January 2019, IMBA in Bordeaux tasting the Left Bank 2015 & 2016 vintages

A few highlights of the 6th to 13th of January 2019 in Bordeaux        

From Music that taste good, to Wine… Richard Sagala Story

    Expose yourself to the best things that humans have done, and then try to bring those things into what you’re doing  (Steve Jobs) -Abstract- Richard Sagala’s wine story began with an analogy game involving wine and the sound of musical instruments, the meeting of a classical musician with a passion for gastronomy, to Paris

Fleury 2004

  A ripe and mature champagne from a great vintage (2004). Great Vinosity, finesse of the bubbles, lemon curd and long finish (saline and mineral). “Another dozen of oysters Please!”heard the butler.

In situ, tasting Bordeaux Pomerol 2014-2015

Bordeaux 2014 was a challenging year, 2015 vintage is the blessed one. Should you overloook the 14’s for cellar purposes? No, the beauty is to find the best producers. How do you do that tasting blind? At the end you compare the 2014-2015 lists and check your 10% best scores to see if some Château

18th of April wine auction, $2300 for Charity!

Spinoza or Spinosa?

For Spinoza the philosopher, happiness (conatus) is all about increasing your desire… No doubt that after a glass of this fresh wine you will desire more; In Vino Veritas!

Fine wines outperform blue chips and gold in 2017

11% return

Quiet days in Venice tasting and reflecting on Gravner wines

by Richard Sagala Gravner wines: Are orange wines game changers or Hyperprism? Josko Gravner is an Italian producer from the Friuli region. Mr. Gavner created a reputation for himself from a radical winemaking technique that he has espoused (amphora) and the original wines that he produces, the so called orange wines. By the way, Orange

Tasting autochtonous and native grapes for IMBA in Italy

  Richard Sagala, in contex (Friuli, Barolo and Venice) is tasting Italian native wine grapes for the Cellar Management program of the IMBA. Italy produces many original wines that are worth cellaring. In Vino Veritas!  

Sartarelli Balciana Vertical 2015-2007

In Verdicchio Veritas! by Richard Sagala Italy August 2017, in the elegant new facilities of Sartarelli I experienced a vertical tasting of a rather special wine: the Sartarelli Balciana. A word about the new Saltarelli building: it is an airy and natural light filled small building hosting an original museum dedicated to the glory of

Tiberio Fonte Canale 2015

In focus, by Richard Sagala Tiberio Fonte Canale 2015 This crisp wine comes from the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is crafted from 100% Trebbiano Abruzzese 58 years old vines grown under a canopy training system (see picture of Cristiana Tiberio under the canopy). How does it taste? Acacia flowers on the nose plus mandarine

KRUG 2000 “Stormy indulgence”?

In focus, by Richard Sagala KRUG 2000 –Gourmandise orageuse – Stormy indulgence This how the producer calls this wine: “Gourmandise orageuse – Stormy indulgence” Does “stormy indulgence” sounds a bit over the top to you? Well, I should add that “Gourmandise orageuse” in French sounds even worse to me… so lets leave it there please.

Château des Bachelards, Le Clos 2014, Fleurie, France

In Focus, by Richard Sagala Château des Bachelards, (Magnum), Le Clos 2014 Above is a 19th century print showing a French wine growing property, Les Bachelards, located in Burgundy, more specifically in Fleurie, one of the ten Beaujolais Crus (first growths). One can see the wall connected to the main house behind which vines were grown and
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Partnership announcement between ALFRED Sommelier and CEWECM-IMBA

Montréal, July 5th 2017: Partnership announcement between ALFRED Sommelier and CEWECM-IMBA. CEWECM-IMBA, the Centre of Excellence in Wine Education and Cellar Management of the International Montreal Butler Academy will be partnering this Fall with ALFRED Sommelier, an Expert Software System and cellar management company. CEWECM-IMBA was created  in 2017 by Richard Sagala Wine MBA, the owner of the International Montreal Butler Academy.  Richard Sagala and
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Poggio Antico 1985 Brunello di Montalcino

In Focus, by Alain Cloutier Poggio Antico 1985 Brunello di Montalcino Tasted recently, here is a very nice bottle! This great Tuscan wine demonstrates once again the ageing potential for this terroir surrounding the village of Montalcino. Made from a clone of sangiovese named Brunello, this 1985 surprised by its color still intense, without marked