Pictures: Meeting 3 Superstars and an old Friend: Tasting at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt with Eve Faiveley of Domaine Faively, Matthieu Perrin of Famille Perrin and Château de Beaucastel, Jean Frédéric Hugel of Famille Hugel and Tony Smith of Quinta de Covela
The Veritable Groupe wine trade show 2021 took place in Frankfurt on September 6 and 7. It brought to Frankfurt the about 100 wine producers of the Veritable Groupe portfolio. Annette and I were happy to be able to attend the trade show and taste wines with top winemakers mostly from France, but also Germany and other European countries. We were thrilled to meet again in person, producers and owners of many renowed estates, in particular
Eve Faveley of Domaine Faively, an estate we visit regularly on the Bourgogne tours by ombiasy winetours; recently we saw each other at Faively winemaker dinner at the Kronenschlösschen in the Rheingau;
Matthieu Perrin from the Perrin family with their flagship estate Château de Beaucastel; recently Annette saw Matthieu at a winemaker dinner at Kronenschlösschen with superstar chef Christian Bau,
Jean Frédéric Hugel from the Famille Hugel, the legendary Alsace producer in Riquewhir; a couple of years ago Jean Frédéric gave us a memorable tour when we were in Alsace during a Germany South/ Alsace tour by ombiasy winetours, and finally
Tony Smith, owner of Quinta de Covela, Vinho Verde Region in the Douro Valley; we spent a wonderful evening and night at Quinta de Covela a few years ago as part of an European Wine Bloggers Conference.
There were so many others, from superstars like Augusto Boffa of Pio Cesare and Sofia Thanisch of Weingut Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch Erben to the up and coming Karsten Peters of Weingut F. & F. Peters. Karsten Peters has been making wines since 1998, including for 13 years at Weingut St. Antony, but in 2017 Karsten decided to move on an create his own estate, which now accounts for 4,5 hectars.
Superstar: Eve Faively of Domaine Faiveley, Bourgogne
Domaine Joseph Faiveley is one of the biggest domains in the Bourgogne and, many would argue, one of the best. This illustrious company has been based in Nuits St Georges since the days of Pierre Faiveley who founded the business in 1825. His son Joseph gave his name to the family business, to be followed by (1) the first François, (2) Georges who was instrumental in founding the Chevaliers du Tastevin, (3) Guy who developed the business in the Côte Chalonnaise, (4) François who recently retired and (5) now his children Eve and Erwan.
We have visited Domaine Joseph Faiveley several times. Last time, in 2019, Matilde Nicolas, Communications Director, was out host.
Pictures: Eve Faiveley with Annette and Christian Schiller at the Rheingau Gourmet und Wein Festival in Hattenheim, Germany
See: Dinner with Eve Faiveley, Domaine Faiveley, Nuits St. Georges, Bourgogne and 2-star-Michelin Chef Thomas Kellermann, Relais & Châteaux Park Hotel Egerner Höfe, Tegernsee, at the Rheingau Gourmet und Wein Festival in Hattenheim, Germany
A few days ago, we enjoyed very much a tasting of the vintage with owner Eve Faiveley in Frankfurt at the veritable groupe show.
Pictures: Tasting with Eve Faiveley of Domaine Faiveley at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt
Superstar: Matthieu Perrin of Perrin Family, Château de Beaucastel and Tablas Creek
wine-searcher.com: Famille Perrin is a leading wine producer and négociant in the southern Rhône Valley. The business was established in 1997, and today makes wines from some of the region's most famous appellations, including Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The Perrin family has been making wine in the region since the early 1900s, when scientist Pierre Perrin inherited the Château de Beaucastel estate. Perrin's grandchildren, François and Jean-Pierre, founded the Famille Perrin business together before passing on the reins two years later to the fifth-generation Perrin, Pierre, in 1999.
In addition to its renowned Château de Beaucastel estate, Famille Perrin's portfolio includes Miraval, Domaine du Clos des Tourelles and La Vielle Ferme. Domaine du Clos des Tourelles is situated in Gigondas and comprises 10 hectares (25 acres) of vineyards planted to 80 percent Grenache, with smaller plantings of Syrah, Cinsaut and Mourvèdre. The La Vielle Ferme brand was established in the 1970s, and comprises a range of red, rosé and white wines from vineyards in Ventoux and Luberon. Famille Perrin uses organic and biodynamic approaches in its vineyards.
Also, the Perrin family owns jointly with the Haas family the famous Tablas Creek Estate in Paso Robles, California.
Annette Schiller met sixth generation Perrin, Matthieu, at a winemaker dinner in 2020, the last one she attended before the corona crisis.
See: Exceptional Winemaker Dinner: Owner Matthieu Perrin of Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Owner Christian Ress of Weingut Balthasar Ress, Rheingau and 3 Star Michelin Chef Christian Bau of Victor's Fine Dining in Perl-Nenning at the Rheingau Gourmet & Wein Festival 2020 in Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany
Unfortunately, we have never been to Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape,but have been to Tablas Greek and have attended winemaker dinners with Tablas Creek co-owner and winemaker Jason Haas in Washington DC.
Picture: Christian Schiller and Jason Haas of Tablas Creek in Washington DC
See: Tablas Creek Wines from Paso Robles and Belgian Food at Brasserie Beck with Tablas Greek GM Jason Haas and Chef Robert Wiedmaier in Washington DC, USA
At the veritable group show, showed us the whole range of his wines. We also discussed the forthcoming Rhône Valley by ombiasy winetours and agreed to have a tasting at Domaine du Clos des Tourelles in Gigondas as there is major construction going on at Château de Beaucastel.
Pictures: Tasting with Matthieu Perrin of Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt
Superstar: Jean Frédéric Hugel from Famille Hugel, Alsace
Famille Hugel is one of the major producers of Alsace wine, and has been an important force in the Alsace wine industry in its developments during the second half of the 20th century. For over 370 years and with 13-family generations the Hugel family has unrivaled experience and knowledge of Alsace vineyards and winemaking. Known today for their passion and modern outlook, the dynamic Hugel family, located in the picture-postcard fortified village of Riquewihr, has earned a worldwide reputation for their Alsace wines.
Picture: Tasting at Hugel in Riquewihr with Owner Jean Frédéric Hugel
Owner Jean Frédéric Hugel was our host at the Germany-South and Alsace 2017 tour by ombiasy winetours. We toured the winery, which is situated right in the center of Riquewihr, and then sat down for a most impressive tasting, including a wine fom 1945.
See: Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
I had established contact with Jean Frédéric at the 5. Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
See: 5. Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, Washington State: Overview
Picture: Felix Meyer of Domaine Meyer-Fonne, Jean Frédéric Hugel and Christian Schiller
In Frankfurt, Jean Frédéric introduced us to the new vintage and the in and outs of the pass sanitare that is now required in France for something like a visit of the Hugel Estate. Annette plans to visit Hugel during the forthcoming Germany-South/ Alsace Tour by ombiasy winetours in the middle of 2022.
Pictures: Tasting with Jean Frédéric Hugel, Famille Hugel, Alsace, at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt
Old Friend: Owner Tony Smith of Quinta Corvela, Douro Valley, Portugal
The 2013 Digital Wine Communications Conference (DWCC) in Logroño, La Rioja, Spain, did not only take me to Spain, but also to Portugal. The conference included 3 pre-conference press trips, including one to the Douro Valley.
One of the highlights was our stay at Quinta de Covela in the Vinho Verde Region. After a period of neglect, Quinta de Covela was purchased in 2011 and brought back to life by two impassioned wine lovers, one from Brazil and one from England. The latter, Tony Smith, orchestrated our visit.
Picture: Christian Schiller and Tony Smith at Quinta de Covela
See: Wining and Dining at the Reborn Quinta de Covela, Vinho Verde Region in the Douro Valley, with Owner Tony Smith and Winemaker Rui Cunha, Portugal
I will never forget the stay at Quinta de Covela and was thrilled to meet Tony again in Frankfurt. He showed us new vintages of wines he had already produced while we were there as well as new wines.
Pictures: Tasting with Tony Smith of Quinta de Covela at the Veritable Groupe Show in Frankfurt
schiller-wine - Related Postings
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits, with Matilde Nicolas, Communications Director - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Dinner with Eve Faiveley, Domaine Faiveley, Nuits St. Georges, Bourgogne and 2-star-Michelin Chef Thomas Kellermann, Relais & Châteaux Park Hotel Egerner Höfe, Tegernsee, at the Rheingau Gourmet und Wein Festival in Hattenheim, Germany
Exceptional Winemaker Dinner: Owner Matthieu Perrin of Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Owner Christian Ress of Weingut Balthasar Ress, Rheingau and 3 Star Michelin Chef Christian Bau of Victor's Fine Dining in Perl-Nenning at the Rheingau Gourmet & Wein Festival 2020 in Kronenschlösschen in Hattenheim, Rheingau, Germany
Tour and Tasting at Hugel in Riquewhir, Alsace, with Jean Frédéric Hugel - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
5. Riesling Rendezvous in Seattle, Washington State: Overview
Wining and Dining at the Reborn Quinta de Covela, Vinho Verde Region in the Douro Valley, with Owner Tony Smith and Winemaker Rui Cunha, Portugal