2011 May

Contents

  • MENU

    • 2011 May

     

     

     
    Quotation of the Month

    It is said that a toast is made to complete the cycle of the five sense sight, smell, taste, touch and the sound of wine glasses.

    Bodegas Carchelo
     

    Zodiac of the Month - Gemini 

      May, 21 - June, 21

     

    Philosophy

    I think

     

    Character

    Terminally curious and sometimes even mischievous, Geminis are multi-faceted souls who enjoy knowing a little bit of everything but generally not too much about one particular subject. It's just that variety is the spice of their lives!

     

    Those Twins that don't have the 'gift of the gab' are usually talented writers or have a special interest in foreign languages or in creative arts. In love, they look for a partner who can keep up with them mentally and physically! Whether Geminis like it or not, people are usually "talking about them". Often others are jealous, because Geminis do lead very unique and unusual lives. The Gemini personality can appear mysterious or detached to others and therefore they are often misunderstood and unappreciated for the talents they offer to the world at large.

    Another reason Geminis evoke so much interest is many born under this sign are multi-dimensionally talented. In money matters, some Geminis are very adept and quick at making it...and spending it too. Many Geminis are involved in international financial wheeling and dealing. They love the adventure and game playing involved in out-thinking other people. Gemini's can be very haphazard about their financial affairs too, with many of them ending up in divorce courts mainly because their partners have become tired of living on the edge of a financial precipice.

     

    When Geminis invite for a wine tasting, you should accept this invitation. With their entertaining manner they have a lot to tell about traveling through some wine-growing regions. Their knowledge about vintage, quality and background stories is boundless.

    The wine tasting will be very interesting ? even for the Gemini. He will serve you wines, he himself hasn’t even tried before. But don’t worry, his choices are good!

     

     

    Wine recommendation

    Riesling

     

    Similarities

    ...not demanding great deals

    ...experiences highs and lows

    ...demands attention

     

    Famous Geminis 

    John F. Kennedy

    Marilyn Monroe

    Steffi Graf

    Jacques Cousteau
     

    News！
     
    Early harvest expected in Champagne region

    2 months of sunny weather continued in the Champagne-Ardenne region and this year’s harvest is expected to be 3 weeks earlier than usual (approximately August 25th).

     

    CIVC Technical Director Mr. Monconbre commented “Unless there is no significant change in the weather, as the flowering started 3 weeks earlier than usual, the expected harvest will be around the end of August.”

    Statistically, the guideline of the starting date of the harvest is 93 days after the flowering. Normally the harvest starts around mid-September and such early harvest is unusual in Champagne. However, although an early harvest can be predicted, the quality of the harvest is still not predictable.

    If it is hot, it is easy to keep the sanity of the grapes and due to the dry weather, there is not much impact on the grapes that pumps the water from the deep underground. 

    During the extremely hot year of 2003, it was required to urgently hire people who were on vacation for the harvest in order to meet the unusual grape maturing speed.

    If an early harvest starting date can be predicted, winemakers and vignerons should be able to arrange the seasonal workers involved in the harvest smoothly.

     

    Boizel Rose at the Cannes International Film Festival!


    It is once again a season of the Cannes International Film Festival! This year, it was held between May 11th and May 22nd and 800 bottles of Boizel Brut Rose were served during Chopard’s main party at Hotel Martinez. Please enjoy this beautiful Boizel Rose; the No.1 rose chosen among 56 Maisons in a blind tasting competition that was organized by the English wine magazine “Wine & Spirit”!

    Our wine was served at the Tomoe Exhibition

    Our ‘09’ Panamera Chardonnay was served on May 3rd during the Tomoe Exhibition (May 5th?10th) held at Promo Arte Gallery in Aoyama.

    The wine was served to the guests who purchased a cup for 800yen. The entire sales of these cups will be donated to the affected areas of the Great Higashi-Nihon Earthquake through the Japanese RED CROSS.

    The works of Aomi Kikuchi, Tim Gallo, Steve Tootel were displayed under a theme called “When Three Become One” and the sales from this exhibition will also be donated to the affected areas of the Great Higashi-Nihon Earthquake.

     

    Photo above：left/works of Aomi Kikuchi, right/works of Steve Tootel
    Photo below：works of Tim Gallo

     

    German Vineyards devastated by frost

    In 2010 Germany experienced the smallest harvest in 25 years, creating shortages and driving up prices. Producers were hoping for a bumper crop this year, However, this is not to be. Decanter magazine reported that Germany has just experienced it worst frost in 30 years 3/4th of May. When temperature dropped down as low as -5C in Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Franken and Württemberg regions.  

    While the German Wine Institute (DWI) notes that it is too early to assess the true impact on the vintage, local reports from Franken already suggested that up to half of the crop might have being lost in some areas and in some cases as much as 90%. Early budding varieties such as Dornfelder and Spätburgunder have being particularly badly effected. For additional information click here　http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/525010/german-frosts-worst-for-30-years

     

     

     

    Latest Awards

     

    Boizel Rosé was selected No.1 out of 56 maisons in the "Wine & Spirit" magazine blind tasting competition!  

     

    The International Wine & Spirits Competition results were announced on May 18th at the London International Wine & Spirit Fair in the UK and 2009 Ménage à Trois Red won the Silver Medal (Best in Class) and 2009 Ménage à Trois White won the Silver Medal!

     

     

    Groot Constantia's Shiraz 2008 won Gold medal at the Syrah-du-Monde in France. And Grand Constance 2008 and Sauvignon Blanc 2010 won Gold Medal in the International Wine Challenge in London. 

          

    Also in this International Wine Challenge in London Artiga Garnacha won Bronze Medal!

    In the Decanter World Wine Awards, Pascual Toso Reserve 2008 won Gold Medal and Finca Las Moras Black Label Cabernet Cabernet 2009, Finca Sobreño 2008, Finca Sobreño 2006 and Pascual Toso Finca Pedregal 2006, Bertagna Les Cras 2008, Bodegas Luis Canas Hiru 3 Racimos 2006,　Mas d'En Gil Coma Vella 2007, Boizel Brut Rosé won Silver Medal!

     

     
    Cava Yate Brut won gold medal at the Concours Mondial Bruxelles!

     
    Wine of the Month
     

    Brisa do Mar DO Vinho Verde

    Brisa do Mar is sourced from Portugal’s most northerly Vinho Verde region, where the relatively cool, damp climate creates fresh whites. The region’s limits are the Minho River in the North, the mountainous areas in the East and South, forming the natural border between the Atlantic Entre-Douro-e-Minho and the Mediterranean inland regions, and the Atlantic Ocean as its western limit.

     

    Vinho Verde means ‘green wine’, a reference to its youthful and crisp freshness which appeals to many consumers. Brisa do Mar is produced from grapes traditionally used in the Vinho Verde demarcated region; Trajadura, Loureiro and Arinto, especially in the Sousa sub-region. This truly genuine wine has all the quality characteristic of this exceptional area. It is distinguished by its richness, taste and aroma.

    Colour: Straw, transparent and very pale, glints of brassy green.

    Taste: Simple, delicate white-fruit aromas focus on a hint of musky melon; light carbonation adds a prickle to the crisp, dry flavor.

    Food matching: Young and delicate, it should be served with fish, seafood and white meat dishes.

    Serving temperature: 8ºC to 10ºC

    Alcohol content: 9.5%vol.

    Residual Sugar: 15 g/l

    Type: V.Q.P.R.D.

    Grapes:　Loureiro (30 %), Trajadura (30%) and  Arinto(40%).

    Region:  Vinhos Verdes
     
     
     

    Wine & Food -

    I participated in the “now popular girl’s night” the other day. Or rather, it ended up as a girl’s night. It was more exciting than I expected and although there were some whom I am not so close to, at full swing, everyone was all fired up. The restaurant manager served us with a smile the whole time but he may have thought that girls are scary! Normally when you have a life centered on work, you don’t really put girls and boys into consideration. So, it was a very fresh experience for me feeling togetherness and the formidable power of girl’s!

    I definitely recommend you to hold such a girl’s night to power up. This is a simple menu that can be used for a girl’s afternoon or a dessert for a girl’s night which should be no problem even on a busy day. 


    Drink recommendation: Lheraud Pineau des Charentes 7 years


    Grape juice is blended in cognac in this drink and is good when it is served cold. It is elegantly sweet and will keep for a month in the fridge even after it is opened. It is also delicious when served on shaved ice in the summer.

     

    Fruit Salad

    Assort fruits such as juicy melon, blueberries and cherries. Sweet fruits especially match with Pineau des Charantes so I recommend seasonal garden fruits.


    Honey prosciutto hors d'oeuvre
    Put thinly sliced prosciutto on cracker, and dress a bit of honey on top of it. Without the honey the prosciutto’s saltiness and the Pineau des Charentes sweetness expands together in the mouth. It is therefore a contrasting match. When you dress with a bit of honey, the flavor becomes more round. 

    Azabu Karintou (Japanese traditional deep-fried sweet made of wheat)

    This is a karintou that a friend gave me as a gift which is mayonnaise flavored! First it tastes very sweet, but from the mid-palate to the finish, you can feel the elegant mayonnaise flavor. The sweetness of this karintou and the sweetness of the Pineau des Charentes are perfect! Normally, I don’t eat mayonnaise but this karintou was delicious and had a convincing taste. As it is a perfect match, please try this with Pineau des Charantes!

    Text by Mami Whelehan
     

    New Products and Vintages 

     Pieroth's Summer Collection 2011 (OCO)

    Have you received this offer by mail? It introduces a very attractive and special range of wines, one time deals and limited offers all accompanied by a special free gift. If you would like to receive a copy of this offer please e-mail us your name and address to ips@pieroth.jp for details.
    As always the Pieroth's Summer Collection 2011 (OCO) brings you selection of unique items and value.   


     

      
           
     

    Personalized Wine Label

     Original wine labels are printed in full color and can include text and

     

    photographs, for as few as 6 bottles.

     

    If you are interested in a personal label, please contact

     

    ips@pieroth.jp for details.

    Original label

    You will be sent a proof of the label design for approval prior to printing.

     
    The best Custom Fit Label of the month
     
     
     

    Ms. M
    The best original label of the month 
     
     

     

     Lucky Friend Campaign                         

    Free 2 bottles of wine for both of you and your friend!

    Pieroth Japan is running a “Lucky Friend Campaign”.

    Simply, any old customer who introduces a new customer to Pieroth Japan will receive free a 2-bottle Primavera Sparkling set for a limited time only, while the customer they introduce will also receive free a 2-bottle Primavera Sparkling set with their 1st order. Certain restrictions apply so please E-mail at ips@pieroth.jp

     

    If you are not a customer yet and would like to receive the 2-bottle set free with your first order. Send us an e-mail at ips@pieroth.jp and we will introduce you to your local wine consultant so that he can advise you. So act now and take advantage of this great offer.

     

    To unsubscribe send an email to ips@pieroth.jp