The Gérard Basset Excellence in Wine Service prize

In Memory of my friend and associate Gérard Basset OBE, MS, MW, Wine MBA, Oiv Msc. (1957-2019) who left us on the 16th of january 2019, IMBA is creating a special prize dedicated to promoting excellence in wine service. Arguably the most wine titled person ever, respected and loved by all for his kindness and

Marc Almert, Best Sommelier of the World 2019

Marc Almert, a young talented Sommelier from Germany just got crowned Best Sommelier of The World 2019 at the ASI Competition held in Antwerpen on March 15th. This is a First to win such a prestigious competition that early. My friend and partner, the late Gérard Basset, won it when he was twice the age of

Vin de Constance 2014

In days of old, this wine used to be supplied to Kings. Still regal today! Burnished gold wine, beautifully aromatic and very delineated with note of roses, stone fruits such as peach, apricots and poached pears in honey and sugar coated roasted pecan nuts (some botrytis). Perfectly balanced with a fresh lift that prevents the

What colour is this wine?

2016 Mouton in bottle

Consistent quality throughout at all price points, Mouton wines should find their ways in smart cellars. (Tasted on premise January 2016)

16/01/2019 In Memoriam, Gérard Basset OBE

  On the 16th of January 2019, Gérard Basset OBE, MW, MS, Wine MBA, Msc.OIV, Best Sommelier of the World 2010 left us. My thoughts goes to his family: his spouse Nina and his son Romané. Gérard Basset has been a personal friend, partner and the Director of the IMBA Cellar Management program. I have

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!