mrspjuth

Happy new year! What will 2013 give us. We just have to Wait and see but I know that from tomorrow I will be playing golf in Florida and try out some good restaurants in Miami area, I hope. I will also most likely make another visit to Greg and Ron at Melville and Brewer-Clifton and hopefully a visit to Calera, all in August.

So how was 2012 then? Well, quite ok I must say. I was thinking to do a Best of 2012 list but decided not to when I really have one big trip that did the whole year for me. I got to spend, and work, a week and a half with Marie-Thérèse and Jacky Barthelmé, owners of Albert Mann Winery in Alsace, in May. We had so much fun and I learned a lot of wine production, vines, keeping a vineyard and the good life of Alsace. I even got to be time keeper at a basketball game in which Jacky played (he is a former elite player).
I learned much from our every day tasting and drinking. The wines from Albert Mann are great and a proof of that is that Jacky was named The Winemaker of the year in the French magazine La revue de vin.
I will Go back for sure!

Well, I must do a short list anyway.

Best winetrip: Alsace

Best white wine: Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg 2004, Albert Mann

Best red wine: Cote-Brune 2006, Domaine Jamet, Côte-Rôtie.

Best champagne: I must say Gosset Celebris 1998. Still have some bottles left. An amazing taste of honey and mandarin and soo beautiful golden color.

Best restaurant: 1 star restaurant Le Chambard, Alsace. Just an amazing dinner with wonderful and service minded owners and crew.

Best wine tasting: The Michel Jamais arranged tasting of 10 or 12 vintages (sorry but don’t remember and my notes are at work) from Araujo Eisele Vineyard. So well organized, the right guests, great ciceron Michel and outstanding wines.
Must also mention the wine tasting with Greg Brewer but since that was organized by me at my restaurant it will have to strand back a bit in favour of Michel Jamais.

Ok. 2013 promise. I really hate giving a promise but for sure….I will..or really want..to write more frequently on this blog and then I will always drink wine….good ones!

Happy new year!