Tasting Panel: Sommelier India Tastes Wines from Murcia
At the first ever serious tasting of wines by Sommelier India - The Wine Magazine, a group of wine professionals got together with SI publisher, Reva Singh to taste wines produced from the Monastrell grape in the Murcia region of Spain. The tasting was ably coordinated by SI contributor and sommelier, Harshal Shah. Read more about these wines in Sommelier India, March/April 2009. Also present were Andrew Steele, General Manager, Shangri La Hotel, Rukn Luthra, Asst VP - Wines, Pernod Ricard, India, and Bill Marchetti, chef and restaurateur in India and Australia.
"While this was a first tasting, it was a great success and we feel very encouraged," says Reva Singh. "Our goal is to conduct regular tastings in order to review wines and make recommendations in response to recurring reader demand."
Why a tasting panel? "There is great diversity in wine and I didn't think a single palate should reign supreme. We are not judging the wines here but coming to a consensus after tasting them blind and discussing what we've tasted."
At this and future tastings, the panelists who all have experienced and/or trained palates will make recommendations based on their personal preferences. The panel, headed by Reva Singh, SI's Publisher/Editor, will comprise wine (and food) professionals who share SI values of independence and integrity and believe in its publishing goals.
Sommelier India's editorial team welcomes feedback. SI's mission is to entertain and inform readers about wine and the rich culture around it while promoting responsible consumption of what is considered the world's most civilised drink. If you wish to have your wines tasted at some point in the future, please email tastings@indianwinemagazine.com -- RBS
In order of tasting, the wines were:
2006 Juan Gil 'Pedrera'. 100% Monastrell, Jumilla D.O.
Available in India. Approximate retail: Rs 750.
2007 Carchelo 'C'. 40% Monastrell; 40% Syrah; 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Jumilla D.O. N/A
2004 Bodegas Luzon 'Alma de Luzon'. 70% Monastrell; 20% Cabernet Sauvignon ; 20% Syrah. Jumilla D.O. N/A
2007 Ucenda. 100% Monastrell. Bullas D.O. N/A
2005 Bodegas Luzon 'Altos de Luzon'. 50% Monastrell ; 25% Cabernet Sauvignon ; 25% Tempranillo. Jumilla D.O. N/A
2005 Laurent Miguel ' Cuvée Bardou' Saint-Chinian (Languedoc). 100% Syrah.
Available in India. Approximate retail: Rs 750.
2006 Juan Gil Monastrell 'Old Vines'. 100% Monastrell. Jumilla D.O.
Available in India. Approximate retail: Rs 1,500.
2005 Juan Gil Silver Label. 100% Monastrell. Jumilla D.O.
Available in India. Approximate retail: Rs 2,000+.
