This week we welcomed a new stage to our Wine Academy, Stage 3. Our Wine Academy was established 31 years ago in 1987. Initially created to train our staff, it grew quickly to train the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts alike. As with all tastings at Glengarry, a key to it is that it’s informative but never intimidating. Though I must admit, approaching how to introduce and write a new stage to this institution, I was just a little intimidated.
Stage 1 Wine Academy teaches how to taste wine, gets all the awkward questions and mishaps when first swirling a glass out of the way and introduces the main grape varieties. It’s a great course for those who want a refresher and an excellent place to start for those new to wine. Stage 2 then builds on the knowledge of the main grape varieties and explores how the varieties taste when grown in different parts of the world. What then for the direction of Stage 3? A question we’ve been pondering for many years.
For Stage 3 we are taking an in depth look at four significant areas for wine in the world, where better to start than in Bordeaux. So, this week, for our first week of Stage 3 Wine Academy we jumped boots and all into Bordeaux. To explore this region fully and do it justice, the line-up was an exceptional range of wines that perfectly explained a different aspect to Bordeaux from the different appellations, the concept of second wines, a mini vertical to demonstrate how Bordeaux ages through to sweet and white wines from the region.
• Château Prieuré-Lichine 2014
• Château Gruaud-Larose 2014
• Château Clerc-Milon 2014
• Château Lafon-Rochet 2013
• Château Bourgneuf 2011
• Château La Serre 2012
• Château Parde Haut Bailly 2009
• Château Sarget de Gruaud-Larose 2014
• Château Léoville-Las Cases 2012
• Château Léoville-Las Cases 2010
• Château Léoville-Las Cases 2006
• Château Filhot 2014
• Château Brown Blanc 2014
The range of vintages presented allowed us to explore the different style and character of each. La Serre 2012 one of the highlights of the tasting, beautifully integrated and perfect right now. This wine was an excellent representation of the 2012 vintage, a vintage to enjoy in 2018.
What then for week 2? Well that’s next week, more on that then.
