Tasting the pairings
Published:Sunday | August 8, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
With 400 years' experience in reserve, Miguel Torres has mastered the art of making wine, and those who had the pleasure of savouring this mastery are still talking about the Wray and Nephew-distributed Viña Esmeralda.
They are also tasting the pairings lavishly laid out by Riu Montego Bay's General Manager Katharina Doehler, who hosted Club de Vin's monthly wine party, yet days have passed since Thursday, July 26 when the collaboration resulted in master sommelier Dan Kumler making a call on the Second City.
Talking wines comes easy, but a palate that becomes accustomed to smooth silky and fruity, with very soft tannins, will constantly crave for a pleasant finish. And that is exactly what the taste buds were treated to at this tasting.
The wines selected by Brand Manager Raihn Sibblies were Sab Valentin Garnacha, Sangre de Toro Garnacha, San Valentin Parellada, Viña Esmeralda and Moscatel Oro with dessert.
The beauty about these wines is the fact they are environmentally friendly. "All the wines in our vineyards are made from sustainable agriculture," said Kumler, noting, with pride, that Torres was known as the number-one winery in the world for protecting the environment. "We don't use pesticides or herbicides," he boasted.
The result: a rich blend of complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and blackberries. Velvety tannins, with elegant flavours of licorice and small dark forest fruits.