Wine Discovering chairlady Evi Hock has many contacts in the wine
business and on 5 October 2016, she introduced us to wine expert Barbara Hulsbergen at
a very special wine tasting event. Barbara is a member of the executive board
of Nüesch Weine and founder and chairlady of Die Weinausbildung. Evi told the
group of 17 wine enthusiasts who gathered at her home, that she got to know
Barbara at a professional wine tasting event many years ago and was very
impressed with her extensive wine knowledge. Evi commented that what Barbara doesn't
know about wine really isn't worth knowing!
Barbara introduced six different styles of wine. Throughout the tasting,
she helped us work out which is our favourite style and also gave us some handy
tips on food pairing. It was a fun and informative
afternoon.
Barbara mentioned her dual role as member of the family wine
distributing business and a wine educator. She felt that wine appreciation was
very much down to personal taste, and as we worked our way through three whites
and three red wines, all from Europe, the wine lovers of our ZIWA group compared
comments on their experiences and impressions, before seeing the labels.
1. Spanish Dry White. It had a fruity smell and a citrus taste, with balanced acidity. Barbara mentioned that the EU has rules regarding the amount of sugar content, and that the grapes must be of good, healthy quality. This wine was a Rueda from Northern Spain, a Valdelapinta 2015. The grape type was Verdejo. This wine would be good paired with seafood or cheese.
2. Italian White. A fresh taste which was quickly identified as Pinot Grigio, like the Pinot Gris but from a different terroir. It was fresh and fruity in the mouth, with a delicate aroma. It would be good served with pasta or risotto. La Tunella came from the Friuli region and has been kept for one to two months in the cellar.
3. Grüner Veltliner comes almost exclusively from Austria, which has overcome its one-time bad reputation as a wine producer. This one was a Weinrieder 2014 and was dry, with a straw colour which had full flavour and a very pleasant taste.
4. Merlot. The first of our reds came from the Swiss Ticino, and impressed with its aroma. While still young, the 2014 Baicco had a full, dry taste, would be good with meat and would benefit from keeping. You could also serve it with polenta, risotto or a rabbit dish. It could also accompany cheese and dried meats.
5. Bordeaux Lamothe 2009 ‘Cru Bourgeois’, a French red from the Haut Medoc with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. The Bordeaux appellation is a very special designation. This wine had good aroma and colour with a taste of tannin and a hint of vanilla.
6. Santi Nobile Terre Siciliane. Our final wine came from Sicily and comprised Nero d’Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It had a dark red, almost purple colour and a spicy, chocolatey taste. This 96 Luca Maroni was Barbara’s choice of the afternoon.
You can learn more about Barbara’s
credentials at the links below:
Once again, ZIWA Wine Discovery charladies Evi and Marianne hosted a
great afternoon of wine tasting, with long-standing and newer group members
present. The group's next two dates are Tuesday 8 November to taste port on the Expovina wine
ships and Monday 5 December 2016 for an apero and final event for our hostesses.
Thank you for many years of wine-tasting pleasure.
