaker on Sherry – a world renowned Sherry ‘Ambassador’, on what is becoming a very fashionable drink once again – Sherry. A great opportunity to learn more about the unique special wine that is Sherry, and taste its many different styles, including Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez. An evening not to be missed. All welcome.
The Grain Store at Ballymaloe,
Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co. Cork,
Mob: 083 3631468.   Tel: 021 4652531
e-mail: thegrainstore@ballymaloe.ie
Also:
Thursday 26th May, 8.00pm – Sherry Dinner at Ballymaloe House
Sherry Dinner with César Saldaña in association with The Irish Times Readers Evening, and John Wilson, wine writer, The Irish Times, and also in association with Wines of Spain. A specially selected menu will be matched to specially selected Sherry at each course. Please note that booking for this Sherry Dinner, on Thursday 26th May, at Ballymaloe House, will have to be made directly through The Irish Times Readers Evening office.
We were delighted to welcome Neil Ellis, owner & winemaker, Neil Ellis Wines, Stellenbosch, South Africa. www.neilellis.com (pictured here with Pascal Playon and William Tindal)
Mindful that no single vineyard can satisfy the needs of all grape varieties, Neil Ellis set out to identify distinct terroir in which individual varieties will excel. He placed the emphasis not only on the environment but also on caring viticultural practises by a dedicated team of growers which extends through to the winemaking practices, to make distinctive, refined wines that are expressive of their terroir and rank amongst South Africa’s finest.
Today the journey of Neil Ellis Wines is not only of Neil Ellis anymore, but a team of young, dedicated winemakers harnessed in their pursuit of quality winemaking. After four decades of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s son, Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist.
Our thanks to William Tindal and Pascal Playon of Tindal Wine Merchants for organizing this visit. www.tindalwine.com
Hugel wines, established since 1639, and in the same family ever since, are one of the best known and longest established family wine names in France. We were delighted to welcome David Ling back to Ballymaloe, and our thanks to Richard Magnier and all the team at Findlater Wine and Spirit Group for arranging this visit, and for their continuing sponsorship of the prize for the wine exam of the 12week cookery course.
David Ling, Richard Magnier with Darina Allen