March 18, 2013
Gran Monte Syrah grapes in Khao Yai
Recently a good old friend from high school times, Thomas Weber from Trier and his wife Birgit, visited Thailand for a holiday. Since Thomas is a kind of a wine geek, someone who has written two books about wine, and who knows every vintner along the Mosel river, I intended to introduce him to a selection of New Latitude wines.
The two wineries I had in mind where GranMonte Family Winery and PB Valley Wines, both located in the Asoke Valley in Khao Yai, Thailand. Unfortunately, Thomas did not have sufficient time to go and visit the vineyards in person. Therefore I decided to bring the vineyards to him.
We did two tastings, one shortly after his arrival in Bangkok, the second one the evening before his departure. The first wine tasting took place in our home. I had selected three wines (one white and two reds), all from GranMonte Family Winery.
We started with the ‘2012 Viognier’, according to some critics the best white wine Gran Monte has ever made. Thomas was amazed that such an outstanding wine could be produced here in Thailand (I provided him with a farewell gift, guess what it was?).
We followed up with two Gran Monte Syrah wines, the ‘2010 Hermitage Syrah’ and the ‘2009 Orient Syrah’. This was the first time that Thomas had ever tasted wines grown in the tropics, or, as they are also, called ‘new latitude wines’.
He was amazed by the high standard and the outstanding quality of the wines. All of them fully satisfied his expert palate pampered by vintage after vintage of excellent wines from the Mosel. The Thai wines from Gran Monte can positively compare with any wines from Europe, that was the verdict after the first round of tastings.
The second wine tasting was conducted over a dinner (forgive me that I skip the food here) at the Great Hornbill Bistro in Soi 39 Sukhumvit in Bangkok. This place is the Bangkok cellar door of PB Valley Khaoyai Winery.
Again we tasted three wines, one white and two reds. We started with the ‘2012 Pirom Khao Yai Reserve Chenin Blanc’, an excellent vintage and very enjoyable wine. We liked it so much that we consumed quite a few bottles with our entrees. Only for the main course we switched to red.
The Cabernet-Dornfelder blend is being decanted
First we had a bottle of ‘2011 Pirom Khao Yai Tempranillo’. The wine had a beautiful aroma but the somehow ‘green (gemuesig) taste’ disappointed a little. The more we were looking forward to the ‘2010 Cabernet Dornfelder cuvée’. It had time to breathe after the decanting. This wine, an unusual blend, did not disappoint. It displayed its character, was full of flavor, had structure and an excellent finish.
The surprise of the evening was, that Mr. Gaksch had reserved for us a bottle of the lovely PB Valley Lychee Schnaps so that we could harmoniously end our Thai wine tasting.
The overall verdict is that Thailand produces outstanding wines and that more needs to be done to bring this good message to the world of wine.
The happy tasting party
I strongly advised Thomas to come back again, and instead of spending time at Thai beaches, go and visit Thai wineries and enjoy the pleasure their excellent wines provide the casual and the “un-casual” drinker.
Spread the gospel.
1 Comment | 
Restaurant Review, wine, wine bars, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Asoke Valley, Bangkok, Gran Monte Family Winery, Grape wine, Khao Yai, Mosel, New Latitude Wines, PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, Thailand, The Great Hornbill Bistro, Thomas Weber, Trier, Tropical wine | 
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Posted by themanfrommoselriver
March 10, 2013
The FohBoh Wine Community website
It’s about four years ago that I joined the Open Wine Consortium which was later renamed the FohBoh Wine Community. Membership is about 5,951 when I checked today, so only a few short of six thousand people and/or companies.
The group provides a global platform for food and wine professionals and attempts to help them in their business. It’s a kind of network of people passionate about wine and the wine industry. I am a member but not a very active one. I update my page only very seldom.
As a (mostly enthusiastic) hobby blogger I have to manage my own time even more carefully. My day job requires me to be on twitter and facebook, direct the production of content for our company websites, video clips, write short stories, and coach our team to do PR work on social media. This leaves little time for my own existence as a food and wine blogger. Moreover, having spent so much time in front of a device, I just cannot help it in the evenings and prefer to have ‘time without gadgets’.
I constantly contemplate about stopping my own blog, The Man from Mosel River, despite the fact that when people identify me as “The Man from the Mosel”, I am thrilled and motivated to soldier on. Fact is that I would maybe be better off with a facebook page to which my twitter account “Man from Mosel River” could be synchronised.
I could become quicker, provide shorter inputs, but especially more pictures and video clips. My android hand phone would be the device where most of the input would go through, so no need for a laptop or anything bulky.
Nowadays professional wine bloggers have teams of writers, freelancers etc. to fill their wine blogs. Just think of Jancis Robinson, Dr. Vino or James Halliday. And as time goes by, I am getting slack regarding a regular up-date of my blog. Consequently my numbers are going down as well. I also might have to ‘re-vamp’ my Man from Mosel River, make it more funky and have moving pictures.
Headlines in newspapers and magazines muse and contemplate about the power of food and bloggers. At the same time it is so easy to leave feedback and comments on sites such as trip advisor. Why bother with a fully fledged blog?
Hmmm, I might do something else. But the cracks in my armour are getting slightly bigger. I have to think. As always bear with me.
What would you suggest, by the way?
PS: What I like is my archive which has become quite big over the years and allows me to trace sunken memories and paths of my past.
1 Comment | wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: blogging, Dr Vino, FohBoh, FohBoh Wine Club, gadgets, James Halliday, Jancis Robinson, Open Wine Consortium, wine, wine blogger, wine blogging, wine industry | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
March 8, 2013
Lucy and Charlotte Adam
Today is international women’s day. It is a very special day especially since exactly 25 years ago I have met my wife Margit for the first time (in an Italian language class in Rome). So we are celebrating today, and I will tell you what wine we will drink at this special occasion.
But before I come to this, let me also say that the next generation is getting ready. My two daughters Lucy and Charlotte are in the middle of their preparations for the IB examinations. They have big plans. Both want to study at Melbourne University.
At this, I admit, very preliminary point, both will have some connection with the land and country, it seems. Lucy intends to do an oenology course (but she will study politics), and Charlotte wants to get involved into environmental science for sustainable agriculture. If they stay course, we might welcome two new vintners at Two Hills Vineyard.
This is of course the future calling, but the two have not disappointed at no time.
By the way, my role has also been defined in advance: farm hand, is my destination.
OK back to the present. What will we be drinking tonight? Can you guess?
It will be a ‘2012 Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling trocken’ by Schlosskellerei Maximin Grünhaus C. von Schubert in Mertesdorf, Ruwer. I have written an entry of the earlier vintage of this wonderful wine from my beloved Mosel river.
PS: Thanks to another “Man from the Mosel”, my friend Thomas Weber, I am in the possession of the above bottle. Thank you Thomas for carrying this treasure more than 10,000 miles to the other end of the earth.
4 Comments | culture, general, Vineyard profile, vineyards, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Australia, Charlotte Adam, climate, Glenburn, Lucy Adam, Maximin Grünhäuser, Melbourne, Mertesdorf, Mosel, Mosel river, nature, Riesling, Ruwer, Schlosskellerei Maximin Grünhaus C. von Schubert, Two Hills Vineyard, Victoria | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
February 27, 2013
2011 Heritage Syrah by GranMonte Family Estate
My private situation is not conducive to blogging at all. And in fact I should take a complete break, I think at times. But then I just withdraw from my current world to escape into the illusions I have cultivated over the last weeks.
I needed to treat myself to something nice, and my choice was an obvious one, a ‘2011 GranMonte Heritage Syrah’ by GranMonte Estate in Khao Yai, Thailand.
I just love the dark red colour and the intense red berry aromas. The wine is elegant, and I very muchnenjoy the balance of tannins and spicy acidity. I did not give the wine a chance to improve with cellaring but might do this with one or two bottles at a later stage.
Spear ribs and morning glory
My girls had cooked dinner, spear ribbs with morning glory. The ribbs were marinated in an Asian plum sauce, and caramelized glazing was just delicious. The contrast with the morning glories was stricking, and the white rice “glued” it all together.
What a lovely family dinner this was. Thai wine and food with an Asian heritage.
2 Comments | food, food and wine, vineyards, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Asoke Valley, Gran Monte, Gran Monte Estate, Heritage Syrah, New Latitude Wines, Nikki Lohitnavy, Syrah, Thai wine, Thai Wine Association, Thailand | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
February 18, 2013
2011 TerraMater Sauvignon Blanc
It was a hot Sunday in Bangkok, and I was longing for a fresh and refreshing wine. I went on a wine shopping tour to our local Wine Connection shop in Thonglor, just a 15 minutes walk away from my home.
I browsed through the shelves and found a few white wines which matched my desire. One of them was a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile, a ‘2011 TerraMater Premium Vineyard SB’.
This is a very solid wine, with pleasant aromas, lovely acidity and a reasonable finish. I also loved the golden colour of the wine. For a mass produced wine in this low price segment, this wine is value for money. I can only recommend it.
2011 Sauvignon Blanc Premium Vinyard Wines by TerraMater
TerraMater is based on a family wine business going back to the 1930s. But in 1996 the three Canepa sisters (Gilda, Edda and Antonieta) reinvigorated their family enterprise through the construction of a new winery and the restructuring of their production portfolio.
The visit of the company website makes you anxious for the premium range of TerraMater wines, especially the Carmenere and other reds. I wonder if Wine Connection does import some of them to Thailand. TerraMater also produce olive oil and apples.
I was very pleased with my choice. Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favourite whites anyway, and the Terra Mater SB from Chile fully satisfied my wine drinkers desires.
Leave a Comment » | culture, history and culture, vineyards, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Antonieta Canepa, Bangkok, Carmenere, Chile, Chilean wine, Edda Canepa, family wine, Gilda Canepa, Maipo Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Terra Mater, TerraMater, Thailand, Thonglor, wine connection, wine from Chile, wine shopping | Permalink
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February 15, 2013
A spittoon at Weingut Karthäuserhof in Eitelsbach
When we had the open day at Weingut Karthäuserhof last August, I took this photo of a spittoon in the tasting room. I do not particularly like these receptacles but in serious wine tasting they are a necessity.
I will have to do more wine tastings to appreciate their usefulness, and wonder when this will happen.
Does anybody have other photos of spittoon for wine to share?
Have a good weekend.
Cheers (despite lent, I will have a few glasses of wine in the next weeks).
2 Comments | culture, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Eitelsbach, Karthaeuserhof, Mosel, Mosel river, receptacles, spittoon, tasting room, Trier, Weingut Karthäuserhof, wine, wine tasting, wine tastings | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
February 14, 2013
I know it is Valentines day, but I could not care less. Today I would like to draw your attention to a topic right at my heart, the Australian wine industry.
The questions which occupieds me most is what can we expect during the next few years after the “wine lake burst its banks”, overproduction made producer prices drop and many businesses collapsed in the wake of overplanting and overproduction.
Is the boom and bust of the primary industry in grape and wine production coming to an end any time soon?
According to a recent study by the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) commissioned by Vinexpo, this will not be the case. The Australian wine industry is contracting further (by about 15%) whereas global wine production will,only shrink by less than 3%.
But in the long run (longer than 5 years from now) prospects are much better. And this is what I am interested in. Sure there will be less volume, but better quality and better prices. The adjustment will not make everybody happy though.
But I am confident that I can continue my boutique vineyard once the restructuring is completed. One of my daughters is also keen to let this opportunity not slip away. This should make me optimistic too.
Cheers to you all, and happy Valentines day.
Leave a Comment » | food and wine, general, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Australian wine industry, Glenburn, Internatioanl Wine and Spirit Research, IWSR, The Man from Mosel River, Two Hills Vineyard, Valentines, Valentines day, Vinexpo, wine | Permalink
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February 11, 2013
After a couple of weeks without a Riesling from my beloved Mosel, I came across a bottle of ‘2011 Goldtroepfchen Gran Crue’ by Weingut Lothar Kettner in Piesport, Mosel.
I had no idea where the bottle came from. I must have bought it in Bangkok, I thought. But right when I opened it, I knew it was what I needed to celebrate the New Years eve of the Chinese Year of the Snake, the spring festival, as it is also called.
The golden colour is intriguing. The aromas are infatuating. Green apples and white stone fruit came to mind. A Riesling from the Mosel, a wine I adore. What wine would be better to prelude the New Year?
Faith – Love – Hope is the motto of the family winery Weingut Lothar Kettern in Piesport, Mosel. This is represented by the three symbols in the logo of the winery: the cross, the heart and the anchor. The vintner tradition runs in the family for about 200 years. The son of Lothar, Philipp Kettern, also know as ‘the wine pirate’ is now running the estate.
The Kettern family only grows Riesling grapes. Steep slopes, with cooler climate, are the preferred vineyard locations, so that vintage is late. Low yields, perfection regarding leave removal and environment friendly techniques are the key to success. The wines are hand crafted in the true sense of the word.
I will have to see that with my own eyes, next time I visit my beloved Mosel.
12 Comments | culture, history and culture, vineyards, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: Goldtroepfchen, grand cru, Lothar Kettern, Mosel, Philipp Kettern, Piesport, Riesling, Weingut Lothar Kettern | Permalink
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February 9, 2013
My twin daughters 18th birthday in November last year, was accompanied by a dinner party. The Great Hornbill Bistro in Soi Sukhumvit 39 had kindly provided the venue, the food and the wine.
Together with about 20 of their friends, Lucy and Charlotte held a celebratory birthday dinner at the mezzanine floor of the bistro. I had selected the wines. My choice was the entry level wines of PB Valley Winery, one of my favourite Thai winery.
The ‘2010 Sawasdee Khao Yai Chenin Blanc’ and the ‘2010 Sawasdee Khao Yai Shiraz’, both very fruity and lively wines, seemed to be ideally suited for newcomers to the world of fine wine.
My daughters had asked me to serve them shots when the meal was over to conclude the event. It was also a signal that the night was still young and that they could troupe out to spend the rest of the evening at a place of their choice, probably near Khaosan road and surroundings.
Fortunately, PB Valley Estate produces a fine Schnapps (40% alcohol) distilled from fresh Lychee fruit grown in Northern Thailand. The kids, used to shots of vodka and other taste-neutral alcohols, could not believe it. The intense Lychee aromas just blew them away. They all liked it.
For me, it was also the first time that I had a go at this “Schnapps”. I just loved it. Licci, although not cheap (quality has its price), is a great product and ideally suited as a digestive after a beautiful Thai or Western meal.
PS: PB Valley Estate is currently celebrating their vintage festival. You should visit. Have a look and enjoy to explore Thai vineyards and wineries. The Khao Yai national park is just next door.
Address:
The Great Hornbill Bistro
59/3 Soi Sukhumvit 39, Sukhumvit Road,
Klongton Nua, Wattana,
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Opening hours: Mo – So. 11-22 h
Tel.: +66-2 262 0030
Email:hospitality@pb-partners.com
The Great Hornbill Bistro is the cellar door of PB Valley Khao Yai Winery in Bangkok.
PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
102 Moo 5, Phaya Yen,
Pak Chong 30320, Thailand
Tel.: +66 (0) 2 262 0030
www.khaoyaiwinery.com
1 Comment | culture, general, wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: bangkok thailand, Chenin Blanc, fresh lychee fruit, khao yai national park, Licci, New Latitude Wines, PB Valley, PB Valley Estate, Schnapps, Schnaps, Shiraz, Thai wine, Thai Wine Association, Thai wine industry, The Man from Mosel River | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
February 7, 2013
Author with a Dr. Loosen Riesling from the Mosel
As a man from the Mosel, I love the Riesling wines grown on the steep slopes of the valley. This is not to say that there are no other good Riesling wines elsewhere.
I also love the Rieslings from Rheinhessen, the Rheingau, the Pfalz and Alsace of course. When it comes to Riesling wines from my adopted home Australia, I still had not the necessary exposure which I very much regret.
Recently two Australian Rieslings won the top awards at two major wine shows in Australia. The ‘2012 Ravensworth Riesling’ a single vineyard wine produced by Ravensworth Wines, was the best wine of the 2012 Canberra International Riesling Challenge.
And the ‘2012 The Lodge Hill dry Riesling’ by Jim Barry Wines was awarded the honor of best table wine at the National Wine Show of Australia.
This is something. This is big. But what is even better is the pricing of these wines. The Ravensworth Riesling retails for A$ 20 and the Lodge Hill Dry Riesling for A$ 22. This is quality for money, I assume, and you need to buy now, because who knows how long this will last.
Leave a Comment » | wine, wine regions, wineries | Tagged: 2012 Canberra International Riesling Challenge, 2012 Dan Murphy's National Wine Show, Alsace, Australian Riesling, Australian wine, Best Australian Riesling, canberra international, German Riesling, jim barry wines, Mosel, Mosel river, national wine, Pfalz, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Riesling wines, The Man from the Mosel, wine | Permalink
Posted by themanfrommoselriver
The Man from Mosel River 