#DWCC – Logroño – BYOB event@e-Abastros Mercado de San Blas de Logroño + tapas

 

Delegates gathering@e-Abastros Mercado de San Blas de Logroño

Ryan Opaz formally opening the 2013 Digital WC Conference

 Gabriella Opaz nursing Mica Opaz  – today's chief keynote speaker 

on influence of grape variety on mother's milk

Robert McIntosh and a representative from Rioja

Quizzical look from Melanie Tarlant 

(Champagne Tarlant) while CRM points the i-fone

Some photos from last night's opening event of the Digital WC Conference

A few wines:

2009 Climat No2 (Vin de France) from Lionel Gosseaume  (Choussy, Loir et Cher). This is an unusual blend of Sauvignon Blanc and the now rare Meslier Saint François. Very well made it has the aromas of ripe Sauvignon with some rich, spicy character and texture but with an attractive freshness in the finish. Although I tasted the individual components to this blend while in tank, it would be good to taste a finished pure Meslier Saint François.    

An attractive Austrian 'orange' wine (above and below) brought to the event by 'Queen' Angelika Deutsch.

2007 Espectacle: powerful 100% Grenache from 120-year-old vines in Priorat  

 

2003 Perrières, Bourgueil, Domaine de la Butte (Jacky Blot)

The 2003 vintage is the closest the Loire gets to the 

richness exhibited by the above old Grenache  

 Tapas bar in Logroño

Auberge des Vignes, Sauternes

A half bottle of 2011 Petit Guiraud (Château Guiraud) to get us acclimatised 

Nicely balanced sweetness – fine as an apéro with the foie gras 

and then with the Fourme d'Ambert 

We are spending a couple of nights in the Sauternes area on our way from Touraine to Logroño for the Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) and staying at Peyraguey Maison Rouge in Bommes. These are very comfortable chambres d'hôtes run by Annick and Claude Belanger. Last night we had a very enjoyable meal at the Auberge des Vignes in Sauternes, which has a very good wine list – naturally largely concentrating on Bordeaux – with a big range of prices rising up to around 3500 euros but with many much more affordable wines. Would certainly go back if in the area.

Foie gras with fig and a glass of the Guiraud 

Steaks cooked over sarments des vignes

 

 

 Very tasty entrecôte definitely flavoured 

by the sarments and the smoke

 Fine half bottle of 2005 Château Baret, Pessac-Léognan 

Not on the list but kindly suggested by the owner (18€)

An excellent crème brûlée

Chocolate dessert – interesting but a little sweet

Local colour!