Thursday, April 18, 2013

Platter's "What's in a Glass?" Tasting Experiment with Riedel glasses and Creation wines


The four perfectly matched Riedel wine glasses we used, from left to right: Sauvignon Blanc, Montrachet Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
The tasting room at Creation set up for the tasting and food pairing
Philip van Zyl, Editor of the Platter South African Wine Guide
Michael Crossley of Reciprocal Trading, Purveyors of Riedel Glasses in South Africa, listening intently
Creation co-owner Carolyn Martin and Michael tell us about the wines we are about to taste and the glasses
The media listen and make notes
And we try our first tastes of wine out of six different glasses
Michael points out the differences between the Chardonnay glass on the left and the Pinot Glass on the right
Creation Reserve Pinot Noir
Natasha, just about to pour us the 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir
A fermenting vat of newly picked pinot noir
The red grapes are left on the skins for up to two weeks so the wine can take on colour and more flavour
JC Martin, Creation owner/winemaker, explains his wine making methods
Journalists listening and taking notes and photographs of the fascinating process
All listening intently while savouring the fumes in the cellar
JC shows us how do a mechanical punch-down of the cap of grapes. This has to happen several times a day so that the grapes and skins can be in contact with the juice to add colour and flavour
Out in the vineyards, ,JC Martin explains their planting and the grapes they want grow and turn into wine in future
We stand in the last sunshine in front of the tasting room/wine cellar
The Babylonstoren mountain in the Hemel and Aarde Valley
The four wines we tasted, with the correct Riedel glass for each.
Carolyn tells us why Creation uses only Riedel glasses for their formal tastings
First food pairing:  very spicy chicken laksa served with Creation Viognier
Grilled salmon topped with tomato in mayonnaise served with the 2012 Pinot Noir
Polenta cake topped with mushrooms with the 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir
An espresso cup of Cauliflower and Gorgonzola soup served with the Merlot
Chorizo Empanada served with Creation’s 2011 red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot
A plate of the charcuterie
The Charcuterie platter
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013

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