Lamont’s 1st Sunday Tapas 7th July

Well what another glorious Sunday Tapas there was at Lamon’ts again! This time I went with more friends – the experience is rather more enjoyable with more people. I tend to go to tastings by myself as I’m a wine geek at heart but I enjoy the discussing the wines with others. And when people taste good wine, they start to understand where the quality and value lies.

Wines at Lamont's Sunday Tapas 7 July 2013

Wines at Lamont's Sunday Tapas 7 July 2013

With the first wine, the Thierry & Pascale Matrot Bourgogne Blanc 2010 (RRP $38.50) we had the mushroom peroghi and crispy shallots, delicious! Aromas of butter, melon pineappple and a lick of vanilla came through on the nose with a refreshing acidity coupled with citrus, melon and intersting textures with slight rich mouthfeel.

Mushroom peroghi, crispy shallots

Mushroom peroghi, crispy shallots

Then onto Burgundy; two wines Sylvain Mosnier Chablis ‘Beauroy’ Premier Cru 2010  (RRP $409.95)  alongside Patrice and Cedric Martin Pouilly Fuissée 2011 (RRP $ 67.75). Lovely to try these with the zucchini, carrot fritter and spiced yoghurt. The Chablis, coming from the most northern of Burgundy vineyards had a striking acidity to it that cut through the spice. Hint of minerality and melon also accompanied the palate. The Pouilly-Fuissé from the southern area of Burgundy, Mâconnais was slightly fatter with aromas of pineapple and peach. Wonderful to try the same grape variety from different regions and producers. Chardonnay shows itself so differently.

Zucchini, carrot fritter, tahini yoghurt

Zucchini, carrot fritter, tahini yoghurt

Two different grape varieties from Italy; Barbera and Nebbilolo accompanied the Roast tomato rouilly, David Honen pork sausage, charred corn. Piazzo Barbera D’Alba 2010 (RRP $18.95) and the Piazzo Langhe Nebbiolo 2010 (RRP $24.65) were interesting comparisons. Barbera is a grape variety widely planted in Piedmont in the north west of Italy. This wine is from the vineyards neighbouring the town of Alba. Today you’ll find many plantings of Barbera in the New World. Barbera is very versatile in its native Italy and its main characteristic is its high acidity. Nebbiolo is  a grape variety also grown in  the same regions as Barbera and found in the famous Barolos and Barbarescos. Flavours range from almond, cherries, fruit cake, plus and raspberry. In these wines I found the Piazzo Barbera D’Alba 2010 great value at $18.95. The high acidity came through on the palate with aromas of cherries and ripe yet grippy tannins. The Piazzo Langhe Nebbiolo 2010 by contrast was more savouy in character with leather aromas and cherries with noticeable tannins. I would keep this wine another year and see how it develops in bottle.

Roast tomato rouilly, David Honen pork sausage, charred corn

Roast tomato rouilly, David Honen pork sausage, charred corn

 

Then we were back to Burgundy with a Pinot Noir from Aurélien Verdet in the  Hautes Côtes de Nuits from the vineyard ‘Prieure‘ (vintage 2010 and RRP $49.95) and Philippe Livera 2011 from the village of Fixin at RRP $69.55. If you’re on a tight budget look for the wines that are from the lesser well known appellations so go for a  Hautes Côtes de Nuits instead of a Gevrey-Chambertin or try a Fixin as opposed to a Chambolle Musigny. The Hautes Côtes de Nuits  is slighlty higher in altitude than the Côtes de Nuits vineyards giving the wines a slightly higher acidity and I find a certain freshness to it compared to a standard Côtes de Nuits wine. The Fixin had more notieceable tannins and could do with being aged for another year to see how the tannins soften out. Some refer to Fixin as “winter wines” due to the fact they need to spend time in bottle. They are known to be slightly tannic in youth, reflected by this wine. Again wonderful to try different village wines next to eachother and I enjoyed them with the chicken cacciatore.

Chicken cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore

And for dessert, a lovely Lamonts Navera NV (RRP $35.00) to accompany chestnut cream, candied fruits and nuts. The marmalde, orange peel and candied fruit was a great match. Fantastic!

Chestnut cream, candied fruits, nuts

Chestnut cream, candied fruits, nuts