D. Milhade Wine Tasting

D. Milhade Wine Tasting, Ponti Wine Cellars, Central
7th September

A wine tasting is a great was to start a Friday night. This was put on by Ponti Cellars and the plan was for a little sip in Central then to move up the hill for dinner in SoHo; an offer so tempting that Naomi even decided to came along! The event was hosted by Gerard Milhade the President of the D. Milhade wine group whose wines we were trying. Gerard was friendly and courteous and, despite the fact he was exhausted after two weeks travelling China, was happy to chat. We discussed the international wine market, the buying power of the US, the relationship between the Euro and US dollar and the emergence of the Chinese market. He is also interestingly mentioned his frustrations with the French application system and his desire to experiment with different grape varieties (especially Pinot Noir!) in Boudreaux.
Now comes the hard bit. I've unfortunately lost my notes on the nine wines from the D. Milhade portfolio that were offered for tasting and going off memory isn't the best idea. My favourite wine of the night was Chateau Lyonnat 2004 Lussac St Emilion; a wine was produced at Gerard's home (wouldn't it be nice to live in a Chateau!). Both the Grand Crus came from Chateau Boutisse in St Emillion; the Chateau Boutisse 2004 and Baron de Boutisse 2004 were both good wines, well structured and refined, but the price that we being asked was perhaps a little too much. I can't remember anything else from the range jumping out, but again I thought all the wines were pretty good. The D. Milhade Wine Tasting was a worthwhile event which offered a chance to try some nice St Emilion wines and the opportunity to chat with the president of the company producing them.

Visit the D. Milhade website.